OOD: Tim Wellburn, with the very welcome assistance of Francis Skrzezewski.
Safety Boat: Ben Chappell, assisted by Leona Shepherd & Keith Clarke.
Wind: NNE, light but variable with lulls & gusts.
‘A’ Course, with two buoys laid.
Start time 14:15.  

6 boats racing, with visitor, David, cruising to try out Leona’s boat.

The start was immediately marked by an inter-mingling of some of the boats jockeying for position on different tacks and/or headings.  Eeyore having been retrieved from a considerable way upstream, never made it to the start, but later rowed past with some dignity.

Joe established an early lead in his Laser (Punt), completing the first lap in just under 6.1/2 minutes, followed by the Enterprises of James (Zephyr) and Lev (Porpoise), either side of 9 minute.  The other boats, becalmed at various points, took between 17-20 minutes to do so.

Joe held the lead until the 4th lap when James pipped him by a mere 16 seconds and then retained the lead to the end, completing 7 laps in just under 50 minutes.

Chris (Distant Thunder, Leader) almost caught up with Lev, sailing increasingly quicker lap times until the 5th (& final one for both of them) when, just short of the line, he fell victim of a lull in the wind, completing the race just 30 seconds over the hour.

Nick (flo, Gull) and Ollie (Spinosaurus, Mirror), sailing the two remaining smaller boats, were more challenged by the conditions, both completing 3 laps in just over 50 minutes, Ollie pipping Nick to the post by just 1.1/4 minutes.

All boats suffered to a greater or lesser degree from the frustrating conditions, especially around the upstream mark which, although it was laid very close to the start line, was felt by some to be a little too close to the shore.  However, wind & tide conditions further out into the stream in this reach were equally challenging, with many practicing backward sailing, keeping the two timekeepers on their toes as to which boat had already crossed the line on any given lap, and which had still to do so.

As it was a warm, sunny day, both Armitages washed their boats in the course of the race, but only Joe elected to do so rounding the downwind mark, to earn an ovation from our Bell & Crown audience for his very swift recovery.

Tim Wellburn (OOD)

Crowded out from our usual Sunday by multiple rowers ‘Bumps’ racing, and onto an empty river and under an empty blue sky, 5 boats came out to enjoy the Bank Holiday Monday. But it offered no relaxing rest and recreation. A stiff breeze topping 15mph banged the sails about; presaging a rough and tumble ‘D’ course.

James and Tamina [Zephyr, Ent], with Chris and Felicia [Distant Thunder, Leader], and Andrew and Enoch [Comma, Ent], were joined by Sam and Catherine [SY2, Wayfarer] while Joe, as OOD replacing Lev, firstly thought to get on board the Safety Boat with Frank and Kieran – but then decided to quickly go home where he managed to press-gang Marian as OOD; so he could sail his Laser (Punt). Jilling-about the start line revealed that multiple wind twists and turns were to be expected; the Union Jack pointing fully and horizontally across the river.

James led across the line, followed by everyone on a broad reach – with Joe clambering onboard his Laser to catch up. So far, so fast, down to Chiswick Bridge. It seemed it was going to be manageable: just.

In particular, ‘Comma’ was put to the test. As the oldest boat in SGSC with an ownership history dating back to Peter Hatton, who first won an SGSC Cup in 1966, she had been showing her age. Subsequently sailed by James Armitage until 1986, then Peter Osbourne until 1995, she was taken over by Andy Ross in 1999 (having previously sailed the small boat ‘Bumblebee’), ’Comma’ must now be approaching 60 years old. Two years of restoration work, repeatedly discovering soft areas of wood requiring one repair after another, and determined to stick to the original wood glue and timber, with no plastic or fibreglass, and freshly-painted, she appeared to be truly sturdy, and with no leaks detected, she shone – and she flew with the wind. The original Scots pine wooden mast, that often defined for itself whether it was acting as heavy ballast keeping the boat upright – or was going to swing about with the wind and let momentum decide, has been replaced with an aluminium mast; with a pivot bolt in a tabernacle foot to lower the mast to get under the railway bridge. A tensioning lever now held the new mast rigging bar-tight.

All still together, the fleet sauntered gently in a sudden near total calm under Chiswick Bridge. Ah! The warm sun! How very pleasant this Bank Holiday journey was actually going to be! But as we rounded the bend to Barnes Bridge, the North-East wind sucked in deep and blew its cheeks out. Off we galloped! But at the rear of the fleet the suddenness of this great blast hit Sam really hard, producing a spectacular capsize.

Looking back from ‘Comma’ we saw Sam and Catherine were now both just heads in the water – and they were drifting far away from their boat. There was no sign of the Safety Boat. So we decided to turn back and offer help. Coming back around from the rear we seized the bow and, broadside on, enabled Sam and Catherine to grab their hull. Sam then swam back off again to pick up pieces of gear floating away while Catherine, totally unperturbed, and astonishingly glamorous, confidently made-up and ready for her leading actress role, simply asked if her handbag (that she had shrewdly stowed very tightly onboard), was still there? A handbag! It was a truly Lacy Bracknell moment worthy of Oscar Wilde. Funny and wonderful! But their mobile phones were another matter.

The Safety Boat then re-appeared and with Catherine transferred onboard the boat sped off back downriver to re-find the fleet, while the Wayfarer was brought ashore for a ton of bailing-out. 

The pre-agreed plan was that the fleet (those who got there) would turn themselves at Corinthians, which is what had indeed happened, as James soon came back under Barnes Bridge – and the Wayfarer was then taken in tow by Frankie in the Safety Boat back to the Club.

Comma set sail back under jib alone as the rest of the fleet caught up and with varying rough gusts (Joe performing two ‘death role’ capsizes, including one after he had finished!) and yet still with frequent dead calm spots – and still against a strongly ebbing tide, we all made our way back. 

Never has tea and biscuits been more welcome! What a very unrelaxing, but very memorable, Bank Holiday Monday.

Andy Ross

30 May 2023

Five boats were launched, plus the safety boat, Kurt Berger, and, at James’ suggestion, Course B was selected rather than A for a 15.15 scheduled start. Unfortunately, due to some engine trouble with the Safety Boat there was a short postponement of six minutes while attempts were made to get it running (It was later discovered that the fuel pipe had been mis-connected).  An existing buoy and wooden pile were used as marks, as Sam and Catherine were no longer able to lay the club buoys.

Two Enterprises (Zephyr and Porpoise), a Leader (Distant Thunder) and a Mirror (Spinosaurus) got off to a close start on the opposite bank, initially close-hauled then running by the time they reached the mark downstream. Frank, in his Solo Tango, found it a struggle to make way against the flooding tide mid-stream and retired at 3.35pm, joining Kurt Berger at the ramp.

James and Tamina in Zephyr pulled ahead of Lev, sailing single-handed in Porpoise, gaining about 2 minutes on him per lap. Chris and Felicia in the Leader Distant Thunder were just half a minute behind after one lap. Ollie and Billy in Spinosaurus were precisely four minutes behind Distant Thunder after the first lap and persevered against the tide even when making no headway at times.

Places did not change again, even after James had to take evasive action on his way to the second “leeward” mark, to avoid a collision with a pair of eights speeding close by to their own neck-and -neck finish under the railway bridge.

James and Tamina finished the race after three laps at 49mins,47secs, Lev six minutes behind at 55:53. Chis and Felicia came in third at 58:18. Spinosaurus took 24 minutes for lap one, 23 and a half for the second lap and just 19 minutes for the third and final lap, a few puffs of breeze filling in helping them on handicap. Spinosaurus finished 1 hour, 6 minutes and 37 seconds after the start, just before 4.30pm.

Nick Jeffery (OOD)

Next week’s race will be held on the Bank Holiday Monday (29th May). It will be a D-Course (Hammersmith and back) starting at 16:00.

The reason is that our bit of the river will be occupied on Sunday by dozens of eights storming downstream in a United Hospitals Bumps Race.

A chilly start with a very slight breeze from upstream of Chiswick Bridge (according to the Met Office F1, gusting F3 from the SE). All six boats started at10:00 in a close group across the line racing intently. The race quickly split into two groups of three, but with James Armitage (Zephyr, Ent., sailing solo) leading significantly. Joe Armitage in the safety boat carefully chose the correct point to drop the buoy with the timing, perfect for the change in the tide. James rounded market first, followed by Rob Adams (Phoebe, Laser) in close contention after 30 minutes racing. He was followed by David Berger (Entre Nous, Ent., sailing solo); Chris Greenwood (Distant Thunder, Leader); Oliver and David Adams (Spinosaurus, Mirror), and finally Tim Young (Ait Knots, Wanderer).

Rob’s laser proved to be faster downwind chasing James with David, closing the gap in a chase. The Sun finally came out, and the temperature climbed to a more seasonable level. The leading three caught the breeze and the gap increase to several minutes from the last three in a group. The final run towards the finish line was extremely close with James overtaking Rob in the last 2 m to win by one second with David, only two seconds later for third.

The following group of three had continually changed places on the run towards the finish, but with Tim cruising across the line, some 13 minutes after James, followed closely by Oliver a few seconds later and Chris gamely bringing up the tail at one hour, 19 minutes and 50 seconds.

A good race in light winds, well-marked course by Joe, and close racing with a finish In glorious sunshine.

Keith Clarke, OOD

Next week is an A-course starting at 15:15.

OOD: Tim Wellburn

Safety Boat: Nick & Nicole Jeffery

Weather: Sunny, light SW wind abating for the start but picking up in the latter stages of the race.

Course: short, 2-mark ‘A’ course with a Zoffany House start to avoid the busy SOG street party spilling out towards the Bell & Crown.  Start time 15:16.

Six varied boats took to the water, and initially seemed to ignore Starter’s Orders, remaining for the most part reluctant to leave the shelter of the bank and adjacent festivities ashore.

Eventually all got underway, slowly finding an eddy to edge downstream against the flood tide. Remarkably, David and Sheila Berger (in OOD Tim’s Ent, Ixion) and Lev Kolobov (solo in Porpoise, Ent.) completed the first lap literally in parallel after 11 minutes 39 seconds, Rob Adams (Phoebe, Laser) chasing only a minute behind.  Olly Adams & First Officer Billy in their Mirror (Spinosaurus), and Sam & Catherine in the Wayfarer, Spirit of Youth, followed either side of the 15 minute mark.  First lap Wooden Spoon Award went to Tim Young (Ait Knots, Wanderer) who was chasing Sam Shemtob’s Wayfarer and so nearly crossed the line at 18 minutes, but then suffered the difficult combination of too little wind and too much tide, and duly suffered the frustration of taking another 12 minutes to complete the lap.

Thereafter, lap times improved, albeit not consistently.  To check the OOD’s concentration, four boats managed to complete their first or second laps as an unpredictable flotilla at 16+ minutes.

Thereafter, Rob put in some increasingly fast lap times in his Laser and the Enterprises of David & Sheila, and Lev performed briskly, managing a couple more laps than the other boats.

A miscommunication by the OOD (mea culpa) caused David & Sheila and Lev to sail a gratuitous additional lap (now struck from the record although, frustratingly, probably their fastest!) while the rest of the field completed their (legitimate) final lap.

We retrieved the boats at high water, which was awash the club gates, and proceeded to party in style.

Tim Wellburn (OOD)

OOD: Nick Jeffery; Safety Boat: Sam Shemtob; Weather: fine, wind SSE F3. A lovely day.

Five boats were launched on a rising tide for a 10.00am start on Course B in sunny weather with a gentle breeze. A beat down towards Chiswick Bridge, where Sam laid the windward mark, saw the three crewed Enterprises, tacking close to the shore, pull ahead of the single handers – Ben in his Laser Envy and Tim in his Wanderer Ait Knots. James’ Zephyr, crewed by Felicia, completed the first lap in 17 minutes, 30 seconds. Henry and Mary’s Big Polly crossed the line a couple of minutes later at 19:55 with Lev’s Porpoise, crewed by his son David, hot on their transom, five seconds behind, at 20:00 minutes. Less than three minutes later, Ben completed his first lap, while Tim crossed at 34 minutes and decided to retire rather than slog against the tide again. On the second round, Porpoise pulled ahead of Big Polly by nearly a minute, while Zephyr stretched its lead to over five minutes. Envy touched the leeward mark and swiftly re-rounded, three minutes before Zephyr came in to win the three-lap race after 51 minutes 18 seconds. Porpoise and Big Polly looked neck and neck as they appeared round the bend on their third lap, jibs goose-winged, but Porpoise pipped Big Polly to finish second with Big Polly coming in third after 1 hour 5 minutes and 48 seconds just 15 seconds later. Six minutes after that Envy finished and the fleet just made it under Kew Railway Bridge before the tide was too high. There was some discussion between Lev and Henry about a missing 360-degree penalty but no protests were lodged or retirements made…

Nick Jeffery

Next week, Coronation week, it’s an A/B course starting at 15:15, to be followed by an informal barbeque at the arch.

Sunday was a lovely spring Easter Day with increasing amounts of green on the trees and a nest of five moorhen eggs on a deflated tender attached to Dorset Dunlin on the PLA mooring.  Not much wind, but enough SW to give a short A-course from the City Barge down to the slip dock.

The river remains very full from recent upstream rain and all five crews got more than their feet wet rigging on the vanishing foreshore.  They comprised Lev and David Kolobov in Porpoise (Enterprise); Ben Chappell in Envy (Laser); Frankie Skrzesewski in Tango (Laser); Tim Young (no ill-effects from last week’s dunking) in Ait Knots (Wanderer); and Nick Floyer (with brand-new sails) in flo (Gull).

Mary Brown (OOD) was able to start the race on time and all the fleet made good progress down to the slip dock against the flood tide.  Lev was there first and stayed ahead for the whole race. He finished his first lap in just under 7 minutes, followed two minutes later by Nick and then Tim. On the second lap Nick was still second with Tim and then Ben close behind.  Frankie decided that his time was best spent practicing tacking and observing the curious ways of the river, and retired from the race.  Ben came storming through the fleet on the third lap to be second with Tim and then Nick close behind while Lev increased his lead with 5-minute laps.  He finished 8 laps in just under the hour to be followed by Ben, then Tim on 7 laps and finally Nick on 6 laps.

The tide was high enough to almost sail into the boatyard at the end where Mary, having paddled down the footpath in wellies, offered tea and lemon drizzle cake.  Lev and David were awarded the traditional Easter Egg by Commodore Tim, who had baby eggs for everyone else. Henry, in the safety boat, was grateful to have had a peaceful afternoon.

Next week it’s a C-course (Isleworth) starting at 11:30