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To download a full Duties list with work party info click here.
To download Dinghy / Senior Instructor course info click
Course Instructors.
Youth Sailing Checksheet.
National Sailing Checksheet.
BCSC H&S Policy and Operations Manual.
Club access restriction
Ridgeway are planning to be at Cliffe Jetty for a three day operation commencing 17 August 2010, they will have Security staff on Duty so there will be no access to the club facilities during these works.
Club Open Day 20th June 2010
With the weather taking a turn to overcast and a cold northly wind coming in it was more like spring than the middle of summer. 2 races held in the morning before the family cup and and single handed races
Photos from the safety boat taken by Ian.
Pursuit race 30th May 2010
3 races but with a few boats taking part (or should have had they made the start on time) left 2 boats finishing the first race, one doing the second and again 2 completing the final race.
Photos from the Pursuit and the other sailing going on during the day.
'Start' sailing course 29th May 2010
A good turnout with 12 junior members and 4 adults attending on what turned out to be a challenging day of training with a gusty and strong wind.
Some interesting presentation on kit, boat set up and control. Good sailing took part in the morning but with the strengthning wind and rain coming through it was back on land to do dry capsize drills with the juniors and then more clasroom based activities.
Pursuit Race Results 18th April 2010
1st Snipe 29611 - Sue & Steve Roberts
2nd Cadet 8841 - (no name entered on sheet)
3rd RS00 - Richard Smith
4th Lightning 11 - Alan Langridge
5th Cadet 8849 (no name entered on sheet)
2 races sailed, 5 starters.
Easter Egg Cup 4th April 2010
The day started with Mick and Kevin showing the alternative to using a key to undo their boat padlock!!!
Other pictures taken during the afternoon race by Scott Ker from the safety boat
For race results see Easter Egg Race Results
Opening Splash 21st March 2010
For race results see Opening Splash Race Results
Race Officer Course- Saturday 5th December - 10am - 12pm
As the sailing season draws towards a close, our attention will soon turn to the duties roster for next year. Many of you may not have opted for Race Officer duty before, perhaps because you felt you didn't have the racing experience or knowledge needed for the job. In fact there is really not much to it.
Next season we will be adding the duty of Race Officer's Assistant, and so the Club needs more capable volunteers to put on the races. I will be conducting a free informal training session on Saturday 5th December at the Club from 10:00am until about 12:00 noon (not RYA certificated).
The course will cover:
* Course setting
* Starting sequence, flags & sound signals
* Time keeping, finishing the race
* Recording the race on the race sheet
* Types of races: Average Lap and Pursuit
Putting on an enjoyable race for everyone is rewarding and actually quite good fun. I'd be grateful if you could drop me a quick e-mail to let me know if you intend to come to the course.
Send to rl37@btinternet.com.
Regards
Richard Lambert
Sailing Secretary
Autumn series results
Completion of the Autum series saw the same results in both the AM and PM series races
1st David Jones (Laser); 2nd Jason Grafton (Laser); 3rd Olly Prout (Laser)
Photos 13/09/09
Attached below are photos (both dingy's and windsurferes) uploaded online taken on 13th September 2009.
To see all images, click on the picture above.
RYA newsletter Summer 2009
For the RYA 'South East region' summer 2009 newsletter click on
RYA News Summer09
This contains details of
* This contains information on
* Events, such as RYA-SE winning the Twiname Trophy; T15
windsurfing SE Final, RYA Honda RIB
* Training, On-Board and Events
* Cruising News
Sat 15th August
Good to see a few dingys out on a Saturday as well as a good number of windsurfers. Thanks to Simon for the pictures
To see all images, click on the picture above.
Sail Training - Saturday 27th June
Another good turn out for the 2nd training day, unfortunately once again the winds were light and shifting, down to comnplete calm.
The instructors were kept busy by the numbers and set a very small triangular course which ensured the collision avoidance and right os way lesson was much needed!!
Advantage was once again taken of the warm weather and water in doing capsize drill on a larger scale with crew in the Bosun, which by the time the last group was complete was closer to a submarine than a boat....
To see all images, click on the picture above.
Just as everyone was packing up, along came the wind, so taking the opportunity and the offer of getting out on a windsurfer, Jason went from instructor to student.
To see all images, click on the picture above.
Club Open Day - Sunday 21st June
There was a great turn out for the Club Open and family day which kept everyone busy and lots of competition for the Pirates Vs Raiders event
Single Handed Race won by Richard Lambert in his Snipe
Lunch was taken care of once again by Doreen Kent, fully supported by David Parmenter on the BBQ
Cliff Pirates v Bluey Raiders was as expected a very noisy event with Anne Gasson making sure fair play and organised chaos ensued
Family Race in the afternoon, once again won by Richard Lambert
To see all images, click on the picture.
Sail Training - Saturday 20th June
A good turn out for the training day with light winds and overcast but warm weather. With the groups split between adults and juniors lessons were underway and everyone was quickly out on the water to keep the interest up. The morning spent with techniques discussed with the juniors in the crewed Wayfarer & Bosun and the adults out on the Pico's being instructed from the safety boat.
The afternoon saw the adults continue with the Pico's and one of the instructors swapping between the boats to hone the skills whilst a number of the juniors then got out on the Toppers.
The winds then gave up and as most seemed now more intent in being in the water rather than on it, capsize training was completed on the toppers.
To see all of the images, click on the picture.
Shoreham Snipe meet 2009
Photos of BCSC members at the Shoreham Snipe Open meet. Photo's courtsey of Peter Wibroe
RYA Instructors complete tidal endorsement
23 July 2009
Eight of our newly qualified dinghy sailing instructors added a coastal endorsement to their qualification last weekend at Gravesend Sailing Club. Under the ever watchful eye of RYA coach Jim Ellis, they were asked to demonstrate a variety of boat handling skills including 'man overboard' recovery, picking up a mooring and reefing afloat. GSC also provided some students for the instructors to train in the RYA method of dinghy sailing instruction to level 2.
The instructors who added the coastal endorsement were: Robin Counter, Harriet Davies (GSC), Jason Grafton, Brian Gregory, Mike Ker, Scott Ker, Richard Lambert, Peter Wibroe and John Williams.
In the afternoon, the instructors were required to perform short lectures on topics such as tide theory, tide tables, meteorology, navigation and chart work, sea & coastal sailing, safety equipment and the rule of the road.
Many thanks to Steve Davies of Gravesend SC for providing a venue, four Wayfarers and club facilities.
Photos available from the Grevesned SC website on
GSC link
Check the site regularly for information about forthcoming courses at Bluey during June.
Richard Lambert
RYA newsletter Spring 2009
For the RYA 'South East region' spring 2009 newsletter click on
RYA News Spring09v2
This contains details of
* RYA Club Conference presentation downloads
* RYA Honda RIB
* Training, On-Board and Events
* Cruising and Club News
Commodores Cup Pursuit 26th April 2009
A very good turn out for the Pursuit with a good number of younger family members taking part. The lack of wind at the start of the first race with ever shifting winds made for an interesting race, with several boats going backwards at some points due to the light wind shift. The afternoon races saw an increasing breeze and the Cup was won by Richard & Joss Lambert in a Snipe.
Jason chose today to take out his Moth for the first time, amazing how fast he is jumping over the side as it rolled. Very interesting in the light shifting winds, looked very good when it was the right way up!! Should also go well when it doesn't have a broken mast....
8 succesful graduates from the RYA Instructors Course
Pictured from left to right (standing) Robin Counter, Mike Ker, Jason Grafton, Harriet Davies (from Gravesend SC) Scott Ker, Richard Lambert, Peter Wibroe, Brian Gregory and Mike Kent (Senior Instructor and Principal); (Sitting) Jim Ellis (Coach), Jonathan Scofield (Examiner) today successfully completed the 5 day RYA Dinghy Sailing Instructors course.
Several other Blue Circle members have been learning to sail under their tuition and also completed RYA level or stage 2. The successful members in alphabetical order were:
Dave Brown L2, Joe Brown L2, Jake Hirvella S2, Brooke Law Stage 2, Jane Law L2, Paige Law S2, James Parmenter S2, Amanda Wibroe L2,
The trainee instructors were guided by RYA Coach Jim Ellis. The course covered the following topics; Suitable clothing for sailing; rigging and launching; a short session on the water; land based drills on the principals of going about and gybing; further on water sessions on the essential method for sailing correctly upwind, downwind, tacking and gybing. The course finished with a small triangular course. The trainee instructors were also required to give a 10-15 minute lecture on relevant topics such as proper clothing, basic right of way rules, sail theory, lee shores, types of anchors, tides, a racing introduction and the techniques for righting a capsized boat.
The students and trainee instructors were also required to do a real life capsize in the cold waters of the lake...!
Good fun was had by all and many thanks to Mike Kent for organising the entire programme.
Richard Lambert
This now means that the club now has 2 x Senior Instructors and 10 x Dinghy Instructors. The training team will be meeting in the near future to decide what and when a course can be arranged to make use of their new skills.
I have organised a Tidal Endorsement course for the new DI's at Gravesend SC for those wishing to add more kudos to their qualification, dates of 2 x saturdays to be agreed, tides willing.
Robin Counter has agreed to be the BCSC representative on the North Kent Yachting Association in place of yours truly and John Goldfinch, (this keeps all the NK clubs in touch with one-another and is the grass roots contact with the RYA).
Mike Kent
A few pictures of the trainee instructors being put under pressure on the final sailing assessment.
News from the Trainee Instructors Course
I had my very first taste of sailing yesterday, courtesy of the Instructors Course that has been taking place this Easter Week, and I'm hooked!
I'd joined the club in March and only got to park my "new" boat before the start of the season - I realised pretty quickly that the boat I have purchased is not for beginners after being asked what it was, and told "nice boat, but a bit tippy - a bit of a handful for a beginner!". I didn't even know how to rig it so thought I'd best wait until I could get some form of training. That opportunity came whilst speaking to Robin, who told me that there was to be training for Instructors and they needed some "cannon fodder", people to train in order to complete their own course. Perfect, I volunteered a few days I could take during Easter Week and was included... What a shame I couldn't take the whole week as it turned out!
My very first step into a Bosun (indeed any sailing boat) was accompanied by Peter, who within minutes had run through some basics and we set off across the Lake. I had visions of spending hours on Theory and then being used to chuck into the water for man overboard practice, but no - we were off and I was sailing the boat. I absolutely loved it, poor Peter had probably the hardest job of the Instructors as I imagine I was the greenest there on the day but he was very patient.
Later I was instructed by Richard and then followed by Brian - All clearly very experienced, but more importantly - very motivational in terms of training style, even through the odd stalled tack!
All in all a very enjoyable experience, made all the nicer for the friendly welcome extended to me from everyone as a newbie. I only wish I'd been able to do the whole week, but rest assured you new Instructors (as I'm sure they will be by the end of their course) I will be at the front of the queue when the new course comes up.
In the meantime, anyone who could use an inexperienced but enthusiastic crew member - my email address is eononly@aol.com
Ian Keep
Trainee Instructors ready for intense course
8 BCSC members are ready for a week of high pressure, starting on Easter Monday, from Instructor Coach, Jim Ellis as they come to their final training and exams before becoming Dinghy Instructors. They have already completed their Level 2 Powerboat and 1st Aid certificates as well as CRB checks (required these days). Although the club is funding their training the candidates still have to give up a weeks holiday to take part. Thanks folks.
About 10 members will also be acting as trainees for the Instructors to practice on (brave souls!)
2009 Kent Schools Sailing Association at Blue Circle
It was good to see plenty of young people arriving at the club on Saturday 4th April (from 0830hrs!) with their support teams in tow (parents).
The club members rallied round to help unload the Toppers, Optimists and so on and find spaces for them. Bacon rolls were also in demand from the galley. The standard of sailing was varied to say the least, but then the children were aged from about 7 to 16.
The 4 KSSA coaches spent the day teaching and encouraging the fleets, mostly concentrating on racing techniques and starting procedures.
A most successful exercise and the club was pleased to have hosted the event, this could not have taken place without the help of club members who manned the safety boats and galley. Thank You.
For more information on the KSSA including photo's of this and other events go to their website, KSSA
2009 Opening Splash
The first sailing event of the year kicked off with beautiful warm sunny weather, the down side being very little wind. This didn't stop a number of boats getting out with Richard & Joss Lambert taking the win in their snipe.
Powerboat Training 29/11 & 06/12 2008
Two groups of members, a total of 10 have now completed their RYA powerboat level 2 training, most being on their way to becoming dingy instructors. Thanks to Andrew Wibroe and Jeff Wood for giving up their time and running the courses and also Doreen Kent for doing the food
And Yes, Andrew does think the water was cold...
The Last Fling - Sunday 30th November
With only two boats out on the water for the last fling, a simple triangle / sausage course was set for Mike and Roger, both races completing before lunch (probably just as well as I'm sure Roger's legs shouldn't be that blue!!). This was then followed by the prizegiving and mince pies.
Frostbite - Sunday 16th November
The forecast for light then freshning winds brought out a few but this wasn't quite the case with a fresh breeze for the start of the morning race, this only lasted until the lunch break, the wind then dropped, the rain set in before the wind then turned, making the afternoon race somewhat cold and wet. Still mostly happy faces remained!!
Cliffe Challenge Cup - Sunday 28th September
With the light winds there was a fair turnout for the Cliffe Challenge Cup.
This was followed by the AGM and prizegiving in the clubhouse.
Todd Cup - Sunday 31st August
There was a great turnout for the Todd Cup with 18 starters for the event which took place in light winds.
Results
1st Snipe 30316 - Alan Williams & Caroline Murdoch - R1 1; (R2 3); R3 1 total: 2pts
2nd RS600 - Richard Smith R1 2; (R2 7); R3 3 total - 5pts
3rd Lightning 338 - Mike Kent R1 4; R2 2; (R3 5) total - 6pts
4th Mirror 68324 - Peter & Alex Wolstenholme R1 5; R2 1; (R3 6) total - 6pts
Thames Barge Race
On Sunday 17th August, some of the club members, Mick Janman, Bruno Warner & Peter Davis took part in the Greenwich to Gravesend 'Thames Barge race', as per the previous year they beat off the opposition to win the race again.
To see full size images, click on the picture.
Summer A series 17 Aug 08
3 good races took part at the club, with a mixture boats in the race and being 'buzzed' throughout the race by the windsurfers making the most of a strengthing wind. (Glad to see that it's not only the novices that have to paddle their way out of the mud!!)
To see full size images, click on the picture.
Blue Circle 46th Snipe open meeting
Before I move on to the Snipe Open I would firstly I would like to say a huge “Congratulations” to Peter and Amanda Wibroe who got married in May. We would also like to say that the impromptu Stag night after sailing at the club on the Sunday before the wedding was very good fun. Thank you to the Race Officer who abandoned racing due to no wind so we could get going on the festivities!! Best wishes to Peter and Amanda for a happy future.
The 46TH Snipe Open Meeting held on Saturday 22nd June was very successful. Ten boats entered which is a few less than normal but those who did sail were very committed both on and off the water! Liz kindly lent her boat to Richard Smith (even with his reputation of breaking things!!) and it was great to see Turkey Pie out there in a Snipe with Mike Ker crewing.
Winds on the Saturday were favourable and our Race officer Graham Campbell, assisted by Peter Wolstenhome, gave us some great races. On the Sunday the wind strengthened making it fun for the sailors and great for the spectators! The racing was very close: Alan Williams & Liz Crouch, from Blue Circle (and current National Champions) managed two 1sts over the weekend, giving them first Blue Circle boat and 2nd place overall. Ian Knight from Shoreham went well in the windier weather and gained a 1st place in the 5th race, coming 3rd overall, but Iain ad Richard Marshall, from Maldon, managed to do consistently well on both days attaining three 1st places helping them to be overall winners.
The Saturday evening was enjoyed by all with a feast which followed with Glenn Barnes on guitar and ukulele to feast ones eyes upon – he had very fast fingers!!
The sailors from Blue Circle who wouldn’t normally be seen in a Snipe, said they would like to do it all again some time – we didn’t put them off!!
Thanks again to Liz for lending her boat especially when it returned with a muddy mast and no burgee!!
I would like to say a very special “Thank You” to all of the people who helped make the weekend so great. Everyone who helped in rescue boats, galley, clearing up afterwards etc etc. You are all wonderful!
Should anyone like to have a go in a Snipe at any time in the future, we have a club boat available to try.
Happy sailing!
Sue Roberts
Snipe Fleet Captain
Some pictures from day 1 of the Snipe event at BCSC
And a couple from day 2 where the wind made it a bit more challenging!!
To see full size images, click on the picture.
New Sailors
Blue Circle Sailing Club held sailing lessons during May for family members. This has been a great success with family members of all ages having the opportunity to learn to sail.
To see full size images, click on the picture.
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