Race Report, 13^th April 2025

OOD: Mary Brown

Safety Boat: Henry Brown, David Baker

Weather: Overcast, light rain, WSW, 2-4 Beaufort, 5-10 knots.

Course: A

It was Boat Race Day for Oxbridge rowers, and Cambridge made a clean sweep down below Chiswick Bridge on an overcast afternoon that deteriorated into a fine drizzle at times after our sailors’ start at 14:40.

Six boats rigged on a diminishing foreshore.  Lev Kolobov, solo in Porpoise (Enterprise); Ben Chappell in Envy (Laser); Tim Young in Ait Knots (Wanderer); Olly Adams and Felicity in Spinosaurus (Mirror); Rebecca Hayes and Ella in Wagtail (Mirror); and Nick Jeffery in Eeyore (Duckling).  Nick managed to capsize as he boarded Eeyore and retired, rather wet.

The rest set off on a short A-course, giving everyone a good chance to do several laps.  Lev set the pace with a lap of under 5 minutes, followed by Ben (6:17) and Olly / Felicity close on his transom two seconds later.  Tim followed about a minute after that, and finally Rebecca / Ella in 9 mins 25 seconds. 

This was the pattern for the for the next hour of brisk sailing for all concerned.  Lev and Ben finished 11 laps 1 minute 90 seconds apart with Spinosaurus about 2 minutes behind on 10 laps.  Tim finished his 8 laps about a minute later, and Rebecca / Ella finished their 7 laps after another 10 minutes.  Quite a challenge for the OOD: almost 50-line crossings to note on a race sheet threatened by drizzle.

There was a traffic jam outside the ramp until someone found some keys, but eventually all the boats managed to squeeze onto the boat-park around the safety fencing, as the cracks in the brickwork of the bridge become more apparent.  And most had time for tea and biscuits and a chat.

First in the Handicap Cup went to Lev: first in the Polly Prize to a masterful sail by Olly and Felicity.

Next week is a late C-Course, starting at 19:00.

OOD: Leona Shepherd

Safety Boat: Tim Young

Weather: Bright and Breezy, ENE 3-5 Beaufort, 9-16 knots

Course: D

Three boats launched with Ben Chappell in Envy (Laser), Chris Greenwood and Felicia Biekarck in Distant Thunder (Leader) and Lev Kolobov in Porpoise (Enterprise). Following a few last-minute repairs to a couple of boats, Lev took to the water first and was whizzing up and down enjoying the breeze. Shortly all the boats were on the water and testing the fine sailing conditions.

Ben, in Envy, crossed the start line first with a fine set to his sail. However, this was not to last and Chris and Felcia in Distant Thunder overtook Envy and held the lead for the rest of the race. Within 15mins all the boats were passing Barnes and heading to Chiswick pier. Despite little tide, the wind held up most of the time and made for some fun sailing – check out the photos.

The turning buoy was dropped at 17.33 opposite Chiswick pier with Distant Thunder turning first, followed by Porpoise and then Envy. The return leg was faster than the downstream, no doubt helped slightly by the flood tide, but a steady wind ensured the return leg was made on a single tack in most cases. A lovely evening to be sailing on the water.

Leona (OOD)

Next week is an A or B Course, depending on conditions, starting at 14:40.

Race Report, 30th March 2025

Firstly, there was a lot of activity before the race.  It was a bright sunny day but a forecast for strong NW wind deterred Nick Floyer, Tim Young and Keith Clarke, who sensibly declined to enter the fray.  Keith and Tim manned the safety boat which meant that Rob Adams was able to sail. They were right to be cautious!  Secondly no water!  It seems timing was an hour out –  BST?  but not to worry, there was enough water for a B course and the wind was perfectly aligned for that reach of the river.   It gave a good run to Quintin BC against the tide and then a stiff beat back with the incoming tide.

OOD Heather Adams tried to start on time and indeed the flags went up and down but all boats were still on the beach.  Ariel Biekark (in Kaia, Laser) did set off and would have got a good head start but Rob Adams and Kiran Biekarck in Big Polly (Enterprise) held back and waited for the others while Ariel returned.

A new start sequence was run 11 minutes late. Rob and Kieran were away in Big Polly with a chasing bunch of Olly Adams and Billy in Spinosaurus (Mirror), Chris Greenwood and Felicia Biekark in Distant Thunder (Leader), Arial in Kaia (Laser), Ben Chappell in Envy (Laser), Lev Kolobov and Paco Biekark in Porpoise (Enterprise).  By this time Arial had been in and out of the water but with impressive speed had caught Rob and Kiran and rounded the downstream mark first, the mark hastily laid by the safety boat Keith and Tim. They had trouble keeping up and getting ahead of the fast-moving fleet.  Sadly, Arial rounded mark to port (usual IYR rules) with Rob and Kieran rounding in the SGSC way to starboard. In honourable fashion Arial un-wound and re rounded the Strand way but not without a couple of swims!  In the following bunch was the remarkable sight for SGSC of the Mirror with a spinnaker up and pulling hard at great speed keeping up with the faster boats around it.

The drama continued with Lev and Paco capsizing rounding the upstream mark but not to be thwarted they bailed out and were back in the race.  Not so lucky for Chris and Felicia who lost their rudder and had to retire. Three laps completed with Ben, Olly and Billy and Rob and Kiran the only boats staying upright for the race but not without their moments.

Great turnout and well done to all. Thank you to Heather for the lemon drizzle cake. 

Rob Adams.

The sums gave a win for Rob in all three points series.

Next week is an A or B course at 15:45.

OOD: Kiran / Pacu Biekarck;   Safety Boat: Tim Young,  

Course: D;   Weather: overcast, light rain at the end of the day, wind: NNE/N, 6-12 knots, F2-4 B.

Kiran and Pacu kindly took on the duty of OOD so that Lev could sail.  Many thanks to them.

Three boats launched: Lev Kolobov solo in Porpoise (Enterprise); Chris Greenwood with the Commodore (Felicia Biekarck) in Distant Thunder (Leader); and Keith Clarke in Kaia (Laser). 

It was a pleasant sail downstream with a following light breeze. Buoy placed near to Chiswick Pier and all boats had a long return trip because the tide was not particularly strong and in places, especially down stream of Chiswick Bridge the river was like a mill pond due to lack of wind.

On my own in the safety boat. One boat (Porpoise) capsized but Lev rapidly righted the boat and did not lose his lead.

The order remained the same throughout the race and after roughly 2 hours the finishing order was Lev, then Chris, then Keith.

Tim Young (from the Safety Boat)

Next Sunday it’s an A or B course (wind dependant) starting at 14:00.

Apologies for the late arrival of the race results for the 2024 season.

Here they are with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd highlighted in yellow.

Congratulations to all – it’s the taking part that matters.

Master of Sums.

And don’t forget to book tickets for the Dance on 8th March.

OOD: Enoch Rodriguez.   Safety Boat: Tim Young and David Jones

Sunday was our 28^th and Last Race of the season with its own special prize.  There was sunshine and a WSW wind at 8knots, gusting 17knots (according to the Met Office at Kew Gardens).   Tim set a long triangular A-course with a downstream buoy at the bottom end of Oliver’s Island (giving the opportunity of an upstream leg on either side of the island).  The upstream rowing buoy on the Surrey side and our buoy opposite the Steam Packet formed the other end of the triangle.

Eight boats launched from the rapidly diminishing foreshore: three Enterprises (James Armitage and crew in Zephyr, Rob Adams in Big Polly, and Lev Kolobov in Porpoise); two Lasers (Ben Chappell in Envy and Keith Clarke in Kaia); Chris Greenwood and Felicia Biekark in Distant Thunder  – Leader; Nick Floyer in flo – Gull; and Rebecca Hayes in Wagtail – Mirror.

It was a day for the big boats: the three Enterprises and the Leader led the way from the start at 13:45 with all four within three minutes at the first lap – James and Rob 10 seconds apart.  Rob was ahead at the second lap by about the same margin, but James soon overtook and was ahead for the next three laps, and he was 20 seconds ahead of Rob when Enoch finished the race after 51 minutes on the fifth lap.  Chris, Ben and Lev were next on four laps each, and Nick, Keith and finally Rebecca finished their three laps after 70 minutes.

Meanwhile the tide had forced OOD Enoch and Ian Nethersell off the footpath and onto the steps of the Bell and Crown.  And yet they resisted a drink. Their return to the club had to be along Thames Road with the last short stretch welly-deep past the Bull’s Head. 

By then the dinghies had floated into the Club’s soggy premises where the barbeque was sizzling with sausages and Steve Newell’s delicious beer was flowing freely.  The traditional end-of-season Beer and Bangers was relaxed and, as ever, enjoyed by all.  Many thanks to those many hands who provided and prepared the sumptuous feast.

The handicap sums made little difference to the finishing order: first James, second Rob and third Chris.  

The results for this race are shown below.  The final results for the whole season need some tweaking to account for the ‘best 14 results’ which is a way of reducing the advantage to those who sail most frequently.  The Master of Sums will publish them as soon as possible.

OOD: Keith Clarke;   Safety Boat: Tim Young

A glorious autumn day, sunny, warm, but no wind.  After deliberating for several minutes the four intrepid sailors said a C course was viable. Four boats made it to the start: James Armitage and crew in Zephyr (Enterprise); Felicia Biekark in Kaia (Laser); Rebecca Hayes in Wagtail (Mirror); and Nick Jeffery in Eeyore (Duckling).  All successfully navigated Kew Bridge will skill, with Nick gamely rowing up to the start.

A good start with James drifting across the line with the current, chased by Felicia in Keith’s lent/borrowed laser, with Rebecca and Nick following.

The safety boat took the opportunity to go upriver to look at the recent breach in the tow path, which is substantial. Returning downstream the mark was dropped astutely at Brentford to be positioned for both slack tide and 30 min sailing.  On checking on the fleet’s progress Nick was not in sight.  A rapid run downstream to the clubhouse followed with no sight of Nick.  Meanwhile James continued to lead closely chased by Felicia and Rebecca further back.  Still barely a breath of wind.

Nick was finally spotted having gone up the channel north of the Brentford Eyots, happily drifting on the slight current.

On returning to the main channel all three leading boats had rounded the mark and were headed downstream on the slowly increasing tide. We agreed with Nick on his emergence from behind the Eyot that he would not reach the upstream mark against the turned tide.  We instructed him to sail a shortened course and chase the fleet downstream.

At the finish line James crossed at 1hr 6 min 30 sec chased by Felicia at 1hr 7min 45 sec, Rebecca at 1hr19min 33sec and Nick at 1hr 20 plus 15 min penalty,1hr 35 min since he clearly deserved to have a finished time.  Great day on the river, pity about the wind.

Keith Clarke (OOD)

Next week we have an A-course starting at 14:00.

Advance warning:  the ever-popular SGSC winter Dinner and Dance is booked for 8^th March 2025 at the Royal Mid Surrey Golf Club.  Mark it in your diary and email Marian to let her know of your interest: armitagew4@gmail.com.

Race Report   6 October 2024

OOD:  Mary Brown,    Safety Boat:  Henry Brown

This Sunday was the day for the annual test closing of the Thames Barrier.  It was scheduled to close at 0900 and reopen to the incoming tide at 1930.  Our race, scheduled before the closure was announced, was to start at 1600, and sure enough the river that had been flowing out all day as if the moon had dropped out of the sky was gradually filling up the river bed behind the closed barrier.  So we had what looked like a B-course with only half a river and what we thought would be a diminishing river flow as the water backed up.  The wind was forecast to be SSE, conveniently against the river flow, at 7-8 knots. It was accompanied by an intermittent drizzle.

Five boats assembled on the enlarged foreshore: James Armitage, plus crew, in Zephyr (Enterprise); Rob Adams and Billy in Big Polly (Enterprise); Lev Kolobov solo in Porpoise (Enterprise); Toby Hicks in Cis… (Laser); and Olly and Felicity Adams in Spinosaurus (Mirror).

The beat down-stream to the mark (opposite Chiswick Staithe) was quick – James made it in 5 minutes – but the run back against the flow of the river – which seemed to pay little attention to the Woolwich Barrier – was much slower.  The Surrey bank was the preferred strategy, out of the full flow of the river but still with enough wind to goose-wing upstream.  James completed his first lap (around a mark opposite the Bull’s Head) in 20 minutes, one minute ahead of Rob.  Toby was third in 27 minutes with Lev a minute behind.  Olly did his usual skilful and patient job in the Mirror and lapped in 33 minutes.

The second lap saw Rob catch up with James and finally overtake him around the top mark to finish about 20 seconds ahead after just over 53 minutes.  Lev lost his way a bit around the top mark and finished just ahead of Olly after around 70 minutes.  Toby felt he’d had enough at the top mark and retired under the bridge.

And the river was still flowing strongly down to Woolwich but creeping ever closer up the foreshore towards the ramp.

Next week is a C-course starting at 1000 – an early start is necessary to get under Kew Bridge.

Race report to follow …

Race Report, 22^nd September 2024

OOD:  Tom Broadhurst.  Safety boat:  Dave Barker

There were four starters for a late afternoon B-course on a day with very little wind:  James Armitage with Alex in Zephyr (Enterprise); Rob Adams with Hugo in Big Polly (Enterprise); Chris Greenwood and Felicia in Distant Thunder (Leader); Keith Clarke in his Laser (Kaia); and Olly Adams and Billy in Spinosaurus (Mirror).

As is often the case with B-courses the toughest part was making it around the Strand End jetty in the full strength of the tide. James completed his first lap in about 25 minutes, followed by Rob in 32 minutes and Chris in 33 minutes.  James went on to finish his second lap, and the race, in 56 minutes, followed as before by Rob in 71 minutes and Chris in 76 minutes.  Olly in his Mirror persisted with fortitude to round the Strand End jetty and completed a triumphant single lap in 90 minutes, but Keith gave up the struggle and retired back to the Arch.

Next week is an A-course starting at 11:50.