Archive News
Santa Irene Club de Vela Newsletter -
3rd August 2005
It aint arf hot!
Well it’s going to be for you, I’ll be in the UK enjoying an English
Summer visiting sailing clubs, talking to Stewart at Churchhouse Boats, Witchurch,
and buying lots of goodies for Dos Amigos our Drascombe. You should be seeing
lots of her, when our season starts in September, look for the tan coloured
sails and if we are flying our cup and saucer “Burgee” (flag) we’ll
be brewing up.
I’ll be over in the UK for 24 days, but, will I have time to visit Teignmouth? down in the West Country, they are hosts to the “Fire Ball” European and World championships. The Worlds, follow the European and start on the 14tH August.
Our own Paul is competing in the Worlds, I’m told there are 160 starters, if you’ve been following events, it’s Paul and Lynne who sail their 470 here off the Playa del Cantal. We’ll have to give him a personal handicap (sorry Lynne!) when we start racing in September.
Now my sincere thanks to Jo, John & Jenny, to Vic & Irene and all those who contributed to our Car Boot Sale and BBQ on the 17th July, they struggled through a very hot day. I think we’ll wait for the winter before we have another one – we can then serve hot soup – but will we have a winter?
The last two Sundays, we haven’t been able to launch off the Playa, too many swimmers and young ladies sunbathing, which tend to distract the helmsman, so we took off from the slipway in Garrucha harbour – no distractions there.
When in the UK, I’ll be visiting Portland Harbour and enquiring about the British Paralympics Team – 4 years ago I attended an RYA Sailability course to get some practical advice and understanding of what is involved in teaching and working alongside disabled sailors. It was a lot of fun and a real eye opener – they were a grand crowd – some with severe disabilities, but could still sail. I recall a totally blind young lady who only needed to be told she was approaching the shore, we were on a large reservoir and she said she preferred sailing on the sea, I also recall it was December and I had to borrow some thermal underwear – I know you don’t wish to know that!
What’s made me think of all this is a new boat, it’s
the “Martin 16” a sit in boat with helm and crew sitting in line,
fighter pilot style, there is a 150kg bulb on the end of a lifting keel, it’s
unsinkable and will pop up-right if she goes over. It couldn’t come at
a better time, the IFDS (The International Disabled Sailing Foundation) are
looking for a 2-man keelboat for the Paralympics.
Specifications are – Length 4.9m (16ft), Beam 1.2m, Lifting Keel •4-1m,
Displacement 318kg with main sail, Jib and Asymmetric Spinnaker, Price complete
with trailer £11,262, the couple that recently had it on trial, says its
accessible, adaptable and fun!
If there is any one out there that wants to know more about sailing for the disabled – talk to me. I’m in touch with “Sailability” and try to keep up with developments.
I’m away on the 7th August, back into Santander on the 31st, which is the start of their Festival of Sail Week, Santa Irene had an invitation from the Ayuntamiento – next year Terry and I will take the Dos Amigos.
Talk to me if you want to know what an Asymmetric spinnaker is?
Take good care
John Talliss
Tel : 950 475 157
Movil: 658 548 790
E-mail John@Sailrway.com
Archived Newsletters