The Solent Forts Race is set to go ahead over the weekend of 19th to 20th June and planning for the weekend is well advanced. Although lockdown restrictions are due to end the day after on Monday 21st June, we will be following all RYA advice to ensure that the event is safe and complies with government guidelines. On the social side we will be running things a bit differently to previous years but the band is booked for Saturday night and we expect to be able to offer catering in some shape or form. Watch out for more details.
David Lloyd, winner of 31 national Dart 18 titles in 6 different countries, has very kindly offered to come and give us a few pointers on how to sail our Darts (and other boats) better. In addition to Dart 18s, he's competed in the F18 and Tornado Worlds and also sailed Spitfires, Dart 15s and keelboats to name a few. David will be going over how to set your boat up for different conditions, going through different manoeuvres, and, if conditions permit, offering advice on the water. All welcome!
Rumour has it that one of our members is the proud new owner of a foiling A Class. Possibly the first A Class at the club and definitely the first foiling boat.
With a low RYA PN of 684 it should be just marginally slower than an F18. No pressure then Ken :-)
Hayling Ferry Sailing Club will be at the Virtual RYA Dinghy Show this year. Come and find us in the Exhibition Halls and WIN a 1/2 day session on one of the club SL 16 catamarans!
The show runs from 10am until 5pm on Saturday 27th to Sunday 28th February. Registration for the show is free at https://ryadinghyshow.vfairs.com/en/registration.
Following a vote at last year's AGM, the club has bought 2 stand-up paddle boards for use by club members. Thanks to Matt W for doing the legwork and getting us a great deal on 2 Fanatic 10'4" boards designed for all-round use. Details will be out in plenty of time for next season.
HFSC are fortunate to count 2 Surrey Search and Rescue (SURSAR) volunteers as club members (Matt W and Chris G) who have both been active on the support boat during our short sailing season this year. To help with fund-raising, SURSAR have teamed up with The Crafty Brewing Co to produce a classic IPA beer. Every bottle sold includes a donation to their invaluable efforts! If you'd like to support this worthy cause you can buy direct from The Crafty Brewing Co website.
Following the 29th March lockdown easing, the RYA have confirmed that sailing clubs can reopen for both organised and informal sailing. From 12th April the club house can be accessed only to use changing rooms and toilets so race briefings should be outside. No camping at the club for now but technically self-contained overnight stays (i.e. motorhomes with facilities) are permitted. The Rule of 6/2 households applies outside of any organised activity at the club including socialising before and after a race.
The weather forecast for Sunday is good and currently we expect that the Solent Forts Race will go ahead as planned.
If Saturday’s conditions are as forecast then the practice race may be cancelled or run later than scheduled.
The entertainment planned for Saturday evening will go ahead as planned. If people wish to arrive during the evening then there will be no problem with registration. Bar opens at 18:00, food from 19:00, band on at 20:00.
These are the finalists for the 2018 photo competition. 1st prize went to Brian R for his sunset over Eastney as seen from the club.
Warm winds and sunshine saw a good turnout for this year's Island Cup with 9 boats starting and finishing including 6 Dart 18s. Conditions were lighter than expected with a shifting NE wind for the seafront and Chichester harbour legs favouring those at the front of the fleet. After a mostly liquid lunch stop at Langstone Sailing Club, and with the wind now blowing from the SW, the fleet squeezed their way through the old railway into Langstone harbour searching for the best wind for the beat home.
