South Bank Sailing Club Blog

13th December 2020. It was a cold and relatively crisp Sunday morning, as I drove to the boat club for my first visit since the last round of government ordained hibernation. I was looking forward to it, notwithstanding a slight lingering sense of shame at my only having come to the club a couple of times during this wretched year. Late as ever, I was greeted on my arrival by Jane SH and Tracy, who had ably prepared the safety boat in my absence. The sailors were busying around their boats, fixing rigging and preparing for action. The wind was light, although there were some gusts, and the sky above the Thames was grey with threatened rain. It wasn’t warm. Happily, the Commodore arrived with family in tow just before the briefing and was able to give some excellent advice as to course laying. With the unsteady and faltering wind, it was to be a maximum of 10 laps of a course between 2 buoys laid west of the Fulham Stadium and short of the Crabtree. With Jane SH ably directing operation...

     What started off as an idea to sail solo around the UK evolved into a 3-week bike adventure from Land’s End to John O’Groats. Although this was meant to be a more manageable challenge, I set off in September, apprehensive at the idea of completing the 880 miles ahead with little training and no planned route. I also hadn’t practised using cleats so when my feet got stuck and I fell off the bike into bushes for the second time on Day 1, I wondered what on earth I was doing. Determined to continue, however, the onward journey was sunshine filled, and satisfyingly with each day my fitness improved. My route followed the wild and remote Scottish West Coast. This was a highlight with its vast vistas and dramatic landscape. The plan to enjoy the journey over a longer period of time meant fewer miles per day- I averaged 51 miles over 17 days- but the discipline of getting back on the bike each day pushed me out of my comfort zone. I hope (!) my mental resilience has improved as a result…...

Sunday 6th December 2020. This was the first race after lockdown 2.0 with a slightly wonky start courtesy of Henry the safety boat…nevertheless, we got out and drifted down river with little to no wind.  Henry, Marc, Renato and Jakob in Lasers, Sara in her Solo and James & Toni in an Ent. We think Santa may have added Jakob to the naughty list for dipping his boom in the river, also known as rocking his laser. The sky brightened up once we reached Wandsworth Bridge.  Jakob was first over the line for leg 1 and the wind began to fill in for leg 2 upriver.  Renato was first over the line for leg 2 – but the corrected time champ was Sara! Great to be back on the water together! Meredith Gunderson.