Osborne House Rally – “Last Night at the Proms Concert”
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra July 21st
John Gorrie is organising this rally with berthing at East Cowes marina and transport between the two venues. This is a very popular event with limited berthing. More Details
The event co-incides with the Hundred Guinea Cup of the Solent J Class regatta which has been scheduled at Cowes
for the Diamond Jubilee. The start of this 75 mile race will at 10am at the Squadron line on the same day as
the concert.
More details (includes some excellent video clips)
If you wish to join the rally, please contact John (Tel 01753 880063) as soon as you can.
A further rally is being planned for September 8th and 9th at Yarmouth IOW. These details and a report on the April rally at Bembridge.
Links from recent talks
Peter Rutter’s talk 15th February – Yacht safety equipment and racing regulations
Dr Hickman’s Oceanography Talk 1st February 2012
Autumn Programme
The autumn programme is under development and looking excellent. It includes a one day Saturday Special RYA First Aid course.
Cruising Association Thames Valley Section
The CA has set up a Thames Valley section which will be of interest to both yachtsmen living in the area and those boaters that enjoy cruising on the river. Membership of the section is free to CA members. Monthly meetings are planned during the "non sailing season". Details
Link to RYA Shop for Books and other interesting items
Can you help ?
GXSA member, Timandra Slade, is an enthusiastic supporter of Colne Valley sailors which is a registered
charity that aims to make sailing and boating available to people with a
wide range of disabilities.
The charity is very active and based at Bury Lake Young Mariners, at Rickmansworth Aquadrome and is run entirely by volunteers. They sail for four days a week — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from May until October. They already achieve a lot, and with a few more helpers they could achieve far more. If you could lend a hand in any way for just a few hours each week they would be delighted to hear from you. Those that can make a “good cup of tea” are as welcome as boat bosuns and sailing instructors. Whatever you choose, you will find it fun and very rewarding. Find out more at www.cvssailors.org.uk or go to the Aquadrome on an activity day.
Ted Sutton in PBO
Ted has a short article in the May edition of PBO about a mooring device which he first saw in France and was so impressed he built a similar one. The device is particularly helpful when using a windward mooring cleat and especially so when sailing solo.
The device utilises a "wire noose" attached to a boat hook.
Peter Poole honoured by the Cruising Association
GXSA member Peter Poole was recently presented with a Special Award from the Cruising Association presented by its patron Sir Robin Knox Johnson.
Peter is celebrating 60 years of CA membership and is still very active in both the CA and GXSA.
In 2010 he won the Dugon Cup in the Log Competition and has for many years been the regional editor of the CA Almanac for Ireland, which he visits regularly normally sailing single handed in his Nicholson 32 "Holly" from Chichester.
Well done Peter on your achievement and many congratulations from us all.
Jester Challenge
GXSA member John Apps will once again be doing the Jester Azores Challenge which starts in Plymouth on May 27th. Currently there are 67 entrants. John has previously had several exciting "challenges" in his Dehler 27 "Glayva" and is very much looking forward to arriving at Terceira amongst the leaders of the fleet. John’s webpage. We will be following his progress.
On his return, John is looking forward to fitting out a new boat for a more leisurely cruise next year through the French canals to the French Mediterranean port of Sete.
Round Great Britain Sailing Plans for 2012
Followers of GXSA will know that a round Britain Cruise is a popular option for our members. This year there are two planning the trip:
Rob Johnstone
Rob has ordered a new 23 ft trailer sailor from Swallow Boats which is currently in build in South Wales. She will be named "Vagabond". He intends to leave her home berth on the River Crouch in May and, sailing solo, head clockwise towards the Outer Hebrides. In 2013 he will return to Scotland to complete the trip. Progress is being reported in his blog .
Geoff Clitheroe
Geoff is planning to attend the GXSA Bembridge Rally in April as a shakedown for a early June departure. Like Rob has decided on the clockwise option and will first call at some some Welsh ports before continuing to the outer Hebrides, Orkney and the East Coast and then to his berth at Gosport. His boat "Vera Kay" is a deep keel Sadler 34, which is ideal for a fast trip. Geoff will be taking crew from GXSA on each of the five stages and still has a few spare berths. If you are interested in joining him, please contact Geoff directly or via the webmaster.
Hone up your sailing skills
Westview Sailing which is an RYA training school with a close affinity to GXSA is offering evening, day and weekend courses ashore and afloat for those keen to enhance their sailing skills. The next evening Day Skipper course will be run during April and May 2012 in Chalfont St Peter.
The chief instructor is Duncan Wells who is well known and respected, has given inspiring talks at GXSA and is a regular contributor to the Sailing magazine "Sailing Today". More details can be found on the site Westview Sailing, by telephoning Duncan at 01753 890555 or on his Facebook page
Newsletter
The latest edition of "In Brief" which includes an article on the RYA's debate with HMRC on the Red Diesel issue, and the Cruising news which explains the latest plans for the re-organisation of the coastguard service.
RYA Passage to Portland June 2nd to 5th, 2012
Ahead of the Olympics, the RYA is organising a "Passage to Portland" which is a three day rally based on the Olympic venue and aimed to to coincide with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. There is an extensive programme of entertainments, visits and celebrations. More details
Distress Alerting Requirements
The RYA has, with the agreement of RNLI and MCA, set out new guidelines for vessels less than 13.7m. These remove the previous recommendations for carrying parachute flares if DSC VHF is carried.
The RYA now has a dedicated website for the Thames Valley
Selection for London 2012 Sailing team under way
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