GSC Blog
Summer Season Round-Up
Here’s a summary of what been happening at Gresford Sailing Club this season:
The Schools Sailing Introduction has been going very well with the twice daily Thursday sessions for local schools. We have been told by the RYA Wales that the total number of children attending The Flash in all our school & club classes are more than half of the total listed in the whole of North Wales. Our club has gained a great reputation.
Discover Sailing Week started on Sunday 29 May finishing on the following Sunday attracted some new members to the club
Jubilee celebrations
The clubhouse was done up to the nines for the Queens Jubilee celebrations with snacks on the galley counter available throughout the day.
Outside the clubhouse was decked with bunting fluttering in the North-easterly breeze, the union flag flying proudly at the top of the pole. Four dinghies on the water for members to enjoy and visitors to taste the thrill of sailing and hopefully acquire a liking for it. The paddle boarders were busy circumnavigating the Flashes calm waters outside the markers. One point which drew a lot of attention was David’s demonstration of the spinnaker to make the most of a favourable wind. The highlight of the afternoon was the barbecue and the ladies running it, a big thanks to Zoe for all the work she put in and the material she supplied. Made the day!
Model Boat show
The weather took a downward turn Sunday morning curtailing all the planned activities on the lake this channelling all the energy into the model boat show in the clubhouse. this brought out some never seen models. Some very smart little, small boats on show kept the punters enthused for a couple of hours then it was time for a brew and use up the goodies from the barbecue. thanks to Lorraine and Zoe for the cake plus Chris for the scones.
Model Boaters Chain-link Competition
The model boat section held a competition whereby the entrants had to modify a chain-link into a model. Paul is the happy winner with Gone Fishing, Well done!
Dinghy Instructor Courses
We hosted a RYA 5-day instructor course, a big thank you to all members who made this possible and well-done to 6 candidates on their success. All present were very impressed with our very safe to train location.
Heatwave
July saw the start of the heatwave; this caused us to lose a lot of water on the Flash (around 18 Inches) but we still were and still are able to sail.
We have had St Martins Scouts and another scout group visiting the flash over the summer for some evenings of sailing
Below is a picture of Chris’ entry into the Gresford scarecrow festival featuring Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh sailing a Topper in front of the Royal yacht Britannia.
BBC Weatherman Walking
August saw Derek Brockway the Weatherman Walking Visiting the Flash with a Welsh BBC film unit and was with us throughout the afternoon and early evening, they were busy capturing video for the forthcoming BBC TV broadcast, “Children in Need” program.
The experience of the afternoon was enjoyed by all of us and one member of the film crew told me they would love to come again. Eddie Kept the kettle on and cups of coffee and tea, a good stock of biscuits and Lorraine’s absolutely taste bud tantalising cake, Thanks, Lorraine
Bala
Our juniors attended an all-day On Board Dinghy sailors’ event at Bala Lake. This gave our team opportunity to experience a competition away from Gresford. We congratulate Jessica, James, Freya & Sam for achieving such good results. Thank you again to the support team.
Pirate Day at The Flash
All who attended thoroughly enjoyed themselves as did the parents. Again the organisation was spot on & much appreciated.
Model Section
Our model section continues to go from strength to strength with organised class racing on Wednesdays & Saturdays. Other organised novelty events with timed tug towing & mooring which takes a lot of skill to complete. We also have high speed electric & some very well-built scale models on the lake to marvel at.
Stand Up Paddleboarding
We still have SUP members taking advantage of our lake which is ideal for gaining experience on. They mostly attend on Tuesday / Thursday evenings & Sundays, not as a group but pair up for safety. We hope to continue the Sunday sessions until the end of the year.
Funding
We have been awarded a substantial Grant from RYA/Sports Wales to procure some new equipment, soon if not already you would have seen a new fleet of Toppers for our Junior section to use, some Laser 2000 double handed dinghies to replace some of our ageing GP14 club boats and soon we will also have a new electric outboard and battery pack.
One of our members Elin along with her friend and skipper Lou have competed in the round the Britain and Ireland race (aboard Chris’ White Knight of Purbeck) becoming the youngest female crew to finish the race, well done Girls!
That’s about it for now, thanks again to all the volunteers both on & off the water for supporting our club.
(Pictures courtesy of Barrie and members from our WhatsApp group)
Introducing Thursday Evening Social Sailing
All are welcome to come down to the Flash on Thursday evenings 1800-2030 for social sailing during the summer months.
Dinghy sailors must have safety boat cover in order to sail.
When Stand Up Paddle boarding or sailing your model boat there must be a minimum of two people on site for safety reasons.
Feel free to reach out to me (Lee) for safety cover by emailing webmaster.gresfordsc@gmail.com, if I can’t help I’ll try to find somebody that can.
This week on the Flash
A quick update on our activities.
Thanks to RYA Wales, instructors and the parents for making the open Junior sail training that has been taking place over the last two Sundays such a success.
We have been training parents/volunteers to assist with Friday Evenings Juniors which will help the sessions going forward. Our thanks to these volunteers.
The Clubhouse is being tidied up & the toilet block is almost ready for the new season. Just needs a bit of TLC to complete.
Club boats & equipment are now ready to be used.
Wedensday evenings: weekly dinghy racing with an individual handicap system. This allows anyone with the basic skills to take part, use a club boat or crewe for others.
Please come along, to take part, watch or help out as it’s a great way of getting involved & learning the system. You can plod round the course, watching & learning or be competitive. The choice is yours, no pressure.
Saturday morning improver sessions start for parents/adults to have a go plus Junior Improvers who are capable of sailing unaided are welcome. Club boats can be hired.
Thanks again for all of your help in keeping our club going.
BPeteB.
Saturday Sailing and a look to the week ahead.
Saturday sailing starts tomorrow morning with our new family improvers series.
Sailing times next week
2/3. Saturday morning family improver series 9.30 – 1.00. Model boats 2.00- 4.00
3/3 Sunday Social sailing 10 – 4
Junior open training all day Sunday., must be pre booked. 9.30 – 4.30
5/3 Tuesday evening social sailing from 6.30, also parent/ instructor pre season
6/3 Wednesday Model boats 10 – 4. . evening Dinghy racing restarts 6.30
9/3 Saturday Family Improver series. 9.30 – 1.00, Model boats 2.00- 4.00
10/3 Sunday Social sailing
Junior open training book online via Welsh sailing
K2 Explorer Scouts on the Flash
This Morning we were host to the K2 Explorer Scouts, great fun was had by all, the fantastic weather made it even more enjoyable although we could have had a bit more wind!
To find out more about Explorer Scout Unit vist them at http://k2esu.org.uk
Membership Renewal
Just a reminder that the link Gresford Sailing Club at membermojo membership renewal at a reduced price from £65 to £55 expires at the end of the month.
We now have a workable program for this season which is viewable on our website Gresford Sailing Club plus other information.
Again this Saturday we will be continuing the preparation work for re-opening the club for dinghy sailing if anyone feels they can help.
The model section has kept the clubhouse & grounds alive over winter which is much appreciated.
BPeteB.
2022 Yearbook
Please use the below link to download the 2022 yearbook (hard copies will be available shortly in the clubhouse).
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NNv_OzHTRkUEizXFB0eRcbKT7chLME4V/view?usp=sharing
RYA Wales
RYA Wales are running some training sessions in the next few weeks details below for those interested…
An evening at RIBRIDE – Wednesday 16th March. A taster session of RIB night navigation on the Menai Strait. Cost £25, 4 places left. Start 5.30pm. Book here
A Safety boat refresher day at Gresford Sailing Club with Trigger and Caroline to get you ready for your safety boat duty at the club or just refresh your skills. Book here
RYA Cymru Wales junior coaching days to introduce some basic racing skills before the start of the new season. Hosted by Gresford SC with coach Elli Williams and aimed at those who are new to racing but can sail a triangular course.
https://welshsailingevents.org/event-registration-2/?ee=890 3rd April
https://welshsailingevents.org/event-registration-2/?ee=891 10th April
Please book using the links.
If you need any more information, please get in touch at rosie.hearn@ryacymruwales.org.uk
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