Thorpe Bay Yacht Club

Tel: 01702 587 563

Eighteen Cadets did us proud by entering the Interclub Dinghy Cadet Team Race last Sunday, hosted by Essex Yacht Club. Nine boats were loaded onto trailers to be transported to Leigh together with ‘Seasafe 3’ towing another two Picos and the Cadet Rib around the pier.  Our Cadets, who ages range from 10 to 15 years, unloaded their dinghies, rigged them and were off to the Start Line, far in the distance. The course was large and the buoys were hard to see through the sea mist, however the Cadets managed to tackle the massive waves (especially when you are only 10 years old in a Pico) and 18mph winds. These was certainly challenging conditions. For most Cadets, this was their first major race away from the club and I think they deserve much praise. They all returned with a smile on their face, a little exhausted, but contented that they had successfully represented TBYC as a team.  Photo: 11 team members

Briefing at Sail Training Room, 7:30 pm, Friday 22/09/2017

• Race starts at 14.45, Mass start.
• Parents and Cadets should arrive at the club at 11.45 to load boats onto the trailers etc. The Cadets should either change at TBYC or come changed, as there may be no facilities available at Essex / Leigh Yacht Club.
• Each Cadet shall be responsible for their boat, whether it is their own or a club boat. That includes loading your boat onto the trailer (with help) and ensuring you have the rudder, daggerboard, boom, sails etc. loaded onto the trailer or in a parent’s car.

Pico race and training 17/09/2017 Sunday with Andras and Nick

Dear Cadets and Parents,

This is going to be the last Pico race of the Season, do not miss it!

1. Change and rig
2. at 9:00 briefing at the Sail Training Room
3. start on the water at 9:30

Follow the leader (small RIB) with Nick leading the fleet to the course.

1. drill No 1: starting:
Position your boat in an imaginary square right of the start line.
Polly motorboat with Andras on board as committee boat.
Sail slowly with sails flapping close hauled, and cross the start line, starboard tack. Bear away, round the pin, return to the imaginary square, get ready.
Repeat, sail slowly with sails flapping close hauled, approaching the start line, control your speed.
Repeat 7 times

2. drill No 2:
Same activity as No 1, but timed.
Use your sailing watch, if you have one, or ask for one for Christmas, will be worth it.1 minute count down.
One minute count down from Polly.
Series of short sound signals (whistle) as warning
1 long signal: 1 minute count down starts
1 short signal each 10 seconds:
at 50 seconds left,
at 40 seconds left
at 30 seconds left
at 20 seconds left
at 10 second left
1 long signal at the start, board goes down
This cycle is going to be repeated many times.
Boats should proceed to start if ready, or wait for the next sequence

3. Pico race on the trapezoid course
3 minutes count down with boards, last minute signals as in drill 2.
Three windward marks will be laid to encourage sailors to tack more often
and to stay in the middle of the course.
This will compress the fleet and results in more boat to boat tactics.
Round each upwind mark from port.
1 lap race.

Once finished, leaders should proceed with drill No 1 until others finished.

4. as 3., second Pico race

Sailors are encouraged to come to Polly to have chat when available.

See you on the water:
Andras

Slow approach to the start line:
exactly the same technique, as coming to the coach boat.

our course will be similar to the basic trapezoid course here:

There are four exciting Cadet Sailing events over the next four weeks plus Oppie Beach Club

• This Sunday 10th September. 11+ year olds Race Training.   Briefing at 1300 hours (change and rig first) for a 1315 start.  If it has to be cancelled due to high winds, we will put on some On-Shore training.
• Sunday 17th September.  Pico Racing and training. Briefing at 0900, 0930 start.
• Sunday 24th September. Interclub Cadet Dinghy Race (Teams of 3 or 4 boats) at Essex Yacht Club.  Time to be confirmed, but around 1300 start.
• Saturday 7th October. Matt Dear Trophy at Thames Estuary Yacht Club.  1400 start .

The Interclub Cadet Dinghy Race and Matt Dear Trophy will take some extra organisation. Please let me know if you wish to attend.  [email protected]

The Pico Racing this Sunday 3rd September, will be a joint event with the second day of the TBYC Stage 3 Training.  There is a briefing at 8.45am; to be ready to leave the beach at 9.00am. Open to all as usual. Please change first.

The TBYC Stage 3 Training is now full.

PICO Racing Today – 14:30 Briefing at the top of slipway. Similar format to last week.

I will be running a 2 Race Pico Racing this Sunday from the Shore Box. Meet for the briefing, 10:00 at the top of the slipway.