Training at GYC
Next Dayskipper Theory course starts on the 13th September - 1900 - 2200. 10 week course. Book here
Lots of work going on still refitting the training yacht. We've added a new rescue platform on the stern and have removed all gas. The work is looking like it will be complted later in the year so we will be starting our practical cruising training early next season. Have a look at our current calendar and then use Meetup to book.
Two GYC members sail on around the world clipper race
Two GYC members, Nicola and Tim are taking part in the 2017/18 around the world clipper race.
There are 8 legs/races to conplete and they left Liverpool on Sunday 20th August for leg 1 to Uruguay.
Nicola and Tim are on the same boat - Great Britain, and the skipper, Andy opted to play their joker on this race to double their points, so it is important that they do well on this leg.
On September 13th Tim wrote...
"Whilst you have been studying our routing and tactics and assessing the impact of the Doldrums Corridor on our long term prospects - briefly, the boats who entered later were able to motor-sail to exit in a more advantageous position - on the GREAT Britain boat you will be sorry to hear we continue to be distracted by the more mundane aspects of life at an angle.
A decision we face three times a day is what to wear when we go on deck. We need to be deck ready and this includes having all the necessary such as knife, sail tie, sun cream, jelly babies, tape, and anything else that might be necessary. It means wearing the right clothes. Unfortunately, the task list is not necessarily as simple as described in the crew manual – it is not always easy to get the clothing choice right. Now we are through the Doldrums it is cooler, but by no means an English winter so the general dress has been shorts and T shirt, expecting a warm drenching, and hoping to dry out before watch end. Below deck is generally very hot. We were therefore all impressed when Ian Mumford appeared on deck, very smart in salopettes and boots in anticipation of a Yankee change. Two minutes later and the task was clearing the sail locker floor to enable bilge checking and water clearance from the anchor chamber. Two hours later the team, comprising of Ed Aldworth, John Olsen, and Ian arrived back on deck, task complete but red in face and several litres lighter.
Ian's persistence in his choice of trousers is in the knowledge that one day it will be the correct one and finally over last nights first Watch, the shorts brigade received warning from a fair torrent over the deck. At watch change there is now a major rush to find foulies and on Jack Watch, now there is just myself, Nicola Thurlow, and Spence Bienvenue in shorts. I am considering the options on my drysuit."
They are now in Punta Del Este, Uruguay.
Safe Boating
10 TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE ON THE RIVER
1. Wear a lifejacket that will inflate or a buoyancy aid that will take your weight
2. Wear appropriate footwear
3. Take a hand held radio or phone in a waterproof case
4. Tell someone where you are going
5. Ensure your tender is sea worthy
6. Always use your ‘kill cord’
7. Secure any luggage or large items that you may be transporting
8. On arrival, approach into the tide and secure tender with a bowline to your boat. Consider using a stern line as well
9. When secured. Choose your moment to disembark, check for passing clippers or wash to subside
10. Remember, one hand for you and one for the boat
