Another good turnout for an August Bank Holiday race. Time was when SGSC would have decamped down to the Solent for a Gins weekend.
Six boats launched: James Armitage with a novice crew (sorry, I forgot to note his name) in Zephyr (Enterprise); Chris Greenwood and Felicia Biekark in Distant Thunder (Leader); Nick Floyer in flo (Gull); newcomer Tamir Gottfried in a Laser; Tim Young in Ait Knots (Wanderer); and at last – after many repairs, Andy Ross and Enoch Rodriguez in Comma (Enterprise).
We chose a B-course because of a light but steady northerly breeze urging the fleet against a weak neap tide down to Chiswick Staithe. There was plenty of holiday river traffic to contend with: not so many rowers as usual but all other varieties from paddle boards up. At the start all but Tamir went for the Surrey bank hoping for weaker tide flow than in midstream. It was the wrong choice and Tamir gained a substantial lead by sailing in the freer midstream wind. So we had the unusual sight of James a full minute behind the lead at the first lap. He was followed 2 minutes later by Chris, then Nick, and then Andy and Tim.
James gradually crept up on Tamir over the next three laps, which were completed in about 15 minutes each, but he was still 7 seconds behind at the finish. Chris maintained third position and finished about 7 minutes later, followed in 5 minutes by Andy, then Nick in another 5 minutes and finally Tim, who got delayed by a doldrum at the last mark.
The Strand handicap sums (Handicap Cup) gave the race to Tamir, then Andy, then Nick. The regular yardstick sums (Polly Prize) gave the race to James, then Tamir, then Nick. The Big Boats points went to James, then Tamir, then Chris, and Nick took the Little Boats points.
Thanks to Nick and Nicky in the safety boat for unobtrusive reassurance, and Mary for time-keeping.
Next week it’s an A-course at 16:15 following a working party at 10:30.
The lovely sunny afternoon brought out 8 boats – the best turn-out so far this season. The wind, nominally SW but very variable both in strength and direction, was channelled roughly down Strand and the downstream mark of the A course was set, somewhat optimistically, almost at the City Barge.
From the start James in Zephyr (Enterprise), with Tamina as crew took a lead which increased steadily throughout the race. He caught a nice gust around the downstream mark when the others were struggling past the slip-dock (occupied by a large barge). His first lap took 10 minutes whereas the following pack took around 18minutes, led by Lev (Porpoise, Enterprise), then Chris Greenwood (Distant Thunder, Enterprise) crewed by Felicia Bierkark, then Henry Brown (solo in Big Polly, Enterprise), then Ben Chappell (Envy, Laser). Tim Young (Ait Knots, Wanderer) was next followed by Nick Jeffery and daughter in the colourful Duckling, and finally Frankie Skrzezewski, still determinedly learning the habits of his Solo.
James, with his usual combination of skill and good luck with the gusts, completed his second and third laps in 6 and 9 minutes respectively, by which time he’d lapped everyone. He went on to finish five laps before the OOD called time. Lev did well to complete 4 laps and was a lap ahead of the following pack, each of whom did three laps: Ben, Chris, Henry and Tim who finished in that order within a minute of each other. Nick retired gracefully after his first lap and Frankie hung on to the end and finished two laps.
After the handicap sums were done Tim emerged third in the Handicap Cup (after Lev) but on the way back to the Club caught his mainsheet on a moored boat and capsized. This gave Enoch and Andy the opportunity to exercise their safety boat skills. Many thanks to them and to Tom and Jo who risked wet feet outside the Bell and Crown.
Next week it’s a C-course on Bank Holiday Monday (not Sunday) – a C-course at 10:50.
Weather: Sunny and breezy. NW 7kts with gusts up to 20kts
Course: A
In gusty conditions by the boat arch, six boats were rigged and launched by 16.50. However, out on the course, the wind settled down to a steady breeze of 7-12kts. Due to technical issues Sam withdrew before the 6minute horn. This left 5 boats jostling for position at the start of the race: Chris Greenwood with crew Felicia Biekarck on Distant Thunder, Lev Kolobov on Porpoise, Frankie Skrzeszewski on Tango, James Armitage with crew Ariel Biekarck on Zephyr (Enterprise), Joseph Armitage on Punt. Tim Young on the safety boat.
A beautiful sailing day with clear, sunny weather and a steady breeze. The A-course was made more challenging by a strong spring tide and a keen audience outside the Bell & Crown. The wind died momentarily on the start horn and picked up again just as suddenly. James led at the beginning however with Joseph in hot pursuit both boats finished the first lap simultaneously. This neck and neck ranking lasted into lap 3 when James started to pull ahead (ever so slightly).
Congratulations go to Frankie on Tango, who after a steady start picked up momentum and completed 2 strong laps before taking a capsize and deciding to retire after 40mins. His stated aim, to complete a full lap, achieved.
Sam, made a surprising re-appearance after more than an hour having decided to enjoy the conditions and enter into the spirit of the club, if not the actual race.
After 1hr 6mins the James was the first of the four boats to complete the course in 9 laps, closely followed by Joseph, Chris and Lev. Very enjoyable sailing by all accounts.
Weather: Everything except hail or snow. 0-6kts with gusts >11kts.
Course: D
Four boats were launched by 15.00, however the balmy weather at 3pm became quite exciting winds by 3:15 and 2 boats (Nick Floyer in flo , and Andy Ross with Keith Clarke in Comma) took the sensible decision to retire before the race started at 15.21. This decision was affirmed as the stormy afternoon progressed and the ‘retired’ sailors and OOD huddled in the arch with hot cups of tea.
The audacious sailors were: James Armitage with crew Felicia Biekarck on Zephyr(Enterprise) and Olly Adams with crew Billy on Spinnasaurus (Mirror)
To be honest it was all about the weather which started with fresh winds allowing the boats to head off down river at good speed. It then deteriorated to wet and gusty with winds from all directions as the squall passed over our stretch from Strand to Hammersmith bringing with it thunder and lightning. The eye of the storm was peaceful but didn’t last long as the winds picked up again and the second half of the storm passed overhead.
Once the boats rounded the buoy, the safety boat, after sheltering under a canopy near Corinthians, returned to Strand for warm jumpers, hats and waterproofs for the soaking sailors. Thanks to Marian Armitage. Hypothermia avoided, the boats gradually drifted back up river aided by a gentle tide. Emerging from under Chiswick bridge their red and blue sails reflected peacefully on the water. James demonstrated good sail technique, maximising his forward motion, as the race ended in a fine and still evening. Thanks to Andy and Henry for coming back out to help recover the safety boat and dinghys.
Special commendation to Billy who contributed heroically throughout the race and despite the chill, still had a brave smile as he helped pack the boat away at the end. And Spinosaurus triumphed over Zephyr on Handicap.
Leona Shepherd (OOD)
An outing for the Kayaks
The club’s kayak trip on the same day saw us launching 6 kayaks with 7 paddlers and heading up river to Richmond in fine weather. Very light winds, clear skies and a comfortable 20oC. Fish were leaping, ducklings and goslings were exploring and the rowers were busy! A fresh coffee and fine croissant were enjoyed before topping up the suncream, donning the sun-glasses for the return.
It is hard to believe it was the same day as the race!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
