Thorpe Bay Yacht Club » Howard Hawkes

Thank you Chris Boshier.

Howard Hawkes — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:32:02 +0000

On behalf of the Sprint 15 fleet, may I thank Chris Boshier for standing-in for an absent Race Officer today. Without his selfless dedication, we wouldn’t have had a race today, as the scheduled Race Officer (or his substitute) failed to show up.

Many thanks, Chris.

I’ve left my drysuit in the changing room…

Howard Hawkes — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:27:02 +0000

…and if anybody is tempted to “borrow” it, just so that you know, I break wind a lot a well as being incontinent…

Howard Hawkes.

TBYC Regatta – Help!

Howard Hawkes — Fri, 21 May 2010 13:46:39 +0000

I could do with a couple of extra heads on the Committee Boat for the Regatta. Any kind offers to me on 07973 388553 please - even one day would be great. Vast experience is not essential! Thanks.

Congratulations to Kevin Iles & Jane Wade.

Howard Hawkes — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 17:42:31 +0000

I would like to congratulate Kevin and Jane on their 3rd place in the Bloody Mary last Saturday. This is arguably THE premier winter open event and attracts some of the best sailors in the UK.

Trophies.

Howard Hawkes — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:24:42 +0000

Could all trophy holders please ensure that all TBYC trophies are returned to the club by Friday at the latest, cleaned and ready for Saturday’s prizegiving.

Many thanks – see you all there at 8.00 pm sharp!

Sprint 15 Inland Champion – Kyle Stoneham

Howard Hawkes — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 20:19:26 +0000

Congratulations to Kyle Stoneham for winning a windy Sprint Inlands at Grafham this weekend. Martyn Ellis also had a good result with a 7th, and I was, er, 12th. I did however manage 3rd in the TT series, of which the Inlands was the final and best attended event.

Kyle’s achievement is all the greater for the fact that his boat is by no means new and neither is his sail. It all goes to show it’s not the equipment, it’s the person on the tiller. It’s a fact that Kyle regularly goes out after work and PRACTICES – upwind, downwind, tacks, gybes, 360 degree turns, and starting. He also thinks about what he does and why he does it.

All in all, it’s been a good year for the Thorpe Bay Spint 15 fleet, with two titles and a growing reputation on the circuit.

Dinghy AGM.

Howard Hawkes — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:05:19 +0000

The Dinghy AGM is to be held on Wednesday 15th October at 8.00 pm.

If you’re a cat or dinghy sailor, please attend if at all possible – it’s the opportunity to have your say.

Clearing the Boat Park.

Howard Hawkes — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:41:35 +0000

The “summer” season is coming to an end and with it arrives the annual migration to the boat park of the cruisers, which is scheduled for Saturday 18^th October. As usual, those who are NOT sailing in the Winter Series need to remove their boats on or before Sunday 12^th October, whereas those who will continue to sail should move their boats to the western half of the boat park.

It is noticeable that some owners take a rather disinterested attitude to the reorganisation of the boat park, leaving it to others to move their boats on their behalf. Please bear in mind that if your boat needs to be moved because you’ve not bothered to comply with the above request, it might not be treated with quite the same delicacy that you would apply – why should it? So if you care about your boat, either take it away OR BETTER STILL, move it to the west side of the boat park and JOIN THE REST OF US in the Winter Series.

The more efficiently we dinghy and cat sailors clear the space for the cruisers the more compactly they are installed, leaving us more space for our boats, so it’s in our interests to co-operate as fully as possible. Not only that, but the Master Recruiter for the Sprint 15 class and Keeper of the Boat Park – none other than Andrew Hannah – has sworn severe retribution for any boats not complying. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Those stalwarts joining us keen Sprint sailors for the season of PROPER sailing need to enter by Saturday 25^th October. Unfortunately the Sandhoppers won’t be with us – Barry is feeling his age and it is said that this year he may hibernate.

Finally, I’m bowing out after an interesting year. There is a tremendous spirit within this club in which everybody pulls together and I’m a very grateful beneficiary of that culture. Many people have helped me at various times. My successor is that Contender sailor and master-fixer of broken Sprints, Chris Boshier. I wish him well in the post and hope you will all support him as you have me.

Don’t forget the Winter Series. See you there!

Howard Hawkes.

RNLI Pursuit Race

Howard Hawkes — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:39:10 +0000

Don’t forget the RNLI Pursuit Race this Sunday, first start 4.00 pm.

For the uninitiated, the start seqence begins with the slowest boat and gradually works through in decreasing PY order so that the fastest boats start last. The race will be run for 2 hours and the first over the line wins. It’s a great spectacle watching the faster boats working their way through the fleet and trying to work out whether they can overtake the early starters. It’s also a great way of raising money for the Lifeboat as the entry fees go the the RNLI.

RNLI Pursuit SIs 2008

RNLI Pursuit Race Starts 2008

Sprint 15 Nationals.

Howard Hawkes — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 08:38:42 +0000

A very big “thank you” to all who contributed to the success of the Sprint Nationals this weekend, for which we had 61 entries. I have been overwhelmed by comments such as “as good as any Nationals we’ve ever had”, “marvellous facilities”, “friendly atmosphere”, “great organisation” and – perhaps most important of all – praise for our Race Officer Phil Crawford and his team for their efficiency and good judgement.

Not only that, but we have a champion in the making – Kyle Stoneham, who finished fourth. Mark my words, his name will be on the Honours Board before long. Martyn Ellis should also be congratulated for finishing a very creditable 12th and winning the “most improved helm” award.