News archive

What is the capital of Belarus? Who invented the zip fastener? Who was the first american into space? Those are the easy ones. 1st April, 7 pm at Beaver SC will be an opportunity to test yourself on how much ‘not-useful-in-everyday-situations’ data you’ve got stored in those little recesses. Emma Grayson will be hosting a quiz and the prizes will be Easter eggs. Pie and peas followed by delicious desserts are planned. Family quiz. £5 per person. Bring your own drinks. For now though, with only a few weeks to go you need to get your Guinness Book of Records out, get surfing the net and get cramming.

Mobile phones and devices must be turned off during the quiz!

The International Topper Class Association North East is holding a two day open coaching event on 24th and 25th March 2018 at Beaver SC. Places are limited but anyone interested in participating should apply by going to this link

https://gbrtopper.ourclubadmin.com/event.php?event=459

Entry Fee £50 for the weekend. If course doesn’t run a refund will be given. No refunds after Sunday 18th March.

4th March 2018 beckoned in a much welcomed Spring Points series. Winters are long and dark and this one has been cold enough. With daffodils sprouting on Beaver’s banks it’s a sure sign that days are getting warmer and longer.

The water will continue to be capable of triggering involuntary gasp reflex and the reality is that it will still be winter until the end of March.

However, we can now come out of hibernation, dust down our boats and gear and see if we can remember how to rig and sail. All we need then is a good bit of sunshine to persuade us to get on that lake and race.

Welcome back.

It has been approved very recently that Streaker dinghies have been given fleet status within the Club. That’s great news for Streaker sailors whose numbers have grown.

This means that on Sunday race days they will have their own start. The race order will be made clear by the Race Officer. Effectively, the fleet will take the place of the RS200’s who no longer have a fleet at the Club. Hopefully, we’ll see a good presence of Streakers throughout the forthcoming sailing season and they’ll finally be able to enjoy racing against their own class.

The 2018 racing Calendar, with details of race officer duty, has been updated on the website. This year there is the option to view and download the usual document as a .pdf file and also an enquirable table. So, for example, if you want to know only about Wednesday races just input the word ‘Wednesday’ or you want to know when your race officer duty is, enter your name. You’ll be presented with a result of your enquiry. The table can be updated if more events need to be included or if some race officers want to swap a duty. Just let Will Rowlands know at the Club.

Over the weekend of 24th/25th February 2018 Beaver SC hosted the RYA Feva North/Midlands Zone Squad Training.

There were six participating boats and crews. Thankfully again for a winter session the winds were moderate to light although on occasion a gust would send these plucky young sailors into the icy waters. Fortunately with modern gear (drysuits etc) they did not seem phased by their dips and nothing a hot drink back at the clubhouse couldn’t fix. Bright sunshine gave an illusion of warmth.

As expected with squad training they were put through their paces with plenty of race starting practice and races around a windward leeward course. From the smiling faces seen all seemed to have enjoyed their experience.

Beaver wishes these future prospects all the success they deserve in their sailing development.

The International Topper Class Association (GBR) 4.2 Squad held a two day camp (non residential) and training session over the weekend of 17th/18th February 2018.

See https://www.itca-gbr.co.uk/info-zone/hall-of-fame/squads/4.2-national-squad/

Beaver welcomed these young sailors and wished them every enjoyment and success during the weekend.

There were fourteen participating boats from as far afield as Poole and Paignton. The weather was not quite as chilly as has been seen recently but still a convincing nip first thing in the morning. Winds for once for a young winter squad were kind and allowed decent control of boats.

Trainers put the youngsters through their paces and by the end of the weekend race starts were much improved.

Best wishes to all in their future sailing development.

Despite the dropping temperatures and extremes of wind (from dead calm to boat-busting) 2017 Frostbite series has been a successful season. There are 44 names on the results sheet, albeit one or two are on for multiple boat classes sailed. Turnout on Sundays has regularly seen over 20 boats and all this at a time when sensible people are wrapping up and staying indoors. It seems that no end of cold-numbed fingers and toes, watering eyes and wind-chilled ears can offset the fun of a Sunday at the helm of a cherished boat.

Sailors moan when they land ashore, walking uncomfortably in a cold-stiffened stoop but they still come back for more. After all this, it’s handicap so most have no hope of winning!

After the 17th December Frostbite session it’s the Winter races that follow. Only for the real die-hards the next series begins on 7th January 2018. If any of the following words apply to you then maybe you’ll be up for it; gritty, gutsy, foolhardy, reckless, plucky, intrepid, stalwart, defiant or resolute.

See here for details.

The RYA Windsurfing North/Midlands Zone Squad Training tookplace at Beaver SC on the weekend of 9th/10th December 2017.

Due to the forecast snow on Sunday 10th the organisers decided to hold only the Saturday session. Despite the RYA’s preference that sessions be completed in all weather, the view this time was to ensure that no-one was put at risk when travelling.

Conditions on Saturday were generally good with light to moderate winds but very low temperatures. Water temperature was undoubtedly icy and these brave young participants deserve all credit for taking part.

Best wishes at your next meet.

From the RYA site:

Generally the RYA policy is to run zone squad weekends whatever the weather given the coaches have plenty of material to cover if it is unsuitable to go afloat. Should we cancel a weekend it is quite possible that we will be unable to re-schedule due to the logistics of reorganising weekends . (Clubs, sailors, coaches, Class calendars and RIBS etc

See also RYA profiling.