RACE DAY NOTES

Date	Notes
14/11/04	There was 0.5knt current, there was no wind at first, and it looked as if we wouldn't be sailing.Fortunately a llight W wind (force 1) develped in time for the Fun race.There was a bit more wind for the 2pm race and it was a reasonable sail. Unfortunately the wind dropped for the last race and most helm couldn't complete the 2nd lap so the result were based on one lap. It was a pity that we finished the season with boats been towed back.
07/11/04	At first there was no wind and a fair current and we didn't expect to be able to sail. After lunch there a force 0-1 SE to SW and 4 boats ventured out; Graham Thompson couldn't get round the upstream mark on the last lap and retired.
31/10/04	There was 2knts of current but the mild NE 1 to 2 wind meant that most of the time there wasn't a problem making way upstream; there was a difficult choice whether to go up the middle with more wind but more current or to creep up the S bank. Big adverse wind shifts at the wrong time made the end of the last race difficult.
24/10/04	The shipping forcast was horrendous with Force 6 to 8 in most areas, including Thames. Fortunately it was only 3 to 4 at Aquarius but the S wind was extremely flukey although it was a good sail. The rain didn't start until the evening.
17/10/04	A good sail with a W 2-3, bit variable but good for the river. Bit of rain in the 2nd race but not enough to worry us (except for Bryan). Only 5 boats.
10/10/04	This day was a classic, even Graham's Bosun, reefed, with he and Bryan onboard capsized! As for the Lasers sailed by Keith, Nigel and Charles, well they spent more time inverted than sailing ... it was mayhem. The wind was a good 4 gusting 5 straight up the river. With everything released the boats were regularly getting knocked flat. Gybes were virtually impossible and most crews reported later that even tacking was difficult because they couldn't get the boats to turn through the wind. Some of the capsizes on the run were spectacular to say the least. There were around 30 capsizes.
03/10/04	SE 2-3 but very variable wind which picked up a little for the afternoon races. 4 boats sailed, including a perspective junior member.
26/09/04	A force 1 gusting 2 to 3 variable west wind at Aquarius. A the Ferry Meadows Signet Open Meeting a stronger force 3 gust 4 wind gave a good sail. Michael Stevens won the Signet Annual Junior Trophy and Richard Cannon the Signet Annual Points Trophy.
19/09/04	A West F 2-3 quite gusty 4 with shifts to NW or SW. There is less weed after raking a lot out but constant checking of CB and rudder is still needed.
12/09/04	A very gusty and shifty SW 10-15knt wind but there was no race entry. Duncan Martin, a new member, in the Pico and Laurie Bridges in his cruiser had good sailing.
11/09/04	The Mid Thames Trophy event held at Staines SC had a good but hard sail with a S to SW 10-15knt, gust 20 and very shifty, wind straight upstream. The very rough 2nd race had 4 retirements. AQSC won.
05/09/04	The spell of fine weather continued with a 0 to 3knt wind. It was difficult to determine the direction; it seemed Easterly but at times it was nearer South or North at the same time. It was better towards the end of the last race. We had a good turn out of 10 boats.
30/08/04	Although only 2 AQSC boats went to the Bewl short course handicap racing Regatta the conditions were perfect; fine and hot with a W 10- 18 knts wind, it was shifty for Bewl and there were a fair number of capsizes. Richard Cannon with Liz Archer crewing won the 3rd race, was 5th overall and won the 'Ton Up' trophy' for helm and crew ages totalling 100.
29/08/04	There was an exellent sail at Littleton SC for the Signet Open Meeting. There was a SW 8-15 knt wind although it was quite shifty. Michael Stevens was helming Richard Cannon's ST368 and did very well to come 2nd with a 1st and 2 2nd places.
22/08/04	The wind was basically S 1-2 but it was extremely variable, fairly fluky and shifting between E & W. Weed was a major problem and large piles of it were dragged out of the river during the morning; it extended to more than a boat's length from the bank.
15/08/04	An very frustrating day. The S 0-2 wind was extremely fluky for the first 2 races. The course was changed for the last race with a mark below the rowing club; the wind was much less fluky but was dropping. Weed was an extreme problem; particularly bad near the edge but large chunks could be picked up on the rudder and centre board any where completely stopping a boat. The safety boat picked up so much weed on it's prop that it wouldn't drive.
08/08/04	There was a very fluky SSE 5-12 knot wind. Sailing was quite good but there was a lot of weed that kept being picked up on the centre board and rudder in big clumps. The Signet Nationals at Chichester YC had a week of perfect weather; very hot with a steady 8-16 knot wind giving super sailing. Richard Cannon is the new Signet National Champion.
01/08/04	A ENE 5-8 knot wind gave a very good sail. The conditions were good for a sail upstream so the first afternoon race was set for the Cundy Trophy race with the upstream mark half way past Rivermead Island at Sunbury.
25/07/04	A good W to SW variable force 2-3 gust 4 in the last race gave an excellent days sailing. Of the 9 helm 4 capsized. Weed has become a big problem.
18/07/04	It looked as if it was going to be another poor no wind sailing day, but a good West 1-2 gust 3 built up and improved during the day giving an excellent sail.
11/07/04	The best sail for quite a while with a fairly steady West F1-2 most of the time. The sailing was a bit better upstream of the club.
03/07/04	The WSW force 1-2 wind was quite fluky and there was very light drizzle for the first race. For the second race there was more S in the wind making it lighter and more fluky. For the last race it was a bit lighter but less S in it. Better sailing than we have generally had this year.
27/06/04	The best sailing at AQSC for quite a while but very hard work. the variable W to SW wind was force 2-4 and became stronger and gustier as the day progressed. There were 4 capsizes. Heavy rain started just as the marks had been put away.
26/06/04	The weather forcast for the SCOA open meeting at Grafham Water was awful; very wet and windy. Fortunately it didn't materialise and although Wimbleden Tennis was rained off there were only a few very light showers and the Southery steady force 3 to 4 wind made for very enjoyable sailing.
20/06/04	The second Regatta day also had very variable N to W wind, most of the time it was very light but at times big gusts especially in the last race when it was very gusty during showers. There was practically no wind for the Novice and Ladies race.
19/06/04	The Regatta had very variable winds. For the first race there was very little N wind but for the 2nd race it backed to the west and varied from 2-8 knts giving a much better sail. It veered to the NW and dropped for the last race giving another poor sail.
16/06/04	Excellent steady W 5-8 knts but during the afternoon members were preparing the club for the Regatta/BBQ event. From 17:30 2 new members were taken out in pefect conditions for early stages of learning to sail.
06/06/04	Extreme variable fluky 0-3knot wind. Came from everywhere but probably basically S. Very frustrating.
31/05/04	Ideal conditions at Bewl Water; warm with generally a steady 8-14 knots SW wind. Perfect for new members training.
30/05/04	Ideal conditions at Bewl Water; warm with generally a steady 8-12 knot W wind. Perfect for new members training.
23/05/04	Extremely variable, light and fluky north wind. Good turn out of 9 boats with several new members joining in.
19/05/04	Although there was still a 0.5knt current and only a light SWS wind five boats went out and 4 short races were held. The last started at 19:00.
16/05/04	Still some current and very little variable wind made it very difficult to make way upstream. The Signet Open meeting at Paxton also had practically no wind.
09/05/04	Open Day. Very similar to Saturday but with 14 visitors. Plenty of members around gave a very good atmosphere.
08/05/04	Open Day. Wet to start but dry for the visitors. 1-2 knts current and a light wind made it difficult to make way upstream with the 7 visitors.
02/05/04	With the same conditions as at Staines SC on Saturday sailing was cancelled and 20 members completed many tasks preparing the club for the Open days.
01/05/04	At Staines SC the Mid Thames Trophy event had very little wind and a lot of current. it was impossible to sail against the current and the event was cancelled. Six Aquarius boats entered.
25/04/04	From Scotland to the South coast the wind was less than 5 knts. With 1knt current it was very difficult to make progress. Surprisingly there were 11 boats out helped by 2 sets of visitors. 5 club boats were out.
18/04/04	A very wet nasty day. As it wasn't going to be any fun the Fun race was cancelled. The first PM race started in the dry with a light S wind but it wasn't long before the rain started again and it became very gusty up to 4 giving planing. The 2 Grads got blown on to the lee bank. The 2nd race was very wet thoughout but a bit less gusty.
14/04/04	A fine day with a SSW 2 gust 3 wind giving a good sail for the Wednesday afternoon racing.
11/04/04	Easter Egg Trophy. Unfortunately the weather forecast was right and there was practically no wind and 1 knot of current. There was a very short 1 lap course and all boats managed to finish the morning races but only the Lasers were able to finish the afternoon two races.
07/04/04	The first Wednesday racing for many years took place in a light NW wind with 1 knt of current; it was less fluky than expected. There were 2 short races and for the second race the start was moved down to near the outlet as the wind was poor near the club.
04/04/04	Fine with a gusty WSW 4-5 wind caused several capsizes.
28/03/04	The forecast for the first race day of the season was warm and no wind. Fortunately it was wrong; although the cold wasn't welcome the good 8 knt SW wind was. A new course configuration was tried using 1 upstream port mark and 3 down stream starboard marks with the furthest one being rounded 3 times per lap. This gave the helm something to think about and kept the sailing in the best of the wind. The 1 knt current caught helm out at the marks.