ACF Sailing – Update 14-15th December 2019

Final Weekend of 2019

Dear Sailors and Supporters,

With the challenge of a strong wind forecast we turned up to the CCYC on the Saturday with the aim of a little theory and then a brief sail later on in the afternoon, but sadly the wind was still gusting slightly higher than forecast so we decided to power through our lunch and carry on with some rules theory before departing for the day.

We looked at how to use the rules to help decision making on the water plus, how and when rules switch on an off.

Saturday night had the CCYC’s Christmas dinner which 8 of our Team went along to what is always a great meal and party at the club.

With Sunday’s forecast not looking pretty either we decided to abandon our attempt to get out on the water but instead touched base with the RC Laser group (remote controlled Laser’s) in Cowes. With such a great friendly group we managed to pull along some spare boats just showing us why we love the community here in Cowes.

With the weather confirming it was the correct decision as hail coming over through the day including soaking us on our way to the club, we meet at 1000 and started with a little briefing to discuss and lightly introduce strategy around the course and some basic rules to look out for. Our aim was to help all be away of the wind shifts, and how when your sailing along. You could find if you didn’t slam a tack in you’d be stuck head to wind going quickly from first to last or vice-a-versa.

After a brief play around, more sailors turned up with Marks thrown into the water, we started racing a windward leeward course.

But the funniest part was trying to support one of our visually impaired sailors (Laura) was finding when the boat had gone half way down the course she lost complete sight of it. Also with so much to say in such a short space of time we had to develop key words for the fine controls and also saying left and meaning right really doesn’t help when you’ve just had a great start… Let’s just say we laughed a lot.

We are still gutted from not getting out yet still had a great weekend and learning with a god laugh and yet can’t wait for the new year to start with new sailors joining us bring a new focus and friendships for all.

A huge thank you to all of the RC Laser Sailors for the support to make this weekend a good laugh.

Also great to continue to team up with the Island Sailing Club with a Sonar Social with over 30 people on the Thursday evening at the ISC and a few joining us for the Saturday.

If you’re reading this and would like to get out sailing in the New Year then do get in touch via info@acfsailing.org or visit our website www.acfsailing.org for more information.

We look forward to seeing some of you local out for Boxing Day and otherwise in the New Year.

Kind regards,

The ACF Sailing Team

Location

Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club