August 2021 Update
Dear members
With the school holidays nearly over, four week-long dinghy training courses finished and West Highland Yachting Week behind us I wouldn’t be surprised if people feel exhausted by sailing. But there is more to come… we’ve had to shuffle some upcoming event dates due to changes to the Round Shuna Race after our handbook was published.
Dinghy Regatta: We will hold our annual dinghy regatta on Sunday 22nd August. Yes, just a single day this year so that we’re not spreading our efforts too thinly. We will have classes for experienced and novice sailors and hopefully a chance at the end of the day for anyone, of any ability to have a fun sail around. It will be a case of bringing your own lunch but we’re hoping to lay on a BBQ at the end of the day. More specific details available HERE.
Round Shuna Race: The following weekend (28/29 August) is the Round Shuna weekened with a feeder race Oban>Croabh on the Saturday (start time of 1000) and the actual race around Shuna Island the following day. Information on the CCYC site: https://www.clydecorinthian.org/event/round-shuna-feeder-races-1
Keelboat Races: We continue with the program of keelboat races as per the club handbook with the final Tuesday evening race on the 31st August before we move into a series of Saturday races through September. One change is the Oban Boat Club Cup (scheduled for 28 Aug) has been moved to Saturday 4th September with a 1100 start (1900 time limit).
Wee Peaks Race: You may know of the 3 Peaks Race and the Scottish Islands Peaks Race, both of which have teams of runners sailing between mountain locations to run/sail their way around the course. OSC has its own version – the Wee Peaks Race where dinghy sailors race between various beaches before bashing their way up some of the local peaks on Kerrera. This fun event is now scheduled for Sunday 5th September.
Training Courses: I wanted to express my thanks to the Training Team (Jamie and Kasia) for arranging a fantastic series of dinghy courses this summer. Also to the local Assistant Instructors who helped out to make the courses such a success – we look forward to seeing them developing their instructor skills further.
COVID & the Clubhouse: You will all be aware that restrictions have been eased further. It is my intention that we start to make increased use of the clubhouse than we have been able to. RYA Scotland have issued further guidance which we have adopted throughout:
https://www.rya.org.uk/-/media/dam/website-documents/scotland/about-us/73–beyond-level-0.pdf
The key point is “There are no physical distancing requirements indoors, however face coverings remain a legal requirement in public indoor places which will include club and training centre facilities.” So we can use the clubhouse for specific events associated with sport, but it is not yet a space for general social gatherings where we would have to follow rules associated with the hospitality industry. We hope to open the clubhouse for some limited OSC activity and partner training events with the relevant controls, contact tracing and cleaning in place. We will also continue to operate cautiously and respectfully for larger events such as Monday Mayhem and the Dinghy Regatta.
Many thanks to everyone for their continued help and engagement with the Club during the summer.
Finlo
15/8/21