my first race

Two things surprised me on the way to Redbrook today. The first was the…well, army of army vehicles in the carpark of the Carriage House and the second was all the people at the sailing club. It was a race day!  An unexpected surprise as I only planned to meet with Charles for a chat about theory and an hour or two of sailing.

This was new. I’d had to be aware of other vessels at Rhoscolyn but the sea is a bit bigger than our reservoir. We actually had a queue of boats waiting to get down the slipway. I was a little nervous about bumping into other boats and trying remember right of way rules but was reassured by the other members that they would keep me abreast of things on the water.

Race 1

After a short practice we were back in the club house where Andrew outlined the route. Then we were off. As it was a handicapped race we started at different times. I was out first with the Toppers. I was soon wondering why other boats went in directions mine wouldn’t and marvelling at the expertise of the other more experienced sailors. It wasn’t long before my handicap was consumed by everyone except the people on dry land (and even they came close) leaving me in last place. I finished though! And had a great time. My first ever race.

The route - exactly 1km in straight lines.

Race 2

With the handicaps tweaked to give me more of an advantage I managed to come last again. I actually sailed this race better but managed to get grounded up at the eastern end of the reservoir and with my hull filling up with water I was coming closer and closer to capsizing. Even more fun than the first race though – getting into this now.

Race 3

Oh dear! After emptying my hull and topping the reservoir back up I was in probably in a perfect starting position. The 1 minute hooter went. I was poised to unleash the minisail into full flight. Then I noticed that I was drifting too quickly towards the start line. What was that Andrew had said about crossing the start line before the hooter: “You can’t turn around. You have to do a full lap of the course to get back to the start line”. Gulp. Quick. Think. I know, stall the boat! I just managed to point the boat into the wind as the starting hooter rang out. Instead of unleashing the minisail into full flight I floated helplessly around the wrong side of the buoy on the starting line and slowly out towards the centre of the reservoir. As I struggled to regain control I watched the next group of sailors set off – that’s my handicap gone again. Then a loss of concentration, a bad decision and  a gust of wind had me well and truly in the drink. It’s quite odd how quickly your breath leaves your body when you hit cold water unexpectedly.

Not to be deterred (and maybe because of the temperature of the water) I was back in the boat in record time (you’ll remember that I’ve had some practice at this) and straight into the damn wall…where I stayed…. for another lifetime. Still, this short break gave the water time to empty out of my boom. Then I was off. Handicap squandered and probably only about one and a half laps down in a three lap race. I can catch up…or finish.

Andrew playing dodgems against a much bigger boat. He later explained this manoeuvre to me.

As I rounded the second buoy I couldn’t work out whether we were in a race or whether it had been called off. People seemed to be sailing round more  leisurely than before. I think Charles had had a problem and people had gone to help. Thinking this was probably the end of the race, and because I was already out later than I had a pass for I decided to call it a day.

I’m now sitting here typing this and wondering whether I’ve spent too much time on the water this weekend as I still feel like I’m bobbing up and down (should that happen?). A wonderful day’s sailing with great people. I hope I’ve learned something from today amidst the mild panic. It’s certainly a different experience from sailing by yourself, a good one, a very good one, and I’m looking forward to getting in some more practice and the next race day.

PS

The army vehicles at the Carriage House was some sort of collectors meet not an invasion.

jetty

Phoebe’s birthday. Managed to grab an hours sailing while she had her afternoon nap. Fair conditions with a nice breeze which I couldn’t quite get to grips with as I struggled with the direction and I think it was swirling a bit. Even though Brittish Waterways have opened the valve to run water out of the reservoir it must have gained more than it lost since Tuesday as the water was only about 18 inches below the top of jetty.

It was luxury launching the boat on the slipway without having to wade through the swamp and mud. And having the use of a  jetty was bliss, if I’d been wearing sailing boots I’d have even managed to keep my feet dry. Charles turned up just as I had to leave which was a shame but hopefully he got a bit of quality sailing in.

good for the soul

Finished work a bit early to take advantage of the lovely summer evening and the breeze. Some of the other members (“The Tuesday Club”) were up at the club – a cup of tea and a chat about British Waterways disappointing decision to open the valve on the reservoir to start letting water out… again. And I did learn from Andrew the relative affordability of sailing. He told me that over the 30 years he’s been sailing what he’s paid for boats works out at £25 per year. Rushed home to tell Jess that one 🙂

Got a good hour with near perfect conditions before the wind dropped. Gave me a good chance to take some on board photos though.

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open day

Redbrook Sailing Club

We’re having an open day at the club. This is to tell people about what activities you can  do at the club and to break the ice for anyone interested in beginning sailing etc. The open day is going to be followed by 3 Sailing Sundays in September where people will be taken out on a sailing boat by an experienced sailors.

Open day 12pm Sunday 28th August 2011
Redbrook Sailing Club
Manchester Road
Marsden

• Location map
• http://www.redbrook-sc.uwclub.net
• facebook page for open day

another broken bit

To recap. I’ve got this boat which is a  minsail – forerunner to the Topper. I bought it without a sail. The sail I’ve borrowed has ripped so I’ve tied a knot in the end (the clew) to hold the rope, I’ve turned one of the auto bailers in the bottom of the boat into a hole and patched it with gaffa tape and I’ve cracked my dagger board.

Today I decided to try a bit of bad weather, high wind (for me) sailing. Well to be honest the weather kind of decided it for me. What could possibly go wrong? I got the boat rigged without any problem despite the wind. To be honest I was a bit nervous. I shot across the reservoir just short of the speed of sound – it was great! And after a 15 minutes of high wind adventure I’d completely forgotten my previous anxieties.

After one particularly deft turn at the far end of the reservoir the back end of my boom flew up into the air. Now I’m no expert but I was pretty sure that something had gone wrong. I stalled the boat and after a brief investigation I noticed that bracket on the boom that the kicking strap fixes to had ripped off. Oops I had noticed a loose rivet in that and meant to fix it but that’s diy not sailing.

As I staggered back to the club house to attempt a repair I noticed Gwyn had arrived to collect his boat. During a brief chat in pouring rain Gwyn suggested tying some rope round the boom and forming a loop to attach the kicking strap to. I tried to tie a Sailors Gripping Hitch but couldn’t remember how to do it properly so ended up with a mass of knots and dangly bits everywhere, not pretty but it worked and I was off again.

I lasted about another 45 minutes before retreating to the club house to get out of the rain. All in all a great time. I learned loads and didn’t capsize.

P.S.
A minisail – forerunner to the Topper is for sale on ebay. Keeping my eye on this. The rate I’m trashing these rare as rocking horse poo boats I’m going to be needing plenty of spare parts.

…paddling

Nice evening. Thought I’d grab a peaceful hour on the water to end the week when the scouts turned up for a kayaking session 🙂

No problem though, Marsden scouts are great and though she wasn’t there due to being at Kirklees Summer Camp Zuni is one of ’em.

I got my boat on the water only for the wind to completely disapear after about 20 minutes. I then spent the next 30 minutes trying to get back to dry land before Tone (Noddy) Norcliffe braved the dam wall and brought me a kayak paddle. I owe him one for that. I paddled back to the slipway, got changed and joined Charles for a couple of pints in the Great Western.

photo from http://www.variousstuff.co.uk

Whilst enjoying a pint and pleasant conversation a couple of ambulances pulled up outside. After a 30 mile walk a woman was feeling faint “up above Redbrook somewhere”. After regaling them with our local moorland knowledge and scouring the landscape with binoculars we retired back into the pub. They stood around talking for another 10 minutes before speeding off west over the hill. Funny what goes on innit?

Update:
The woman was found later that night – well next day actually, 1am Saturday morning – near the wooded area on the west side of the Wessenden Valley. Just like us old lags in the pub had suspected.

…and it’s coming together.

Got a text of Charles saying he’d picked up my keys and left them in the Great Western Inn for me.

Picked up the keys.

And it’s coming together.

7pm – 8.30pm
Moderate NW breeze – which had me powering across the reservoir.
Great fun sharing the reservoir with various birds skimming the surface of the water for their supper.

Found my short wet suit in the club house. Must have been there for at least 12 months.

kayak

Added a kayak to the family fleet and had a great day at the sailing club with the chidlers.

the week after

I was back for another go. Jess was away for the weekend so me and the kids spent a great day up at Redbrook sailing, splashing and kayaking.

sailing your first boat for the first time

Fathers Day.

What a great day it turned out to be.

Me

 

and Zuni met Gwyn and a few others up at the club and spent the morning tinkering the with boats. Enter Charles Scaife – a seasoned sailor and wonderfully helpful and generous chap. Charles not only dug out a bung and fitting for the boat but also went over to the Great Western Inn in search of a cork to improvise another! I know and fully appreciate how lucky I am to have so many good friends.

We broke for lunch in the Great Western. Well it was Fathers Day. During lunch I joked about Gwyn’s Topper being in the middle of the reservoir. It was. It had slipped its mooring and been blown south. I still have trouble convincing Zuni that I was joking about this. By the time we finished lunch Gwyn’s boat had drifted to the far end of the reservoir. Charles debooted and managed to fish it out and secure it.

Let the sailing begin. It was a bit more windy than I would have liked so I was more than grateful when Gwyn offered to test my boat. It went well. It was now nearly 4pm. Oh well here goes. Best foot forward and all that. Off I set. Fast. Fast as bloody hell! Do you know when you’re learning to drive a car they teach you how to stop it before they show you how to propel it…? It was just as well that the boat capsized. Even if I’d have known what I was supposed to do I wouldn’t have had the time to do whatever it was anyway. On the positive side I’d spent a good 5 seconds sailing my first ever boat.

That's me in the water trying to rescue my boat. I was to spend most of the afternoon in this position

I spent 100 of the next 120 minutes in the water fighting to get the boat upright. It was exhausting. I got angry. I swore a lot. I was determined. I took Zuni back home for tea and returned. The wind dropped slightly and I spent the 120 of the next 120 minutes in the boat. Sailing. It was great. Suddenly I had the time to think about and put into practice the invaluable advice I’d been given by Messrs Prosser and Scaife. I think I’m going to like this.