lot of difference. Finally Keith, who by now must have been tired, failed to rescue himself and needed a helping hand to get back in his boat.
At 6.00 p.m. we paused in our activities to remember Bernard with affection, were silent for a time, and drank a toast to him. In the evening 9 of us went to the 'Eagles' pub for a meal, in a village I haven't a chance of spelling, but very Welsh. The night was cold, with brilliant stars, and both Saturn and Jupiter very visible.
I felt Sunday was going to be different; it was colder and not quite so clear. We met at 10.00 a.m., and were on the water by 10.45. The course was interesting, a broad reach to the start line, and then a dead run down to one of the mid-channel buoys. This was a close race, 7 of us rounded the first buoy together. The tack back up, to a buoy on the north side of the lake, separated the outriggers from the others, and I was settling down to being in a bunch of 5 or so after Steve in the lead, and DaveS in second place. I rounded the start buoy for the second lap in 6th place, but we were all quite close. Just before the turn from a run to a tack, the wind jumped up a few notches, which suited me with my weight. I left both Ian and Jim behind, and had a close tussle all the way back with Rod. Keith was creeping up, and I thought that Wally had become becalmed on the north bank. At one stage, I was clearly in 3rd place behind Dave, and on the same tack. The normal gremlins crept in however, Wally took off, Rod made a better tack than me at the last buoy, and I finished 5th. A great weekend, and many thanks to the organisers.
Bala (RodL)
The afternoon race was a short sailing/paddling race there and back in breezy conditions from a beach start. The outward leg was under paddle and the return under sail. A big difference in paddling speeds was seen from the start and then the leeway while rigging sails was another big factor (of course, mine had to get caught up and remained twisted all the way back). A close finish from Steve and Dave and then Keith and Walter showed a variety of designs doing equally well. We must always keep our hand in at the paddling aspect - it's always needed and often when things go wrong. A big thank you to Ann and Eddie for officiating (and getting cold) in the races.
Rescuing A Capsized Sailing Canoe (SteveR)
The following article is intended as a follow-up to the practical training session that Keith and I delivered at the Bala meet.
The concept of buddying up with one or two others sailing canoes has been around for as long as the sport has existed. Recent moves within the club to formalise this process have raised the issue of what is the most appropriate action to take if one of your buddies capsizes.
• First ask for help
If you are buddied up in a group of three, ensure that the third member of the party has seen the capsize. Shouting and blowing your whistle may form part of this.
• Form a plan
Consider the peculiarities of both your boat and the casualty's boat. Other factors to be taken into account are the proximity of the shore, and the anticipated wind strength and direction. One possible plan, for a casualty who is unable to self-rescue, is described below.
|