Date

Notes

01/12/19

Fine cold day, light N wind, over 1knt stream, Yellow board warning. Nigel worked on fixing lightning problems. Keith and Cheryl praticed driving the patrol boat in an high current.

24/11/19

Just not raining, little wind, 1 knt stream, yellow board warning. The main activity was socialising. Richard, Nigel and Mike B were making a replacement cover for the Tern patrol boat; it was just completed enough to leave fitted. Five boats from Hampton SC passed being towed up stream to sail back.

17/11/19

No wind. No possibility of water activities; 1.5knts stream and all locks have red board strong stream warnings. The down stream slip was covered with water and the water leval has been as high as lapping over the bank.

10/11/19

A disappointing last scheduled race day. Almost the all the locks had Red Strong Stream warning boards, our reach was one of the few with only a Yellow Board Caution Steam Increasing warning; the stream was 1.3 knots. The NE wind was only 5mph and much less on the water; racing was cancelled. Some marks were laid near the clubhouse for members to practice controlling the patrol boat in a stream. Josh Maloney launched his Bosun and went up to Sunbury Lock; using his outboard motor. There were around 27 at the club mid afternoon. There will continue to be Officers at the club on Sundays; there will sailing and racing if conditions are suitable. The BBQ will be available for DIY lunch. There will be usual tea and cakes at 15:00.

03/11/19

A terrible sailing day; although a SW 8mph wind was forecast most of the time it was force 0 and it was very difficult to make way upstream against the 0.7knt current. Only one lap was achieved in each race. The only time it was easier to go upstream was in the 2nd morning race when it rained.

01/11/19

Fine cold day, over 1kt current, yellow high stream warning. Cheryl and Keith practiced driving the patrol boat in a high stream. Nigel worked on fixing lighting problems.

27/10/19

A glorious fine sunny day but very little NW wind. The 0.5knt current in the morning increased to 1 knot in the afternoon and it was very difficult to make way upstream.

26/10/19

A very wet day was forecast for the work party; fortunately the morning just remained dry and there was time patch the drive from the road to the car park with Cold Lay Macadam and do many other outside tasks before the wet afternon.

20/10/19

The North wind was very variable and very light in the morning; there was 0.7 knt current. For the morning races boats were towed to the upstream end of Sunbury Court Island as TFC races. There was a bit more wind after lunch and boats were able to just make way upstream. The wind improved and the last race was started at 15:00 before tea; a good decision because the wind reduced after 15:30.

13/10/19

Wind SSW 1-3 gust 4, 8-18 mph, 0.4 knt current; considering the recent rain I expected more current. In the morning there was light rain and the wind was extremely fluky; unpleasant, better in the afternoon. The current meant that slow boats were at a significant disadvantage trying to go upstream.

06/10/19

The west wind had big changes in strength over a short time. Force 2-3 gust 4, 6 to 22mph. It was a good challenging sail; there were several capsizes.

29/09/19

Fortunately the day was better than the very wet and windy forecast. W to SW 1-2 gust 3 (6-10 gust 15 mph) with a couple of short spells of light rain. Rather variable and much better for the last race which was shortened when it rained.

22/09/19

SE 11 mph was forecast but at 11:00 it changed to gusty West force 1-2 gust 3 from any where and rain. It was dry in the afternoon with a W anywhere 0-1; not nice. There were 10 boats in the last race and 12 on the water.

15/09/19

A gorgeous hot day with West 5-10 mph wind, force 0-1 gust 2 patchy. The wind improved by the last race with good sailing.

08/09/19

The forecast was for a 7 mph N wind; it was N at the weather station with a maximum of 8 mph but for sailing it was very variable, patchy and any direction. After lunch there was the naming of the AQSC Graduate 2406 ‘George’ in memory of George Bray who was almost a founder member having joined in 1948 and was President from 1984. Olie Bone, George and Joan’s Grandson, helmed ‘George’; there was an entry of 11 boats.

01/09/19

After fixing leaks the 'Aquarius' patrol boat was lowered back into the water before 10:00. The official start of Autumn and it felt like that first thing but it soon warmed up to a lovely day. The forecast was for 10-12 mph West wind but the weather station showed North, 2-5 mph morning, 6-9 mph after lunch, and 9-14 mph after tea. Fortunately the boats generally had a West wind and the afternoon sailing was good; in the last race 3 Lasers were capsized at the same time, 2 Lasers capsized twice each. After lunch Don Barnett gave a useful Newcomers talk on Seamanship mainly covering knots and right of way; keep a very good look out and assume that you don't have rights over other river traffic. Don't cross close to the bows of large boats; the helm can't see you.

25/08/19

The reason there isn't series racing on the August bank holiday is historic; we used to go to Bewl Water in Kent but it isn't available now. The Bank Holiday broke high temperature records but there was less SE wind than expected. The club was very active, especially with recent members. The afternoon event was a sail up to the upstream mark and a slalom back. A very large number, 21 people, went on the water in a big selection of craft (15); sailing dinghies, canoes, patrol boats. Luca Scholes was very pleased to achieved his first sail on his own in a Pico. The Lark and Vision were also used. Thanks to OOD Trudi Hilton, AOD Jean Maracci, Patrol Boat Michael Gatehouse, Bar Catherine Bridger, for a very successful enjoyable day.

18/08/19

Very wet and unpleasant to start with and not much very variable any direction wind; fortunately by the time of the first race start it was dry. By the afternoon the wind was much better and stronger.; there was one capsize.

11/08/19

Very strong SW wind, 2-3 gust 4, 8 to 22 mph.The first race not as shifty as expected but it was back to being very shifty, variable all over the place for the rest of the races.

10/08/19

Extremely windy for the season. Scull Racing at Sunbury Regatta was cancelled for the first time in 142 years. The illuminated sailpast and fireworks display went ahead; it was fine for the 8 from AQSC who went in the Patrol boat and they had a perfect view.

04/08/19

The Prudential RideLondon cycle event closed many roads and made it difficult to access AQSC from the Surrey side of the river. Although there was a SE 5 to 15mph wind, unusually with East for sailing it was only 0-1 gust 2; very variable, patchy and nasty.

28/07/19

WNW 1- 2 gust 3, 6 to 12 mph, steadier than usual. Excellent sailing. Good course; if the downwind dog leg port mark 3 was taken and the leg sailed well stbd mark 4 could just be fetched giving a big bonus.

21/07/19

The morning races were cancelled due to the start box not being available following the hog roast; the tent over the quarter deck needed to be taken down first. The SW to W 0 to 1 wind, 4-10 mph was very variable and all over the place. The light wind enabled several inexperienced new members to sail on their own. The start for the Molsey Boat club junior rowing regatta having been set up just below the car park resulted in an interesting course, namely an upriver beat to a starboard, a run to a bottom starboard, a beat up above the finish line to the first, starboard mark of a dogleg and a run back below the finish line to a final port mark before beating back up to the finish line. Confusion appears to have been avoided, however. Visitors Steve Pischke and his daughter Cara borrowed a member's Bosun to win the fun race (helm Steve) and Summer 6 (helm Cara). Josh Moloney rigged, launched and sailed his newly acquired Bosun.

14/07/19

An 8 mph 8 mph NE wind was forecast bur it was 0-1 extremely variable NNW to ENE 1 to 12 mph. One advantage was that with the light wind several inexperienced new members and children had a great time in Lasers and Picos.

07/07/19

The wind was a force 1-2 from the east varying between NE and SW and with little gusting. A downstream start led to a bottom port near the Surrey bank a run up to a starboard near Pat Halling's house, a short leg to a port just above the car park and a final top port between the overflow and the ramp. The TFC involved practice in capsizing and recovering the Bosun, in some cases the capsize requiring more effort than the recovery. A Lark was single handed in the first two races and then used for practice sailing by new recruits to the club.

30/06/19

An excellent sailing day. Reasonably steady WSW to WNW 1-2 gust 3, 8 to 14 MPH wind; as forecast.

26/06/19

Conditions were ideal for the 18 members who went to the Weir Hotel for a mid summer cruise and supper; warm with a good West wind that continued until we returned at 22:00.

23/06/19

A 10 mph east wind was forecast. Although it was the best sail for a while I thought it would be better; there was some N in it and it was quite variable. Cath Bridger, OOD, devised an unusail team race for the 14:00 event; sail down stream to the patrol boat with a loaf of bread and deposit a slice in a bucket in the patrol boat, then return to the start and pass the bread to the next member of the team; there were three boats in each team. We were very busy with about 7 new and prospective new members to take sailing.

16/06/19

Very similar to Saturday, The forecast was a S to SW 16 to 20 mph wind; but it was any direction and extremely variable 1 to 2 gust 3. A Laser capsized. The maximum measured wind speed was 22 mph. The novelty event testing boat handling involved picking up balls from the patrol boat and putting them in buckets on the course markers.

15/06/19

The forcast was a SW 15 mph wind; but it was any direction and extremely variable 1 to 2 gust 3. A Laser capsized. The morning race didn't count towards a trophy.

09/06/19

The day had variablee south westerly 0-1 (3-8mph) winds and a course was set with an up river start followed by a run down to a starboard just below the car park, a starboard directly opposite and a port near the outlet. Mike Breeze, an applicant for membership who is getting back to dinghy sailing after a long pause and is new to river racing, helmed Alastair Gray's Skipper 14 in the fun race and crewed for Alastair in the subsequent Summer 2 race. In the final race commodore John Botterill launched the club Bosun to give crewing experience to two children.

02/06/19

The day saw moderate north westerly winds, say force 2-3, which never threatened a capsize, but extreme turbulence made it challenging to maintain boat speed and course. An upriver beat to a port mark was followed by a mid-river lower end port, then a dogleg consisting of a port just above the outlet and a short run to a starboard. Rodger Wheeler gave a well attended talk on patrol boat handling and dealing with capsizes and the day ended with two Bosun's laiden with multiple children racing against a single handed Gull.

26/05/19

Open day, good conditions. SW to NW 1-2 gust 3, 8-16 mph. 15 groups, 37 people including children, some returned after the Open Weekend to experience some wind.

22/05/19

Wednesday. SW1-2, 4 to15 mph, all over the place. 4 boats sailed.

19/05/19

Sunday Open Day , Very light and variable wind. poor sailing, patrol boats used. 18 groups, 51 people. Both days Chestnut Sunday was by far the largest source of information.

18/05/19

Saturday Open Day , Very light and variable wind. poor sailing, patrol boats used. 16 groups, 32 people.

12/05/19

The forecast was for 6 mph East wind but it was less North to NE and hence very variable; not fluky.

05/05/19

The cold day saw light (3 to 10 mph) winds coming from N to NNW. Although fairly consistent the turbulence introduced by the banks and trees made for challenging racing, in particular a port mark near to the race hut which gave a choice of sailing through a wind shadow or broad reaching/beating up the Surrey bank and then tacking into the wind to the mark. An upstream start to a starboard was followed by a broad reach to the bottom port, then a dog leg consisting of the port near the race hut and a lower starboard close to the Surrey bank. For the fun event a Laser, a Grad and a Gull cruised up river to the channel marker and, the wind having become more westerly, a consistent run down the Surrey bank to the club house. Joan Courtney undertook helming practice in the club Bosun, having crewed in the final race of the day.

28/04/19

Although the NW 5 to 15mph (force 1-2 gust 3) wind was variable in strength it was steady in direction and there was a good sail.

21/04/19

The Easter weather forecast was hot with 5mph East wind. On arrival there was no wind; fortunately by the time racing started the wind was as forecast but rather variable for an East wind.

14/04/19

Consistent easterlies with little variability in direction, no overpowering gusts and wind forces between 1 and 3 made for excellent racing. In the first race the first mark was a starboard but served as a port on the return leg, causing confusion for those who had not looked at the course on the board. The course was later modified to have a beat to the mark furthest down stream followed by port and starboard slalom while running up river to a starboard mark. In the fun race a Laser and a Bosun ran upstream nearly to the Sunbury weir before beating back to the club.

07/04/19

Unfortunately there was less N-NE wind than forecast on Friday; it died in the afternoon and the pm races were cancelled.

31/03/19

For the first day of the season conditions were super, but demanding, E-NE 10 to 15 mph (force 2-3 gust 4), was as forecast; the wind direction was pretty consistent. Josh had 4 capsizes but managed to remain dry. Brenda with Nigel in his Bosun was not so fortunate and they got very wet following a death roll on the run. A downstream start led to a bottom mid-stream starboard followed by a Surrey Middlesex dogleg and an upstream port. 5 boats competed during the day; three Bosuns, a Laser 1 and a Gull. In the first race the Laser capsized once and the one Bosun retired. The Bosun returned to the fray and won the second race. The fun race consisted of a simple run upstream to the channel marker beside Sunbury Court Island, then a beat back to the start line. A third, recently acquired Bosun joined the fleet for the last two races of the day. The final race was a combined SPA and Bosun race. The Laser had a 4th capsize and Nigel Knowles performed a righting of his Bosun once his crew had been fished out of the water; she thought it had been a wonderful sail.

17/03/19

Wind gusty 4-5 WSW. "challenging” – good Bosun sailing for two fit sailors but a bit of a handful for an old reprobate. Very variable from sun to cold squally rain/hail showers. Nigel had his 3rd sail of the year; Chryl and Keith went out in the patrol boat.

10/03/19

Fine but VERY WINDY day, 30-40 mph gusts, many white horses and large waves. Some trees blown down along Lower Sunbury Road.

09/03/19

The day had variable south westerly 0-1 (3-8mph) winds and a course was set with an up river start followed by a run down to a starboard just below the car park, a starboard directly opposite and a port near the outlet. Mike Breeze, an applicant for membership who is getting back to dinghy sailing after a long pause and is new to river racing, helmed Alastair Gray's Skipper 14 in the fun race and crewed for Alastair in the subsequent Summer 2 race. In the final race commodore John Botterill launched the club Bosun to give crewing experience to two children.

03/03/19

Very windy, 40 mph, and wet day.

24/02/19

Another glorious day with a record breaking temperature of 20 degrees. Cloudless sky, No wind. No one sailed, Nigel worked on the outside lights. Jean Maracchi brought some cakes down for the 14 at the club.

17/02/19

A glorious warm day with a 10 mph S wind, 0.5 knt current. Bryan had a short sail and said the wind was terrible; all over the place. Stuart took Cheryl out in the patrol boat.

10/02/19

Light rain mid morning. 150mm of water over the downstream slip and 1.5 knt current. Squall and torrential rain mid afternoon; luckily it ws fine by the time we left.

03/02/19

Glorious but cold day, not mch wind, 0.5 knt current, no one to sail. only 7 at AQSC.

27/01/19

Windy and very wet at times.

20/01/19

A VERY cold, gorgeous day, no current or wind. Ten at AQSC, Bryan took Cheryl and Dudley out in the patrol boat for some training.

06/01/19

A cold overcast day. Dry but only 4mph NW wind, no current; no one wanted to sail. There were about 12 members at the club.

01/01/19

New Year's Day sailing had excellent conditions, with a consistent 5-12 mph NW wind and very little current. The course set was an up river beat to a port mark, then a down river run to a Middlesex side port mark with light winds due to the proximity of trees, a port mark near the outlet and a starboard Surrey side mark a little further down stream. The third race was dubbed a 'pudding race' by the two who started on time, as most others appeared to be delayed by Nigel's excellent pudding. 6 boats sailed, 20 members at the club.