Thorpe Bay Yacht Club

Tel: 01702 587 563

We are about to populate the 2017 calendar and would like to give you the chance to choose or avoid dates for your duties

Duty Officer, Race Officers and support boat helms & crews are an essential part of safe club racing and something all members can join in so even if you haven’t done it before, don’t be shy – get involved!

So if you’d like to do this please click on the links to see the calendar and instructions on how to choose!

Duties for 2017 – how to choose

TBYC 2017 Programme Draft v15

We need all requests by Friday 10th February latest so don’t miss out and respond asap

Just when you have attended the Racing Rules night, World Sailing has now published the next version of the rule book which we will be using next year and into 2020.

The book is available at http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/WorldSailingRRS20172020-[20946].pdf and by looking within at the right margin, a vertical line indicates a change, addition or deletion.

The majority of them are simple technical changes to sort out small problems found in the application of the rules. However there is a introduction of the term ‘support person’, those people that are with competitors (coach, parents, etc) who through their behaviours can now cause a competitor to have a penalty. There is also a further additional section around Gross Misconduct.

I am sure in the the next 6 months many of us will interpret all the changes in various ways.

A couple of weeks back, Alan Willis did an excellent presentation for existing and new Race and Assistant Race Officers. You may have missed the evening or just want to go back over the presentation or handouts (a very useful one page summary).

They have now been made available with other helpful material in Club Duty Guidance (available from the left hand webpage options) under Race and Assistant Race Officer http://www.tbyc.org/club-duty-guidance/ .

RACE OFFICER / ASSISTANT RO TRAINING NIGHT

WEDNESDAY 18th MAY at 8pm

Alan Willis is running his popular training session on how to be a Race Officer next Wednesday 18th May at TBYC club main bar.

The night will focus on Setting the Start Line and Setting the Course but will also cover everything you need to know on how to run a race and have lots of tips on stress free race management plus an opportunity to ask questions!

If you are RO or ARO this year – especially at the beginning of the season – now’s the time for experienced hands to brush up their knowledge and for new ROs to learn the ropes.

Even if you are not RO / ARO this year come along and learn how the starts work – it may help you get off the line better! And at least you will know what the flags actually mean….

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)

Due to things out of our control we need volunteers for the following roles during tomorrows Benfleet Shield Race.

Race Officer  –  Assistant Race Officer  –  Safety Boat Crew

This race will not take place without at least two of these position being filled as I am sure you would understand. If you can offer your help please contact Steve Healy on 07821 085700 or myself on 07741 201052.

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