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Hi, great to see our young members so quick to apply for the Cobnor weekends this season and here, Katie Hedgecock tells what a fun time she had sailing there.
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This year I was lucky enough to go on a sailing weekend at Cobnor Activities Centre with participants from both Lancing and Hedgecourt. Cobnor is a residential sailing centre by Chichester harbour, near Chidham, surrounded by beautiful farmland. The trip occurs twice a year to allow teenagers to escape for a weekend’s worth of exhilarating sailing experience in both April and October. The trips are organised by Diana Thompson from Crawley Mariners, for people over the age of 13. They are a fantastic opportunity to sail different boats, including the Lancing club Laser>>, Magnos and Bosuns - learn new techniques and try out new things such as trapezeing whilst receiving great instruction from RYA-qualified, experienced sailors.
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Friday evening
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We all arrived at the sailing centre and - whilst the instructors were struggling to rig the Magnos - we had plenty of time to explore our four-person bedrooms, the dining room and Jubilee room (where we spent the evenings playing games). I was sharing a room with Louise and 2 other people from Crawley. We all had to take a cake along to share over the weekend so there was a heap of appetizing cakes in the kitchen! We also had to bring a tea towel for washing-up duty which the instructors were meant to help out with as well (in theory). Our instructors included our very own Commodore, newly accredited Mark Jackson and several volunteers from Crawley Mariners. We had supper and went for a cool but pleasant twilight stroll part of the way along the slippery, sea-weedy rocks towards Cobnor point.
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Day 1, Saturday
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We got up early and ate a cooked English breakfast. The weather was bitter and still felt wintry so we put on plenty of kit (not forgetting compulsory fleecy hats!), before learning to rig the Bosuns. We then sailed to a harbour beach - I got to trapeze a Magno, which was really fun - where we stopped for a drink and some cake. The scarce wind that blew us back to Cobnor Activities meant that only a few people got out on the trapeze, but it was fun anyway. About an hour later, the 10 or so boats finally arrived back at the centre where an eagerly anticipated and delicious lunch of baked potatoes awaited.
More sailing in the afternoon and this time Jon and I got to try out the trapeze in a Bosun with Mark, which was just as enjoyable as in the Magno, despite his continued efforts to dunk us in the water. Then it was back to base for tea and more cakes - followed by washing-up duty, before a party in the Jubilee room.
The party included lots of games like Connect 4 and Guess Who, as well as large amounts of chocolate and fizzy drinks, before we were required to return to our accommodation to get some sleep.
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Day 2, Sunday
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As for Saturday, up early, breakfast, kit on, before rigging the boats for another day’s
sailing, despite the significant lack of wind! We managed to leisurely drift along on the tide in the F1 breeze. When we finally reached our destination, we stopped for our elevenses (more cake!), and tried not to think about how we were to get back. We played a game on the sand until everyone was 'caught' and covered in sand, then began the slow journey back. After a while, Mark decided no progress was being made from sailing and so he set Jon and me to the tedious task of paddling our Bosun up tide whilst he lay back and leisurely went about steering and making cheeky comments from the stern. Then Chuggy, the centre’s slow, old powerboat, came to our rescue and towed us back. Whilst we were being towed our responsible Commodore, Mark, and Instructor-In-Training, Louise, began a water-fight and complained a lot when they got wet. Then it was back to pack up, eat lunch and finish off those cakes.
I had a really great time and can’t wait to go again.
Katie.
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Published in the Summer 2006 issue
Photo gallery of Cobnor weekend (21-23 April 2006) courtesy of Donal Roche
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A series of interviews with club members.
Our first victim: Karen Littlejohn.
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DT.Karen, many thanks for taking part. At what age did you start sailing, and who introduced you to the sport? |
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KL. About 14, whilst visiting family friends near Portsmouth Harbour.
Their boys took me out in a dinghy - I don't even know what type it was - and that was it, I was hooked. I remember persuading mum and dad to let me go on a sailing course at Cobnor I'd seen advertised at school and then I joined LSC soon after through some of the boys from school. |
Tell us about some of your best ever-sailing performances? |
I don't think best performance is about the results, but about knowing that you've given your best. I've had that feeling more when crewing and the team work really comes together, than in the Laser, when I almost always feel like there's something more I could have done. |
What’s the best bit of sailing advice you could give a novice? |
Crew for someone who knows what they're doing - and learn from it. |
What was the last book you read and what did you think of it? |
I'm a bit of an Anthony Trollope fan and recently finished He Knew He Was Right - apart from the irony of the title, I enjoy Trollope's analyses of relationships, society and politics - makes you realize that nothing much changes. There's a great description in HKHWR of a railway sandwich. |
What would you be your dream night out, and with whom? |
Maybe dinner on the terrace of a seafront restaurant followed by a moonlit stroll on a sandy beach with waves gently lapping at our feet. But with whom? Someone who can make me laugh! |
What are your views on modern art? |
I have it plastered around my kitchen cupboards, lovingly created by a 3-year old. But I wouldn't buy any if that's what you mean. But then I don't really go in for art at all. |
I've heard the you believe in UFOs. What evidence do you have? |
Are you trying to tell me that the little green creature with big yellow eyes in my broom cupboard is not really ET? |
What is your worst character trait? |
Wanting to move on to the next thing when the job in hand gets too difficult - like answering these questions. |
Finally, which aspect of your own sailing would you most like to improve? |
Starting - I wish I could find the nerve to really mix in at the starts and not worry that I'm going to get in the way.
Published in the Autumn 2005 issue
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A series of interviews with club members.
Our next victim: Andy Carter.
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DT.Andy, many thanks for agreeing to take part. Firstly I’d like to ask you about your success over the last few years in the Laser Class. Are you any good, or are the rest of us just rubbish? |
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AC. Difficult question to answer without sounding big headed! I am a good club sailor. Especially at Lancing, which is not surprising really as I have been sailing a Laser on and off at the club since I was 15/16 and before that I sailed a Topper. I think being a good windsurfer helped as well as it taught me to use the waves to the best advantage which can gain you a lot of ground downwind. Spending a lot of time down the beach and on the water as a teenager really honed my boat handling so now all I really have to concentrate on is the boat set up and which way to sail round the course. |
Where do you make your biggest gains around the course? |
Definitely the start. If I get a good start I can be 2/3 boat lengths ahead by the limit mark, which gives you clear wind to go where you want up the first beat. |
You are on the light side for the standard rig. Don’t you like food? |
I eat like a pig! I’m just one of those lucky people who doesn’t put weight on. In fact I am about the right weight for the full rig: 11 - 12 stone (70 to 75 kgs for the metric bunch). Those of you that think I am too light are probably too heavy! Sailors use weight as an excuse, technique and fitness are much more important. |
As a Skoda owner, are you ever embarrassed? |
Only for the drivers who don’t have one! |
You work as a financial controller so why are you always skint in the bar? |
I follow the motto: "Put your hands in your pockets and protect your assets!" |
What is the best piece of advice you could give to a novice sailor? |
Learn from the more experienced sailors around you and once you get better then them move on and learn from someone else. Above all enjoy your sailing; that is after all why we do it. |
What was the last book you read and what did you think of it? |
Magician by Raymond E Feist. It was the second time I have read it and it is one of the best fantasy stories I have come across. |
Where did you and Helen have your first kiss and can you remember the last one? |
It was on the dance floor of Rutherfords nightclub on the end of Worthing pier. The last one was this morning. |
Lastly, I know you do a bit of cooking. What is your signature dish? |
I do a mean roast!
Published in the Spring 2006 issue
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A series of interviews with club members.
Our newest victim: Diana Croker.
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David Trout: Di, thank you for participating. Firstly, what was your most memorable sailing experience? |
 DC: Probably one very windy day at the Laser>> Worlds at Hayling Island in 1991. It was blowing old boots, my memory says a Force 6, actually it was up to a Force 7. Loads of people were being rescued. We were fairly new to the Laser>> then, having about 6 years’ experience, so we weren't all that expert (we have improved a bit since!). At the time the conditions were the windiest and roughest that I had experienced on a sailing boat. We managed to finish our race, leaving the spinnaker in its chute and doing the run with two long reaches under jib and mainsail. It was very exciting and great to finish. Coming in over the bar under jib alone was something else - but we made it. We finished 67th out of 167 in the Championship.
There have been a lot of exciting sails since then - one was returning to shore at Abersoch in a Force 7 - even tacking was a major manoeuvre. There was the Force 9 at CYC when almost all the boats, including ours, were washed ashore. At LSC a few years ago we were screaming down a spinnaker reach in a force 4-5 when the mast broke at the gooseneck. I thought we had capsized but then realised that we were still upright, but the whole rig was in the ogg. Fortunately the jagged bit of mast did not hit either of us, but fell away from us. I should also mention the mega sea breezes (up to Force 6) I have tackled in the Radial at more than one LSC Laser Open.
But, hey, light winds are fun too!
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What is your main interest outside of sailing? |
Probably all the other exercise I do - circuit training, studio cycling and Pilates - at Worthing Aquarena. My other passion is the countryside and the environment and trying to combat climate change. |
Is the Peugeot 205 still the world’s best used car? |
Of course! The black 205 Gti is the fashion statement of the 1980s and still looks stylish.
The blobby cars of today tend to all look rather similar, while the 205 is quite distinctive and distinguished - both the black Gti and the red GRD diesel. The 205 has a well designed chassis which gives it excellent ride and handling, although the Gti puts more emphasis on the handling and less on the ride. They are great fun to drive. I’m not sure if they live forever, though. |
Whom would you most like to meet (past or present)? |
Ellen McArthur |
Is your back bedroom still haunted? |
Yes. All manner of rare species find a habitat there. (Not true!) |
Next to Lancing Bay, obviously, what is the world’s best holiday destination? |
Very difficult to answer, as I have enjoyed all the travelling I have done. The most memorable place I have experienced is probably The Grand Canyon. |
Lastly, what was the last book you read and what did you think of it? |
The China Study, by Campbell and Campbell - the most comprehensive study of nutrition ever conducted. I do not make time to read a lot of books, getting most of my info and art from television and Radio 4, but I am having a look at this one, as allegedly it may save my life.
Published in the February 2007 issue
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A series of interviews with club members.
Today: Stuart Hart. |
 David Trout: Stuart, many thanks for taking part. Firstly, how did you discover sailing and how old were you?
SH: It was all down to my father who was a very keen sailor at Worthing and introduced me at the age of about 6 years old.
What is your main interest away from sailing?
It has to be the best thing in my life - Angel, who is my 4 year old little girl. We love to go swimming and cycling (not very fast or that far either).
What do you think makes LSC such a successful community?
LSC is such a success due to its great location, making the sailing excellent. Also, the club has always had a wonderful mix of people, with different ages, backgrounds and experience in life.
Who would you like most to meet, past or present, and why?
Lord Nelson - I'd ask him what was his driving force to always be in the thick of the action and the firing line.
What sort of art do you hang on your walls?
I don't do art. I grew up in a house full of pictures on the walls of which I get later in life so I surround myself in photos of my friends and family, which remind me of the lovely people and times in my life.
What is your attitude to global warming?
Never really been a greeny, until very recently, when I was told, if every household used a shower timer, we would save enough water to supply one million homes every day. Now, that's opened my eyes to the scale of the problem. Yes, a few people will not make the diference, but if we all do a little, well, it can only benefit our children!
What was the last book you read and what did you think of it?
Dark Winter by Andy McNab. It was all about an assassin who has to make a decision: the life of someone he loves or the life of millions! Brilliant!
How did the Stu Hart / Dave Carter 'dream team' come about?
I used to see Dave and Matt come screaming down from behind, with huge smiles on their face and think - I want to be on that boat! Matt then retired and DC very kindly asked if I would like to crew for him. We arranged transfer and wages - which included no money and being verbally abused every week. I signed and here we are today, sailing both the 4000 and the awesome J109.
Lastly, do you have any 'healthy eating' advice?
It is so simple! Eat a good but healthy breakfast (continental), light lunch - not too much bread in a week, healthy evening meal, 2 litres of water a day, at least 30 minutes of exercise everyday, treats are OK in moderation! Now, do as I say and not as I do!
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Published in the Summer 2007 issue
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