Bartley Sailing Club Blog

 Chris and Wayne making the RS400 look like a casual Sunday sail.

Many members have been asking when the club can be open for sailing again and whether the committee are working on any plans. The current Government status and RYA guidance is that with the latest easing of restrictions boating can take place in England with social distancing maintained (i.e. multi-person craft must be from the same household if distancing can't be maintained). This sounds ideal but there is a lot to consider before opening the club on such a basis. Spinnaker SC opened immediately but with no rescue cover, Barnt Green are opening for cruising on Sunday but only require rescue to be crewed by 1 person, Padstow harbour have opened for resident dinghies, the list goes on. 

The committee have so far conducted a risk analysis to highlight all the areas where there is risk if we were to open which includes protecting the wishes of our membership (i.e. some may be happy to come to the club in a manner where social distancing can be maintained, others are not yet prepared to leave the house or can't as they are in a high risk group). On the practical side the club has been measured out for 2m social distancing and one-way traffic. This includes the OOD hut and rescue craft (the 2 Jaffas meet social distancing requirements, Ribs could be used but only with same household crews). 

The committee are now preparing a standard working procedure for the various stages of lockdown where 5 is total lockdown and the club is closed and level 1 is pre-virus status and fully open. The current government status is level 4 and the document will identify on what (if any) basis the club can open at each corresponding level.

All of these documents and procedures will be reviewed on 20th May at the committee meeting and we will update our membership shortly afterwards.

Thanks to all who have provided input, highlighted risks, and provided potential solutions to some of the more difficult problems to overcome before re-opening.

Can he be beaten? It seems not! Top of the leader board in all 3 classes again with some great performances. Special mention to Jennifer Foort for winning the Nacra race today.

Series 4 starts tomorrow - lets hope it is the last one we have to do 'virtually'. 49ers followed by J-70s then the Star class for a bit of match racing. Hope to see you there.

You don't see many of these around today. Harry and Ruth take the Hornet for a spin. 

One for the windsurfers - a much underrated sailing discipline which provides a full workout whilst propelling the sailor at speeds of over 30 knots. It requires balance, technique and great gust response but the rewards are fantastic - there is nothing like a bit of chop hopping in a force 5 to 6 to provide that ear to ear grin!

Its getting very close at the top but who gets to take the series 3 championships? Two races to go - enter or watch to see the grand finale.

 Good friends at the Bartley Burnout a few years back.

Steve and Nick shorten course 

Oops almost forgot today as daughter number 2 was using the computer for her on-line exams at my normal log on time!

 Anyway, here is one to remind us we have a load of windsurf equipment on site so lets hope Andrew Simpson Centre can get some new windsurfers up and running when we get back on the water!

It was Megan's turn in the Eric Twiname championships on Saturday in the 4.7 VR Inshore fleet. She had 4 great races with lots of tactical moves required to move up the leader board. She was 3rd in her heat placing her 6th overall. A few have questioned why her VR boat is 'Silver Lady' which goes back to early regattas where she always came second to get the silver and Richard at K2O nicknamed her the 'Silver Lady'.

Millie would have been at Rutland this weekend competing for the Midland Topper zone in the RYA Eric Twiname championships, instead the racing was run through VR Inshore. There were 4 races with 3 to count. Millie's practice in the Bartley series seemed to pay off as she got some great starts in her races and read the shifts and pressure well. She was in a group of 16 sailors and was 3rd in her group. When all 65 competitors had completed their racing the scores were consolidated and Millie was placed 13th overall and 2nd Midland sailor - well done Millie.