Category: Reports

Gorleston-on-Sea Fever     With both thanks and apologies to John Masefield

I must go down to Gorleston again, to the lonely sea and the sky
All I ask is a dinghy and a Tacktick to steer her by
And a steady force four, that would surely please
The big Norfolk skies and a temperature over twenty degrees.

I must go down to Gorleston again, for the call of the running tide
And the rolling waves for a thrilling off wind ride
The steady winds, the white clouds flying
The open sea is the place to be, of that there’s no denying.

I must go down to Gorleston again, where everyday stresses are cured
To the club on the ‘prom’, where a warm welcome will be assured
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-member
And the enjoyable days on the water that I will long remember.

I must go down to Gorleston again, for the challenge of the sea
To compete against the other sailors, it’s surely the place to be
So note the date, it’s June 18^th & 19^th for the Beach Regatta
And if you can’t wait, you could join us on the 16^th, for the Thursday evening regatta!

Download a Copy of the Regatta Poster Here…..

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Forestay failure, a risky port tack start but lovely weather, a very quick summary of the evenings sailing.

There was a good F3 from the SE on arrival at the club with the tide just about at low water. By the end of the evening the wind had settled to a F2 and the flood tide had just kicked in. Eight boats launched but just before the start of race one, onlookers initially thought Phil H was practising his 3RR bridge craft by lowering his mast, unfortunately this was not the case as the forestay on his RS700 had failed resulting in a hasty retreat to shore following a gentle push by the safety boat!

Race one – started with the last of the ebbing tide and saw a battle for the lead between two more Phil’s, with Phil A (Contender) leading Phil & Lorna (RS400) at the windward mark with a small gap to Richard B in his Solution. The two leading boats rounded the leeward gate together with the RS400 leading by just three seconds by the finish. However, the slower boats were not far behind and on corrected time Richard B took the win and Mark, sailing a club Laser recovering well after a late start second with the Contender third.

Race two –  everyone bar one approached the line on starboard, unfortunately for Mark who was aiming at the pin end of the line on port, one starboard boat arrived later than expected resulting in some serious avoiding action and…….a swim.  GYGSC 2 June 22 – YouTube

Phil A had a good lead on the fleet after the first lap followed by Phil & Lorna. Behind the two Richards were neck and neck with Richard B three seconds ahead of Richard F in his Vareo. On the final lap the RS400 overtook the Contender to take line honours. On corrected time the Richards took the top two podium places with Richard B first and Richard F second. It was close for third position with just eleven seconds between the next three boats with Phil A beating Adrian (Solution) by one second.

Race three – Phil & Lorna were clearly in a rush to get back to shore as they sailed away from the fleet opening up a gap of over 30 seconds on the first lap. Behind, Phil A was being closely chased by Richard B who was gunning for another race win. Behind them was another close battle between Mark, Richard F and Adrian.  The RS400 took line honours but Phil A and Richard B had closed the gap a tad and Mark putting some space between him and the others. On corrected time Richard B made it three in a row, Mark second and Adrian third.

Once back ashore and the boats washed and packed it was time for Chef Browns Quiche or Pie and a drink. Results and more pictures on the links below.

Full results – http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2022/2022Thursday.htm

Pictures – GYGSC’s albums | Flickr

Race 1 – the well balanced start line saw boats all along the line, most ventured offshore to catch the tide but the sea was noticeably rougher making for an bumpy ride to the windward mark. Dave & John (RS400) rounding the mark first closely followed by Richard & Christine (RS400) and Phil in his Contender.

Behind,  Steve was just ahead of Keith, who had swapped his Laser for Steve’s ‘spare’ Europe and Richard, sailing his newly acquired RS Vareo.  Dave & John held their lead until lap four when they managed to trawl their spinnaker leaving Richard & Christine to take line honours. However, on corrected time it was the single-handers who came out on top with a Europe 1, 2 and the Contender beating the RS400 by eight seconds for third.

Race 2- After lap one Dave & John held a small lead over Richard & Christine, who were just ahead of Phil. A little way back Mark & Darell (RS400) were just ahead of the remaining single-handers. Most were now opting to keep in the middle of the course upwind to avoid the choppy waters offshore. All the asymmetrics were heading inshore on the off wind leg for a smoother ride, and easier gybe !   Dave & John held on to take line honours followed by Richard & Christine. On corrected time Steve put in another good performance to take the win, with the RS400’s second and third.

Race 3 – in the final race of the day the wind eased a little. After lap one Dave & John had a one minute lead over Phil who was a minute ahead of the rest of the fleet. Keith managed to stay in close proximity to Steve on the first lap but Steve gradually pulled ahead during the last two laps. Dave & John took line honours but Steve once again put in a faultless performance and took the race by over a minute, with the RS400 second and Keith making it a Europe 1, 3.

Heading for the leeward gate

Thanks to the race team for arranging great weather, excellent start lines and a great course. The asymmetrics enjoyed plenty of exhilarating off wind legs. Some, who tested it, said the water seemed quite warm!

Inbetween attending to a few capsizes, the rescue team also took some pictures which are now on the club Flickr site

Club Flickr page – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gygsc/albums

Sailing Results – http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2022/2022ClubRegs.htm

A very pleasant Thursday evening sailing which proved popular with the singlehanders with two Lasers, two Europes, a Topper and there would have been two Contenders but Phil jumped ship opting to sail the club Solution. Phil & Lorna the sole representatives from the ‘two person’ fleet in their RS400.

Race 1 started in the last of the ebbing tide with a warmish F2. Dave, swapping Laser for a Europe led round windward mark closely followed by Phil & Lorna who promptly took the lead. Just behind Keith (Laser) led the rest of the closely bunched fleet. The race team sensibly shortened the race after the first lap as the wind had shifted from E to the SE.

The forecast was spot on with the wind strength as it picked up a little for race two. Phil and Lorna led the race to the finish with the Europe’s of Steve and Dave enjoying a race long tussle heading the rest of the fleet and taking first and second place on corrected time with Keith third and new member Harry, sailing his Topper just missing the podium finishing fourth.

Thanks to the race team who were kept busy but still managed time to take several photographs which are now on the club Flickr site.

Compliments to Chef Brown, the Moussaka and Lasangne were a welcome après-sailing treat.

Full results – http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2022/2022Thursday.htm

Photographs now on club Flickr site – 2022 May 19th Thursday | Flickr

Full results – Sailwave results for Thursday Series 2022 at Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Sailing Club 2022 (gygsc.org.uk)

It was a lovely sunny day at Gorleston for Act 4 of the Spring Series. The onshore wind was surprisingly shifty resulting in several position changes throughout the day.

Steve continues to build up his Europe fleet, today revealing his latest addition, a 1970’s vintage boat which he had recently refurbished.

On the water Richard & Rosie (400) were the start line masters, leading off the line in every race.

Race one saw a three way battle between Richard & Rosie, Dave & John (400) and Phil, sailing his 700 for the first time this year and claiming line honours. However, on corrected time it was a 400 1,2,3 with Richard & Robyn putting is a quick final lap to claim third just ahead of the vintage Europe.

The wind eased a bit during race two. After lap one the fleet was led by three 400’s and the start of a race long battle between the three with some very close racing with positions changing every lap. Dave & John led at the line, closely followed by Richard & Rosie then Richard & Robyn for another 400 1,2,3 on corrected time. Keith, swapping 500 for his Laser had gained a good lead on the Europe to get fourth by one second.

The battle of the 400’s continued in race three. Richard & Rosie had a good first lap leading by 30 seconds with the other two rounding together. After lap two only 10 seconds separated the three, lap four saw a lead change with Dave & John just ahead and incorrectly thinking it was the finish, promptly headed for shore. Unfortunately Richard & Robyn also headed for shore leaving Richard & Rosie to complete a fifth lap alone. Meanwhile ‘One second’ Keith had put in some quick laps to snatch the race win from Richard & Rosie by one second on corrected time. His new ‘super-duper’ mainsheet block was obviously working. David, sailing his Solution and using his lovely new sail for the first time taking third position.

Many thanks to the race team for an excellent days racing, good start line and course which is never easy to set with an Easterly wind.

Full results – http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2022/2022Spring.htm

It was a cold day on the water for the Spring series racing. A small but hardy few braved the conditions and ventured out to the start line. Racing started at high water with a F2 wind from the SSE. Richard & Rosie (RS400) quickly headed the fleet and built up a considerable lead by the finish. Both Richard & Robyn (RS400) and Nick (D-One) had teething problems forcing retirement in order to sort the problems out. Keith, opting for the club Solution sailed a lonely race but picked up second on corrected time with Phil & Lorna (RS400) third.

The wind and sea state picked up a little for race two and at moments there was a welcome sight of the sun, unfortunately that didn’t last long!   Richard & Rosie were a little too keen at the start resulting in a bear away and gybe behind the fleet. However, they had recovered by the time the fleet arrived at the windward mark just leading Richard & Robyn and Nick.  At the finish Richard & Rosie had built up a two minute lead and Nick managed to pass Richard & Robyn to claim second.

By the time race three got underway the flood was ebbing, the wind had shifted a little to the east and increased a tad, and the sea state had become noticeably bigger with a confused wave pattern….and the race team were cold !  Richard & Rosie led round the windward with Richard & Robyn just a few seconds behind then proceeded to build up a good lead at the finish. Nick was flying downwind and managed to overtake Richard & Robyn to claim another second.

The cold had got to everyone and we were glad to get back to shore, Chef Brown’s pies were a welcome treat.  Thankfully the forecast for next week is warmer with the bonus of some sunshine.

Full results – http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2022/2022Spring.htm

Apart from a chill in the S-SSE breeze everything else was just about perfect for the Start of Season racing. Blue skies all day, slick race team, F2-4 winds and a small swell to make the off-wind legs fun.

After a rather casual boat rigging session on the beach, racing got underway a few minutes late! The race team set a good sized Windward–Leeward course with the wind F2-3. The beat was assisted by the last remains of the flood tide. There was some close racing, particularly mid fleet with Richard & Ed, in their newly acquired RS400, Nick C (Phantom) and Phil & Lorna (RS400), separated by just six seconds after lap one. Dave & John (RS400) took line honours, with Nick F, sailing his lovely new D-One in second. However, Steve, sailing his pocket-rocket Europe took the race win on corrected time with Phil A, sailing his Contender and powering his way up the beats taking fourth place.

The wind increased a tad and edged a little to the East for race two. The tide was slack for the start of the race but just turning by the time the race finished. A couple of crews decided to test the water during the race…… think the opinion was it’s still very cold !  The increased wind made for some great off-wind legs for the asymmetrics. Dave & John took line honours, with Nick F close behind.  On corrected time Steve just pipped Nick for second, with Phil taking another fourth place.

The final race of the day was a two lap sprint, which suited everyone as now the ebb tide was flowing, the wind now F3-4 and legs were aching!  Dave & John were having a close battle for the lead with Nick F until a mis-timed spinny drop slowed Nick down. Steve was expertly working the downwind legs and took another race win, Dave & John second, with Richard & Ed just pipping David (Solution) for third.

It was a good day for Steve who just beat Dave & John to win the Start of Season trophy.

Many thanks to the race team for a great start to the season, we were certainly lucky with the weather. The race team took several pictures which are now on the club Flickr site. Apologies for the photo quality, water on the lens !

 By the time we had the boats back up in the dinghy park there were plenty of tired bodies. Once the boats were de-rigged and packed we enjoyed lunch on the prom, Chef Brown’s tasty pies certainly went down a treat.

Full results – http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2022/2022SOS.htm

Pictures on Flickr – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gygsc/albums