Updated 10.04.2009

With the winter racing season now over it is time to welcome back the WFSA summer sailors together with the WSO team who restart their activities on the lake after easter.

Derek  Meakings has again kindly offered to organise safety boat cover  on the first Saturday in the month starting with May 2nd. Cover will be from 10.30a.m. till 2.30p.m. Other dates will be June 6th, July 4th, August 1st, September 5th and October 3rd. 

It has been suggested that a 'buddy' system may be appreciated by those who would prefer to sail with the added security of some company. If this idea appeals please contact Richard Gaskill or Paul Kusel to express your interest.

We have also been asked if any summer members would like to take part in some gentle, not too competitive, racing, either evenings or week ends. Please contact Richard Gaskell if you are interested in doing this.

 The 'March Hare' open, held on 15th March, was contested in glorious warm sunshine and a variable breeze.

Full results can be seen on the following link:-

http://results.sailwave.com./WFSA%20March%20Hare%202009.htm

Members may like to know that the recent changes to the racing rules can be seen in a PowerPoint presentation available from the RYA website using the following link:-

http://www.rya.org.uk/KnowledgeBase/racingrules/Pages/bestpractices.aspx

Reports

Spring series

10/04/09

The spring series is now completed, however a problem exists with the sailwave link and the table is incomplete. It will be updated as soon as possible.

A full table of results can be found by clicking on the links below:-

Laser Spring Series

 http://results.sailwave.com/WFSA%20Laser%20Spring%20Series%202009.htm

Handicap Spring Series

http://results.sailwave.com/WFSA%20Handicap%20Spring%20Series%202009.htm

Laser Autumn Series 7 races

A full table of the final results can be found by clicking on the link below:-

http://results.sailwave.com/WFSA%20Laser%20Autumn%20Series%202008.htm

Handicap Autumn Series 7 races

A full table of the final results can be found by clicking on the link below:-

http://results.sailwave.com/WFSA%20Handicap%20Autumn%20Series%202008.htm

News:

 The AGM was held on the 14th October and the Commodore reported that 2007/08 had been another good racing season with average Laser fleet numbers around 15 and a smaller number of handicap class, more than 30 members took part at some stage of the season. Membership numbers had increased to 95 through the year.

The introduction of winter and summer Vice-Commodores has resulted in some changes with Derek Meakings(summer) encouraging our cruising sailors by providing safety cover for one Saturday each month.  Jon Silk(winter) has introduced a new race programme starting on 2nd November with an 'open' meeting to encourage some new participants. The second series races have been extended to 12 events and the 'March Hare Open' is planned to be 2 races held on the same day.

Some members may not have been aware of the deeper sea activities of a couple of our members.

 Hilary Lister set out on her round Britain trip but, sadly, had to call a halt in Newlyn due to unhelpful weather and technical problems with her boat. The technical issues are now being addressed and Hilary is determined on another attempt next May.

Our 2nd circumnavigator Jack Daly, at 16 years of age, set out, anti-clockwise, from Ramsgate on the day after he finished his GCSEs and arrived back 12 weeks later becoming the youngest person ever to complete the circumnavigation. He raised over £5000 for RYA Sailabilty - well done Jack.