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British Ladies Kitesurfing Champion Coaches Norman Back in September the three-times British Ladies Kitesurfing Champion visited Combs to give Norman Whiteley

some advice on how to make his GP go faster. Can you spot the family resemblance? The champion is none

other than Norman’s granddaughter Hannah Whiteley. You can find out more about her exploits here.

From the Commodore’s Cockpit

Now that the Combs sailing season is over for this year I am back on the couch taking it easy, in between

taking the mast down on my boat to protect it from the wind, doing a powerboat and a safety boat course at

Glossop as well as trying to organise some winter activities.

I have been doing the powerboat and safety boat courses with several other Combs members so we are better

placed to help people on the water and to instruct others on driving the safety boat at Combs.

Those of you who were at the dinner or AGM will have heard that Sport England have offered us a grant of

Combs Sailing Club Newsletter

December 2011 No 218

© John Saunders

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£36,539 to install mains electricity at Combs. That together with £10,000 of our money should allow us to

install electricity to all the buildings at Combs as well as CCTV and equipment to protect the plumbing from

frost. One of the grant conditions is that we must have it done by 31 March 2012

so you can look forward to new levels of comfort at the sailing club next year.

There is due to be a cheque handover ceremony at the club on 16 December and

there will be no publicity until then, so this is just to keep members informed of

developments.

To secure this grant we have undertaken to increase participation at Combs over

the next three years and I hope you will all enjoy the extra opportunities that this

will bring.

With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

Russell Talbot

Editorial

Thanks to Russell for putting together a newsletter for me last month. I was unable to do so as I came off my

push bike and spent a few days in hospital recovering from a knee injury, dislocated finger and then a clot in my

leg. I’ve been recovering well, and even managed to get back on the bike again only three and a half weeks

after the accident.

Thanks to all of the new contributors this month and to all of the usual people who make this newsletter

possible. There is a bundle of things that help to round off the year, overall results, reports on training, the

Dinner Dance and AGM, and follow-ups on the Byte Nationals and Enterprise U21s. You’ll also find an

invitation to the Glossop Winter Series, but if you take part, make sure we see you back in the spring!

Andy Butler

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness © Stuart Reid

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AGM 2011

The Combs Sailing Club AGM took place last week at the Railway Inn in Whaley Bridge. Attendance was down a

little on last year, at least in part due to freezing snow, which deterred members outside Whaley Bridge.

The main events of the evening were the election of new officers, committees and amendments to the

constitution.

All the amendments to the constitution were passed and the updated document is now available on the club

website. For those who aren’t familiar with the constitution this is the document that says how the club should

be run, what the committees do and who should be on them. It should now be clearer and better suited for

the coming years.

As far as the officers and GP committee were concerned all were re-elected apart from Chris Fletcher who is

standing down to have more time to spend with his expanded family. Of course Chris has many useful skills so

he doesn’t get away that easily. He is still helping us with our electricity project. Thank you Chris.

The sailing committee were also re-elected and in addition Alex Bowden was co-opted onto the sailing

committee.

I’d like to thank all the committee members for all their hard work over the last year. I know from this year

that we have a good team in place for the coming year.

Russell Talbot

What A Year!

Rarely at an AGM does one realise just how much has been accomplished in a year.

Well, the 2011 AGM was such an occasion; the list of achievements was pretty impressive. The commodore’s

report covered it all in a reportish kind of way but only after listening and taking it all in did it become apparent

just how much has been done this year.

So much so that I’ve been persuaded to actually put it down in writing.

As a member, who doesn’t manage to sail enough, I feel immensely proud to belong to Combs Sailing Club. I

feel inspired by so many people: to learn to sail better and to do what I can to contribute to make the club the

amazing success that it is.

I won’t repeat the commodore’s report or even attempt my own list. There’s too much to remember and too

many people to potentially forget.

So, if I may, just a big thank you to every one, on behalf of every one, for being part of Combs Sailing Club.

Keith Muncey

Round The Hearth

Sunday 4th December concluded the sailing season with the final round of the Frostbite Series. Up to then

twelve races had been sailed; Neil & Stuart Reid were one point ahead of Mike Craddock who had a four point

advantage over Keith & Linda Wright. The weather conditions were not good for the final day. As Stuart was

not available to crew the GP14, Neil decided to compete in the Supernova. Mike was helming the Phantom and

they were joined on the water by Andy Brown and Rick Whitehouse. Unfortunately, the weather conditions

were such that racing had to be abandoned before any races could be completed and so the results prior to

Sunday 4th stood and Stuart & Neil were the series winners. Congratulations to the Stuart & Neil and well sailed

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to all who competed in the end of season series. If

you feel you would like to sail during the coming

winter months Glossop Sailing Club are holding a

winter series through to 26th February.

Martin Ellis has the unenviable task of putting

together the duty roster for the 2012 Sailing

calendar. If you have any dates which would not be

convenient to do duties, can you please ping

Martin an email. Martin Ellis

As I mentioned at the AGM, the Sailing Committee

are in the process of revising the Sailing

Instructions. We hope to issue the amended

instructions prior to the start of the 2012 sailing

season.

We are also hoping to hold a Racing Rules

Workshop during the closed season. We will hold

the workshop at a local pub. The regional RYA rules expert has agreed to come along and present the

workshop, we just need to agree on a suitable date. We will advise the membership when we have a firm date.

Bob Pyett

2011 Season Roll of Honour

Trophy Event Helm Crew Silver Fleet Winner

Dennis Troop Trophy Handicap Trophy Louis Saunders - Kevin Belfield

Coronation Trophy G.P.14 Coronation Keith Wright Linda Wright NA

Glossop Jubilee Cup Menagerie Coronation Louis Saunders - Will Lomas

Firefly Challenge Cup G.P.14 Summer Trophy Not competed NA NA

Crown Quart Menagerie Summer Trophy Louis Saunders - Alex Bowden

Russell Challenge Cup G.P.14 Autumn Trophy Norman Whiteley Neil Reid -

Philip Sainter Trophy Menagerie Autumn Trophy Louis Saunders - Robert Rawlinson

OM Smith Salver Over 50's Norman Whiteley - -

Holden Challenge Cup No G.P.14 Trophy in 3 Seasons Previously

Not awarded - -

Combs Selling Plate No Previous Trophy Kevin Belfield - -

Firefly Flush Bowl Single Handed in 2 Man Boat Neil Reid - NA

Copper Pot Single Handed Trophy Louis Saunders - Alex Bowden

Junior Skippers Under 16 Trophy Edward Caunt -

Davison Pursuit Trophy 2 x 1 Hour Dave Staley - Alex Bowden

Jack Beattie Pursuit Trophy

1 x 2 Hour Paul Thompson Alex Bowden Tony Lawton

Ron Wearing Pursuit Trophy

2 x 1 Hour Mike Craddock - Keith Muncey

Stuart and Neil Reid

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Shuttle Trophy Junior Pursuit Not awarded - -

Fothergill Trophy Most Improved Helm Dave Staley - -

Hong Kong Trophy Most Successful Crew Linda Wright - -

Howard Cup Leading Combs Boat in G.P. Open

Will Lomas Norman Whiteley

Leslie Smythe Trophy Handicap Series (H) Paul Thompson - Edward Caunt

G.P.14 Trophy G.P. Spring Points Series (A) Norman Whiteley Will Lomas-

Rags Smith Memorial TR (Hailer)

Menagerie Spring Points (A) Louis Saunders - Andy Pyett

Alf Jenkins Trophy G.P. Summer Points Series (B)

Norman Whiteley -

Junior Points Series Trophy

J.P.S Will Lomas - -

Tony Wilson Memorial Trophy

Laser Day Russell Talbot - Alex Bowden

Quayle Tail Ender Last Wednesday Race Louis Saunders -

- Menagerie Summer Points (B)

Mike Craddock Edward Caunt

Anniversary Trophy Anniversary Regatta Mike Craddock - Edward Caunt

- Wednesday Handicap Series Louis Saunders - Will Lomas

- Wednesday Single Handed in 2 Man Boats

Pete Gardner -

- Wednesday Single Handed in 1 Man Boats

Louis Saunders - Will Lomas

Bobrykowski Trophy First Wednesday Race Louis Saunders - Will Lomas

Whiteley GP14 Junior Trophy

Best placed junior helm in GP Open

Will Lomas -

Lifeboat Pennant 1 - Keith Wright Linda Wright

Lifeboat Pennant 2 - NA

Lifeboat Pennant 3 Louis Saunders -

August Challenge (single handed)

Mike Craddock

Frostbite Series Neil Reid Stuart Reid

Supernova Series

Kevin Belfield

Tony Lawton

Ladies Series Alex Bowden

406 Trophy Activities away from home water

Rick Whitehouse

Well done to everyone on this roll of honour.

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2011 Sail Training at Combs – a Personal Experience by Robert

Rawlinson

Prior to embarking on the CSC Level 1 Training Course, my only previous sailing experience had been a

weekend RYA course at Carsington Lake in mid November 2010, a lesson in being cold. Memories of chipping

ice out of the Pico, of knees knocking and teeth chattering from the repeated capsizes and constant clanging

(like the church bell at a wedding) between my head and the boom.

On starting level 1 at Combs in April, I was to all intents an absolute beginner, Carsington having been frozen

(or beaten) from my memory.

Turning up at the clubhouse on day one, I was interested to note that the sum of the ages of all the other

participants just about equalled my own. This was to be my inspiration; to keep up with the sharp minds and

reflexes of my co-trainees.

The course is suiting me perfectly. I appreciate that some starters take the “dive straight in” approach, but

through the course, I am gaining a well rounded understanding not just of how to sail, but of safety, how the

boat sails, sails best, stops, the effects of each element of the boat, the rules of the road (water) and most

importantly, how to stay in the boat. This seems a good

pay-off for a little time spent listening and learning. I

have no doubt this has got me to a decent level of skill

and confidence far quicker than learning on my own.

The training has been an equal mixture of land-based

instruction and on-the-water practical. From the very

outset, there has been an emphasis on getting you on

the water, whether single-handed in a Topper or as

crew or even helm in the GP. There have even been

races at the end of some training days.

With the encouragement of the course trainers, my

ambitions horizon has shifted. At first I was just glad to

get the boat to move. Then having got it to move I was then happy for it to go where (more often than not) I

wanted and finally, jubilant to sail a course. I have to admit to ducking gybes by all means, quickly devising

avoidance tactics until I learnt the art, in the GP with trainer Paul.

At the end of the training season, I am ecstatic to say that I have been deemed safe enough on the water to

have earned my levels 1&2.

I never imagined, at the outset in April, that before the end of the season I would take part in races. My next

ambition…. to not always be last.

• Would I recommend CSC sail training? Without question?

• Was it worthwhile? Absolutely

• Has it enabled me to sail with some confidence? Yes, thank you

I am now looking forward to next year’s training and of course, I shall keep swatting up the rules.!!!!!

Where can I sail in the winter??????? {See ad from Glossop elsewhere in the newsletter, but make sure you’re

back at Combs in the spring! - Andy}

Robert Rawlinson

Why am I going round in circles?

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Combs Presentation Evening and Dinner Dance Nov 2011

Combs Dinner Dance 2011 was my first and was thoroughly enjoyed by me and my family – Jacqueline and

Marnie (8). I wasn't there to collect prizes – you have to turn up for races to be in with any chance for that –

and for most of them you must beat Louis Saunders (well done Louis!). We sat with the Irish Rovers on

Wayfarer table. I was there for good food, good company and a good time and that's exactly what I got. The DJ

responded well to our requests and we bopped away until Marnie suddenly ran out of energy – at 11:45.

I've been a member at Combs for a few seasons now. Although I haven't raced much, I know many faces from

helping out with Training, participation on Family days and from my AOD and PB duties. It was good to chat

with people I hadn't seen for some weeks or months – and see them collecting prizes. Jacqueline commented

on how young and friendly the Combs Club members are. Perhaps it's just that I

usually take her to events that attract only wrinklies?

I don't know how or why but the dinner inspired me to make more effort to join

the racing at Combs. I've spent a lot of time in GP14s but perhaps it's time to try

wetter sailing? Maybe I should try a Phantom? Marnie is keen to do more

sailing but it's proving difficult to fit in with dance and swimming and numerous

other activities. Jacqueline doesn't like water but has enjoyed a trip out in a

Wayfarer at Combs so maybe there is hope for her yet!

I think we'll be back for the dinner dance 2012.

Paul Brereton

© Tony Berry

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2012 Dinghy Show

Next year’s RYA Volvo Dinghy Show will take place on Saturday the 3rd and Sunday the 4th of March at

Alexandra Palace in North London.

The RYA says “The RYA Volvo Dinghy Show is a fun-packed event that offers all the materials to improve your

sailing - in fact it’s more than just a show. Whether you’re top in your class or have just got on board for your

first time, this is the show for you. There are free talks and workshops covering first steps through to the latest

racing tactics and techniques, equipping you to make the most of your sailing.”

I say “It’s a great opportunity to see all the latest boats and gear and to have a close look at a good selection of

some of the equipment and clothing on offer – something you can’t do locally.

This year we have booked a minibus to take members to the show on Saturday the 3rd of March. There will be

space for a maximum of 17 members so please let me know as soon as possible to ensure that you get a place

on the bus. Cost will be about £10 plus entry to the show.

Russell Talbot

Byte Nationals, Warsash October 2011

There was a report by Rick on this event last month. Here is a photo from John Saunders showing nearest –

Byte National Championship, middle distance – Finns, far distance – big boats.

Caption Competition

Just one entry for the last caption

competition:

“Please God, let me beat Louis just once”

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This month’s competition –

thanks to Chris Fletcher for

the image:

News of a Winter Series at Glossop (if you can break the ice!)

Ideas for a

caption to Andy