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CentreBoard

May 2004

The Newsletter of Spinnaker Club, Ringwood

www.spinnakerclub.co.uk

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Power boating for juniors

The RYA has introduced two new courses to acknowledge that many children have the opportunity to drive tenders, rubbers and RIBs when away from Spinnaker Club, perhaps on the family’s “big boat”.

There is a junior course for 8-11 year olds and level two is now allowed from 12 years rather than the original start point of 16. However, both these new categories apply to adult supervised driving. It is also stressed that Spinnaker Club boats cannot be driven by under 16’s. If there is sufficient interest these courses will be offered to members. There will be a modest charge for this training to be advised later based on numbers.

Enrolment notice on Club board or contact Club RTC training instructor Alan Copestake 01425 657735. e-mail: copestake@waitrose.com.
John Clarke

In 2004 we will be seeing John Clarke acting as newly qualified RYA power boat instructor at the Lake - Ed

Topper training

Toppers at the Spinnaker training session

Fly guy

Chris rang to say he got the job as a pilot with Britannia Airways. He started his training on the Boeing 737 in December and is now flying in earnest. He flies with their new low cost airline flying around Europe. Alan Guy

You’ll suddenly have lots of friends as Athens approaches, Chris. Better than Bud. Ed

Beginners' race training

The first beginners’ training in 2004 on Easter Monday is to be followed by many more sessions on Saturdays throughout the year. The sessions are suitable for dinghy sailors of any age wishing to build on their basic skills. Most quickly acquire enough confidence to enjoy Wednesday and Sunday racing at Spinnaker. No boat? No worries, just ask. Come race training. Check the programme for dates. Alan Copestake

Boat park

Yet more ‘junk’ has been disposed of since the last CentreBoard, gradually creating a little more space for boat parking. Please respect these efforts by keeping your Club’s land tidy and organised.

Road trailers must be taken off site or kept under a boat in its allocated space. They must not be kept in the aisles between boats or anywhere on the north or south car parks and roadways. If left in the wrong place without explicit agreement, they will be removed.

While Spinnaker Club’s boat park does look full, and many boats do appear to be rarely if ever used, members hoping for a boat space should not despair! You can always contact Brenda with boat space queries. Ed

Steve Cockerill’s Whisperer talk

On Thursday, 25 March the Spinnaker Lasers arranged for Steve Cockerill to give a talk at the Club on boat handling with a difference. Steve Cockerill is the current Laser Radial National Champion, Blaze and RS300 National Champion and the Laser Standard Master's National Champion in 2003. Steve has some radical and thought-promoting tips, which he passed onto a large gathering of 50, including 15 visitors from surrounding clubs. With the use of some video clips and infectious enthusiasm, Steve explained how some boats sail faster than others - for no more than better technique. Chris Stott is now hoping to put these tips into practice, so look out you Solo sailors! Peter May

Sailing talks

If you were not among the 50 or so lucky enough to experience Steve Cockerill’s Whisperer talk you missed a great deal! Feedback afterwards from both short and tall was very positive. Steve gave an unusual variety of tips applicable to all dinghy helms and crews.

Following this success, Spinnaker is keen to arrange similar sessions next winter. So please come up with any ideas and suggestions about possible speakers, professional or amateur. Jo Newall-Smith