In this issue

* * * NEW * * * NEW * * * NEW * * *

To find all Streakers latest news on Alan Simmons's Streaker blog, click here.

 Excellent training session for Toppers

This has been a good year for Toppers so far. With new people joining the fleet, we have seen many youth helms improve considerably over the last few months.

Mark Heather, Topper world champion and excellent coach, helped a lot on Saturday 29th August. The morning session gathered helms of all ages and all abilities. The main focus was mark rounding, with two buoys laid to windward and leeward. Mark provided precise, simple advice for every one of us on the water and encouraged everyone to improve their skills.

After lunch, the wind crept up to a force 5 and the waves grew quite big. Only 3 boats went out in the strengthening wind but it was well worth it! The only regret was that the reaches weren't long enough! Throughout the day, we all learned plenty from Mark, who was always positive and kept encouraging everyone.

A big thank you to Jimmy Carter, our training officer who organised the day.

A photo-gallery of the day is on this site. Simply follow this link: View photos of the Topper training day. Many thanks to Gary Austin and Mark Heather for the photos and videos!

 A&O Regatta, a weekend of contrast

The Bank Holiday weekend at the end of August may be the last opportunity to enjoy holidays for some but, for members of our club, it signals the yearly A&O Regatta. This year, both days provided excellent sailing conditions for different abilities. Sunday with good size waves and a force 5 catered for those who enjoy the thrills and spills of sailing fast.
By contrast, Monday was one of those days of warm sunshine, force 3 from the south-east: one of those picture-perfect days when you start wondering why you don't go sailing every day...

In the slow fleet, Alan's Streaker came to upset the domination of the Lasers but was no match for Jack's supercharged sailing skills. In the fast fleet, there was no mercy between Gary and Mark, with Tony jumping in for good measure. Despite spinnaker problems on Sunday, Gary kept the lead and claimed the trophy. All results are in the Results 2009 page on this site.

Great sailing all round!

 End of the Wednesday Evening series

Fading daylight early September marks the end of the Wednesday Evening series. This year, the results hung in the balance as there were only two points between the first two boats. many competitors were counting on their fingers, speculating which results would be discarded and how it would affect the totals...
In the end, the weather got the last say in the matter and the last evening was blown off. Big surf and strong southerly wind proved to good to resist for a few Lasers who went out for a pleasure sail and came back grinning... in one case, not in the boat!

The Results 2009 page shows that Alan has been sailing very consistently and very well throughout this series and adds the title to his long list of victories. But.... because the Wednesday Evening Series results are based on a personal handicap, Alan might have a tougher job next year!

 Bicycle ride on 5th September

Photo courtesy of Mike Croker

Last April, while we were riding through mud and persistent rain between Bramber Castle and Southwater, many of us thought it would be a great idea to organise another bike ride in the summer. After talking to a few interested riders, we settled for 5th September. However, the summer holidays came to wipe memories and many people forgot.

So, it was a small (but select) party making its way to Southwater on 5th September. Leaving Shoreham at 9.30-ish, we met with Mike and Di near Steyning and enjoyed the warm weather and sunshine along the Downs Link. The last two riders to join the group were Mark and Maëlle at West Grinstead. Still quite new to cycling, it was the first time Maëlle was riding offroad on such a distance (6 miles round trip, she's little - don't laugh).

Southwater playground was unusually quiet on that Saturday afternoon until we arrived, that is! After lunch, we had a great time playing on the slides, the zip wire and climbing frames! Big kids, I tell ya...

The return trip was just as good, with Maëlle leading the way to West Grinstead. She and Mark then drove south while we were cycling on. We finished the afternoon with tea and cakes in Mike and Di's garden, sitting in the sunshine. The last few miles took us back to the cars in Shoreham. It was a great day and I'm hoping we'll be able to do it again next year. I'll keep you posted!

 Topper and Laser leagues

Both leagues are regularly updated in the Results page, with a breakdown of points for each helm. Click on the graph to view the details. In the Topper league, helms in blue are competing for the Topper Novice Trophy.

 Breezy Have-a-Go Day was not for the faint-hearted

The club wasn't buzzing in the morning of the 15th August. Although this was the date ofthe Have-a-Go day, the wind was blowing a steady force 5 and members who'd volunteered to help were quite doubtful we'd see any visitors.

A little after 1pm, a couple of people arrived, followed by a family group. Soon, plenty of sailors-for-a-day were adjusting buoyancy aids and making their way to the beach. With the two RS Fevas out, a Laser>>, a couple of Toppers and Lasers and an RS700, we offered a wide choice of speed and thrills. Many of the visitors had been sailing before so the spray and splashes didn't come as a surprise. Those who went out on the RS700 came back looking like drowned rats, but grinning from ear to ear...

All visitors were very enthusiastic, enjoyed the rides and appreciated Lancing SC welcome. Perhaps next year, we should book lighter winds...

 Our club is going to be 50, would you believe?

Now the summer activities are over, the end of the year seems much closer all of the sudden.
2010 marks the year of Lancing Sailing Club's 50th anniversary, according to the Commodores' Board displayed in the club house and the number of Annual General Meetings.

Celebrating this milestone is more than an excuse for a good party. It's ackowledging the fact that, despite changing times, fashions and mentalities, our club remains strong. From all aspects of society, people are brought together by a love of sailing (or a mysterious compulsion to get wet and cold every Sunday). It's worth remembering what it was like in the good ol' days, worth feeling this sense of continuity. If you would like to contribute, to help or suggest ideas, please click here to read the dedicated thread on the forum and post your answers. Thank you!