Sunday 25th November 2012 - Prize Giving

Not a great start to the day, very chilly and wet and that probably had an effect on the turnout at the lake.   15 hardy members assembled for the initial prize giving and following group photograph, unfortunately Tony, Becky and Martin were a little late but there is a plan to have another group photo at the next club meeting.

The prizes and winners are as follows..

Club 500
3rd Place Overall - Derek Lodge
2nd Place Overall - Paul Devlin
1st Place Overall - Richard Armstrong

3rd Place Junior - Olivia Hunt
2nd Place Junior - Christina Hunt
1st Place Junior - Jay Rayner

Outstanding Club Member  -  David Baker

Best Model on Stand (Model Boat Covention - Alan Luckett

Best Model Mayors Regatta Colwyn Bay   - Alan Luckett

Best Tug in Show Kirklees Open Day  - John Bradford

Hydro and Mini Hydro Champion Bridlington  - Rob Physick

Group Photo 2012

I would like to say thanks and well done to all members for another good year at the club, lets move on and up.

Rich

It was a great turnout of club members especially considering it was a chilly morning, we all struggled getting the blood flowing around our fingers and toes, personally I  really wish I hadnt shaved my head Friday now.   As usual there was a good selection of boats, from fishing vessels, through yachts, steam launches (yes Christine  brought a boat for a change and was good to see it sailing around) plus tugs.  

The tugs were out in force with Darius, John Bradford, Dusty and myself with ours, practice was taken using the clubs container  ship, it was quite a challenge for a newbie like myself at tugs and towing.   Mid way through the morning Darius and I decided that seeing as we both had Wyeforces a pair of head to head competiitons was in order.   The first was a drag race (yes really) and there was not much in it, I was marginally ahead, the second challenge was a tug of war which was an easier win for me.. the Austin Metro motors proving to have more torque than Darius' 700 size motors.   Darius mentioned a plan on changing motors and props so a rematch may be on the cards soon.

The weed is still proving to be little issue if we stray too far to right of Landing Stage so members please take note.

Rich (Webmaster/Forum Admin)

Friday, 16th November 2012

Well the blog has been empty and unused for a little while so I will try and add my thoughts to it for a change.    There has been a lot gone on since the last entry, many mornings of great sailing,

The Club 500 2012 season is now over and as expected it went right down to the nail leaving Paul and myself on the same points going into last race, after a close fought battle I managed to sneak the win on a really horrendous morning.. rain, cold and slippy conditions under foot.   3rd and 4th place was also exceedingly close with Rob Physick and Derek Lodge finishing the season on equal points and after countback Derek was given 3rd place as he had an overall win and Rob hadn't.   The juniors was also a very close finish with Jay Raynor just grabbing top place over the Hunt girls,Christina and Olivia.    I have to say thanks to Dave Baker and Chris Evans for all the effort they both put into Club 500 this year, Dave organising the racing and running it on the day and Chris for keeping the running totals all year.   Here's to next years racing, bigger and better, a note to all racers is the upcoming inter club challenge with the Runcorn Club, a one day race off... date to be confirmed but due soon.

We had the AGM a short while ago and the biggest change is the treasurer after 5 years service to the club Rick Morgan has stepped aside and Rob Physick was voted in.   Thanks Rick and good luck Rob.  Also those present agreed that the forum should be opened back up in its previous capacity to club members.  Diary dates for 2013 were discussed and you can find those posted on the website. Also congratulations to Dave Baker who was voted by club members to be the Most Valued Member.

The recovery boat has taken a bit of a beating over the last year, the continual dragging in and out of lake had caused a hole in bottom of hull, there was an initial quick repair on a club 500 day to get us through that and then John Bradford has done some more work to it with more planned to improve both the sturdiness or repair as well as an idea for easier recovery from the lake.    The oars are also showing their age and one in particular needed attention, nothing a bit of gaffer tape didnt solve, although as John Bradford found out the other day it helps if the rowlock is not left at the Hon Sec's house, we were all impressed by his technique of paddling an oar with one hand and rowing another oar with the other hand.

The lake is finally clearing of weed, so conditions for sailing are finally improving although there are still patches to watch out for (aren't there Derek;) ).    A date will be arranged for club trophy presentation at the landing stage and a club photograph so please keep an eye on website and forum for dates and notices.    If any club member would like to add a blog entry please send it to Chris or myself (email address on the website) and we can add it.  hopefully this way the blog can be kept added to a little more often.

Rich (Webmaster/Forum Admin)