The dinghy section of Rye Harbour Sailing Club (RHSC) has had a busy few months supporting Pirates Day and taster sails for the public with the aim of getting more people involved in sailing. The taster sessions are now a well-oiled machine with novice sailors completing their paperwork, getting kitted out and receiving safety briefs in a seamless process before being allowed on the water. We have been fortunate that the weather has given us stiff breezes that allow for exciting but not too challenging conditions in which people can enjoy the sailing without getting too wet. Running parallel with our taster sessions is “Project Kindersail” which seeks to involve as many children and young adults as possible; to date, seventy one under 25s have sailed at RHSC this year with twenty two being in the 14-25 year old cohort that Sport England focuses on.
Whilst the weather has been kind during taster sessions the same cannot be said for races (which are usually held the day after a taster session). Of the six races held in Series 2 so far, three have been held in the River Rother, whilst the three held in Rye Bay were notable for the numbers who failed to finish the course (the old adage of wind against tide which, when combined with the shallow waters of the Bay, causes some quite challenging waves).
That said, the weather is bringing out greater numbers this year than previously seen, with up to ten or eleven boats seen jostling at the start line to gain an advantage before the off. When racing on the river the start line is between the club house and the Harbour Master’s office, a narrow stretch at the best of times without ten boats manoeuvring around in high winds.
Sunday’s race was held on the river with winds gusting up to 30 knots (which is really the very upper end of limits to be racing dinghies). Just about everyone capsized once but with very fast sailing conditions the course (down to Rock Channel and back twice) was completed by the fastest in just less than fifty minutes. Scott Wilkinson (World Topper Dinghy Champion and racing a Laser Radial for the first time) won by a large margin, followed by Simon Marsh then John Powell in third place; both sailing Laser Dinghies.
The high tide meant that there was time after the race to sail between the club house and the Bay. Dog walkers were treated to the sight of four Laser dinghies sailing in some very exciting conditions indeed. This particular race was the annual Gusbourne Fizz race and a well-attended social event was held with the prize of a bottle of English sparkling wine being presented to the winner (who then had to hand it to his parents).
The next taster sail session open to the public is on October 21 with the last dinghy race of the series on October 22. Anyone interested in taking part in the last taster session of the year should contact the Club Commodore, Caroline Wylson, at carolinewylson@btinternet.com or call 01797 223112.
Photos: RHSC