South Bank Sailing Club Blog

Sunday 22nd September 2019 A rainy day found the club in a dither: do we stay indoors and watch the end of England-Tonga on the nice comfy sofas, or get out there and face nature’s onslaught? Sailors at that point constituted Sally and a reluctant Mike. “Let’s call it in 15 mins,” said Jane SH. “If we get three willing sailors, we’ll give it a go.” Just as some of us were snuggling down into the sofas, enter Henry and an irresistible positive mindset! Further attempted dithering ensued but those of us listening carefully to the club’s Lords Pannick and Keen could see the balance was shifting inexorably towards a watery end. The President of the Court called it: “We’re going!” said Jane. After the gun, the three sailors were neck and neck with zero wind but, happily, abated rain. By the time the safety boat (4 in a boat: Jane, Kev, me and daughter, Freddy) had got itself organised with much judicious paddling (turns out you need the engine on to drop it down!) and the kill cord finally ...

A farewell to much-loved member Leo, deserved a fitting event. Led by Chris B (race officer extraordinaire) with Ray and Jim C in the safety boat, a number of chaotic and confusing races was the main order of the day. The “dizzy race” where everyone had to go round each buoy three times made for some close encounters (great to meet you new members Toby and Helena) and made some of us worry we’d have no club boats left by the end of the day.  In line with the style of the day most boats decided two turns was enough and rushed to the finish line to claim victory and improve their chances of winning the regatta’s prestigious Leo Spoon. The “tennis ball” race had sailors turn into shotput wannabes as everyone quickly realised that throwing tennis balls at other boats (forcing them to either collect the ball or do a 360, or both – I was never quite sure to be honest – was a far more effective way to win the race than to try sail well. Intersper...

A merry band of sailors with courage and stamina made the trip to Strand on the Green for the annual Strand Challenge Trophy. You can read Strand’s race report here (Look for 1st September).      

Sunday 25th August 2019  Race Officers and SB1: Jane and Sina SB2: David F, Meredith and daughter Georgia It was the last race of the summer series and Bevington trophy, in scorching heat of 29C with SSW winds forecast 7 gusting 12mph.  A very warm start at 15.08  for the eight boats and our ten liberally sun-screened sailors. The course was from the club start line to a finish at the turn of the tide somewhere close to the Battersea pagoda. However with light winds the ROs marked the finish line just before Battersea bridge between an anchored a yellow buoy and the ROs in SB1 on the beach opposite. Race A downriver: The jolly safety boat 2 crew at the rear of the fleet observed Jakob cross the start line first, followed by Chris, Alan, Peter, Sara, James, Jorik and Matthias.  And then some excitement ~ shortly into the race Jorik’s mast was pinned underneath Putney Bridge. He cleverly managed to free himself without safety boat assistance. As the race progressed the wind grew rather s...