Start of Spring Series

Start of Spring Series - 28 March

You never know what the weather’s going to be doing on the first day’s sailing of the year. This time the river was flowing pretty fast but there was just enough wind to make over the water. Richard set a port sided course with one upstream and one downstream mark and at 11:30 promptly yours truly set off in ’Peanuts’. I was subsequently joined by Charles, Graham and Rodger.

During the race Charles put down an early marker to retain the water rat by capsizing twice, and by the end of the day three times. The second race, following a lunchtime BBQ, followed along the same lines but this time I went for a swim demonstrating, rather elegantly I thought, the classic capsize to windward. We were also joined by Trudi Hilton in her Comet. Richard was about to start the third race when ‘the ladies’ announced that tea was ready. Even Richard wasn’t going to argue that the race should take priority so it was postponed and everybody disappeared into the clubhouse.

When the final race eventually got underway the wind was starting to drop. Bryan Clements who had been watching the days sailing finally decided the conditions were right and joined us in his Grad. You have to understand that Bryan doesn’t like sailing in any conditions where there is a possibility of getting his feet wet.

All in all it was a good days sailing and got the season off to a flying start. Shame more people weren’t on the water but there you go. We are thinking of renaming AQSC (Aquarius Social Club) but perhaps it’s still a bit early in the season to go that far. Lets hope as the weather gets warmer it will tempt more members back into the boats.

Mike (Over Easy) Baker