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22nd June Summer series

The summer weather attracted lots of visitors to the beach but not so for the sailors, with a smaller than expected turnout. However, the day provided near perfect conditions with a warm F2-3 offshore wind for the first race building to a F3-4 for the third race.

Heading to the leeward gate

Race 1 – Ed, sailing his A Class quickly left the fleet behind. Dave & John hooked onto a good shift approaching the windward mark to lead the rest of the fleet.  The shifty wind proved difficult for the two 400’s as Richard, sailing his Solution actually gained on them to the leeward gate on lap one.  Over the next two laps the 400’s pulled away from the others and, with the A Class, got to do an extra lap.

Ed and Lifeboat

The Great Yarmouth & Gorleston Lifeboat motoring pass during the race on a routine Sunday morning exercise run. Apparently with a guest crew aboard, the Mayor.

400’s enjoying some close racing

Race 2 – The ebb tide now slacking with a noticeable difference at the offshore and inshore marks. The 400’s led the fleet after lap one with Richard & Angus four seconds ahead of Dave & John. The A Class a little way behind with Solution Richard only twenty seconds behind.  On the next beat Richard & Angus played the shifts well and built up a good lead. The A Class took the lead on the fifth lap to take line honours.

Richard and Phil

Race 3 –  a sprint race of three laps for the ‘leading’ boats and two laps for the rest. Richard & Angus again mastered the shifty conditions to lead by nearly a minute after lap one. Contender Phil appeared to have saved himself for the last race, followed the A Class by just a few seconds. Richard & Angus managed to stay ahead of a charging A class to take line honours. Phil must have ‘peaked’ on lap one as Solution Richard managed to pass him on the second lap.

Ed heading to the windward mark

On corrected time Solution Richard had kept close enough to the 400’S to easily take the win in race one. Richard & Angus then won both race two and three.

Many thanks to the race team, Richard, Darcy and Jamie for managing a lovely days racing, despite the challenge of ‘gear selection’ !

Full results on the club website http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2025/2025Summer.htm

More pictures on the club Flickr site

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gygsc/albums/

15th June Summer Series starts

Summer has officially arrived at Gorleston with the start of the Summer series. Despite some very grey clouds above they stayed clear of Gorleston so we enjoyed a warm, occasionally sunny and rain free day.

There was an eclectic mix of classes ranging from a Minisail to an A-Classs catamaran. 12 boats joined the days racing with the Contenders and Solutions the ‘biggest fleets’, with two boats a piece!

An offshore wind provided plenty of variation throughout the day with the occasional complication of a competing sea breeze. With HW at 12.30 there was a good flood tide flowing.

The start of ‘Summer’ sailing

Race one – a reasonably consistent F3. A-Class Ed and Jordan & Nathan in the RS400 quickly pulled away from the rest of the fleet to lead by over a minute after lap one. Behind Solution Paul led Streaker Roger by one second.

Where’s Ed ?

On lap two the RS400 was still out in front with Vareo Dave now in second, closely followed by Paul and Roger. At the finish Jordan and Nathan claimed line honours, Ed recovered from an eventful second lap to finish second with Dave third.

Start 2

Race two- and many snakes and ladders with the sea breeze attempting to make its presence felt. RS700 Adam found his form to lead with the RS400 after lap one, two minutes ahead of the A-Class and three minutes ahead of the rest led by Dave, Roger and Solution Richard. Lap two and the A-Class now ahead with the RS400 just in front of the RS700.

Race 2 – approaching the finish line

Behind, Dave was fending off the Streaker and the two Solutions who were enjoying a close battle. The A-Class took line honours, the RS400 had a difficult final lap with Adam managing to pass to finish second. The two Solutions were neck and neck all the way down the final run with Paul managing to hold off Richard by two seconds.

Race 3 start

Race three- Wind now around a F2. One of the local seals made a brief appearance, popping its head up just before the start. A-Class Ed opened up a large lead on the whole fleet and managed to lap a couple of boats. Behind Vareo Dave led the rest after lap one, closely followed by the RS400 and RS700. Nearly a minute behind was Phantom Phil with the two Solutions one second apart. As the fleet approached the windward mark on lap two, the wind died. The leading boats struggled to make way between the windward and spacer marks resulting in the rest of the fleet gradually catching up. Eventually a light breeze picked up and the fleet slowly made their way down the run to the finish line. The RS700 took line honours (although the cat was on an extra lap) followed by the RS400. The race team were kept busy with recording race times as all bar one boat finished within minute.

The Gorleston trolly dolly’s await the arrival of the OOD

Carl, sailing his vintage Minisail was never far behind in all three races and on corrected time managed to record three race wins, although race two was tied with Dave. Streaker Roger put in a consistent set of results with three thirds.

Many thanks to the Race team, Tamsin, Anna and Jamie for a lovely and at times testing days sailing.

Full results on the club website http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2025/2025Summer.htm

More pictures on the club Flickr site

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gygsc/albums/

Carl sailing his Minisail

1st May Thursday evenings begin

Inland the temperature was approaching 30 degrees but at Gorleston it was a more typical for the year, 19. However, the sun was out and a warm F3 from the south greeted the early birds arriving at the club for the start of the Thursday evening series.

Phil A was contemplating as to whether to rig his usual vessel of choice but was persuaded to opt for a club Laser instead. Having persuaded Phil in this direction Dave felt duty bound to do so as well, so both club Lasers would be racing.

Lets go racing

By the time race one was underway the wind had dropped to a F2. The ebb tide was still just present with LW around 19.00.  Laser Phil was just a bit too eager at the start and found himself the wrong side of the line, and quite a bit over the line it has to be said !  Phantom Phil led the fleet up the beat rounding the mark just ahead of Adam, swapping his manageable Streaker for his not so manageable RS700.

And the racing begins

Laser Chris managed one lap before his traveller fairlead broke, forcing an early return to shore. On the second beat Laser Kyle overtook both Adam and Laser Dave.  Phantom Phil stretched out his lead crossing the line a minute and a half ahead of Kyle.

Heading upwind

The F2 wind just about stayed with us for race two. Laser Dave lead the fleet up the beat and was just ahead of Phantom Phil after lap one. Up the second beat Phil judged the line to the mark perfectly, overtaking Dave in doing so and remained ahead to the finish. Dave crossed in second place although Kyle had closed the gap slightly on the final lap. Vareo Adrian found the fast mode on the final lap putting in the quickest lap of the race.

Start 2

On corrected time, Kyle took race one with Dave just edging out Phil for second place. The first two positions were reversed in race two with Adrian third, one second ahead of Phil.

Thanks to Richard and Ed, our race team for the evening. And a big thanks to Hugh, who kindly offered his invaluable assistance in pulling the rescue boat back up the beach ….. in the form of his quad bike.

Full results on the club website http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2025/2025Thursday.htm

27th April Spring series Act 2

The second outing of the season was more like summer than Spring as the area enjoyed a pro-longed spell of good weather. A good turnout of RS400’s made up for the small turnout from the rest of the classes.

The race team set a reasonably sized windward leeward course and given the light F2 from the east it proved to be just right.

Rounding the windward mark….not forgetting the spacer mark

Race one saw both Dave & John and Richard & Jamie early at the start leaving Steve, sailing his Unit and Adam & Jordan leading the fleet up the windward leg. After lap one Dave & John and Richard & Jamie had recovered and had a small lead on the others with just five seconds separating the next three boats led by Phil & Lorna.

After three laps Dave & John crossed the line just ahead of Richard & Jamie with Steve just holding off Adam & Jordan.

Once away most boats kept inshore hugging the shore to avoid the tide, although there were several light patches. Two boats risked the tide and ventured out looking for more wind which proved not to be the fastest route.

Custard fast away at the start

Race two saw a little more wind which had shifted slightly southwards. Richard & Jamie nailed the start to lead after lap one closely followed by Adam & Jordan and Dave & John. After three laps of nip and tuck sailing Dave & John crossed the line a few seconds ahead of Richard & Jamie.

RS400’s round the windward mark in formation

Race three, wind now eased a tad. Dave & John led after lap one. Close behind were Richard & Jamie with Adam & Jordan and Steve rounding the leeward gate together. These positions remained unchanged to the line although Adam & Jordan managed to open up a minute gap on Steve.

Heading towards the leeward gate

On corrected time Dave & John won all three races. Steve pipped Richard & Jamie for second in race one however, they were second in the next two races.

Many thanks to the race team for a very pleasant day on the water. Next week’s forecast is for more wind but the temperature expected to drop to lower teens, more spring-like.

Full results on the club website http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2025/2025Spring.htm

More pictures on the club Flirkr site https://www.flickr.com/photos/gygsc/albums/

Dave & John

Start of Season

There were many early arrivals keen to get back onto the sea for the Start of Season event. A chilly breeze from the NE made for a cold start to the day but the sun was out and it did get a bit warmer as the day progressed.  Sailing was delay a tad when the Race Team had to turn their hands to outboard mechanics following a dodgy battery connection on one of the RIB’s.

Eight crews made ready to race with two RS400’s and the rest singlehanders. With high water around 14.00 the tide was flooding during all three races and the wind averaging around F2 from the NE, or thereabouts. The race team set a windward – leeward course with a spacer at the windward mark. A long start line allowed room for all with the fleet spread along the entire length at the start.

Once away most boats kept inshore hugging the shore to avoid the tide, although there were several light patches. Two boats risked the tide and ventured out looking for more wind which proved not to be the fastest route.

Start 1

Rounding the windward mark required good judgement as the tide was strong and many had to do extra late tacks to get round. Phantom Nick led after lap one with the two 400’s hot on his heels. Heading back to the windward mark Phil and Lorna hooked onto a good lift near the mark and momentarily took the lead but Phil and Roger managed to sneak in at the mark. These two then has a close tussle down to the leeward mark, with Phil and Roger eventually taking line honours thirty seconds ahead.

After a quick tweak of the course as the wind had shifted a tad race two got underway. Nicks racing came to an end when his tiller snapped. Phil and Lorna almost completed two laps before heading for shore as they had a grandchild’s birthday party to attend in the afternoon.  This left Phil and Roger well ahead of the remaining fleet.   After lap one Vareo Dave held a small lead over Laser Harry and Solution Paul with Contender Phil and Vareo Richard a short way behind. The fleet were split as to which end of the leeward gate to head for with most of the singlehanders opting for the committee boat, which appeared to pay.  Dave held on to lead the group across the line with Paul just behind and Phil putting in a late spurt finishing next.

Start 2

With the tide now easing race three got underway.  Phil and Roger shot off opening up a good lead and sailed an extra lap, again. Racing amongst the rest of the fleet was close with a few seconds separating the leading four after lap one. At the line Dave led Paul with Phil and Richard a minute behind. 

On corrected time Dave won race one with Nick second and Roger & Phil third. However, Phil and Roger made good in the next two winning both and with it the SOS trophy. Dave was second in both with Harry third in race two and Paul third in the third race.

Many thanks to the race team for excellent course and multiple mark relaying to ensue it stayed that way.

Full results are on the club web site  Sailwave results for GYGSC SOS Regatta at Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Sailing Club 2024

Corona Virus – Club Site Update May

Further to our email of the 18th May we have taken into account the latest Government advice and are proceeding as follows.

Latest Details – Updated May 18th See Here…….

We will keep you informed of the situation as things develop during these difficult times.

We look forward to the situation returning to normal so we can all get back on the Sea.

Please be safe and look after yourselves. 

Raffle for a Great Cause

Hi All,

Daniel has organised a Raffle in aid of Heart2Heart a great charity that instals public use Defibrillators in Norfolk in Suffolk, one of which saved Richard Brown’s life back in 2018, so why not buy a ticket or 5.

Tickets are £1.00 each with all proceeds going to Heart2Heart Norfolk.  If people would like to donate could they please remember to leave their name on the JustGiving page (Click Here) so I can then private message them with their raffle ticket numbers.  

Prizes include:-
£100.00 cash, multiple tickets to Pleasurewood Hills, Pleasure Beach, Model Village, Sea Life Centres, Hippodrome Circus, Time & Tide (and lots of other local museums), ‘Bar 1’ buffet for up to 50 people, bottles of wine, candles, beauty products, large cuddly toy and more……..

The raffle will be drawn at the Heart2Heart charity shop on Bells Rd on the 10th of August (tickets also available from the shop).

Many Thanks

Daniel