Sailing Club Spotlight Herne Bay Sailing Club

FOR the third year running Herne Bay Sailing Club hosted a group of deaf and hearing impaired youngsters for an open day in aid of the National Deaf Children's Society. Also involved were Me2, an organisation that encourages hearing impaired kids to participate in sport. . Although the wind was too strong for sailing, organisers Claire and Nathan Hudson insured a fun-packed day was had by the 30-strong group of youngsters. Bay club members volunteered to help out and there was food, hospitality and a wonderful day of thrills with some of the children venturing out in kayaks and, later when the wind had increased, in the club's safety boats. As the wind dropped off a little in the afternoon Clive Woodward took parties of children and staff out sailing in his 16 foot Devon Dabber to cruise the surf. THERE were classic sailing conditions for Whitstable Yacht Club's annual championships. Scheduled to run over three days and six races, and with a forecast of brisk Easterlies, it was always going to be the fittest and fastest that would triumph. The weather lived up to the forecast with a strong breeze and big waves on both Saturday and Sunday, but unfortunately too much wind on Monday prevented a grandstand finish. That meant the championship was decided over four races which gave Dick Ledger and Tom Bruton (F18 catamaran)a clear win with two first places and a fourth. In rough conditions which led to a number of capsizes, their performance in the fastest boat on the water was outstanding. Throughout the fleet there was some amazing sailing, especially from the cadets in their Toppers, a class won by Dryston Harnett. Also battling through the wind and waves, offering a gutsy performance in tough conditions, was first lady Donna Hender in her Wanderer. The sailing was followed by a Diamond Jubilee street party. Result: 1 Dick Ledger & Tom Bruton (F18), 2 Phil & Karen Emery (Merlin Rocket), 3 Tudor Owen & crews (505), 4 Charles Campion (Laser), 5 Matt French (Laser Radial), 6 Sergei Samis (Musto Skiff). Whitstable Yacht Club have reduced membership fees by 40 per cent to encourage newcomers to the sport. Details from www.wyc.org.uk or the club office on 01227 636921. FOLLOWING a successful open day, it was back to racing at Hampton Pier Yacht Club as race four of the summer series took place. In light and fluctuating winds the race officer set two courses to accommodate the three fleets that were sailing. The fast fleet was led from start to finish by Mark Whetton and crew in the Fireball, but with Richard Gower and Howard Barker (Trio) and Peter Bell (Laser) never far behind it was down to handicap adjustments to determine the winner. First were Gower and Barker, with Bell in second and Whetton in third. The medium fleet was won by Frank and Glynis Oliver (Versa) with Dave Farmer (Comet) in second and Ken Smith (Xtra) in third. In the slow fleet it was another victory for Simon Govier (Mino) with Andrew McGregor and Lee Gannon (Mirror) racing home a comfortable second. Next Saturday sees a day of general sailing followed on Sunday by race five in the Summer series.