Autumn message from the YSC Rear Commodore

Tony Sailing during the N12 Open

Well, what a year! I can’t believe it is nearly over. At last the gods granted us a summer - a little blustery at the start of the season, but once May and June arrived the sun popped out and the rain stayed away. Whilst writing this after the first races of October, summer has finally left, and with a nip in the air, I think autumn has landed.

So what’s happened this year then? I guess it started on New Year’s Day which feels like ages ago. I understand it was a little windy and cold. Unfortunately I couldn’t make it as I was on holiday but understand the whisky went down well and fun was had by all.

Hardly a minute after that there were social evenings, Dennis’ walk and the Laying Up Supper, which I covered in the last edition of Ahoy. Don’t forget to book for the Laying Up Supper on 18 January 2015 - places limited, so hurry, hurry, hurry!

The YSC Fleet on exercise in the Lakes

The sailing season got underway without too much trouble. The Saturday and Sunday race series started well, shortly followed by the Wednesday evening race series.

Training also started with an even longer calendar than last year, the More Sailing More Often training programme, designed to encourage new members to bridge the gap between starting sailing and racing is still running as I write. The sessions have been just as popular as ever. Well done to Neil and his team. Thanks to Bob Dootson, and all who helped, for starting the social sailing on those summery Saturday evenings. The idea was to give members a chance to sail safely outside of the pressured race and training environment. I for one think these sessions are a brilliant idea. Hard work from Bob also managed to land the Club a grant of £10,000 from Sport England, which we quickly changed into two brand new Herons. These are fantastic and are for all to use. Another initiative this year was a trip away organised by yours truly. After much deliberation 24 members, 1 dog, 9 boats, 2 windsurfers and 1 canoe made it to Lake Coniston. After a stormy start to the weekend, which was good for the windsurfers, a small armada of dinghies made it down to the bottom end of the lake. Later at the BBQ we were all treated to a star-filled sky and the odd shooting star. The next day, with tired eyes after the never ending parting from other campers, we ventured to the top of the lake for an ice cream, and how not to anchor your boat. I understand there maybe another trip in May. Watch this space.

On top of this for the first time the club joined most other clubs in the UK and beyond to enter a world record attempt – Bart’s Bash, the world’s biggest ever Barts Bash in memory of Olympian 

Andrew Simpson who sadly died in a sailing accident whilst training for the Americas Cup back in 2013. It was some task for YSC to put this together, but thanks largely to Andrew Cowling we pulled it off with 28 entries in all. By the time this goes to print the full results should be completed.

Commodore’s Weekend was blessed once again with fine weather. Due to the Tour de France, I decided to bring the weekend forward to avoid a clash. I think this impacted on numbers a little and numbers were down a little. However all those who attended had a great time and if mast climbing becomes an Olympic sport there will be a gold post box on Yeadon High Street.

Tony Dufton

There is loads more to write about Open Days etc but I think I will leave it at that. Thank you for putting up with me; it has been a privilege to be the Club’s Commodore in 2014. I’m sure over the months I have missed thanking some of the great people who work so hard to make the Club the special place it is – my apologies to you. 

Please have a good Christmas and a New Year.

Tony Dufton
Rear Commodore