Grab the chance to try sailing a big boat!

Hi Folks,
Craig, Our Principal Instructor writes to say -

The sail training vessel Tenacity has a cruise around UK under way and they have spaces for crew at very reduced prices.  
These places are aimed at the 15-25 year old age range, but at this date will accept other folks .

£605 REDUCED TO  £400 FOR 7 DAY CRUISES.  

Choice of two cruises -
Hartlepool to Ipswich 29 July - 5 August or 
Milford Haven to Glasson Dock 20 -27 August.

More details on www.tenacityofbolton.org.  enquiries@tenacityofbolton.org, or ring Colin on 01768 482233.
The vessel has a professional crew but as a training vessel are happy for full involvement from all on board.
Please circulate this to anyone who might be interested.

Grab the chance to try sailing a big boat!


Regards,
Rob McCulloch
Secretary FFSC

Southport Junior 12 hr Race 25/6/2011

Strong westerly winds at the start of this race at 8 am greeted the 32 teams assembled on the start line for this nationally famous event. Fidlers Ferry Sailing Club had 8 young people in their team to take on the might of some of the regions biggest clubs, never ever finishing in the top twenty after 3 years of competing in this event.

FFSC made a good start and after 2 hours of sailing held 9^th position but then due very gusty conditions sustained boat damage which require a 20 minute repair before re-entering the race by this time dropping 5 positions to 14^th. Not disheartened the youngsters work really hard to get back time lost and by 1 pm had pulled back those lost positions and were lying 8^th.

 A cat and mouse battle then pursued with Chester & Bolton Sailing club teams, which resulted in some really exciting sailing being produced by the FFSC youngsters. 

FFSC with the smallest squad in this competition, and at a time in the race when the wind conditions increased in strength, some of the lighter weighted crew found difficulty in holding the boat up from capsize. As a result they had to reduce their speed and this allowed the heavier crews of Bolton & Chester to gain the advantage for a while.

By 4pm the team were still in contention for a top ten finish lapping the course in around 12 minutes, and still no let up in the on going battle, the crew changes on the go were going great with FFSC completing some very fast crew changes and as a result moved back into the top ten positions with still more to do to improve on that position.

 By 6pm and moving into the last 2 hours of the competition the tenth position was being maintained until a bag gust capsized the FFSC boat and again valuable positions were lost has the team dropped to 14^th within a matter of 2 minutes, but again the FFSC threw caution to the wind in their bid to claw bad lost time and as the final canon sounded at 8pm their overall position was still not clear, but after a long and tense wait, the final positions came up on the monitors showing FFSC in 11^th position overall, a most valiant effort by all those exhausted and very tired youngster from Warrington who against all the odds finished in their highest ever position in this competition.       

  
Congratulations to South Staffordshire on winning this event.

This result would not have been achieved without the tireless work of Adrian Dodd the team manager and the 50 plus supporters who were there from start to finish, a wonderful and memorable day for everyone taking part.

Colin Howard, Sailing Sec

…………………………

Race Results: Penketh Tennis Club Taster Visit, Saturday - 04/06/2011

Location:  Fidlers Ferry Sailing Club, Warrington.

Sport plays a big part of life in and around Penketh, the sailing club at Fidlers Ferry being one of Warrington best kept secrets. Through a contact and member of the sailing club, the members of the Penketh Tennis club were invited to come and have a go at sailing.

Some 20 members of the Penketh Tennis club arrived a 12.30 to have a go at sailing under the supervision of the Falcon Dinghy Fleet helms. Each boat taking 3 or 4 tennis players after having a short induction from the clubs sailing sec, the wind was fair, the weather warm and sunshine in abundance, greeted everyone as 8 boats set off the meet the tide.

All stated that they had a great time on the water, with most guests having a spell on helming, after 2 hrs on the water the boats returned to shore where the rest of the afternoon was spent on the lawn at the front of the club with the BBQ keeping everyone well fed.

The two parties shared many stories and the sailors invited to test the courts and have some lessons in Tennis.

It was a great atmosphere and our thanks go to ‘Sue Cartwright’ Penkeths local artist for successfully arranging this event.

We hope to extend this idea further by inviting other sport groups from around the area to try sailing and have a go, who knows the local Badminton club could be next? 

Thanks to Sue Worswick who with help from other club members and the wondering tourist bedecked with cameras, partner, Chris Forster provided a range of great refreshments and food and a DVD of the day.

All the clubs safety boats were on the water a rare sight but one that was warranted for this special event, our thanks to everyone who helped to promote the sports of sailing and tennis and making this a memorable day for everyone.

Yours faithfully

Colin Howard, Sailing Sec

…………………………

Officers of the Day to day, Ken Southall

**** NAVIGATION NOTICE - RE - GARSTON CHANNEL****

Hi Colin,

Not sure if anyone has spoken to let you guys know that the channel past channel past Garston rocks rocks has moved quite a bit over the winter. We have layed two buoys to mark the channel, see attached, to mark out the current channel as best we can, its only a guide. The bed seems very unstable and there was some debate on the actual channel so its very subject to change.

Currently (as of this week) when heading downriver we are staying wide out on the green cone and heading for the cathedral and not cutting in toward the dolphin at the dock entrance. But its all subject to change. 

You might want to warn some of your yacht members to take care and leave plenty of water when heading for the Garston Channel. 

Best 

regards

Kevin Foote

Sailing Sec

Liverpool Sailing Club

First Aid Training - Saturday 14 May 2011 0900 - 1700 Full day course £30.00

EFR First Aid Training is HSE Accredited and can be used by employers as part of their
company’s first aid cover.
 
We will cover topics suitable for boating and other outdoor activities including emergency
first aid (CPR etc) and long term care of casualties.

Race Results: The 2 Bridge Challenge (Not Good Friday but Great Friday) Date: 02/04/2011

Location:  Fidlers Ferry Sailing Club, Warrington.

Overall position after 5 Races

^1st  Boat:  Tommohawk 44       Type: Falcon         Skipper: Tony Tomlinson

^2nd Boat:  Redfoot 42              Type:  Falcon         Skipper: Ian Scouler

3^rd Boat:  Millennium  33          Type:  Falcon          Skipper: Colin Howard

This fun race to meet the tide at Runcorn Bridge was in fact a triathlon, Sailing, walking and lifting boats over the sand banks during the low water phase of the journey, for some a whole new experience. 9 boats took up the challenge with the winds set fair and the sun beating hard down, and for some a day when hats were the order of the day.

With the weather so hot it was nice after just half a mile to walk in cool water with the boat up to Randall’s, with so many twitchers sat in the reed banks watching the wild life, they must have thought the sailors were a little strange, but soon we all got sailing again up to were the river splits to North and South Channels.

It was at this point the lifting section of the race came in with most crews having to push and lift boats for about 50 yards to find deep water (of over 6 inches), with that done it was off to the bridge. First there was Stig junior and senior in different boats, and then Ernie and Nathan in the GP then the Millennium Crew of Colin Steve & Gail before the rest of the fleet arrived. They say timing is of the essence no sooner had we arrived and the tide started rushing in. Soon all 9 boats were racing up and down in front of the Spike Island lock gates with the Commodore thinking he was F1 racing and following the tradition of not bothering who was in the way, the power of position and telling people he would keel haul them should they comment. Anyway the event of the day started as all the fleet went under the bridge and once all ready it was off to Monks hall. The wind was clean and blowing 3-4 as all boats made good speed back, Some of the best sailing most could recall for a number of years and soon most of the fleet were passing Fidlers, but the lure of a cup of tea after 5 hours of sailing grew to strong for most, leaving only the mad ones to get to the other bridge. The trip to the bridge was very quick and in some cases to quick as the tide was still running in as we reached the turning mark for home and that bottle of cool beer organised by Ian Scouler.

Just as if we had no money for the meter, the wind went and anchors became the order of the day. For 25 minutes progress was impossible with four boats unable to make any progress, but final a wisp of a breeze allowed slow progress with Tommohawk and Redfoot managing to get away before the two remaining made the turn for home.

The journey back was in some cases an anti-climax after a great days sailing and soon we were back at Fidlers to rejoin all the participants on the lawn for a much deserved drink of tea and cake, everyone agreed it was not just a Good Friday but a GREAT FRIDAY. Thanks to all for taking part and Ian Scouler for the organisingof the day and one must not forget the Butler, Richard Thomas for his great care of veteran super star Tony Tomlinson in his receding years. Congratulation to Keith for making the Bridge in Goshawk 23 on it maiden test run with no leeks and with out turning over with Rigs at the helm, finally to Chris for the video work and finally getting on board a sailing dinghy.

Officer of the Day, Trigger.

Visitors are always welcome.

Colin Howard

Sailing Secretary

FOR SALE: Abandoned Sailfish Boat - Finally Sold

The trailer sailer Cockle has finally been sold, and goes back to a former owner who is keen to restore her to former glory. Come on Doug !!??