Evening sailing at Bexhill Sailing Club
Bexhill Sailing Club's weekend entertainment launched on Friday (24th April) evening with a quiz organised by the Social Committee. Mary Westhead and Steve Cole based their fun quiz on Richard Osman's quizzes. Any queries were met with 'blame Richard' hahaha! The top 3 teams finished within 1 point of each other. Well done Enigma Variations, Universally Challenged! and ZZ Top.
On Saturday 25th April the new students for the Learn To Sail Course were invited to the Club for an Induction Day. They were introduced to the instructors, shown around the clubhouse and told more details about the RYA syllabus. Their course starts on 30th May and runs for 10 consecutive Saturdays, finishing with a Novice Regatta on 1st August.
Later on Bexhill Sailing Club commenced the Saturday Evening Series, the late launch being due to a late high tide. The first evening sail of the year. A brisk south easterly wind, steady not gusty, sunshine and easy launching brought lots of boats to the beach. A triangle course was set towards Hastings. The best start was found by Neil Smith (Comet Xtra) weaving close to shore to keep out of the strong tide. The safety boat team laid an excellent beat so tacking on port and starboard was fairly even.
Neil Smith's great start secured him the lead throughout for Slow fleet, taking the win. Rachel Wynn (Comet Xtra) second and Vice Commodore Malcolm Brookes (Comet Xtra) third. Bob Palmer (Laser Radial) won Fast fleet just 6 seconds ahead of Tony Witham (Supernova), Dave Baldwin (Laser Full) was third. Flo Wright with crew Abi Wright won Catamaran fleet unchallenged.
Novice fleet was mainly a battle between teenager Sadie Tod with her dad James crewing, versus Sadie's brother Fraser Tod with crew Rick Parker. All sailing in Club Laser 2000 dinghies. Sadie was leading her younger brother at the start and throughout the first lap, but the superior experience of Fraser and his crew paid off, finishing over two minutes ahead of his sister and father. This was despite Fraser narrowly avoiding a collision with a kamikazi kayaker who had decided it would be a good idea to paddle through the racing boats!! Third place Novice was Pete Bennett (Laser Radial), doing well in his first season.
Bexhill Sailing Club will be holding the traditional Early May Series over the Bank Holiday weekend 2-4th May. Five races over 3 days. There is also 'Get Back Into Sailing' training for members who would like to brush up their sailing skills. More information can be found at www.bexhillsailing.club, or drop in to see us over the Bank Holiday weekend to ask any questions about membership and training.