Activity Days Notes 2024

Date

Notes
17 November
 Glorious day 1 knt current, 10mph W wind dropping, 3 boats in adhoc race. 14 at the club.
10 November
 No one sailed. 10 at club for tea and cakes in afternoon.
03 November
 After 5 weeks of not being able to sail due strong stream this last day of scheduled Series racing had a low stream, 0.5 knts, and a force 1 to 2 East wind so we could sail. There as only one race in the afternoon as BST had ended. The Cundy Long Distance race hadn't been held yet so it was added to the run concurrent with the afternoon race, the upstream mark was laid near the Channel mark. The race lasted around an hour.
27 October
 Glorius day, Yellow Stream Decreasing warning but no wind and 1.5 knts stream so no sailing. More work on club
26 October
 Perfect conditions for the work party; warm, fine, no wind. 23 members completed many tasks,, especially 'gardening' type tasks.
20 October
  A wet and windy day with strong stream red warning boards on every reach, of the Thames. No possibility of sailing. There was the usual tea and cakes, and members chatting.
13 October
 Strong stream red warning board on every reach, of the Thames. No possibility of sailing. There was the usual tea and cakes, and members chatting.
06 October
 At 1.5 knts the stream was much less than last week but there was still a sstrong stream red warning board; we wouldn't have been able to make way upstream so there was no sailing. There was the usual tea and cakes, and members chatting. There was some drizzle in the afternoon.
29 September
 Strong stream, 4 knts, Red Board warning so no sailing, club photos and videos projected. 
22 September
 Forecast ESE 7 to 17 mph.
15 September
 Warm very fine day, good sail in very variable WSW 0 to 2 wind. 8 boats best entry of year.
08 September Light S 5 to 15 mph. Last race wind decreased and stream increased; race abandoned because no one could get round to do one lap. I think it is the first time we have abandoned a race.
01 September
 The wind was half the 10 to 20 mph ENE wind forecast but and it was patchy and variable.
25 August Windy SW 6-20 mph, very patchy, gusty, shifty and variable.
18 August
 West 5 to wo mph gave good sailing.
11 August
 A mainly East wind, although only 4 mph. gave good sailing.
04 August
 Forecast WSW 5 to 16 mph
28 July
 The weather forecast of a sunny day with wind speeds circa 3 mph proved correct, but the wind direction proved very variable and there were frequent  lulls as direction shifted.  However, no boats failed to get around the course and there were no retirements. Boat numbers were improved, with a maximum of 6 in a race, mainly Laser 1s but also a single handed Bosun and a Foxer dinghy.  Liz set a double gate course with an upstream start and as the current was negligible both gates were through the middle..  The course was shortened after the first two races, resulting in a maximum lap count of 3. For the last two races, which were sprints, she ran 1 lap races.  After putting away the boats the chat in the club house continued past 9pm.
21 July
 Forecast WNW 7 to 17 mph
14 July
 Forecast WSW 8 tro 22 mph
07 July
 The day started wet and thundery showers later. Only 1 entry so no racing.
30 June
 Quite good sailing, wind N to W 1-2.
23 June
 Very little wind. 14:00 event tow to Sunbury Lock to race back.
16 June
 AQSC regattas Sunday
15 June
 AQSC regatta. At tmes extremely windy and variable. Torrential rain at end of day.
09 June
 Only 2 boats. Forecast WNW 11 to19 mph
02 June
 The course set was upstream to a starboard and downstream to a port mark. The current had abated sufficiently for racing to proceed, but the forecast north easterly proved fitful and variable in direction, so boats sailing against the stream had to seize the opportunities offered between a south easterly run , aForecast northerly broad reach, and a north westerly beat. The downstream legs were easier, but having rounded the port mark, which was near the Middlesex bank, it took time to get over to the Surrey bank and set off upstream. Mike Baker gave a newcomers  talk on "Getting round the course faster".
26 May
 The combination of the current of circa 1.5 knots and a nominally south west wind which both came and went and switched from starboard to port made for difficult beating upstream to a port mark, and from the downstream starboard buoy back to the start line. In each of the two races completed one boat retired and the longest lap time of the day was 62 minutes 31 seconds - both character building for the helm and a source of mild entertainment for onlookers.
11,12 19 May
 At last! The weather gremlins relented! Warm sunshine with a gentle easterly breeze and low current made for good sailing on our Open Days this year. Attendance was disappointing at first but by the final Sunday the Club was buzzing with visitors and members both on and off the water. It was great to see the variety of boats being used, with the kayaks being particularly popular. Thanks to all who participated and especial thanks to the catering team and duty officers.
05 May
 Although still a Yellow Board Stream reducing warning the 10mph SE wind gave the best entry of the year the best sail of the year.
28 April There had been persistent if not torrential rain in the 24 hours before the day's racing.  The current had picked up and the wind came from the north west, resulting in difficult beating upstream to a port mark and rapid running downstream to a second port followed by a starboard on the way back to the start line. A schools sculling competition, which had not been reported to the river users group, resulted in 10 to 15 boats, eights and coxless fours, rowing up to Aquarius, turning with difficulty in the middle of our course, lining up two abreast near our start line, waiting and then starting a downstream race.  This impeded our boats' beating upstream against the current, rounding the top mark and to a lesser extent running down to the second port. Our officer of the day, Jean Maracchi, nevertheless managed to complete three series races by running the third at the time intended for training fun and cruising.  The wind then dropped and the fun race was abandoned due to an inability to beat up river.
21 April
 At last Yellow board stream decreasing, 1.5 knts stream, Racing with 10 to 15 very variablee and gusty NNE 8 to 20 mph.wind. Charles Dennis capsised before the first start, and while being towed upstream in the afternoon
14 April Red Board Strong |Stream warning, 2 knts, no sailing
07 April
 Red Board Strong |Stream warning, 2 knts, no sailing
31 March Easter  Egg Trophy postpone until later in year brcause Red Board Strong |Stream warning, 2 knts.

01 Jan

There was a current of 1.5 to 2 knots, every reach of the Thames had a Red Board strong stream warning and the Environment Agency advised that no craft should navigate; so there was no sailing. But around 20 members enjoyed the lunch of Tomato Soup, Jacket Potatos with chilli Con Carne, cheese and beans followed by a Crumble. The day finished with a Jega tumbling blocks game. Thanks go to Nigel and helpers.