Day Notes

Activity Days Notes 2024

Date

Notes

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.
31 March	Easter Egg Trophy postpone until later in year brcause Red Board Strong \|Stream warning, 2 knts.
07 April	Red Board Strong \|Stream warning, 2 knts, no sailing
14 April	Red Board Strong \|Stream warning, 2 knts, no sailing
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 , a 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".
09 June