Thorpe Bay Yacht Club

Tel: 01702 587 563

This year’s Interclub Dinghy Team Race is hosted by Thames Estuary Yacht Club. There are fours classes:

• Ingram Shield – Four boat of the same class
• Operatic Cup – Any (mixed) Class
• Silver Sail Trophy – Single handed Classes
• Cadet Class (Under 18 years)

Our Cadets won this event last year and are entering a team to defend their title!  I will be supporting them in a Safety Rib.

If any adults wish to participate, representing TBYC please contact Dave Ayre at [email protected] or 07581 288886. He will co-ordinate the adult teams. Teams of 3 or 4.

If there are more Cadets that would like to participate, they should contact me at [email protected] or 07815 113459. (Bear in mind that you need to sail around the pier).

The deadline for the forms to be submitted is Wednesday 23rd September.

Race Instruction can be found here:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/j3vitlupd6qruep/Interclub%20Dinghy%20Team%20Race%202015.docx?dl=0

Tony Clarke will continue to ensure our ribs are fuelled and ready for action, although will not be able to undertake his support boat duties for most of the rest 2015.
This will mean that we need volunteers to undertake the vacant RIB helming and RIB launching/recovery duties over this period.
RIB launching/recovery will require volunteers with a vehicle with towing point to deliver and retrieve the two RIBs between the clubhouse and the slipway on each occasion.

If you are helming or crewing a rib, you will need to ensure it is washed down, rinsed through and the cover and clamp on.
Please can those members with suitable vehicles volunteer for one or more occasions. You can volunteer through Dutyman ( a new duty of RIB launch/recovery has been added) or contact Graham Dare ( [email protected], 07946 413923)
Clearly, if we cannot get enough volunteers for RIB launching/recovery we will need to review our sailing programme.
Thank you in anticipation of your help.
Rear Commodore ( Racing)

Thanks to Neil Hurrell for this evenings talk about Crewing on the Round World Clipper Race. Good Luck to him completing his legs March onwards and hopefully he can come back and tell us more afterwards.

For those interested there are photos taken by Margaret Kennedy of the boats at Southend and St Katherines Dock, some of which are inside one of the Clippers. These are available on a Club Flickr Gallery at https://www.flickr.com/photos/96697991@N02/albums/72157656274637264

The 2015 Sandhopper Nationals will be held at Thorpe Bay Yacht Club on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September. SI’s, NOR and entry form are attached.

Registration opens at 08:30 and the Race Officers briefing is at 09:15.

Don’t forget, to compete in the National Championship the helm must be at least an associate member of the SCBA. If you have not joined this year, please contact Janet Willsmer 07969 598309.

SH Nats 2015 Entry Form

Sandhopper Nationals 2015 NOR V2

Sandhopper Nationals 2015 SIs V1

At the last start in 2013 there was not much advertising and it also started on a work day, this year however it is different, so thought we should update you here.

The race allows people to race around the world against other 70 foot racing yachts all of the same design and you could just go to St Katherines Docks this week and sign up for the next. The whole race costs around £40,000 but for less money you can complete single legs and the training sessions.

This year, the boats come down to Southend this Sunday leaving St Katherines around lunchtime and mooring opposite us overnight. On Bank Holiday Monday the race starts from the end of the pier at 12:30.

If your not racing why not walk or even sail to the end of the pier to watch the start. If it is a nice day it could be spectacular.

More information can be found at https://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/
Some members photos from 2013 can be found at TBYC Flickr Album Clippers 2013

Kitchen Assistant wanted

As I’m sure many of you will be aware, we will soon be losing a valuable member of our team. Zak is heading for university, and although he will be a hard act to follow, we need to replace him. Thanks, congratulations and good luck  Zak.

So, if you would like to get involved in the Galley Kitchen, give me a call on 07947 741946

The role requires a strong and confident, can do attitude. It will involve preparing and serving food, washing up and cleaning duties, looking after customers.

Previous kitchen experience is preferred but not essential. You must be a team player and a hard worker. This job is tough!

Wage negotiable according to experience. You must be over 16 to apply. You need also to be flexible on hours. Approx. 12-24 hors per week

Thanks

Steve

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