In this issue

 Happy New 2009

With sub zero temperatures and bright sunshine, we're enjoying great weather conditions for a walk on the seafront here in Lancing. The club is closed to racing until 29th March but we've got social events in store.

 Great Sunday lunch on 25th January

Flat mushrooms stuffed with blue cheese, roast pork with apples, green beans and roast potatoes, followed by a home-made fresh fruit salad and meringues, then coffee and chocolates. That was the menu of the first Sunday lunch on 25th January, when 25 of us got together to enjoy good company, despite atrocious weather.

Little Adam Beale, restless after a good meal and fed up to be indoors, wanted to see what the world looked like from the top of the toilet block. Unfortunately, he slipped and banged his head on the bannisters, splitting his eyebrow. Any other child would have howled but Adam remained calm and didn't even cry! Daddy Ian, who was with him at the time, mopped up the blood and Kay White, our resident nurse, bandaged the little head. A couple of hours later, Adam was coming out of A&E with 3 stitches. Still no tears, what a star! Big kisses to Adam and we'll Progrip the soles of his shoes next time...

Next meal is on 22nd February; let's hope the weather will be better and no one is going to get hurt!

 All frosted

At the start of the month, everyone had to scrape the ice off the windscreens, wrap up warm and turn up the heating. With the series of very mild winters we've had recently, nobody at Lancing SC thought about turning the water off, or at least lagging the outside tap. The recent chill has had decorative consequences with an ice sculpture slowly forming where the tap leaks.

Pretty as it may be, we had to call Frank Smith, our favourite plumber, to come and remedy the situation. He was very busy fixing burst pipes all over Sussex that day but promised to get everything sorted out before the next Sunday lunch. Great to have so many skills in the membership!

 Clearing the annexe

It might be a little premature to talk about spring cleaning but, when it's a big job, it pays to be prepared.

During the work parties, we (and I mean 'WE' as in 'everyone') need to clear the annexe. There's an awful mess in that building, with windsurf boards, masts, sails and old bits of kit no one knows who they belong to.

The Topper masts are scattered on the floor and the place has become a general dumping ground.

During the winter and before the work parties (March 2009), please come and take away your old stuff, or tag the items you want to keep in the annexe. It's not a witch-hunt to find out if everyone's paid their fees, it's a genuine clear-out to gain precious space. So don't hesitate: even if you have an old board that's been sitting in there, gathering dust for the last 10 years, you won't be asked to pay the arrears - just put your name on it or take it away.

The rules of the club now say that fees are paid by rack space, not single boards. With up to 3 boards per rack (might be a squeeze), there's a lot to tidy up.

All items that are not tagged will be disposed of, eventually. If you know anyone who isn't a member any longer but has left possessions in the annexe, please could you let them know? Thank you.

 What's coming this winter

You know it as well as I do: Lancing SC doesn't hibernate totally. We've got a few events planned before the start of the 2009 season.

The first event is coming soon, with the first Sunday lunch happening later this month.There will be another lunch in February, probably on 15th Feb.

Gavin, our training officer, is busy organising a first aid course and, if he gets enough people interested, will set a session in the club sometime in February. Keep an eye on the forum for more details.

March will see a lot of activity. Bob our bosun has chosen 3 dates for the work parties. They will happen on Sunday 1st March, Sunday 15th March and Saturday 21st March. Please come and help, as it is usually the same few people who spruce up the club for the benefit of all. No need to be superfit, there are plenty of jobs that don't require heavy lifting. Work parties are fun and get people together after a few months of inactivity. The Lancing e-news will send you an email in plenty of time.

March is also the month for the RYA Dinghy Show at Alexandra Palace. It is taking place on 7th and 8th March and promises a lot of special events and bargains, as well as a shiny new boat on the Contender stand. See details, directions and entry prices on their website: www.dinghyshow.org.uk.

Quite a few things coming up as you can see. Keep an eye on the forum for more details, and in your inbox for the news emails.

 End of the Winter Series

It had been a done deal for a while when it came to the first place: Jack Tattersall in his Laser showed the way to all the hardy sailors who battled on the waves during the Winter series. However, as you can see in the series results page, the second and third place were hotly disputed. Next year, there might be some strategic thinking involved when it comes to signing the duty rota sheet.

A great big well done to all competitors; it's fun watching you from the warmth of the club house!

 Lancing Intercontinental

Fresh from winning the last race of Lancing SC winter series, Tony White took his sailing skills to warmer climates and entered the "St. Petersburg Yacht Club Multi-Class Invitational Regatta". That's St. Petersburg, Florida, just in case you were wondering... He met with the cream of US and Canadian Contender sailors, especially Gill Wooley who trailed his boat as well as a spare for Tony all the way from California. Tony thanked Gill by beating him in the regatta. See results on the St. Petersburg YC's website. Round of applause for Tony who kept sending irritating texts like "25ºC. Nice sailing. Yesterday had dolphin swimming around the boat and pelicans gliding past." It's a tough life...

Further away still, Sean Dwyer and helm David Hayes were in Hobart, Tasmania. Through light and flukey winds, they were battling for the big one: the Worlds Champion title in their B14. They didn't make it to the podium but still achieved respectable results in a highly competitive fleet. Overall results are published on the Yachts & Yachting online magazine; just click on the link. For Sean and Tony, it must be a great way to start the new year.

Well done to everyone who's flying the Lancing flag, from Tasmania to Piddinghoe.