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Grassholme Cup (Please see Grassholme Cup results)

As the winds were too strong for sailing on Sunday 29th August we postponed this event to September 5th.

There were three races 1200hrs, 1400hrs and 1500hrs and the third race followed on from the second race.

Although the wind was force 2 conditions were tricky with the gusts reaching force 4 coming from the south east over the club house and dam wall. We were, in fact, lucky to have this wind direction because if it had been coming straight down the lake we would have had another cancelled Sunday.

Congratulations to new club champion Chris Enzor with his crew Anthony Tubbs who had a convincing win in the first race but was first by a tight margin from David Fowell (crew John Whitehouse) in race two.

Contender Richard Hewitt (crew James Hewitt) won race three putting Chris into third position and David into second. Richard's second place in race one earned him second place overall.

David's second placing in races two and three brought him second place overall.

Road Trailers

David Fowell has been able to identify nearly all the trailers but there are just a few left unidentified. Next time you walk down from the club house please take a look at the trailers and if you find yours is unmarked then please put your or your boat name on it.

The area where the the trailers were parked has now been cleared of undergrowth by David and John. The aim is to return the area to grass. There is still more work to be done here in clearing the hidden objects such as stones. We now have plenty of wood for a good bonfire planned for laying up day on 31st October.

Those who have road trailers at the club are requested to label them indelibly with their boat identity and sail number next time that you are at the club. Failing this please use your surname. The reason for this is to make it easier to identify abandoned trailers.

State of Sailing at Grassholme

Avoid the muddy areas close to the slipway with your launching trolleys..

The slipway now finishes short of the water and there are some new shallows in the lake which need care. We have already re-positioned several buoys further from the shore to accommodate the fishermen.

Please continue to pray for more rain!

Wednesday Sailing

Now, perhaps we can keep the ball rolling. Please call or e-mail Keith Martin or David Fowell (follow Contacts link) who will co-ordinate attendance. Let them know the time and date when you intend to turn up.

Sailing can start by 1600hrs and go on until 1900hrs so this makes a very worthwhile practice time.

If there is a sufficient number or interest we could try a pursuit race.

We try to deploy the safety boat but if conditions and abilities are suitable then the club's Buddy sailing procedures will be adopted. Details are on the club notice board.

Safety boat training

James is running his training before sailing starts on Sundays when conditions are suitable.

Three members can be trained in each session so let him know as soon as possible. This training is aimed at those who have little or no experience of driving the Safety boat and in particular at providing an effective and safe rescue. Please note that it is intended that all adult club members will eventually experience Safety boat duties on the club's rota.

Please contact James if you are able to attend: drknot@ukonline.co.uk

In addition, members are asked to familiarise themselves with the club procedure. Please follow the Safety Boat link from the home page. We should all be familiar with this and a good time to read this is before you are about to do your safety boat duty.

Windsurfing at Selset Reservoir

We have great concerns over the water levels at Selset and there are doubts as to whether we will be able to start windsurfing at all this year.

Rainfall has been very low over the last few months and Northumbrian Water state that Selset was lowered to accommodate the turbine work and has since suffered due to to the long dry period and Grassholme has suffered slightly as there was no water coming through from Selset for a couple of weeks. We and Northumbrian Water are looking at the possibility of alternatives.

UTASS Open Evening

Every year we work with UTASS to provide sailing opportunities to the young people who live in Teesdale. This year UTASS Evening took place on Wednesday 23rd June. Conditions were near perfect it being fine, dry with a brisk breeze.

Shore duties were taken care of by the UTASS helpers. They also served up an excellent hot supper for us all to enjoy by candle light after the sail.

Jonathan provided the thrills on his Laser 3000. The rest of us sailed the GP14s and Miracles and manned the Safety Boat. We all enjoyed ourselves and I think that we may have won a few converts to the sport of sailing.

Many thanks to all those concerned. I hope that we can add some photos to the gallery when they are available.

UTASS is an acronym for Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services. For further information http://www.britnett.net/utas

Open Day

We were really pleased to have weather which was near perfect for introducing or re-acquainting sailing to 32 visitors on the Spring Bank Holiday Monday. 15 of these visitors showed interest in joining the sailing club. That really looks like a good result! Time will tell.

Much of the success was due to our willing volunteers in the club house, on the fore shore and in the dinghies and safety boats. Many thanks to all involved even though it was a thoroughly agreeable experience for us all.

Please have a look at some of the photographs in the gallery.

Miracle Class

The committee would like to encourage new members especially those who wish to sail with the family to adopt the Miracle as their preferred boat. The benefit will be in racing.

Power Boat Training

The club needs members who have the formal RYA Power Boat 2 qualification. Training will be provided in a group with other clubs but the venue is not yet known. This is open to old or new members and would be a good introduction to boat handling for relative novices. Would those interested please contact Chris using the e-mail address below.

info@teesdalesc.org.uk