News at Whitstable Yacht Club
Club News -
Reminder : WYC Gamecock Oyster Yawl talk at WYC this Friday!
Posted: Monday, 15 April , 2024
The sight and sound of Oyster Yawls being built on Island Wall is fast fading from memory. Yet today in Whitstable Harbour you can see local volunteers restoring the Gamecock, a 42-foot Oyster Yawl built in 1906 and now registered as a National Historic Ship.
The Gamecock was built by Collars Brothers, moored at the mouth of the Oare and was once one of over 70 Whitstable Oyster Yawls working locally.
Now Gamecock is one of the few remaining Oyster Yawls. Whitstable Maritime have saved her from a watery grave and she is being fully restored in Whitstable Harbour by local Volunteers. Restoration work is being led by local Shipwright, Morgan Lewis, who learnt under Alan Staley, himself an apprentice of Anderson, Rigden & Perkins of Island Wall. Morgan, together with Peter Kalopsidiotis, Vice-Chair for the restoration project, will share an entertaining journey through the restoration work to date, including the fine art of trunnel-making and testing!
Friday 19th April at 7.30pm
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.
Whitstable Week 2023 - Report
Posted: Wednesday, 09 August , 2023
Whitstable Yacht Club’s biggest event of the year is Whitstable Week, which this year ran from Wednesday Aug 2nd to Sunday Aug 6th. The format for the event is a ten-race series with two races per day and socials each evening which included a cadet night, a quiz night, an evening that started with commodore’s cocktails followed by the amazing WYC music group, and a Summer Ball with canapes and fizz supported by a further band ‘Betty and the Swingtones’. Whitstable Week was sponsored by Holidaycottages.co.uk who have kindly supported WYC’s major events in 2023 and WYC’s growing cadet fleet.
Returning to WYC from his recent emigration to the USA was Race Officer John Boorman, who ran an excellent race series when the weather allowed. Such dedication to Whitstable Week earned John the ‘Spirit of Whitstable Week’ trophy.
Wednesday was forecasted to be wet and windy which sadly proved to be correct with 25mph gusts resulting in racing been abandoned for the day, but fortunately the bar opened early so all wasn’t lost!
The fleet were keen to make up the lost ground on Thursday with a light northerly wind as they launched. The wind then went southerly, south easterly, and just as the RO was considering binning the day, a NE force 4 sprung up under a dark raincloud. The first race was won by Rick and Sarah Perkins from WYC in their Tasar followed by Paul and Bronwyn Ridgeway from Australia and also in a Tasar. Chris Marsh who is a WYC member but sails his Laser/ILCA for Thailand finished third to set a somewhat international tone to the results for the week. Chris won the second race of the day from Rick and Sarah and Millie Lewis from Medway YC in her Laser/ILCA radial.
There were medium breezes on Friday, but rain made for a rather cold and unwelcoming racecourse. The one race held was won by Chris Marsh, with Millie second and the Ridgeway’s third.
Saturday saw more wind and rain which failed to diminish the fleet’s enthusiasm. The 1-2-3 was the same in both races with Paul and Bronwyn finishing ahead of Rick and Sarah and Chris Marsh on corrected time. Most notable were Adam Whitehouse and Mike Hanson who borrowed Adam’s Dads Fireball for the event, capsized with the kite up in race 1 putting Mike through the mainsail, but with the split taped up took 4th place in the 2nd race – not too shabby for a scratch crew!
So, coming into Sunday the points were tight between the leading Tasars and Chris’s Laser/ILCA, however Chris had departed to compete in the Under 21 ILCA Open Europeans which left the Tasars to tough things out. Conditions were described as ‘a proper foam up’ with a brisk northerly onshore wind giving some big waves which made launch and recovery something of a challenge. A single race was held which resulted in a further win for the Ridgeway Tasar followed by the Laser/ILCA of Harry Newton and the Laser/ILCA Radial of Max Hunt both from WYC.
Overall, Paul and Bronwyn took the week and the Tasar prize by just two points from Rick and Sarah with Chris Marsh third overall also taking the Laser and first cadet trophies. Millie Lewis came 4th overall and took the Laser Radial trophy, the Fireball of Adam and Mike the General Handicap class and 10th overall (and submarine trophy for most spectacular capsize), and cadet Joe Barton took the Topper and slow handicap prizes at 14th overall.
It was a tough week of racing supported by some amazing parties which stretched the brain with a challenging Quiz, showcased the depth of talent in the club’s music group and showed that WYC members can scrub up well for Saturday’s Summer Ball!
Thanks must go to John Boorman the PRO and his team of volunteers, especially the safety boat crews who braved the worst of the weather whilst keeping an eye on the fleet. Thanks also to our sponsors Holidaycottages.co.uk who supported Commodore’s Cocktails and the live band, and Laser supplier Sail and Sport who provided the fizz at the Summer Ball, and perhaps just the odd fuzzy head the next morning!
Christopher Marsh at the ILCA 6 Youth Europeans 2023
Posted: Wednesday, 26 July , 2023
Congratulations to WYC youth member Christopher Marsh, who made it into the Gold Fleet and got a very credible 30th place at the ILCA 6 Youth Europeans 2023 at Gdynia, Poland last week. Great to see our young sailors making a name for themselves in the global sailing circuit, a remarkable achievement and a testament to his talent and hard work in sailing!
LaserFest 2023 Report!
Posted: Thursday, 06 July , 2023
Whitstable Yacht Club has been running Laserfest since 2017 as its Laser focused weekend of racing and socialising with the objective of getting as many WYC Lasers racing as possible and sharing the fun with other local clubs. For 2023 Laserfest was rebranded as a sprint event and generously sponsored by Holidaycottages.co.uk and local Laser agent Sail and Sport. There was a target of five races of day of 20-minute duration, with quick turnover between races to keep the Laser racers focused! For the full report, see www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/263905/Laserfest-Sprints-at-Whitstable-Yacht-Club.
Discover Sailing 2023 Report
Posted: Monday, 19 June , 2023
Whitstable Yacht Club were delighted to host their annual RYA Discover Sailing Day on Saturday June 17th. The objective was to share club members enthusiasm for water sports and sailing with the town opening the club facilities to visitors and providing 30 minute free of charge sailing or powerboat sessions for those willing to get their feet wet. Many had booked their sailing space online in advance, but we were blessed with a light to moderate breezes and a bright, mostly sunny day which encouraged curious passers-by to also find out what the club has to offer.
The sailing sessions ran throughout the day using a variety of boats to suit the ambition of our customers, from Topaz to Wanderer to a Dart 18, whilst powerboat trips were provided in one of the club’s ribs. A total of 87 newcomers took to the water, most having booked via social media or the WYC website. It was also great that 20 memberships were sold on the day bringing 48 new members to WYC, with many more taking club membership packs home.
Whitstable Yacht Club RYA Principal Jo Wyles and Chief Instructor Ruth Oliver led over 50 club volunteers to make the Discover Sailing Day such a success. Club Commodore Andy Jackson had the pleasure of welcoming Lord Mayor Councillor Jean Butcher and the Lady Mayoress Di Baldock to the event who also took a short trip on a rib.
Andy Jackson commented ‘It’s been great to give so many visitors their first taste of water sports Whitstable Yacht Club style and having the pleasure to see the smiling faces on their return to shore. Discover Sailing is our annual outreach to the town, and it gives our members a great opportunity to share the sport they are passionate about’.
Whitstable Yacht Club Discover Sailing Day was supported by Holidaycottages.co.uk, who have provided financial assistance to WYC outreach and cadet events throughout 2023.
Well done to Simon Reynolds - 5th veteran at the windsurfing Raceboard Championships in Germany!
Posted: Sunday, 18 June , 2023
Well done to WYC member Simon Reynolds who survived his first World Championships last week on a windsurf Raceboard ~33 years after he last sailed it competitively. 5th Veteran overall, 16th in the Silver fleet. Many friends made, and a fantastic time had!
The event, Raceboard World Championships, was held at Steinhuder Meer, 30km NW of Hanover, Germany. A total of 167 competitors from Argentina to Australia including all European Countries took part.
Julie Puckett
Posted: Friday, 09 June , 2023
We regret to report that Julie Puckett has passed away. Julie was an active sailing member for many years, most recently crewing Tasar dinghies.
She had fought illness and depression for a long time with great courage.
Her family will let us know when her funeral will take place.
Summer Series and updates to club racing
Posted: Friday, 09 June , 2023
Believe it or not we are approaching summer, at least according to the WYC racing schedule! The Spring Series finishes this weekend (June 10/11) and current forecasts suggest an end to the relentless strong north easterlies and a change to lighter winds and warmer temperatures – fingers crossed…
The following minor changes are planned to encourage participation of cadets and catamarans in the summer series:
1) All-in handicap and Laser starts for all races.
2) Additional 3rd Cadet start for June 24th, July 15th, Whitstable Week and Sept 2nd.
3) Shorter lap races for all classes, targeting 4 laps in 45 minutes for Lasers/All-in handicap (fewer laps for cadets, more for fast cats).
4) Lasers to sail triangle/sausage courses.
5) All-in handicap to sail triangle courses on Saturdays and windward/leeward courses on Sundays.
WYC major events (Whitstable Week, Town regatta and the August regatta) will have a single start per race, with the addition of a cadet start in Whitstable Week, to make racing as fair as possible.
The sailing committee hope that these changes will encourage members to join our summer racing programme.
Finally, can we remind you that our Discover Sailing day, WYC’s shop window to the world is on June 17th. Volunteers are still needed, so if you can help, please contact Jo Wylie or myself.
Good sailing!
Steve
Rear Commodore Sailing.
Topper GJW Direct Costal Championship and NS4 at WYC Report
Posted: Tuesday, 30 May , 2023
Fantastic waves, fantastic sailing, fantastic volunteers, fantastic oysters, fantastic venue! Yes you have guessed it, Topper NS4 was held at Whitstable Yacht Club and Tankerton Bay Sailing Clubs. There were over 100 competitors, many submersed and only visible on a crest of a wave. It was amazing fun! Full report now available on Yachts And Yachting at https://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/262385/Topper-GJW-Direct-Costal-Championship-at-Whistable. Photo by Nick Champion.
Club Championships Prize Giving
Posted: Tuesday, 30 May , 2023
Due to strengthening winds from the north east only 4 of the scheduled 5 Club Championships races were sailed over the Bank Holiday, with Monday's racing and prize giving having to be cancelled. However, racing over the weekend was competitive and those who braved the conditions enjoyed their sailing. Amongst the sailors it was good to see a number of younger club members battling it out on the racecourse! Prizes will now be awarded at the Annual Prize Giving on Sunday 22nd October. Results can be viewed here: http://wyc.org.uk/on-the-water/results
Spring Series
Posted: Sunday, 07 May , 2023
In a change to the sailing programme, it has been decided that the Spring Series results will be based on all-in handicap and Lasers, rather than the class based results as was originally indicated.
Christopher Marsh - ILCA 6 RYA Youth National Champion
Posted: Saturday, 15 April , 2023
Congratulations to WYC member Christopher Marsh on winning the RYA Youth National Championships in the men's ILCA 6 fleet at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy last week. Christopher had a great week, with four firsts, a second and a third over the seven races in the competitive 46 boat fleet!
Extended bar opening hours from Monday 3rd April
Posted: Monday, 27 March , 2023
The club bar opening times will change from Monday 3rd April. The new opening times will be:
Monday: 17.00-20.00.
Tuesday: 14.00-21.30.
Wednesday: 14.00-23.00.
Thursday: 14.00-20.00.
Friday: 13.00-22.00.
Saturday: 12.00-22:00.
Sunday: 12.00-20:00.
Bank Holidays will see Friday and Sunday opening times changed to Saturday hours, and Mondays changed to Sunday hours.
The bar may be opened longer if special events or parties are planned (for example Thursday closing times are regularly extended for the Music open mic group). Please discuss your requirement's with a member of the Bar committee giving at least 2 weeks notice.
If you have any feedback on the opening hours, please email bar@wyc.org.uk
WYC Schedule issue with Apple devices
Posted: Monday, 20 March , 2023
Some members have reported problems importing the iCalendar version of the sailing schedule into Apple devices. In particular, while the calendars load into Calendar on a MacBook, they do not sync properly with iCloud. This appears to be an issue with the use of time zones in the events, and seems to be a problem only for Apple devices (if anyone has had problems with other systems, please let Richard Jones know). Corrected versions of the calendars that use UTC rather than local time are now on the website.
WYC 2023 printed programme in the post!
Posted: Wednesday, 22 February , 2023
It's only a few weeks until the start of the 2023 WYC Sailing Season, with the Working Party on Saturday 11th March and the first race on Sunday 12th March. The full sailing schedule has been on the website for a while at wyc.org.uk/on-the-water/schedule, and the printed Programme is now in the post, so now's a great time to start planning your 2023 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/2023_Club_Programme_Final.pdf.
Volunteers needed to help with the smooth running of both sailing and non-sailing activities at the club
Posted: Thursday, 09 February , 2023
Dear members,
As a club we depend on volunteers for the smooth running of both sailing and non-sailing activities, however as it appears to fall to a small group of members when volunteers are required. We would like to increase the proportion of members who volunteer to support our club to avoid the current volunteer group becoming stale – so could you help?
We need help in several positions, some of which require specialist skills but some need little more than enthusiasm, some require more time than others just a couple of hours. We think there will be something that all members can help with. For example,
Treasurer: The club Treasurer position is open since the resignation of Martin Muirhead. Don’t be put off by the title, the financial operation of the club is managed by the office. What is needed is a knowledge of business development to take the club forward. An understanding of numbers and accounts is a requirement and being an accountant whilst being helpful, is not a necessity. Please contact either Maureen or Andy Jackson if you’d like to find out more.
WYC Chief Sailing Instructor qualifies as RNLI Lifeboat Helm!
Posted: Sunday, 29 January , 2023
Congratulations to Ruth Oliver (who has the roles of Chief Instructor, Training Administrator, RYA Onboard Officer and Co-Bosun at WYC), for passing her qualifications to become Whitstable RNLI's helm for their Atlantic 85 Lifeboat, the first female helm at the Whitstable station! Ruth joined the Whitstable RNLI crew 5 years ago, and has been on around 100 calls since then, including one which was featured on the BBC’s ‘Saving Lives at Sea’ programme.
Whitstable Lifeboat Operations Manager Mike Judge said “Ruth qualifying as helm is the culmination of a considerable amount of effort on her behalf all given in the cause of voluntary service and her new position as helm will enhance this station's role in the RNLI's mission of saving lives at sea by providing us will an additional member of the station capable of taking command of the lifeboat at sea”.
Photo by Andrew Hastings/RNLI. For more information, see https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2023/january/29/ruth-takes-the-helm-at-whitstable-rnli.
2023 schedule now available on the website
Posted: Tuesday, 24 January , 2023
The 2023 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. Please note, if you've previously added the Google Calendar to your account, you'll need to do it again as the calendar link has changed.
Now is also a great time to check for your 2023 duty and add it to your diary!
John Kelly
Posted: Monday, 23 January , 2023
We regret to report that John Kelly passed away on January 11th.
John had been a member for over 40 years, sailing an Enterprise with wife Eve for many decades. More recently John was a Laser sailor known to be friendly and approachable, though not necessarily one for the limelight.
Whilst John didn't race his Laser regularly, every now and again he would turn up, rig his distinctive black and white Laser and put in an amazing performance which would leave the mid-fleet warriors for dust! He was very supportive to the club and class when he could, helping out at many of the Laser Class events.
More recently John’s son and family have joined the club with a Topper – our thoughts are with them and John’s wife Eve at this time, and we hope to see them at the club during the season.
John’s sailing friends are welcome at his funeral on February 16th at Eltham Crematorium, followed by a Memorial service at St Alfege church in Greenwich. If anyone wishes to attend, please get in touch with Eve via E.Mitleton-Kelly@mitleton-kelly.org.uk for further details.
Barry Bishop
Posted: Saturday, 03 December , 2022
We regret to report that Barry Bishop passed away on Thursday. He died peacefully in his sleep.
Barry joined WYC in 1977, and was a member until he moved to France in 2012. He became fairly prominent in the Club and was known for being something of a character, being described by the late Dr Dan Davis as the "the youngest old man you are ever likely to meet" as he always looked a lot older than he was! He sailed Condors and Merlins, as well as larger yachts including Colin Grundon's motor sailer "Louina" and 3/4 tonner "Uforia", and was active in helping out on the sailing and social side.
His funeral will be in France on Monday.
Prize Giving 2022
Posted: Wednesday, 23 November , 2022
The annual end of season prizegiving took place in the Sea Room last Sunday Nov 20th and despite the raw weather reducing the day’s racing fleet to six hardy Lasers there was a fine turnout to see who was taking home the silverware.
First to receive their bursary prizes sponsored by Original Cottages were three extremely enthusiastic cadets: Isabella Topping, Rhys Johns and Oliver Low. The bursaries will cover the cost of their level 2 and 3 courses next year so many thanks to Original Cottages for supporting these young sailors.
Prizes were awarded to winners of the various series and major club events as listed below – most notable multi-trophy winners were Robert Govier and David Figgis in their Tornado (3 x Big Cat series), Charlie Campion (3 x Laser series, Wed evening handicap and highest turnout), Alistair Gould (4 x Asymmetric series), Phil Emery and Pheobe Paine (3 x Merlin series, August regatta handicap, Merlin helm and crew of the year) and John Cooper and Hilary Bradshaw (3 x Merlin series).
You can view the full list of prize winners here: WYC_Prize_Winners_2022.pdf. If you weren't able to attend to collect your prize, please contact Sally in the club office to arrange collection.
You may be interested to know that there were 91 club races (with 3 winter series races to go) from a possible 115 with 27% abandoned. A total of 1639 boats have started a race this year giving an average start of 18.
WYC Social group updates
Posted: Saturday, 19 November , 2022
Art club - 1st and 3rd Monday of the month starting on the 5th December - It's a fun get together and learn new skills with others, you will need to supply your own equipment. Meet in the sea room between 10:30 and 1:30pm for more details contact Tizzie on 079 2026 2673.
Book club - We now have two groups that meet on 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, If you’re interested in joining the WYC Book club get in touch with Kellie Gray on 079 6604 6693, it’s a lovely way meet new members whether you’re a sailor or social member.
And don't forget the Coffee club which meets every morning from 10.30 in the sea room, this is open to all WYC members.
For details of the bar opening times and all the social clubs and events at WYC, see http://www.wyc.org.uk/about/social
WYC Music Club
Posted: Wednesday, 09 November , 2022
Meet 1st & 3rd Thursdays of the month 7:30 to 10pm. We pick some songs to rehearse beforehand and get to play together as several bands.
Welcome guitarists, singers, keyboards, drums, percussion, flutes, fiddles… anything with a tune!
We put on a gig at the club every quarter, aim to showcase 24 songs.
Contact: Andrew Provan 0789 9662412
Upper Rigdens Shed - movement sensors fitted to lighting
Posted: Sunday, 06 November , 2022
Lighting movement sensors are now operational in Upper Rigden Shed. If the lights go out - just move and they should come back on.
Mast Storage
Posted: Saturday, 05 November , 2022
A reminder that masts should be taken down over the winter months. Please note that WYC’s equipment storage policy now states that due to health and safety constraints masts are not to be stored in upper or lower Rigden Shed. Masts can be stored on top of dinghies/catamarans or underneath boat covers where possible. To view the latest WYC Boat Parking, Equipment and Windsurf Board policy – 2022/2023, go to http://www.wyc.org.uk/members/Club_Rules#BoatParking. It was also sent out by email to members in September with membership renewal forms.
If you think you may have masts, spars or other equipment stored in the roof space in upper Rigden, please could these be removed as soon as possible. Please take great care for your own and others safety when removing items and seek help if you have any difficulty accessing your kit. We will be organising a working party before the end of the year to clear the roof space and any unclaimed items will be placed outside the Rigden shed behind the sea wall from where they can be collected.
If you plan to continue sailing throughout the winter and would like to keep your mast up, please inform your Class Captain and Sailing Secretary.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS DUE BY MONDAY 31ST OCTOBER 2022
Posted: Sunday, 30 October , 2022
Dear Members, if you have not already done so, membership renewals are due by Monday 31st October 2022. Membership forms can be downloaded from our website and payment via a bank transfer is preferred. As previously indicated, if preferred, members are able to pay via two instalments, the first due now and the second by the end of next March. If you have any queries, please contact Sally Gostelow by email: sailing.secretary@wyc.org.uk.
Autumn Series now all-in handicap for non-Lasers
Posted: Tuesday, 11 October , 2022
The Sailing Committee has decided that the results for the Autumn Series will be based on all-in handicap racing for non-Lasers. This is a change to the published programme, and has been applied to the results for races completed so far.
Bar Opening Hours updated for Autumn
Posted: Monday, 26 September , 2022
The club bar's opening hours are being adjusted from 1st October. See http://wyc.org.uk/about/social for the updated times.
Her Majesty the Queen
Posted: Friday, 09 September , 2022
Whitstable Yacht Club is saddened by the loss of Her Majesty the Queen who was a long standing supporter of yachting and Patron of the RYA.
The Royal Family has a long history of seafaring. Over the centuries the Monarchy has sailed aboard 83 royal yachts, including the most recent, HMY Britannia, which often hosted the RYA Council meetings during Cowes Week.
Sailing and racing at our club will continue as scheduled this weekend. However, as a mark of respect, Saturday’s race starting sequence will be formally postponed by two minutes, during which time the AP flag will be flown. Members on the water may wish to heave to during this period.
Andrew Jackson, Commodore.
Roz Harnett
Posted: Monday, 22 August , 2022
We regret to report that Roz Harnett passed away on Sunday morning. She died peacefully in her sleep.
Roz was wife to Martin, who was an active Enterprise and Laser sailor. Roz was known for her work in the ladies committee and the running of the cadets as well as a regular recorder on the bridge.
Mother to Dan, Richard and Louise, sailors at the club. Grandmother to eleven grandchildren, with five active sailors past and present, Meia, Elin, Mali Drystan and Joe. Roz will be sadly missed by all.
Her funeral will be held on 14th September. If you would like to attend mass, it is being held at 10 AM at Our Lady Immuculates church, Whitstable. CT5 2DE. This will be followed by committal at Barham Crematorium, Canterbury. CT4 6QU. All then welcome at 1pm to celebrate Roz’s life at Whitstable castle.
Whitstable Week 2022 Report
Posted: Wednesday, 03 August , 2022
A full week with decent winds, racing every day, some epic socials and generally great weather made Whitstable Week 2022 one to remember!
The week started with challenging F5/6 winds on Monday which saw some epic downwinds (and capsizes) but 8 valiant finishers, headed by Rick and Sarah Perkins in their Tasar. There were much lighter winds on Tuesday which increased the entry to 35 boats across a whole range of classes – at the front end of the fleet Team Perkins and John Cooper/Hilary Bradshaw scored a 1st and 2nd each, with great battles throughout the fleet. Wednesday saw a return to windier conditions and 2 wins for Team Perkins, now being challenged by Charlie Campion, Nigel Brown and Kevin Hall in Lasers. Thursday saw another breezy day and the arrival of Dickie Ledger in his Dart who promptly won both races followed by Team Perkins and the first 3 Lasers. The last 2 races on Friday were held in milder conditions with wins shared between Rick/Sarah and Dickie.
Overall winner was Rick and Sarah in their Tasar with just 9.5 points (there was a dead heat in race 8!) counting 5 wins from 9 races. In 2nd place was Charlie Campion, followed by Nigel Brown and Kevin Hall in Lasers. Stephen Nation and Julie Puckett in their Tasar in 5th, returning ex pat Mark Holweger in a Laser 6th and first Merlin Jon and Phillipa Bloice in 7th. First Cadets were Angelyna and Harry in the RS 500 who was 10th overall counting a 7th on Monday and an excellent 2nd in the last race on Friday.
It can be safely said that the socials were enjoyed by all who attended – a quiet start with vinyl night on Monday was followed by a lively open mic on Tuesday with excellent organisation from Andy Provan and team, and the discovery of great talent in the club. Wednesday was Commodore’s cocktails (thanks to Tizzie and team) and the Commodore Andy Jackson’s excellent band. Thursday saw the return of the ever-popular Phil and Ian’s laid-back quiz, which wasn’t at all competitive (?), and thanks to David Lowes for a great BBQ setting the scene for the last night party with band Coco.
With 46 boats racing during the week and 13 completing 7 or more races it was an excellent week of competition and fun – and the weather helped too!
Hose Pipe Ban
Posted: Wednesday, 03 August , 2022
Due to the incoming hose pipe ban we will be removing hoses from the club's taps. Where members need to wash kit down, please use watering cans or buckets, and use water sparingly. The only exception will be hoses for washing through the Support Boat engines.
B14 Europeans returning to Whitstable this September
Posted: Thursday, 07 July , 2022
The B14 European Class association are pleased to announce Original Cottages (Kent & Sussex) as the title sponsor for the two events. The Original Cottages (Kent & Sussex) B14 European Championship and Original Cottages (Kent & Sussex) B14 National Championship are being held at Whitstable Yacht Club from the 1st – 4th September.
Entries are now open on the WYC website, see www.wyc.org.uk/on-the-water/events. The first 20 paid up entries will be entered into a draw to be drawn on the morning of the briefing. The lucky winning teams will receive a card with credit for each team to spend over the bar during the championships.
With the reduced restrictions now in place with regard to Covid, we are looking to see entries, from France, Germany, Switzerland and possibly other European countries. This will be the first meeting up of the European fleet since 2019, so shall be interesting to see who rises to the front. New B14 owners, this is a fantastic opportunity to come and meet the rest of the fleet and tap into that knowledge and get help in setting up your B14.
Whitstable is a popular venue with tourists, so you will need to check out the club accommodation list as soon as you book your entry. The fall back is either the Premier Inn or camp sites which are walkable. Teams wishing to get in some practice are welcome to turn up early and park their B14 in the dinghy park.
www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/251237/B14-Europeans-return-to-Whitstable
Max Hunt - 2022 ILCA6 Great Grand Master National Champion
Posted: Monday, 04 July , 2022
Congratulations to Max Hunt, who has been crowned the 2022 ILCA6 Great Grand Master National Champion. The UK ILCA Masters National championships was held over the weekend at Stokes Bay with a total of over 100 boats competing in the ILCA6 (Radial) and ILCA7 (Standard) fleets. Friday and Saturday saw epic conditions in 20 knots, with three challenging races each day, followed by two races on Sunday in more moderate conditions. With fleets from Apprentice to Legends, Max Hunt was crowned ILCA6 Great Grand Master National Champion.
Wanderer Open - Report now available on Yachts & Yachting online!
Posted: Tuesday, 28 June , 2022
The seven boats entered for the Whitstable Wanderer open meeting were greeted by a bright and breezy morning. Unfortunately two boats had previously withdrawn owing to Covid.
Following a quick welcome from Richard Maltby and a briefing from PRO and Wanderer fan John Boorman, the fleet launched and headed out towards Slotty Dawes (the committee boat) where in the strengthening breeze assistant RO John Cooper had set up a triangle, sausage course with the windward mark bearing 180 degrees.
The Wanderers shared the start line with Whitstable club racing and were first start away in a fresh force 4 gusting 5 with regular shifts of up to 20 degrees. Tide was ebbing with the current broadly even across the course and with the wind resulting in relatively smooth water. Tim Barr with crew Mark Skipper sailing 1282 were first off the line and led at the windward mark...
For the full report, go to Yachts and Yachting at yachtsandyachting.com/news/250846/Wanderers-at-Whitstable.
Ray Bissill
Posted: Monday, 27 June , 2022
We regret to report that Ray Bissill passed away on 25th June.
Ray was the Social Secretary of the club in the early 60s and a member of the General Committee. He sailed an Enterprise and then a National 12 (Dolly). He leaves two sons, Adam and James.
Summer bar opening times from 1st July
Posted: Wednesday, 22 June , 2022
We are extending our bar opening hours from Friday 1st July so that you can make the best of the club while the sunshine is out! For the updated hours, see www.wyc.org.uk/about/social.
The bar can also be open longer for special events or parties. If you want to hold an event at the club, please contact the office or bar committee.
The bar is also looking for Members to train as bar assistance, to help out during busy periods, also great opportunity to meet other members, if interested please contact Magda bar supervisor.
2022 WYC Members Survey Results
Posted: Saturday, 11 June , 2022
Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our survey. Overall, the results are both positive and informative. Congratulations to the member who was randomly selected from the submissions and has now received their £50 voucher to spend at the Dinghy Store.
At the time of the survey there were 564 individual members, including cadets. There were an additional 206 children included as part of family or social memberships. All members were invited to take part in the survey and 220 responded, representing 39% of individual members.
When asked if they would recommend the club, 85% of respondents gave the club a rating of 7 or above on a 10-point scale. Using the industry standard ‘Net Promoter Score’ method, the survey delivered a satisfaction rating of +46, which is considered "very good".
142 members left very positive comments in the open text box, with ‘friendly and welcoming’ being the most frequently expressed sentiment. Additionally, 20 members expressed varying degrees of dissatisfaction with the club through their ratings and their open comments. All comments are taken seriously and will be considered by the club’s General Committee over the coming months.
This is a positive outcome, but we know we can make the club even better, and there are clearly some areas that need improvement. In order of priority, members who took the survey cited the following areas as priorities for future investment:
1. Quality of changing rooms
2. Provision for cadets and young people
3. Sail training
As we develop a plan for the club’s next five years, these areas will form a key part of our planning. We aim to hold a series of small focus groups with members over the coming season to help with this process.
A more detailed version of the survey report can be downloaded here: WYC 2022 Member Survey.
Happy sailing,
Andrew Jackson
Commodore
Lower Thames Rowing Club’s recent visit to Whitstable Yacht Club
Posted: Saturday, 04 June , 2022
The trip to Whitstable is always a brilliant trip. We set off from Leigh-on-Sea at 06:30, so the outgoing tide would take us to the forts
– always an amazing place to visit. We had estimated it would take four hours of outgoing tide to reach the forts but due to the good conditions and a
beneficial tailwind we arrived at the forts by 09:30.
More ›
Previous Jubilees at WYC
Posted: Thursday, 02 June , 2022
Some history from Catherine Pierces's archives showing how Whitstable Yacht Club and the town celebrated the Coronation in 1953 and the Silver Jubilee in 1977.
There's lots going on again this weekend with the Beacon Lightning Ceremony at Whitstable Harbour on Thursday evening, the band Merlin & the Rockets on Saturday evening, a Family street party (bring your own picnic!) from 2pm on Sunday, extended bar opening hours all weekend, and of course, there’ll be plenty of sailing, with 2 races every day from 2pm for the Club Championships, and the WYC Cadet session on Saturday afternoon.
We look forward to seeing you here!
The Forts Race Weekend - Report on Y&Y
Posted: Tuesday, 31 May , 2022
Whitstable Yacht Club hosted the Forts Race Weekend over 28th and 29th May, after a Covid-enforced absence of two years, welcoming the top UK catamaran sailors back to the club for the iconic event, and kicking off this year's Allen Endurance Series. Unlike most sailors who arrived at the event by road, the endurance started early for Martin Law and James Vandervord in their Hobie 21, sailing unsupported to the event on Friday morning from Minnis Bay, 16 miles down the coast! William Sunnucks was also taking the endurance aspect to the extreme...
To read more, go to https://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/249721/The-Forts-Race-2022
Whitstable Yacht Club Discover Sailing Day - Report on Y&Y
Posted: Monday, 23 May , 2022
Whitstable Yacht Club held its annual open day under the RYA's Discover Sailing banner on Saturday May 21st. The weather was warm and sunny with light winds making conditions ideal for the 96 guests who had signed up online to experience sailing and WYC, many for the first time... To read more go to yachtsandyachting.com/news/249391/Whitstable-Yacht-Club-Discover-Sailing-Day.
If you weren't able to attend, but still want to try out sailing check out out Training page at wyc.org.uk/on-the-water/training, or to join go to wyc.org.uk/members/New_Members.
Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller Open at WYC - Report on Y&Y
Posted: Thursday, 19 May , 2022
28 Merlin Rockets arrived at Whitstable Yacht Club to bright sunshine but very little wind on the morning of Saturday 14th May for the next round of the Craftinsure Silver Tiller. However, as forecast the wind filled in nicely, meaning just a short delay to the start time. Race 1 began in 12 kts, with the tide just beginning to build, pushing you upwind. Will & Alex Warren started well & led early on, before Christian Birrell & Sam Breary took the lead...
To read more, go to https://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/249220/Merlin-Rockets-at-Whitstable.
Tasar Open at WYC - Report on Y&Y
Posted: Tuesday, 17 May , 2022
On the 14th & 15th May the Tasar fleet gathered for their first Open Meeting of the year at Whitstable Yacht Club hosted in conjunction with the Merlin Rocket class. Arrivals on Saturday were greeted with warm sunshine and little wind; but whilst rigging the sea breeze filled in and a great day's sailing was ahead...
To read more, go to https://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/249134/Whitstable-Tasar-Open
Updated guide to doing a Race Officer duty
Posted: Sunday, 15 May , 2022
The club's guide for doing a Race Officer Duty (or assisting as an Assistant Race Officer) has been updated to make doing your duty even easier! As well as the RO guide, the page has information for Safety Boat crews, as well as links to the Sailing Instructions, Racing Rules of Sailing and other useful information. It's well worth a read, even if you don't have a duty this year, as there's lots of useful information on courses and start sequences that can help improve your understanding of club racing. Go to http://www.wyc.org.uk/members/Club_Rules#RaceDuties to download the documents.
Derek Emery
Posted: Friday, 13 May , 2022
We regret to report that Derek Emery passed away on 6th May.
Derek was a keen competitive National 12 sailor from 1960 to 1980, and a member of the club for 40 years. He was the centre of the clubs wilder social activities during this era and loved to party. In his later years he built a cruiser in his back garden called Mystere and afterwards bought his yacht called Minx and sailed with his beloved wife Barbara. He and enjoyed competitive racing and cruising in company. Derek like nothing better than anchoring or mooring up after a long day’s cruising, opening the wine box and inviting fellow cruising members over for an evening of laughter and fun.
Our thoughts are with his family Ian, Philip, and Alison.
Why not try something different at the bar this weekend?
Posted: Friday, 13 May , 2022
The Bar now has on draught Strongbow cloudy apple cider (ABV 4%), and from Saturday 14th Gadd’s Seasider Amber Ale (ABV 4.3%).
WYC Pool Nights are Changing!
Posted: Monday, 09 May , 2022
Wednesday Nights - Pool League Games: From 8pm - Pool league games played by WYC pool teams. Feel free to come and support, or enquire at the bar to join a team!
Thursday Night - Open Pool Nights: From 7pm - open pool night. All over 16’s welcome. Free table, winner stays on unless players present want to change.
Dinghy Cruise Report - Saturday April 30th, or “How Fef got back to sailing and won the day”
Posted: Sunday, 08 May , 2022
David Blakey (Hartley 15, 1539), Fef and Dave Marsh (Wanderer 890, Oops-a-Daisy), Richard and Sarah Heap (Wanderer 1561, Giggle) had a lovely day sailing around the bay. We met at 10 am. It was a cold, grey, almost windless morning. Not at all promising, but we planned bravely, if unwisely, to sail across to Pollard Spit, run with the NE breeze and incoming tide to Faversham creek, tie up on the bank for lunch at the Shipwrights, and then sail back on the ebb. This never happened... for the rest of the report, download it here: http://www.wyc.org.uk/images/uploads/Day_Sail_30_April_2022.pdf
The Committee Boat is back!
Posted: Tuesday, 26 April , 2022
Slotty, WYC's Colne Cat Committee Boat, is back on her summer mooring off the club, and ready to go for this weekend's long weekend of racing. Thanks to the Committee Boat team who've worked over the winter doing all the regular maintenance jobs to keep her running well. Welcome home Slotty, we look forward to racing from you again this year.
WYC Bar news
Posted: Thursday, 21 April , 2022
From 22nd April the Friday night bar hours are extended to 10pm for the summer. For the full bar hours, see http://www.wyc.org.uk/about/social
Members are reminded that the club drinking license area only extends to the sea wall. Drinks purchased from the bar should not be taken on the beach. Thank you
Club Racing change on May 14th & 15th
Posted: Wednesday, 20 April , 2022
Unfortunately the currently published club race start times are not compatible with an open meeting the size of the Merlin and Tasar event over May 14th/15th. Sadly there will be no race on Sun May 15th, however as we are keen to provide a race for club members over that weekend, Sat May 14th will have an amended start time of 11.00. The sailing schedule and google calendar have been updated.
Thank you to everyone who completed our members survey
Posted: Tuesday, 12 April , 2022
Thank you to everyone who completed our members survey. We received 220 responses, representing 59% of the membership, a really good response rate that gives us a strongly representative sample of your views. We'll share more about the results and any actions we plan to take following analysis of the results. And congratulations to the winner of the £50 Dinghy Store voucher, they have been notified!
Welcome to our new Rear Commodore Sailing!
Posted: Saturday, 02 April , 2022
Steve Gray was voted in as Rear Commodore Sailing at the AGM 2 weeks ago. The Rear Commodore Sailing is responsible for all of the racing and 'water side' activities at the club (excluding Training), and Chairs the Sailing Committee. For those that don't know Steve, he's provided the below introduction:
I am not really a dynasty sailor, but I have sailed for most of my life. It all started when Dad bought Mirror 5988 from Exchange and Mart when I was 12 - a slightly random move as none of our family could sail and there were few sailing clubs in the Thames valley in the early 70's. After an inauspicious first sail in the Mirror, which narrowly avoided being swept over weir on the Thames, I became an extremely keen and reasonably proficient Mirror racer to Championship level. We joined a small sailing club on a gravel pit near Maidenhead and as teens my brother and I couldn't get on the water enough, backed by the start of a lifetime study of Yachts and Yachting every two weeks (Clubs and Classes mostly). Laser 10343 came next but at 9.5 stone was far too light so drifted into Miracles where I did a few Championships with some success.
An important step was to become an instructor which led to summer jobs from senior school days through university at commercial sailing schools on the south coast - taught me lots about tide! I didn't get on with team racing at Uni so joined Midland SC and went back to a Laser (45034) travelling the open circuit and doing a couple of nationals. Sadly, the Laser was traded for a washing machine (same value in those days), and I had a period not sailing when my kids were young.
A divorce brought a move to Whitstable so I could join a proper, historic, and famous sea club - and another Laser (750??). There have been a few more Lasers over the years, together with 29er 056 (best customer ever for the rescue crew) and Tasar 366 (the Orange one) in which I fulfilled my ambition of racing a Nationals with one of my daughters. I had a spell on the General Committee in the naughties but found travelling away to work and the GC did not work well. Last year I took semi-retirement, bought a Solo (kept the latest Laser), and rashly said I had the time to put something back into the club which has been a big part of my life for the last 20 years. I look forward to serving the club in developing its sailing and racing heritage.
Congratulations to the WYC A Pool Team
Posted: Friday, 01 April , 2022
Well done to the players in the WYC A Pool Team for winning the second division! On top of that, Sam also won this year's Chairman's Cup!
If you fancy having a go, or cheering on the teams, Wednesday nights are Pool Night at WYC, from 7pm. Players and non-players are welcomed, come along and support the Whitstable Yacht Club team.
SAIL LOFT CLEAROUT
Posted: Monday, 28 March , 2022
As advertised previously, following an extensive clearout of the sail loft at the working party on 5 March, all unlabelled equipment found on unpaid racks and on the floor has been removed and stacked outside between the sea wall and Rigden Shed. This equipment is due to be disposed of next month, commencing 5 April. Please come and check your equipment and mark it up with your name before the 5th. Sailing Sec
Welcome to our new Commodore!
Posted: Saturday, 26 March , 2022
Andrew Jackson was voted in as Commodore at the AGM last week. For those who don't know Andy, he's provided the below introduction:
I started sailing age 11 when my family moved to Herne Bay in the early ‘70s – the Bay was still a popular and crowded holiday resort in those days. I raced Mirror 3290 at Herne Bay Sailing Club with my dad (it’s funny how those sail numbers stick!), and as a teenager I progressed to crewing in Hornets and Albacores, with the Hornet being favoured because it had a spinnaker and a trapeze; the trapeze was a rare and exotic contraption in those days. I sailed an OK for a bit, and I even did a bit of board sailing on the very first windsurfers when they became available in the UK in the late 1970s.
After a break from sailing, I joined Whitstable Yacht Club in 1997. At the time I was still living in London, where I worked as designer and lecturer, but I was finally drawn back to live by the sea a couple of years later when my family and I moved to Whitstable. I have sailed a wide variety of boats over the years including a Merlin Rocket (capsized a lot), a B14 (capsized even more), an RS600 (don’t ask), and finally splitting my time between a Tasar, which I sail with my wife Yvo, and a Laser. As an academic and design historian, I once published an article on the history of the Mirror dinghy – for those interested it can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/4nnm5a8f.
I have been a Vice-Commodore for the club in the past and was very briefly Commodore in 2016, when I stepped up because the post had become unexpectedly vacant mid-term. Now that I’m semi-retired I have more time to devote to the club, so I have accepted the offer of being Commodore again, hopefully for a full term this time. When I’m not sailing, I can be found banging away on my double bass with my swing band at various music venues around Kent and occasionally at WYC parties.
Unlabelled equipment from Upper Rigdens Shed
Posted: Saturday, 05 March , 2022
Thank you to all the members who helped out at the Working Party on Saturday. It's made a real difference to the club, and we're ready for the start of the season!
A lot of unlabelled equipment was removed from Upper Ridgens Shed. If you think you're missing anything, please check through the pile between the Sea Wall and Ridgens Shed ASAP. Anything remaining will be donated/skipped!
Please check your boats!
Posted: Tuesday, 22 February , 2022
Following the storms, high winds and high tides over the weekend, boats parked at the club have moved by wind and waves and some covers have been shredded by the wind (exposing the equipment stored inside to the elements). If you have a boat at the club, please check it for damage, make sure it's still tied down securely, and check other boats in the area to ensure that it's not at risk.
Tom Oliver awarded bursary funding by L&SE RYA
Posted: Thursday, 27 January , 2022
We're pleased to announce that WYC sailor, instructor and, until recently, Cadet Captain, Tom Oliver has been awarded bursary funding for a Racing Coach Level 2 course by the London and South East RYA. Of the award, Tom said "After racing at the club for the last 10 or so years alongside teaching for the past 4, I was nominated by Richard Maltby for the Bursary. I was eager to continue passing my knowledge down to others as has been done to me over the years. The helpfulness of WYC sailors has enabled me become the sailor I am today and so I hope to reciprocate this to the younger generation of the club. This will also help me expand my wings and take my skills to other Clubs through KSSA training and other events around the South east coast."
Congratulations Tom!
2022 schedule now available on the website
Posted: Friday, 21 January , 2022
The 2022 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. Now is also a great time to check for your 2022 duty and add it to your diary!
The 2022 sailing schedule again assumes a 'normal year', but please keep an eye on the website and social media feeds for the latest updates as in case of any changes (Covid related or otherwise!).
Update to bar opening times
Posted: Thursday, 13 January , 2022
A minor change has been made to the bar opening hours. From next week the bar will be closing a the slightly earlier times of 8pm on Thursdays and 9pm on Fridays. All other opening times remain unchanged, and can be viewed at www.wyc.org.uk/about/social.
Unlabeled equipment stored in the WYC sheds
Posted: Monday, 10 January , 2022
Please make sure that any equipment you store at WYC is labelled with your name and/or sail number so that it can be identified. There are a number of racks in Upper Rigdens Shed which have not been paid for, but have equipment on them which cannot be identified. Equipment that has not been moved, and cannot be identified, by the March Working Party will by put through the appropriate disposal process.
WYC Covid Update - 21st December
Posted: Tuesday, 21 December , 2021
We look forward to welcoming you to the club and bar at WYC over the festive period. Our opening times over the festive period can be found at wyc.org.uk/about/social. We recommend that any members coming to the club take a Covid Lateral Flow Test prior to their visit as per government guidance to minimise the risk of the spread of Covid, and whilst the wearing of masks is not mandatory, is encouraged when moving around the club buildings. For the club's full statement on Covid, see wyc.org.uk/news/WYC_Coronavirus_COVID-19_Response
ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY - 2022 CLUB PROGRAMME
Posted: Monday, 29 November , 2021
If you would like to advertise your business in WYC's 2022 Club Programme, please contact Sally Gostelow for more details (sailing.secretary@wyc.org.uk) by 19 December 2021.
Steve’s Racing Rules OK - slides and thanks!
Posted: Monday, 22 November , 2021
Steve Gray lead a discussion on the most important rules covering the latest from the RYA’s Racing Rules of Sailing on Sunday. Thanks to everyone who attended to make this a worthwhile session, and a big thank you to Steve Gray for leading the session! If you missed it, or want to review what you learned, the slides Steve presented can be downloaded here.
Larry Lamberton
Posted: Wednesday, 17 November , 2021
We regret to report that our Honorary Club President, Larry Lamberton MBE, passed away last night. Our deepest condolences. A very great loss not only for Larry's family, but also for the RNLI and Whitstable communities, who he loved and supported, and who loved him in return. He will be greatly missed by all of us at WYC.
Reminder - Mast down over winter, equipment labelling and Lower Rigdens Shed
Posted: Monday, 15 November , 2021
We've got three races left in the 2021 sailing season. If you have boats or other equipment at the club, you should be thinking about securing it for the winter if you haven't already.
In line with WYC Boat Parking and Equipment Storage Policy, masts must be taken down at the end of the Winter Series, which finishes on Sunday 5th December. If members are planning to keep their mast up over winter to allow them to continue free sailing, they should let their Class Captain or the Sailing Secretary know, and ensure that their boat is tied down securely and checked regularly.
All boats should be checked and additional tie downs added if in doubt... we have experienced flying Lasers in storms in the past, so make sure it's well held down!
Equipment stored at the club must be clearly identifiable with the owners name and/or boat details attached to it. This includes items stored at the club such as masts when they're not attached to the boat, but also sail bags, rudders, etc. Equipment not labelled may be moved or removed during winter working parties. Please check that everything you have stored is clearly identifiable.
Member's equipment must not be stored in Lower Rigdens Shed (the Safety Boat shed). This is to comply with our insurance, and also health and safety for those working in Lower Rigdens. If you have equipment in this area, please arrange for it to be moved as soon as possible.
Meeting of Sailors and Prize Giving
Posted: Monday, 08 November , 2021
Thank you to everyone who attended the annual Prize Giving and Meeting of Sailors on Sunday. Congratulations to all the series and Special Award winners for the 2021 season. If you weren't able to attend, you can view the list of prize winners 2021_prizegiving.pdf, and if you did win a prize and weren't able to collect, please contact the Sailing Secretary. And if you would like to read the notes from the Meeting Of Sailors, they're available at www.wyc.org.uk/about/Meeting_Minutes.
Draft 2022 Sailing Schedule
Posted: Wednesday, 03 November , 2021
We have the Meeting of Sailors on Sunday, and as is traditional for this time of year, the DRAFT 2022 sailing schedule is now available to view here:2022_Programme_Draft_v2.2.pdf.
If you have any suggestions or comments on the draft schedule, please come along to the meeting on Sunday, or contact me or your Class Captain.
Robert Govier - Rear Commodore Sailing.
Change to bar opening hours
Posted: Tuesday, 26 October , 2021
By popular request from our regulars, we will now be opening the bar on Mondays from 17.00 20.00. For the full bar opening times, see wyc.org.uk/about/social.
REMINDER - 2021/22 MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS DUE BY 31st OCTOBER 2021
Posted: Tuesday, 26 October , 2021
A gentle reminder for those who have not renewed as yet, membership renewals are due by the end of this month. Where possible, please pay via bank transfer using your name as the reference. Payment details are included on the renewal form, if you require another form, please download from our website (http://www.wyc.org.uk/images/uploads/NEW_MEMBERS__RENEWAL_FORM_2021-22.pdf). Please email me at sailing.secretary@wyc.org.uk if you require any assistance or have a query with your renewal. Membership Sec.
Winter (Series) is coming!
Posted: Thursday, 21 October , 2021
We're now at that time of year where the air starts to get a little colder, the nights draw in, and the Winter Series starts at WYC! Sunday only racing from now on, but there's still 7 races left this year, running to December 5th. This year the Winter Series starts rather unusually with a Committee Boat start, after which Slotty will be returned to her winter mooring next week. The Winter Series is all-in racing, with the exception of the Lasers who get their own start and results. It's often some of the most competitive racing, so don't let the time of year put you off, come and join the fun! See you on the water.
Bar Prices
Posted: Sunday, 17 October , 2021
The Bar committee are sorry to announce a few further price increases, mainly in soft drinks and snacks, as of midnight Monday 18 Oct.
Caroline Barr
Posted: Thursday, 07 October , 2021
We're sorry to pass on the news that Caroline Barr, long-standing club member and wife of the late Gavin Barr, passed away on Tuesday.
Margaret Winn final farewell
Posted: Monday, 04 October , 2021
Many of us will remember Margaret Winn, who passed away in early 2020. She was a long term member of the Yacht Club and was made an Honorary Member in 2010. For many years she was the Minutes Secretary to the Sailing Committee, but she will best be remembered for her invaluable help in the Race Hut where she could be found most weekends recording the race results.
On Saturday a small group of Margaret’s relatives and friends visited the club to spread Margaret’s ashes at sea as she had requested. After her ashes were spread near to ‘Slotty’, the group visited the race hut to see where Margaret had spent so many weekends as race recorder. An emotional moment for all.
A big thank you to John Crickmere for driving the support boat and Alex Grantham for using his vehicle to get it launched as well as others who arrived to help.
Tornado and F18 UK National Championships - Report and thank you!
Posted: Wednesday, 22 September , 2021
WYC hosted the Tornado and Formula 18 catamaran UK National Championships on 18th and 19th September. The club, members and staff were universally praised by the competitors for allowing them to come and sail at the club, and for putting on such a great and well run event. Thank you to everyone who helped out over the weekend, and to everyone who's sailing may have been disrupted. It's events like these that keep our club on the map!
There's a report on the event over on Yachts&Yachting Online at www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/242053/Tornado-and-Formula-18-UK-Nationals-at-Whitstable, and credit for the photos above, below and on the report goes to Nicky Whatley.
Congratulations to the club champions!
Posted: Wednesday, 01 September , 2021
The Club Championships was raced over the August Bank Holiday weekend in testing conditions of big waves and some strong shifty winds. Over 65 sailors in 49 boats took part, across the full range of classes sailed at WYC. The winner of the very competitive racing was up and coming 15 year old Laser Radial sailor Chris Marsh, narrowly beating experienced sailors and Tasar National Champions Rick and Sarah Perkins into 2nd place by only 2 points. Another young sailor, 18 year old Harry Newton in his Laser took third place, beating veteran Merlin Rocket sailor Phil Emery by only a point.
Honourable mention goes to Tom Oliver who suffered gear failure on his Laser in the first lap of the first race, sailed to shore, swapped his rig to a new hull, then finished the race, albeit several laps behind the rest of the sailors, to avoid a DNF. It's rare that anyone outside the catamaran fleet finishes a race on two hulls!
Great to see another example at Whitstable Yacht Club of how sailing and the Portsmouth Number handicap system creates a level playing field across age, experience and physical ability to allow young and old, male and female to compete with one another, whilst enjoying interacting with nature and the great outdoors!
Bar opening hour changes in September
Posted: Wednesday, 25 August , 2021
From 1st September there will be some minor changes to opening hours based on a review of the usage over the last month. The updated opening times can be viewed at www.wyc.org.uk/about/social
Times can always be amended for parties or organised gatherings - please discuss your requirement's with a member of the Bar committee.
The Pool League is restarting
Posted: Thursday, 19 August , 2021
The Pool League is restarting from 15th September and both WYC teams need new members! If you want to join a team come along on a Wednesday evening from 7pm and ask Chris for an intro!
Mike Fitzpatrick
Posted: Tuesday, 17 August , 2021
Sadly, we must report that a long-standing member of the club, Mike Fitzpatrick, passed away at the weekend after a long illness. Mike, (pictured above sailing in the 2008 Merlin Rocket National Championships) is well known for his sailing skills and achievements, his humour and willingness to help others and his contribution to the running of the club.
There will be a private cremation, and a celebration of Mike’s life will be held from 5pm on Saturday 28th August at Whitstable Yacht Club.
Born 30 June 1942, son of a fisherman at Leigh on Sea. One of his early boating experiences was when his father's fishing boat was requisitioned by the navy to rescue residents of Canvey Island trapped by the 1953 floods. He was all set to go as his dad’s boat boy but was taken off the boat on the orders of the RN officer as being too young! He used to dine out on the story that as a teenager a young girl crewed for him at Leigh - Helen Mirren!
He went to Loughborough College where he founded, on a shoestring, the college sailing team. In the 1960’s and early 70’s he built and sailed OK dinghies, campaigned one of the early Contenders, then moved on to Flying Dutchmen and then the Finn. He crewed for John Oakeley and Bob Fisher in their Soling campaign to be selected for the 1976 Olympics. They were favourites to win the trials but John O fell off his boat on the dock and broke his arm, had to sail with his arm in a cast and they didn’t win. During this time he also crewed the winning GP14 at the National Championships in 1964 and the Soling at the National Championships in 1977 and 1978.
Mike stayed involved with the Finn and became an international class measurer. At the time the fastest Finns were being built by Bungy Taylor in UK so a steady stream of boats passed through Mike’s living room in Dunkirk to be measured on their way to customers in Europe.
In the 1980’s he commissioned his first new Merlin, customised for him and Wendy to sail but he did not stay in the class long and moved on to Tasers and later Lasers. When his two boys were young, he built Optimist dinghies for them and an embryo fleet was formed for the cadets at Whitstable Yacht Club and Westbere Lake. In the early 1990’s he was heavily involved in activities at WYC organising major events including, in one year, 6 national championships. The “volunteer burnout” that followed led to the club’s open meeting policy being written!
During the 1990’s he became involved with the International Canoe and sailed the World Championships in San Francisco. His boat remained in the roof of his garage until very recently. He loved building, modifying and mending boats and was an inveterate boat bimbler and innovator.
He worked for Lloyds in London “in IT” then for a paper manufacturing company near Canterbury. On leaving that he was employed part time by WYC in the office as sailing administrator before finally retiring in 2006.
He moved back into Merlin Rockets with Julie crewing at a very windy Abersoch championships in 1998. He fitted out a new Winder hull in his inimitable alternative style which never really worked so Julie bought a new complete boat in 2006 and he was ordered not to change anything without the say so of the class captain! As a result, they were pretty successful in club racing. His love of the Finn dinghy never diminished even though he was too light to be competitive and most recently in 2009 he sailed in the Finn Masters World Championship in France.
He and Wendy cowrote wrote the Sailing: Techniques of Seamanship (a Duke of Edinburgh's Award guide) and Dinghy Racing. He was very chuffed that the first friend he made when he moved to Bradbury Grange Nursing Home had read the book!
He will be missed and fondly remembered by everyone who knew him.
WYC memory from Tony Hays
Posted: Thursday, 05 August , 2021
We recently received the following message from Tony Hays, one of our members in the 50s and 60s:
"In 2020 you posted an interesting video of the 1967 Admiral's Cup series. You might be interested to know that a WYC member was on the UK team (at least, I think I was still a member in 1967, having moved to Bristol in 1962 for university and work). My parents, Philip and Joan Hays, were members of WYC in the 1940s to 1960s. I vaguely remember my mother saying that she was the first woman member, although I don't know if that is actually true. My father had an Essex One Design and originally raced out of Herne Bay Yacht Club, but moved to Whitstable around 1939. He then transitioned to an 18 ft National, then a Flying Dutchman and Merlin-Rocket. I joined as a junior member in about 1956, sailing Cadets, and was probably a member for about 12 years or so, before emigrating to the United States.
I started to crew in offshore races when I was 17, and worked my way up to race for Ron Amey, owner of the Noryema series of ocean racers (the name of the boat is Ron Amey spelled backwards). Some of the races, or race series, that I competed in were:
1966 Transatlantic Race (Bermuda-Copenhagen) (Noryema IV),
1967 Admiral's Cup Team (Noryema V),
1968 Onion Patch Trophy Team (which included the Newport-Bermuda Race) (Noryema VI),
1972 Onion Patch Trophy Team. (Noryema, a stock Sparkman & Stephens design, was the overall winner of the Bermuda Race, thanks to brilliant navigation on the part of the skipper and navigator, Ted Hicks. She is the only non-American yacht to win the Bermuda Race (https://www.nytimes.com/1972/06/21/archives/noryema-british-sloop-is-victor-in-newporttobermuda-race-noryema.html)). The photo is the crew photo for Noryema, I'm the second from the right, Ted Hicks is third from the right.
I've also raced both the Fastnet and Bermuda Races on other boats. In 1969 I emigrated to the United States, and have raced fairly extensively on the US East Coast, Great Lakes and West Coast, including several races from the US to Mexico. Currently I crew on a Beneteau 32 out of Dana Point, in Southern California."
You can see the full 1967 Admiral's Cup series on our youtube channel at youtube.com/watch?v=mt5ToIUWkog. Thanks to Tony for getting in touch. If you have any memories of Whitstable Yacht Club, we'd love to hear them!
Reminder - Safety Guidance
Posted: Tuesday, 03 August , 2021
Following a “near miss” incident at the club on Saturday caused by a sudden change in weather conditions, we would like to remind members of the following guidance, designed to reduce risk and speed up the response to any safety issues at sea:
• We have a Safety Advice for Free Sailing and Water Sports section on the website (wyc.org.uk/members/Safety_Advice) and in the club programme, and we strongly recommend all members going sailing should read and follow this advice. In particular, always dress warmly for the conditions – it is easier to take off a layer than put it on, and it’s often colder at sea than on land, especially if you get wet. Carrying a waterproof layer will significantly reduce the effect of sea spray, rain and wind chill.
• The WYC Boat Parking, Equipment and Windsurf Board Storage Policy, on our website (wyc.org.uk/members/Club_Rules#BoatParking) and in our programme states that Trolleys, trailers, covers and any other equipment left on the beach when you go sailing must also be clearly labelled with your sail number and name. This is to aid identification in the event of an incident. The quickest way to see who’s returned to the club (for example when free sailing, if a boat has been stolen or put to sea without owner’s permission, or in the event that there’s an error on the race sign on sheet) is to check the beach for trolleys. If your trolley is not labelled, it makes it harder to check that you’re safe.
• Please familiarise yourself with the position of the Oyster Trestle area marked by the yellow hazard buoys. You are strongly recommended not to go within the area marked by the yellow Hazard Buoys. During racing, the area between the yellow Hazard Buoys and the shore is a prohibited area. Sailing within this area will result in disqualification (Rule 10.2). If you see someone in trouble in this area, please call 999 and ask for the coastguard, or alert the Race Team (do not enter the hazard area). Please report any incidents or ‘near misses’ to the club. Please email incident or near-miss reports to office@wyc.org.uk
Whitstable Week 2021 Wrap Up
Posted: Sunday, 01 August , 2021
.jpg)
Wow - what a Whitstable Week! A great week was had by all, and a return to normal, or at least as close as is possible at the moment! The weather did it's best to disrupt us in this rather unseasonable end of July, but our Race Officer and the team still managed 3 full days of racing, getting in 6 races. We also hosted 5 evenings of social events - Vinyl Night, Pool Competition, Ian and Phil's Lazy Quiz, Cocktails with the Commodore, and the Friday Night Finale Party! Despite the RNLI Pursuit Race getting blown off on Friday we still raised over £200 for the RNLI from all the Whitstable Week entries.
Congratulations to Max Hunt who won Whitstable Week overall in his Laser Radial, narrowly beating Rick an Sarah Perkins in their Tasar and Charlie Campion in his Laser. The full results can be found at wyc.org.uk/on-the-water/results/2021. Also, congratulations to our special Whitstable Week Prize Winners: Submariner Award to Veronica and John Moore for their capsize at the beginning of Tuesday's racing, the Loudest Competitor to Andrew Jackson for his 'feedback' to the Race Officer on the line bias for one of the races, the Oldest Competitor to Geoff Bush, still Laser Racing at 77, and finally the Spirit of Whitstable Week to the Support Boat Team, who were kept busy in the windy conditions!
Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped make Whitstable Week 2021 happen:
Rescue boat drivers and their crews Jo, Sam, Dave, Georgie, Glenn, Miriam, Joe and Ian.
Andy for driving the committee boat.
Georgia and Miriam for their photography.
The volunteer recorders Jill, David, Ian and Richard.
Sally for results and prize coordination.
The Race Officer John and his Assistants Paul and Chris.
The social team, including Mike, Dickie, Ian and Phil, Tizzie and the cocktail team, Magda and the bar staff, Keith and the coffee hut team.
The Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress for presenting the prizes at Prize Giving!
We're looking forward to next year already!
Update to WYC Bar opening hours and prices
Posted: Tuesday, 20 July , 2021
Thank you to our Bar Manager Magda for all the extra hours she has put in recently to get our new staff trained up. This has enabled us to extend the bar's hours from the end of this week. We'll be open every day from 11 to 11 during Whitstable Week, and open every lunch time and later evenings Wednesday to Sunday from the beginning of August. The updated opening hours are on the website at www.wyc.org.uk/about/social.
Our new bar top is being fitted this week, and should be in place by Wednesday evening. We are planning to open as usual on Wednesday, but please be aware that there may be some minor disruption to service and product availability depending on how quickly it dries!
Unfortunately our suppliers have increased some of their prices, so we have had to make some minor changes. The amendments are highlighted in red in the price list available on the website.
Just a reminder that, while we are relaxing some Covid-19 related measures in line with Government guidelines, cashless is still preferred but not mandatory, and once served members will be asked to leave the bar serving area. Table service will continue to be available on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and preventative measures such as increased ventilation and protective screens will remain in place. Members and visitors are requested to wear face masks when moving around inside the club buildings, unless exempt.
Thanks again to Magda, and also Dickie Ledger, for all their hard work organising the bar during this particularly tricky time!
WYC Book Club
Posted: Wednesday, 14 July , 2021
The WYC Book Club is now up and running and meets on the second Wednesday of the month. We currently have 12 members and it’s a lovely way to meet new members, whether you’re a sailor or a social member.
If you're interested in joining the WYC Book Club please get in touch with Kellie Gray on 07966046693!
CLUB NEWS ARCHIVE
- All news
- April 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
HIGHLIGHTS
- Sailing Schedule
- Race results
- Sailing events
- Weather
- Membership Information
- Learn to Sail
- Cadets & Families
- Club location and contacts
- Food, Drink and Social events
Comments and suggestions for this site should sent to the webmaster.
Keep up to date with WYC news
- Subscribe by:
- RSS (What is this?)
-