If you want to take part in dinghy sailing the RLCYC is the place for you. The Club has consistently performed well in competition. This has been based on the use of excellent facilities for the running of courses combined with keen sailors determined to do well. For many the skills learnt have proved fundamental to subsequent success in offshore sailing.
The RLCYC dinghy sailors benefit from the use of several excellent facilities. Pictures on this page are from the Corps Individual Regatta held at Netley, in Southampton Water. However, the Club has the use of Grebe Lake, Calvert near Bicester where the Corps dinghy fleet is maintained by a dedicated Bosun who runs courses in all relevant RYA qualifications.
This page covers developments in RLC dinghy sailing, the facilities available, team selection and details the main RLC Dinghy and Army Dinghy events.
The RLC Sailing Championships - Seaview Regatta Isle of Wight Jun 09
The RLC Sailing Championships took place on 3-4 June 09 with a record 14 crews (49 participants) competing for the coveted Sea View Regatta Cup. 2 teams will now be selected to represent the Army to compete for the Tri-Service Cunningham Cup on 11 June 09.
Under azure blue skies and a hefty breeze, the crews were given a 2 hour window to perform practice runs and introduce complete novices to the basics of sailing. Amongst shouts of ‘pull the red speckly rope' and ‘pull up the front sail' the crews formed up for the first race of the competition.
Despite the mixture of ability, from novice to seasoned sailor, a closely contended and hard fought battle then ensued for the next 2 days. As the event progressed, marked improvements in performance could be seen from the lesser experienced crews; resulting in some ‘interesting' (read borderline dirty) tactics from the old and bold helmsmen! Credit should be given to Capt Graham Iles and the 12 LSR crew whose ability to contend with and adapt to the changes in tactics, earned them a respectable 5 th overall position and the Best Novice trophy.
After 14 races the overall winners were 17 P&M Regt's team, comprising Capt Paul Andersen, WO2 Jayne Purtill and SSgt Stu Wilkie. Runners up were 17 P&M Regt (Cpl Stu Southwick). The fastest veteran team was won by Col Simon Fleet for the second year in succession.
Naturally, it must be acknowledged that in order to organise and run an exceptional event of this kind, a lot of work is put in both prior to and during the event. Our thanks go to WO1 Simon Goldby and the team from Sea View Yacht Club, Lt Col (Retd) Peter Stableford and Colin Fuller. Special thanks are given to KBR Fastrax for continuing to provide sponsorship support to RLC Sailing and for enabling so many to compete.
The dates for next year's event are 2-3 June 2010, to be held at the Sea View Yacht Club, Isle of Wight . The event is open to all personnel and anybody interested in learning to sail should view the website at www.rlcyc.org.uk .
Scroll down for new photos of the Seaview regatta 2009.
Cpl Mark Locke just taken over Bicester Garrison's Sailing Club. Contact details are: email address is kaffa40@hotmail.co.uk . Phone number is 07780542439.
Cpl Locke is looking for a Senior Instructor to run a families sailing week on 27 July to 31 July 09, volunteers are requested to contact Cpl Locke on 07780542439.
Families day, click the image below for more information:
DEVELOPMENTS
The main change over the last few years has been the introduction of umpired team racing at Tri Service Regattas and Army Dinghy Regattas. Races are shorter and sharper; umpires mean that decisions are made on the water and no protests are brought ashore.
The RLC Sail Training Centre remains within the Bicester Garrison at Calvert Lake. It continues to be run by the RLC Dinghy Bosun, Cpl Mark Locke . The RLC Sail Training Centre boasts Bosuns, Laser 1s, Picos and Toppers available for RLC Dinghy Regattas, race training, adventure training and courses for military, civilians and families.
This is an excellent facility that is supported by Bicester Garrison and the RLCYC.
Army Dinghy Sailing Centre (ADSC).
The Centre at Netley remains within LAND organisationally but is changing its name to reflect the service it provides to the wider Army. Training takes place in Laser Stratos, Picos, Laser 2000, RS 400s and Bosuns. The fleet is being upgraded and the ADSC is expecting more Laser 2000s to replace the Bosuns fleet. There is a full course programme run at Netley which includes dinghy sailing, dinghy instructors and powerboat training at all levels.
You need to be 'known'. If you have not been seen sailing against the known good sailors then you will not be noticed and therefore not selected. Get in contact, turn up and compete in the organised RLCYC Dinghy Regattas and Army events both as an individual and as part of unit teams. The older members of the RLC Dinghy Team are happy to stand back when young talent comes forward. We need crews and helms. WO2 Si Goldby, who holds the position of Rear Commodore Dinghy Racing, is looking for any RLC soldiers/officers who are interested in dinghy sailing. Please give him a ring if you are interested on 07801544378.
Take part in events such as the RLC Inter Unit Team Racing Regatta, RLC Individuals Regatta, RLC Seaview Regatta, RLC Single Handed Regatta and Army events such as Inter Corps Regatta, Army Individuals Regatta and Services Individual Regatta but to name a few. Make yourself known to WO2 Si Goldby (07801544378) or Capt Phil Hawkins (07802726381) with an up to date name, address and telephone number so you can be kept informed of training and racing events.
All sailors, particularly in the Field Army, are encouraged to take advantage of any free time in training programmes by planning now to go sailing, putting events in the diaries and organising within units to introduce newcomers to the sport.
