Frensham Pond Sailing Club

Isn't it ironic that whatever date is set for the dinghy show you could almost be guaranteed a perfect sunny sailing day and this was no exception for the RS 200 open held at Frensham. A bitterly cold crisp wind greeted the small but elite fleet of 12 competitors with a North Easterly blowing at 18-22 knots.

The racing was close with regularly changing places, especially downwind. Correct angles, combined with catching one of the many gusts and shifts secured many place gains and good crew work was vital. The youngest crew on the day, 8 year old Nathan Allen, was very pleased to be in 2^nd place at the first windward mark in race one, but his dad Mo lost out on the downwind leg. There were some very entertaining manoeuvres especially at the leeward gate just metres from the nice warm clubhouse.

Roger Gilbert/Jane Willan soon established their dominance though with two bullets followed by another in the third race. Second place was close though between Katrina Gilbert/Jenny Rust and David Royce/ Nicola Russell. The latter had to complete a 720 at the spreader mark in the third race dropping from 2^nd place to 2^nd from the back and made a remarkable recovery back to third with frequent downwind gybing and planing.

The final race saw a slightly depleted fleet and notably longer laps as tiredness set in and Katrina Gilbert/Jenny Rust secured the win giving them 2^nd overall leaving a close 3rd to the first visitors David Royce/Nicola Russell.

Starting on the 1st May 2010 there will be new format of Handicap racing open for all Frensham sailors to sail in a knockout competition for a cash prize, whilst raising money to go to the winner’s choice of charity.

For more details, see the racing section of the website

FPSC members and family are welcome to come to a Cruising Evening organised by Cody Sailing club on Friday 26^th February at 7.30pm.

The evening will feature talks by two members of the Dinghy Cruising Association (Solent Branch). David Sumner will be talking about how he has modified his Mirror dinghy for cruising, and Len Wingfield, who has a 14ft Woodnutt dinghy, will be giving an entertaining account of a lifetime's sailing experiences.

We will organise delivery of fish/pie/sausage and chips supper.

Finally, for the benefit of interested FPSC members, Cody Sailing Club will give a presentation on their activities which include dinghy cruising, yacht cruising and camping.

The event is FREE other than the food and drink; the FPSC bar will be open as usual.

Please book your place and supper order by emailing Ian Hiscocks (izzy.diver@tiscali.co.uk). Cash for suppers collected on the evening.

Medium Cod and Chips: £5.30

Pie and Chips: £4.20

Sausage and chips: £3.00

The 2010 Frensham Frenzy will take place on Sunday 14th March and will consist of two pursuit races (1 1/4 hour for PY approx 1116) for monohulls under 16 feet.

The event starts with a briefing at 1000 and the first starts will be for Cadets at 1040 and 1340.

The entry fee is:

• £4 under 18’s
• £6 singlehanders
• £7 doublehanders

For more information click here

Sponsored by Guildford Marine

The following further nomination for General Committee was received by me before 8.00pm on Friday 22nd January 2010:

David Goldsmith

• Proposed by  -  Judith Young
• Seconded by  - Andrew Kellard

Colin Dutton, Honorary General Secretary

The following further nomination for General Committee was received by me before 8.00pm on Friday 22nd January 2010:

Wendy Neal-Smith

• Proposed by - Judith Young
• Seconded by - Brian Grimwood

Colin Dutton, Honorary General Secretary

Congratulations to Roger Gilbert who came 2^nd in the International 14 World Championships in Sydney, Australia. This is an outstanding achievement and follows his previous Int.14 success in winning the Prince of Wales Cup.

Congratulations too to our Cadet sailors Abigail Croft and Matthew Shorrock who came a very creditable 18^th out of 35 boats from six nations in the Cadet Worlds held in Argentina. Well done to both for flying the flag for Team GB and for Frensham Pond.

There was a recent article in the Farnham Herald about the presentation received by Frensham Pond Sailing Club from Waverley Borough Council.  Read the article online here

The Winter edition of "Breaking Wind", the Sailability newsletter is now available on the site

At the full council meeting on Tuesday 15^th December, Waverley Borough Council presented its Annual Award to the Club in recognition of its contribution to the Waverley community and its achievement in becoming RYA Club of the Year for 2009. In making the award, an engraved pewter bowl, the Mayor of Waverley, Councillor Pat Frost, paid tribute to the extent of the Club’s achievements and thanked the Club for the range of opportunities it offers to the local community.

In his acceptance speech, John Townsley gave a brief description of the Club’s activities, outlined the reasons it won the RYA Club of the Year award and thanked Waverley Borough Council for their award. He also paid tribute to the part Waverley had played in the Club’s development and looked forward to maintaining that relationship for many years to come.

Commemorative glasses were presented to the Commodore and invited members who represented a cross-section of Club champions, members and activities. Representatives included: Nick Craig and Roger Gilbert, Paul Holzherr and David Harris, Alex Young and Jack Hardie, Brian Grimwood and Ted Bonner, Bryony Gregory, Charles Watkins and Judith Young.

Members of the General Committee also attended and, together with local councillors, enjoyed an informal buffet prior to the meeting. A short slide show prepared by Andrew Kellard for council members will be displayed in the clubhouse. John thanked David Gill, Waverley Sports and Recreation Manager, who organised the presentation on behalf of Waverley. David also received the congratulations of the Mayor and councillors for his recent award presented by Godalming Sports Council for Service to Sport.

It was an evening to remember – and a further tribute to our members who have contributed so much to Club activities.

The dates of the Frensham Week event planned for August 2010 have been changed from 23rd - 27th August to 9th - 13th August

Read all about what has been happening in Frensham Pond Sailability in 2009 here.

Sailability will be holding its 6th annual New Year Supper Dance in Crondall Village Hall on Saturday 23rd January. Click here for further details. Tickets costs £15 each, including a fish & chip supper. All Club members are very welcome. Why not make up a table yourselves (6 - 10 people) or, alternatively, join the general Sailing Club/Sailability tables.

The event is always a sell-out, so make your reservations asap, by e-mail initially to Brian Grimwood (brianmag@btinternet.com). Applications will dealt with on a strictly first come, first served basis.

All proceeds from the evening to support Frensham Pond Sailability.

Read the latest Sailability newsletter on the site now.

The Club Christmas Party will be held on Saturday 12^th December, 7.30 for 8.00pm in the clubhouse. Bar, disco, food and dancing – all for £5 a head. Get together with friends and book a table for 6, or just join the party! All members welcome.

Numbers are restricted, so reserve your tickets as soon as possible by emailing Jane Curwen at: frenshamadmin@googlemail.com