York RI Sailing Club

A reminder: Next Sunday’s racing on the River Ouse will be for the Commodore’s Trophy, and all YRISC members are strongly encouraged to take part. It will be a pursuit race (or races), based on personal handicap, and Steve is planning to fix the handicapping so that even the greenest novice has a chance to lift the cup! He will also do his best to fix the weather so that we have a steady breeze and bright sunshine – but that may be a little harder to arrange. Nonetheless, a day of enjoyable sailing is guaranteed. So come along and join in. Be at the club by 10.30, Sunday 2 October. If you don’t have a regular helm/crew partnership, not to worry – come along anyway and we’ll do out best to get everyone who wants to sail into a suitable boat.

We’ve added some new information for people who would like to start sailing but don’t want to wait for the next course in May 2012.

In addition, the list of club boats has been updated, and we’ve added the option to subscribe to the website via e-mail or RSS so that you always know when something new is posted. See further down in the right hand column!

As always if you have any questions or sugestions please let us know.

The Regatta is just one week away. We want as many boats as possible on the water and sailing to make it the most spectacular and fun event it can be. There is even a barbecue lunch to be had!

Although he’s happy to hear from you on the day if necessary, Pete Craggs would really appreciate knowing if you are coming in advance to help him plan the racing, and to help us size up the barbecue.

So if you are coming please fill in the form below to mail Pete!

Here is the latest bulletin on what’s coming up over the next few weeks. In addition, of course, there’s the regular Sunday sailing on the river, and Wednesday evenings until the end of August (last scheduled date 31 August).

Sunday 4 September – Annual Regatta with Yorkshire Ouse SC. It’s our turn to host it this year. Details to follow.

Cleaning day prior to Regatta on Saturday 3 September. As many members as possible, please! Start at 10 am.

The YRISC annual dinner and prize giving will be on Saturday 26 November at Lady Anne Middleton’s. Details to follow.

Thank you to all members who have responded to the club development questionnaire – there has been a very good response. The development subcommittee has now been tasked with analysing the results and making recommendations. This will be a long process but we will keep you posted as the plan develops.

With a very successful Ullswater trip complete it’s time to focus on some racing again!

• The inaugural Topper slalom was much praised.
• The Wednesday evening series continues until the 31st of August.
• On Sundays the Summer points series is well underway – and a fine spectacle it makes.

Come along and join in!

The waves on the River Ouse in York city centre may be a little smaller than those in Weymouth Bay, the wind is not quite so reliable, and the courses are more restricted (a full Olympic course doesn’t really work on a river only 30 metres wide) – but that didn’t stop us celebrating the Sail for Gold Regatta on Saturday 11 June. In conjunction with Yorkshire Ouse SC, we abandoned our usual stretch of river and organised an event in the centre of the city, attracting the attention of passers-by (residents and tourists) with banners, bunting, and lots of activity on the water. A mixed fleet of eight boats raced on the stretch between Skeldergate Bridge and the Millennium Bridge, watched by all who passed by. For further details, see our report on the Yachts & Yachting website.

Sunday 5 June – the annual Alex Smith trophy. This means we head towards York, and hold some races somewhere upstream of the A64 bridge (precise location depending on wind strength and direction). Bring a picnic, and get to the club by 10.30 if you can. Non-sailing/shore-based/family/spectator/under-3 members please note that you can walk to the traditional lunch spot (the “sandbank”) fairly quickly from the crematorium. No excuses, then …

Tuesday 7 June, and every Tuesday in June – novice racing. If you think you qualify, you probably do. Starting at 7 pm.

Saturday 11 June – SAIL FOR GOLD day – see the post below.

Sunday 19 June – joint event with YOSC, at YOSC. Turn up as normal on Sunday morning, then head down-river for some racing in (we hope) a slightly larger fleet than usual.

Tuesday 5 July – rescue boat training. More intensive training than has been possible earlier in the year – not just driving, but rescuing, towing, man overboard etc. All important stuff. Details to follow.

Friday 8 to Sunday 10 July – Ullswater! The weather cannot possibly be as bad as it was last year (can it?) – and we even had a good time in the pouring rain then. So make sure this one is in your diary. A sign-up notice will soon appear in the clubhouse.