Regatta Sunday

Sunday Regatta 2012 - Mike Hendra

In order to start the day its necessary to recover from the Hog Roast eat-all from the previous evening. Thoughts however linger on the lunchtime delight of yesterday’s leftovers followed by strawberries and cream and cakes galore. You just can’t put these delights into words they are of course culinary moments of magic, they need to be experienced to understand the sheer wave of pleasure we just have to endure on many of these occasions. The culprits for the divine consumption are well known and will no doubt be hunted down when the next opportunity arises.

The race schedule was lagging behind due to clearing up from the night before but first race up Regatta Trophy Race 3, the third in the series of the weekend. Graham Thompson in his battleship Bosun had scored 1st and 1st on the previous two races and only two of three were to count. That left us others battling for a place. Result Richard 2nd and Roger 3rd so the Trophy was won by Graham.

The Regatta cup is awarded on Personal Handicap. I know this because I won it last year when my PH was 24. This year my PH is 6 so I am thinking, “likely I will have to sail faster – smarter – better start – good crew”. Well, new member and Novice Darren Best obliged as crew.

Start was good at first mark in 2nd place (I think) and definitely a little smarter and a bit faster resulted in a PH place of 1st for this 3rd race. This actually left an overall result where Graham, Roger and me with one race discarded all having a 1st and a 2nd on PH. As luck would have it though counting back to best last position resulted in Sunset ST924 with helm John Panting and Crew Daren Best as winners. I took the cup back home!

The Commodore’s Novelty Event was a slalom and good fun. No idea who won but I don’t think it matters now. I know we lost as we managed to hit a mark and capsize.

Race for Ladies & Novice Trophies, all can enter but there were not many Ladies or Novices on the Entry Form. Rebecca was the only female entry so she won on default (but would have won in any case). So a trophy for Rebecca.

Darren Best helming SunseT with me as Crew managed to get in front of B Pryde the only other Novice entry. So a trophy for Darren!

The weather was not great and the wind was challenging on the day and this appears to have dramatically reduced the number of children participating or present which is a great shame. See you there next year!

John Panting

Due to a Diary Malfunction I did not make the regatta or the roast but I understood that Sunday might be described as a bit chaotic.

As John reports, there was a tie for the Regatta Trophy whilst Rodger says John won the Sunday Regatta on a “Tie Break”. Quite fitting in Wimbledon week!

The commodore's novelty race was a slalom event taking alternate buoys port and starboard up and down the river which concentrated the mind on the sailing rules. We all know that John hit a buoy and capsized but no one seems to care who won.

Reportedly the festivities finished with a test of skill, steering the patrol boat backwards between two closely spaced buoys which proved to be harder than it sounds. For instruction please book with Richard Cannon!

As usual, the fair bricks on which the club is built did a sterling job with the food and as always the Strawberry afternoon tea was described by many as very good. Great job once again ladies and thank you!

Last but not least, attendance by Aquarius members was a little disappointing. However Stuart Schafer saved the day by selling the Hog Roast to his “Other Club” Thanks Stuart!

Mike Hendra