Updates on Keelboat and Dinghy Sailing

August 17, 2020 Off By Oban Sailing Club

16th August 2020

Hello everyone …. What a fantastic weekend of weather! I hope many of you managed to get out on some craft or other. I know some headed to Croabh for the informal Round Garvellachs ‘race’ and there were a small squad of sailors out on dinghies on Saturday – including all of my own family, each in a different dinghy; which is one way to stop the arguments!! I’m sure there were also a good number out cruising. I thought I’d pass on a few updates

Keelboat Events

I’m very grateful to Eric Chapman for putting together two informal keelboat events. One is a Round Kerrera ‘race’ (Sunday 23rd Aug), the other is Round the Creags (Sunday 6th Sept.) . The details are attached but the format is very simple. Start during a window time in the early afternoon that suits you (details in the instructions), note your start time, enjoy your sail, not your finish time, … and that’s it. With the current restrictions still on crewing it is only a fun event, no silverware involved, no glory at stake. It would be great to see a few boats having a go.

A few people have enquired about the usual feeder race that takes place from Oban to Croabh to support the Round Shuna Race. This would happen on the 29th August for the Round Shuna on the 30th. Again, with the current restrictions on crewing in place, it doesn’t make sense to run the feeder as a formal race. However, we are hoping that in the next phase of lifting restrictions (later this month) we may see a change in the guidelines coming from RYA Scotland on crewing. If it looks like boats can be properly crewed, within the guidance issued, we will look at running the feeder as a competitive race. However, I don’t want any of our members to feel like we’re operating beyond the guidance so I’ll make a decision on the format of that feeder event closer to the time when we know more. Irrespective of guidance, it appears a few OSC boats will head to Croabh that weekend so a nice opportunity to link up.

Dinghy Sailing

We’ve had some super dinghy sailing sessions over the last weeks and thanks to everyone for doing all the right things with respect to hygiene and distancing. You may be getting a little tired of the twice weekly email announcements. There has been a little bit of discussion and we’re going to fix the days to Wednesdays (6.30 – 8.30) and Saturdays (1.30 – 4.00) and only communicate with you if they are going to be cancelled. HOwever, they’ll be cancelled most likely by weather so a quick look out of the window will probably be a good indicator.

We’re also thinking of making one of the sessions just a fun, informal sail around with perhaps a game or two thrown in whilst the other session (possibly the Wednesday) will include something a little more competitive. We’re working on the details of this and will let you know accordingly. For now, assume there will be dinghy sailing at 6.30 on Wednesday.

Final word on dinghy sailing – thanks to all the volunteer safety boat crews and shore helpers.

Dinghy Park/Shed

Many will have noticed, indeed some have commented positively, that we’re gradually getting on top of the park by identifying and removing the various abandoned boats and bits. We’re going to be continuing this on Tuesday evenings so if you fancy a blether whilst breaking up a derelict dinghy then come down and lend a hand. I can confirm that it’s very therapeutic! We’ll be sorting in and around the shed as well so I really urge you to spend a little bit of time sorting through your own gear and perhaps adding a label to it so that it makes it easier to identify what is what.

Membership

A final request to you all. I appreciate that not everyone has made direct use of the club this year but members of the committee and other volunteers have been working away trying to provide some sailing opportunities. The safety boats are in great condition, the dinghies are all ready to go, the clubhouse was looking great before lockdown (remember the new kitchen?) … It will all be there for you next year, and the year after that …. If you’re able to contribute to the club financially through membership then I urge you to do so. Even an Associate Membership helps keep you connected with the Club and provides the financial resources necessary to make sure we can continue to operate for the benefit of our members and for the community.

Membership Benefits and Rates

All for now

Finlo