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Whitstable Yacht Club - Club Championships 2024 Report

Posted: Tuesday, 28 May, 2024

WYC’s annual club championships took place over the late May Bank Holiday weekend with six races over the three days. The weather exceeded the forecast on all three days with a good breeze on Saturday and Monday with the challenge of fresh to frightening on Sunday. To make things as fair as possible across the wide mix of classes, a single start per race is used with a trapezoidal course to give one spinnaker reach and one tight reach per lap. Most classes had their chance to shine given the range of conditions, but at the end of the weekend the faster boats, and catamarans in particular shone.
The first two races were under clear skies and were dominated by Robert Govier and Club Commodore David Figgis in their Tornado with two bullets. Max Hunt in his ILCA/Laser radial followed with a pair of seconds with junior sailor Joe Barton in his Topper 4.2 third overall.
Black Sunday saw winds gusting to 28mph which tested the sailors and safety crews alike. Dart 18 aces Dickie Ledger and Sarah Oliver came out to play in their Dart 18 to finish the day with a first and second, closely followed by the Fireball of Adam Whitehouse and Mike Hanson with a 1,3. Behind the leading two Rob and David’s Tornado cruised majestically through the carnage with 3,2 whilst steady progress was made by Max Hunt with 5,4 and Rick and Sarah Perkins in their Tasar with a 6,5. Abby Ledger (Dickie’s daughter) and Ami Moore were also proving consistent across both days until a capsize in race 4.
Monday was another brisk afternoon with a mix showers and sun – the clouds brought some stronger gusts which were enough for Dickie and Sarah to take two bullets in their Dart 18. Rob and David managed 3,2 giving then the series with no finish below 3rd, whilst Abby and Ami went 2,3.5 (a tie with Rick and Sarah’s Tasar) to finish 2nd overall just ahead of the Tasar in 3rd overall.
Joe Barton won the under 18’s trophy in 7th overall in his Topper 4.2, Charles Campion took the Laser trophy in 5th overall, Phil Emery and Julie Nuttel won the Merlin Rocket Johnson Cup, Max Hunt, who couldn’t sail on Monday with a damaged back, still managed to win the Laser/ILCA radials and Alastair Gould took the Asymmetrics in his Musto Skiff.
Despite the brisk conditions the turnout of 44 boats was impressive with a good sprinkling of youngsters coming through including a good number of Toppers.
None of the racing could have taken place without our volunteers, so thanks to the race officers, committee boat drivers, safety boat drivers and crews, the recorders and finally the hardy souls who helped out on the beach on Sunday to support the returning tired and broken sailors.

WYC member Chris Marsh - ILCA7 Winner at the RYA Youth National Championships

Posted: Sunday, 07 April, 2024

Huge congratulations to WYC member Chris Marsh, now double winner of the RYA Youth National Championships, this year in an ILCA7 (Laser), last year in an ILCA6 (Laser Radial). Just the 9 wins from 12 starts and following after some famous names winning this prestigious regatta. Well done Chris!

Updated Race Officer guide and links to note for Race Duties

Posted: Tuesday, 19 March, 2024

The Race Officer guide has been updated for the new season. There's lots of information on the website at wyc.org.uk/members/Club_Rules#RaceDuties for anyone with a scheduled Race Officer, Assistant Race Officer or Safety Boat Crew duty. As we're approaching the start of the new season, now's a great time to check when your duty is! Search on the 2024 sailing schedule for your name: wyc.org.uk/on-the-water/schedule.

Well done WYC Youth Sailor Ralph!

Posted: Friday, 08 March, 2024

It's been a great few weeks for WYC youth sailor Ralph Hadley, who after being announced as a Barton Rising Star at the RYA Dinghy Show in February, went on to put in a great performance at the Topper NS2 - Winter Championships 23/24 at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy last weekend, coming in 3rd overall with two 1st place finishes in the very competitive 31 boat fleet racing over 6 races, only missing out on 2nd place overall by 1 point!
Definitely an up and coming sailor to watch.

WYC 2024 Handbook now available to download. 6 weeks until the start of the season!

Posted: Saturday, 10 February, 2024

It's 6 weeks until the start of the 2024 sailing season, with the Working Party on Saturday 23rd March and the first race on Sunday 24th March. The full sailing schedule has been on the website for a while at wyc.org.uk/on-the-water/schedule, and the paper 2024 Handbook is now at the printers, so now's a great time to start planning your 2024 sailing (and don't forget to check if you have a duty this year)!
You can also download a PDF version of the programme here: wyc.org.uk/images/uploads/2024_Club_Programme_Final.pdf.

Whitstable Yacht Club and HolidayCottages.co.uk partnership 2024

Posted: Tuesday, 06 February, 2024

Whitstable Yacht Club is delighted to welcome HolidayCottages.co.uk as a major sponsor in 2024, our third year of partnership.
The sponsorship will support a range of sailing and racing activities through the 2024 season including our premier racing event Whitstable Week, community outreach events ‘Discover Sailing’ to get non sailors on the water, ‘On Board’ linking with local schools and Cadetfest a summer weeklong fun event for cadets. The sponsorship will also provide bursaries for sailing courses both for new adult members and for children to encourage more people of all ages to be drawn to the enjoyable pursuit of sailing.
Stacey Turnbull, Senior Regional Communities Manager at HolidayCottages.co.uk commented ‘we are committed to supporting local communities in which we host our holiday cottage guests - and we know Whitstable Yacht Club to be a fantastic resource for the coastal town. HolidayCottages.co.uk believe in sustainable tourism, and water sports are a huge draw for holidaymakers.
HolidayCottages.co.uk offer accommodation to suit everyone, from fisherman’s cottages to chic sea view apartments. Visit www.HolidayCottages.co.uk to browse our collection.’
Whitstable Yacht Club Commodore Andy Jackson added ‘We are delighted to be working with HolidayCottages.co.uk for a third year following a range of successful sailing events and membership growth in 2023. The 2024 partnership builds on that success with a programme designed to promote sailing and expand membership across all ages.’

2024 Sailing Schedule now available on the website

Posted: Monday, 15 January, 2024

The 2024 Sailing Schedule has now been uploaded to the website at wyc.org.uk/on-the-water/schedule, and the Google Calendar has been updated with the dates. If you've previously added the Google Calendar to your account, you shouldn't need to do anything, this year's events should now be in your calendar. Now is also a great time to check for your 2023 duty and add it to your diary!
To read an introduction this year's schedule from our Rear Commodore (Sailing) Steve Gray, download it here: wyc.org.uk/images/uploads/WYC_2024_programme_-_introduction_from_Steve_Gray.pdf

Epic New Year’s Celebration at the Club!

Posted: Monday, 01 January, 2024

Happy New Year, Whitstable Yacht Club family!
What a start to 2024! Last night was nothing short of spectacular, with our club buzzing with the energy of 120 friends and members at a completely sold-out event.
As the music filled the air (thanks to the Dead Pelicans!) and laughter echoed around, the night culminated with all of us on the deck, marvelling at a breath-taking fireworks display.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone, especially our incredible bar staff. Their hard work and dedication were the backbone of this amazing evening. Their tireless efforts in keeping the drinks flowing and the spirits high truly made this celebration possible.
This unforgettable night was made even more special by the warmth and camaraderie of each of you, truly embodying the spirit of our club.
Here's to a 2024 filled with great sailing and more memorable events at the club!
#WhitstableYachtClub #NewYearsEve2024 #CelebrationOnTheWater
Thanks to Debbie Clifford for the photos

2023 season roundup

Posted: Friday, 22 December, 2023

Go to http://wyc.org.uk/news/2023-season-roundup to read the report.
More ›

2024 WYC CLUB PROGRAMME: ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES

Posted: Monday, 20 November, 2023

The 2024 WYC Club Programme is currently being compiled. If you or anyone you know would like to advertise their business within the programme, please contact Sally for more details: sailing.secretary@wyc.org.uk.

Jon Blunt

Posted: Monday, 09 October, 2023

We regret to report that Jon Blunt, father of cadets Tom and George and wife to Naomi, has passed away following a severe illness, which he bore with immense inner fortitude while continuing to take as active an interest as possible in club and cadet activity.
Jon was an ever helpful contributor to WYC cadets, supporting Tom and George in sailing their 420, at the club and away at 420 class events, volunteering to drive and crew safety boats for cadets and club races. Even when terribly ill he took pleasure supporting the Topper Nationals in May.

Congratulations to WYC members Max Hunt and Finn Crockatt for winning major events during September.

Posted: Thursday, 21 September, 2023

Max was crowned European Champion in the Great Grand Masters age group at the ILCA (Laser) Masters European Championship held in Douarnenez, France. Max posted a remarkably consistent set of results to beat world champion Vanessa Dudley from Australia by a single point.
WYC hosted the Kent Schools Sailing Association annual regatta on September 16th with a turnout of over 50 youngsters racing in tricky light conditions that tested competitors and race organisers alike. The day was won overall by Finn Crockatt from WYC who won the last race and ended with just 3 points to beat the Topper of Sam Macnamara from Chipstead and 420 of Jacob Websdale and Winter IIhan from Margate. WYC claimed 8 of the top 20 places with 15 cadet members taking part. Thanks also to all the WYC members who helped out in making this event a success.

Membership renewals due in October

Posted: Sunday, 10 September, 2023

The Whitstable Yacht Club membership year runs from 1st October, so subscriptions are due in October. For more details on the membership fees for the new membership year starting on 1st October 2023, and for the new online subscription form for new and renewing members, see www.wyc.org.uk/members/Subscriptions

Wanderer National Championship at Whitstable Yacht Club

Posted: Sunday, 10 September, 2023

Ten Wanderers gathered at Whitstable during the last week of August and the first weekend of September. Wanderer East, a series of cruises up the Swale and over to the island of Sheppey was held during the week. On Saturday and Sunday the boats competed for the Ian Proctor Wanderer Nationals and Gavin Barr trophies over four races.
For the full report on the event go to www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/266251/Wanderer-Nationals-at-Whitstable.

Susan Barnes

Posted: Saturday, 02 September, 2023

We regret to report that Susan Barnes passed away on 29th August at home.
She was a long-standing member of WYC and wife of the late Brian Barnes (ex commodore).
The funeral will take place at All Saints Church Whitstable on Friday 22nd September at 1.30 pm to celebrate a much loved lady.

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