I am being told that summer is on the way, but it seems almost as if it has come and gone, along with I presume, a lot of the visitors who what ever the weather seem to enjoy themselves here in sunny Saundersfoot. An enthusiastic crowd of willing sailors turned up in the clubhouse on Sunday and were hoping that a spell of breezy weather may turn up to brighten the day, even if the BBC had told us the sun was not going to. Alas, our OOD made a firm decision or I think it sounded like that and the race was cancelled due to no wind, some disappointed sailors all thought about throwing eggs at him or they would have done if the club’s coup of chickens would start laying again and they sauntered off for an early dinner. The lady and junior helm has again been moved due to popular choice by our dinghy captain Paul to this coming Sunday so brush off those sails and set those new race watches as it has to happen sooner or later.

Wiseman’s Rowers came to SSC

Well what were those fit young rowers doing at the club this week running around the bay in powerful ribs and getting extremely wet? The club hosted the first in a number of sessions which aims to have 12 of the Wiseman’s Rowing Club qualified to powerboat level 2. This is all in aid of the rowers’ aim to develop a training structure that will enable them to train people with disability in the safe surroundings of Saundersfoot bay and within the WRBC insport programme.

With the help of SSC’s senior powerboat instructors, Nick Berridge and Malcolm Williams, four of the rowers and club member Paula were put through the course in some very testing conditions. If the plan was for it to be wet and windy, it could not have been worse, it therefore took some tactical planning not only in the classroom, but on the water to ensure all candidates passed with flying colours. Thanks to all course members for being very flexible and understanding about the daily planning as the weather really did try and disrupt proceedings.

Special thanks to Nick and Malcolm who give their own time up to run these courses for the club and well done to Paula, Andy, Jim, Mark and Gary. Not forgetting Simon and Bunty from Wiseman’s who behind the scenes put a lot of work in with insport to help with funding and organising.

Congratulations

Well I take my hat off to club member and hard working committee member Jo Musson who recently took part in the Laser 4000 nationals at the Mumbles in some weather conditions that would have most of us scuttling for the bar. Jo was representing the club with crew member Meg Boorman sailing for Chase and it is possibly fair to say that they have not had as much experience as possibly many in the fleet, but held their own to achieve some very creditable results over the week. When I say she sailed in tough company, I am talking about people like Steve Cockeral, who has spent a lot of time coaching at Olympic level and runs the Rooster sailing business and just happened to win every race which does help when you are race sponsor, so well done Jo and Meg.

Bart’s Bash, September 20

The largest sailing race in the world takes place on September 20 and we plan to start our race at 11 am. We do have lots planned to fill the day which includes as many boats kitted out in fancy dress for the race as we can muster including crews. Tea/coffee/cakes available in the clubhouse before and after the race. Heywood’s award and special Bart’s recipe slinger sausages in a roll to fill you up before the rugby starts on the big screen at 14.30 between Wales and Uruguay in the World Cup.

We have some great trophies sponsored by Waters Edges Holiday Apartments and the list of raffle prizes is growing, but we do need more so please help to support this popular fund raising raffle for a good cause.

Tenby Brewery will be supplying a Bart’s real ale which we will be selling at the give away price of £2.50 a pint so that is deal not to be missed. We will also be having a raffle and fundraising for what the day is all about and that is to support the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, but having some fun at the same time.

The long-term weather forecast is looking good so make a date to join us either on the water or in the club for the rugby.

Next race is Sunday and consists of two races starting at 11 am and include the lady and junior helm.

A Salty Sea Dog