Autumn Newsletter 2019
Dear Members
Update for the Autumn…………….
BRITISH KEELBOAT LEAUGUE QUALIFIERS – OSC winners
A team from Oban Sailing Club attended and won the Northern Qualifier for the British Keelboat League finals over the weekend 7/8 September at Helensburgh. Albeit in very light winds, and probably a record for least number of races sailed, Andrew Chapman, Ben Miller, Scott Graham with skipper Steven Forteith managed to squeeze into first overall.
See results and report on the event https://www.britishkeelboatleague.co.uk/news/
The 3 day Finals are planned for 27/28/29 September at Queen Mary reservoir, London.
The committee are supporting the Oban team by covering the £450 entry fee cost for the weekend as travel and digs will be covered by the team.
There is potential for boats in the top six of the finals to go into a draw for the European champions league finals representing their clubs on the European stage also.
A fantastic achievement and wishing the best of luck to our Oban team….
Autumn Series
Both Keelboat and Dinghy racing is now taking place on afternoons of Saturday and Sunday respectively with a start at 2pm until the last dinghy series on Sunday 6 October.
For dinghy sailors safety boats will be in attendance so you are welcome to join in and free sail on the water if you would prefer.
Monday Mayhem
The last sailing night is 16 September on the water reverting to shore based activities planned every 2 weeks over the winter period. More details will follow on sessions and training so that all members can join in.
UHIWWC
Iain Walsingham and his committee are busy planning a busy autumn and winter programme for existing and new students entrants this month.
Club activities this year will include:
Our brand new and exciting beginners course, 3 weekends in October – we will take those of you from no experience whatsoever through the RYA (the UK governing body on sailing) syllabus and hopefully get you internationally regarded sailing levels.
Surfing weekends – These will be down to Macrahanish beach (Westport) which will include bodyboards and surfboards. These trips may just be one-day trips or we may camp depending on the weather at the time. (tents not provided however can be found upon request 🙂 )
Yachting weekends away – You will have opportunities to meet up with people who can take you out and around the islands surrounding Oban bay on yachts/keelboats spending the night on board before sailing back the next day. In the evening all manner of floaty things will be provided for us to mess around with before sleeping onboard the boats. We’ll be looking for wildlife, and anchor on an island somewhere overnight. We’ll be taking kayaks and stand up paddleboards as well as games for the evening. We’ll split costs which will be at cost including food during the trip. Sign up here or send an email to Jamie at jamieflobbets@gmail.com or find him on facebook if you’re any questions. Open to both club members and non-members however members will have the first refusal.
Team and match racing – for those of you who are a bit more competitive or want to see the rest of Scotland these are the perfect thing for you. The club will be sending teams to race events against other universities from around the UK all over Scotland at events run by students for students. These are great fun and are a really good way of seeing the whole of Scotland, introducing yourself to racing or improving on any racing skills/knowledge you may already have. Ceilidh Cup is coming up let me know if you’re keen.
Wednesday sailing and Theory sessions – in these you will be taught the theory behind sailing and how a boat works much of which is transferable and helpful to Marine Science students studying at SAMS. The sailing level will be done on who turns up. Sailing will be 1-5 and theory will be 6 onwards rolling into a social afterwards no kits needed.
Iain is keen that as many OSC dinghy sailors join in the dinghy sailing activities. Please contact with Iain for any further information walsinghamiain@gmail.com
PRIZEGIVING DINNER DANCE
Just an early reminder to put in your diary for Saturday 9 November for our annual prizegiving dinner dance at the Royal Hotel. More details and booking forms will follow next month.
Cheers
Iain