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Monday 28th August 2017 is set for another trophy event day. This time it’s the Liquid Gold Trophy. Sounds very much like another cup donated on the basis of historic Beaver pub life but on good authority it seems that it was donated by Leeds Permanent Building Society and named after one of their savings accounts.

This is Handicap racing, three races, two to count.  Usual race starts, 11.30 am, 1.30 pm and 3.30 pm.  Race fee £1.50 for the day.  Trophy not presented on the day, this takes place at prizegiving.

Saturday 9th September 2017 sees the 12th Junior Regatta at Beaver since its first occasion in 2006. The event is open to all club juniors and youths.

For less experienced juniors there will be an optimist fleet.

On the day there will be three races the first one starting at 11.30 a.m. Entry fee is £8 (which includes lunch). There will be prizes for  participants.

Anyone wishing to take part who does not own a boat can hire a club Topper, Optimist, Pico or Tera.

From Sunday start line woes the problems seem to jump straight to the other end of racing. How hard can it be? Race officers and club members take note.

 

Here are a couple of extracts from Club Racing Guidelines and Race Officer Guidelines (freely viewable and downloadable from the Club’s website) :

 

Club Racing Guidelines

 

9.2 In handicap racing and the handicap fleet, each boat as it crosses the line, irrespective of the position on the water or number of laps completed, will receive the finishing gun and a time.

 

9.3 In fleet racing excepting the handicap fleet, the lead boat will receive the finishing gun first, followed by the remainder in race order. Each boat will complete the same number of laps as the leader before receiving the finishing gun.

 

Race Officer Guidelines

 

Approximately one hour after the start display I.C. Flag “S” accompanied by two sound signals which indicates that the race is about to finish. As each boat crosses the finishing line, irrespective of the number of laps completed, they should be given a sound signal, to indicate that they have finished the race, and their time recorded on the signing on sheet. The first boat to be finished does not have to be the leader on the water.

 

When fleet racing is taking place, i.e. the Handicap fleet along side Toppers and Mirrors etc, the flag also indicates that as the leader of every other fleet on the water crosses the line they should be given a finishing gun. Please remember that fleet boats must complete the same number of laps as the leader, even if they have been lapped.

 

So we’re all happy to hear that horn sound us across the finish line after thrashing it out against shifty and uncompromising conditions for nearly an hour. That’s perfectly in order – if you are in a handicap race.

 

Why then on Sunday 16^th July racing did fleet boats accept that horn as their finish signal? Your fleet’s lead boats had commenced another lap before the Race Officer sounded your finish horn. So you completed less laps than your lead boat and in fact you retired from the race.

 

It’s unlikely that the results will show that but since fleet races are not average lap races, it cannot be appropriate that your lead boat’s result becomes that of last boat simply because they completed another lap. Probably in the end a Race Officer’s lapse of attention but for those boats which accepted the horn you’d better rig up again and go out to finish the same number of laps as your fleet leader.

The results from Trophy Race Day on Sunday 9th July 2017 1st, 2nd and 3rd placings are available here.

Full placings for the Prior Trophy single helm handicap race here.

 

 

No matter how many races some sailors have done they still find it hard to contain their zeal at the start line with, on occasion, a rule infringement or worse a collision.

With race officer Peter Hone sighting the line (he has the vision of a bird of prey) there’s little point in thinking you’ll get away with any violation. A particular no-go zone is between the inner distance marker and the Committee Boat especially as that is at point blank range of the Race Officer’s view.

Nonetheless, events happened on Sunday’s start line and judging by some ‘discussions’ at buoy rounding elsewhere there may have been some rights of way issues. The truth is it did not hinder the excellent day’s racing with a twenty plus boat turnout across several classes. Racing was keen and sharp edged. Winds were vigorous at times with little pockets that left some sailors dipping in as the pressure dropped.

Great July Sunday race day and the Club itself very vibrant with Sea Cadets present on the small lake testing out their sailing and power boat skills.

 

You might be forgiven for thinking that nothing happens at Beaver on Saturdays. After all the focus is on racing on Sundays isn’t it? You’d be wrong though.

When the weather is right, the sun is shining on your face and the winds are not too daunting there’s a recipe for a sublime day’s sailing at your own pace and in the company of other like-minded sailors. No stop watch start pressures or racing rules to observe.

Saturday 1st July had those ingredients. A good mix of boats on the water alongside windsurfers. Young and old practising their skills or simply enjoying the freedom and joy of roaming the lake. The atmosphere was very relaxed with as much time spent chatting as hours at the helm. Some jetty repair work was being undertaken as well as grass cutting.

Despite there being no official galley, hot and cold drinks were still available. This was very much a day about people sharing a common interest at an awesome location.

Why bother to mention it? In case anyone else might be thinking how good it would be to sail on Saturday but doesn’t believe there’ll be anyone at the Club. Boats can be hired if needed and for non members, membership is easy enough to arrange. There’s no guarantee who will turn up or how many but rest assured you’ll have fun if you do.

With a disappointing attendance of only five participating boats, this year’s marathon did not get off to a promising start.

With very strong winds from the outset and forecast to  last, the outlook was challenging. Perhaps this prospect was the reason for only the steeliest launching their boats. However, the weather was dry with sunny spells and in the end made for a superb day’s sailing. The course had two beats with a nice mix of gybe and tack marks.

Were this just an ordinary race day it would have been a test of concentration enough and a challenge to body too. Add to that the ten hour duration and the picture becomes clear. It’s not called a marathon without good reason.

Numerous capsizes, often spectacular and in full view of a gladiatorial crowd at the clubhouse cheering and wanting to see blood, made for good entertainment.

As the hours progressed, tired sailors continued to battle, rarely being able to relax or drop their guard until that final sound of the horn signified a dignified end.

For those that participated they had every right to feel they had been worthy adversaries in what had been an epic event.

Congratulations to winners Andy Baxter and Commodore Tony Wetherell sailing a Laser radial.

An excellent turnout for Wednesday evening saw seventeen boats participating in the handicap race on a balmy evening with a light southerly breeze. Eagerly awaited results sheet for the race here.

You’ll have to wait a bit longer for the series results.

The very first Streaker open event (Northern Paddle Series) on 10th June at Beaver SC was a great success. Eight visitor boats attended alongside eight home boats in very blustery conditions. Thankfully the rain held off and sailors enjoyed exercising their muscles and testing their inner core in a variety of wind strengths around a very manageable figure of eight course. Sadly for some the experience extended overboard with a number of capsizes not least on the approaches to the jetties after the races had finished. Thankfully there were warm drinks and food served in the galley to help them recuperate.

Beaver sailors were in contention with Jon Aldous winning the first race and Martin Penty the second but overall on points and final decision was Ian Priest of Scaling Dam Sailing Club. Congratulations to first three places and thanks and a warm welcome to all who attended. Results sheet here.

Thanks also to race officers and support along with galley team.

It’s time once again for the nets to go up. Canada and Greylag geese can make a considerable mess of our lawns and banks and the last thing anyone wants is to encounter goose droppings. They can make boat rigging or simply walking around a risky business.

It’s this time of year when they are the biggest problem when they have their young. They like to come ashore and feast on our delicious clover and grass but unfortunately they forget good toilet habits.
Whilst the nets may not look pretty, as you can see they don’t get in the way of sailing activity. Please be tolerant and continue to enjoy Beaver’s lovely facilities. Don’t forget to put the nets back across the jetty ramps once you have finished sailing and taken your boat out of the water. Thank you.