Dinghy Fleet Schedule for 2024
Published 09:03 on 17 Jan 2024
After a few quite years for the Dinghy fleet, in 2023 TSC organised a series of Training events run by new club member Liz Chowienczyk, who previously ran RYA training at Chichester. Along with others, I volunteered to act as experienced helm for the sessions, which were both successful and highly enjoyable. Now, somehow, I've managed to get "press ganged" into becoming the clubs Dinghy Fleet Captain - a testament to the persuasive powers of our new Commodore .. or was it the thumbscrews?
We are now developing an expanded programme of events for 2024 aimed at those new to sailing, those returning and wanting to refresh and those who are more experienced sailors but new to the Exe, wanting some insight into our beloved (but sometimes tricky) river. The emphasis is on building skills, confidence, but also FUN!
The programme will start with some basic land based instruction, move onto Dinghy Capsize Practice (so no one need be spooked by the risk of getting wet) and then on the water Dinghy Sail Training, initially with experienced helms to assist. This will be supplemented by Dinghy Open Sailing for not just the training group, but any club member, to take a boat out, but with the assurance of safety boat cover. There will be some Ladies Days and a few up-water and down-water Dinghy Cruises involving explorations of the river beyond Topsham. Where appropriate, there will be a picnic and maybe even the odd game of rounders!
Finally, from mid season, there will be a series of Dinghy Sprint Races, short, 1 on 1 single handed match races held on the section of river in front of the clubhouse, which we also hope can act as a focus for a social gathering, with bar and BBQ.
If you are interesting in taking part in any of these events, please contact me at dinghycaptain@topsham-sc.org.uk with your email address and mobile number and I will make sure we keep you informed.
We also need help run these sessions particularly in providing advice on dinghy sailing and in providing a safety boat (for which we need both helms and crew). If you'd be willing to help, please email me. If you don't have safety boat experience, or this was a long time in the past, the club has a scheme of local briefing and mentoring to help you get up to speed. Safety Boat Helms also do need to have the RYA Powerboat 2 qualification. It helps the IT team more effectively run services for the club if members can record all RYA qualifications are on the TSC database. This can be accessed at within the Portal (Topsham Sailing Club (topsham-sc.org.uk) 'My qualifications' is on the top line. If you have any trouble logging into the portal, take a look at the advice at: How to Login to the Members' Portal : Topsham Sailing Club (topsham-sc.org.uk)
Whilst you are looking at your Profile in the portal, please consider updating your preferred interests at: Topsham Sailing Club (topsham-sc.org.uk). You may indicate an interest in Cruisers, Yawls, Dinghies, Paddle Boards or Kayaks. This information may feed through to WhatsApp lists and other forms of communication to keep you up to date with relevant events and activities.
From personal experience, I found involvement in the dinghy programme, rewarding, enjoyable and (more importantly) a damned good excuse to get out on the water what could be better?
I look forward to hearing from you and together delivering a great summer of sailing,
David Burley
Dinghy Fleet Captain
Last updated 08:59 on 2 April 2024