South Bank Sailing Club Blog

Something obviously stirred in our sailors this grey winter’s morning, because a fleet a dozen-strong turned out for the upriver race. The North Easterly wind got Allan and I thinking – let’s try something different. So a 3 buoy course was laid on the South Bank, with the bottom buoy the Ranelagh side of the starting line. Suggesting a ‘big sausage, small sausage’ course backfired slightly when I had to somehow fathom which lap the sailors were on as they whizzed backwards and forwards past the race box! But Andrew Linford and I had a system and somehow kept track. It was a very entertaining race, with positions changing all over the place. At one point Jamie even snuck past Renato. Jamie then had a ‘difficult spell’ and decided to let Renato take the spoils – except he didn’t. Who knew that leading the chasing pack, Henry Koe’s Topper handicap was inching closer and closer on adjusted times? In the final analysis, Renato (who ...

With Storm “Angus” pummelling the UK’s coastlines, gusts of 106mph were recorded off the Kent coast and up to 59mm of rainfall resulted in widespread flooding and major incidents across the UK. The forecast for the Thames was somewhat less biblical but nonetheless formidable with gusts of 32kts and six courageous sailors braved the elements for Campbell 11 to defend their standing in the series. Taking some solace in the knowledge that the low height of tide would offer a degree of shelter from the Autumn gales gusting over the river embankments, a comprehensive range of sail sizes was opted for, with Steph, Matthias and Sara’s cautious but strategically handicapped Laser 4.7s and small Solo sails, Allan and Henry’s moderately rapid radials and Renato’s speedy full rig Laser forming the line-up. By general consensus it was agreed that the race start should be postponed by an hour, to take into account the likelihood of the tide turning late, which in conjunction with the low temperatur...

Following the bonfire extravaganza we had a great turnout for today’s downriver on a sunny and windy but cold day. The wind scared most into taking cut down sails but dropped down just in time for the start.  I had the dream team of Armand, Ben, Sam and potential new member Christina in the safety boats – thanks for that, Ollie! Hugh and Gary in the Xenon and Roland and Anne in Roland’s new topaz (watch out Edmund!) were above the line at the start gun and the Xenon valiantly made its way back without losing too much time.  The topaz was forgiven and allowed to start soon after the others taking a small time penalty.  The lower winds helped Renato and Ollie (in laser fulls) to pull considerably ahead of the others.  Further back Jamie and Henry were neck and neck and finished within 2 seconds of each other.  But Jane and Amy in 4.7s took 3rd and (separating Jamie and Henry) 5th spots respectively due to their handicaps.  Showing how every second counts! With three peop...

I just wanted to post some photos which conjure the lovely atmosphere at our Bonfire Night celebrations. Warming mulled wine, the Koe boys keeping the home fires burning, an epic beach blaze and a magical experience for the little ones. Could only be topped by a midsummer night party? Jane

Campbell Race 6 Campbell Race #6 commenced with Jen trying her hand at Race Officer for the day, ably assisted by the stylish Bob Jackson in the SBSC safety boat. Luckily for everyone, Jane Deith caught the glimmer of fear in Jen’s eyes at running the race alone and gracefully gave up the notion of having a lovely gentle Saturday bobbing about in the safety boat and came to the rescue in the RO box instead. ‘Twas decided, after some reflection over the whispering Southerly wind, to delay the race by 30 minutes in the hope that the wind would come out to play. It was then decided to delay the race further as the rowers next door were launching onto the water at the same time. Only fair to allow all our South Bankers a fighting chance to get to the start line on time!  After consultation with Steph and Renato, a gate course was decided upon and the sailors were briefed. Using the nearest two red rowing marks on the south bank and placing two yellow buoys on the opposite bank gave our plu...

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMeqsrpACkk/?taken-by=jmauleffinch As usual SBSC celebrated the foiling of the gunpowder plot in style! Emma and Sally cooked up a storm, whilst John did his usual pyromania on the beach, leaving the rest of us to gawp at the free firework display courtesy of Bishops Park. Fun was had by the kids toasting marshmallows and also the adults as they lobbed wooden debris off the bank towards unsuspecting spectators warming themselves by the fire below. Big thanks to Sally and Emma for making such a great job of putting on what is the largest and possibly greatest social event of the year!  

The Commodore leaves the country for a week and the Gods decide that there shall be no wind at all over the weekend……. The Campbell Trophy series is 3 all to Allan and Renato so there was obviously a race to be won by Renato without Allan being around and Steph was looking forward to getting out on her Laser too. That wasn’t to be though.  The club was bustling on Sunday at 11am with the Koes back from half term in Salcombe sorting out their new rib, Steph and her dad Richard were chatting together and Joe unpacking his Enterprise to do a bit of sanding of the deck.  Henry was taking a look at a possible investment in Tom Sherratt’s laser, Roland getting to know the rigging of his new Topper Topaz Uno Race and John and Bob hoisting John’s Enterprise sail to do some minor adjustments. Sal and Emma chatted in the kitchen about logistics and plans for Friday night Bonfire Night . The race team of Sina, Andy and Stephen was waiting to make a decision as to wh...