Thorpe Bay Yacht Club

Tel: 01702 587 563

On Saturday we had no volunteers to run the second rib.  We could not lower the engine on the one rib we had launched and the breeze was up.  Once again in the absence of volunteers a huge thank you to Peter, Rupert, Struan, Kerryn for not racing and jumping straight onto safety boats to ensure your safety during racing, Toby for launching 2 more ribs at short notice  and Paul Farrall for manning SS2 before the start during a pre race rescue of the RS which involved helm and crew separated form the boat and Chris Boshier who was helming SS2 sailing it in.  When thing go wrong, they go wrong quickly.  Without the swift and selfless actions of such active members of TBYC we would struggle to safely run our current busy racing programme.

Keep an eye on Paul Morgan’s Weekly sailing posts, if it says VOLUNTEER PLEASE, we need your help to keep others safe.  If you are around, inexperienced or not racing, keep some kit in the car and step up, your help is always welcome.

Thank you in anticipation.

Jeremy Sandford

Rear Commodore Racing

Would everyone intending to attend please wear some colour and note that you will be warmly welcomed at Peter’s house following the service.

It is with great sadness that, following a short illness, on Saturday 11^th July, Norman Absolom passed away whilst on holiday in Spain at the age of 77.

Norman’s first love was sailing and he became a member of Thorpe Bay Yacht Club in 1969 when he purchased his first Mirror dinghy and joined the fast growing Mirror fleet. Racing was always very close against the Johnson’s, Bristow’s, Paul Weeden, Nigel Campling, Ronnie Barnes to name but a few. In the mid 70’s, Norman also owned a couple of cruisers that were used for weekend’s away, family holidays and of course local club racing. In September 1980 he took delivery of his new pride and joy, a Mirage 28 he named Magnificent Obsession. She was cruised and raced regularly around the East Coast and the Continent for 34 years until last September when she, along with 13 other yachts, was hit by a commercial dredger in thick fog whilst moored at Medway Yacht Club and was written off.

Racing success over the years included club and open meeting victories, class wins in the Nore Race and numerous local trophy races. His favourite race of all time was the Thorpe Goodwin Race which he won twice overall. He particularly enjoyed the competition against Phil Crawford, Frank Coppins and Bob Walker.

Norman was a true gentleman and will be greatly missed by family and friends. A memorial service will be held at 11:20 hrs on Thursday 13^th August at the Southend Crematorium.

Would all Shark team, support boat personnel and parents, meet With Rupert Snow in the commodore bar at the club, this Thursday at 7.30 for a half hour meeting?

There will need to be considerable parent support to enable the Island Camp to go ahead and it would be good to get an idea of how many tents etc. we can get hold of.
So as to be able to communicate effectively please could you email Rupert ([email protected]). This is particularly important if you are not going to make the meeting on Thursday.

Thank you

Rupert

The use of Ribs to supplement our displacement Safety craft SS2 and 3 has become a common sight at TBYC.  Our Ribs provide excellent speed of response in an emergency situation, allowing the easy laying of the Start buoy and use of Special marks as well as taking the Race officer and displacement crews to their boats.  In order for us to enjoy use the Ribs they need Launching prior to the race and recovering after every one is ashore.

The task of launching and recovering the Ribs has now been added to Dutyman for the rest of July and August to keep track of who volunteer to do this essential job.  At the end of this time the Sailing Committee will review the situation going forward.

Treating launching and recovery as two separate duties we have 44 duties to cover over the next two months.  Rob Baily has kindly volunteered to cover this Saturday Launch and Recovery, with Toby Speller taking 18 of the duties straight away.  The remaining launch and recovery duties need covering if we are to see Ribs supporting our Weekend Racing.  If you can help, please volunteer through Dutyman, or email Janet, Graham and I to get your offer of cover added on to Dutyman.

Thank you all for your help and support in enabling the use of Ribs to continue at TBYC.  Without your help it won’t happen.

Jeremy Sandford

(Rear Commodore Racing)

Please note the Commodore Bar will be closed until Saturday 4^th July due to the ceiling being replaced.

We will do our best to keep any disruption to the minimum and we ask members to bear with us during this refurbishment.

Thank you

Mike Thomason

We need your help and for many of our members it is something you like doing. Every year we produce Newsbuoys and a Calendar which all depend on a good selection of photograph of all our social and racing events through the year, unfortunately our stock is beginning to dry up and so we need you to take some and send them in. Every quarter we will select the best who will win a small prize.

So come on take more photos and share them with your club. Let myself or Janet know where we can down load them by emailing [email protected] . Thanks. Paul Morgan

On Sunday our Racing (Petal Plate) coincides with the Southend Half Marathon, however as long as people turn up reasonably early you should not be affected. the important times are as follows:

09:25 The Seafront will be closed to traffic, therefore if you are not parked by the Dinghy park by then you will have to park on local roads.

09:35 Movement of boats from the Dinghy Park to the Beach will be stopped. Soon after 2000 runners will be entering the Seafront, so please don’t think you have the right of way after this time. Why not get your boat on the beach and then get changed.

After the racing there should be gaps in runners to allow boats to cross, marshalls should try and help. Although I would suggest we should be giving way to runners.

12:30 The road reopens to get your car back out of the Car Park.

On Sunday we have Cadet Training.

The aim of this session is to get the youngsters ready to race competitively, Olympic style!

Our target age is approximately 11 – 14 years, possibly those who have raced in the Pico Series and/or ‘New Cadet Racing’, but not excluding others who have basic skills.

The training exercises will cover:

Starting a race – be the first!
Fast tacking – every 20 seconds or less!
Mini-Races – 10 minutes a race, lots of manoeuvres and chances to win!

Fast and exciting …..  see you on Sunday.

Nick Alston  [email protected]  07815 113459

If you are around Sunday afternoon and see a lone Windsurfer coming up Thorpe Bay beach then please offer him a hand. It is Jono Dunnett who is attempting to be the 4th person to go around Britain and of course he wants to be the fastest (under 61 days). He is also the first to do it without support boats just friends in each stop. If you have been on holiday with Minorca Sailing then you may have already met Jono. He is doing it for charity and full details are at http://boards.co.uk/news/jono-dunnett-fourth-man-to-windsurf-around-britain.html and http://windsurfroundbritain.co.uk/.
We are one of his first stops so wish him a good trip as he plans to leave at 04:00 Monday morning.