Lastest News
Santa Irene Club de Vela Newsletter - 12th May 2010
“Congratulations and Celebrations”, if you meet up with one of the Dinghy or Cat. Sailors perhaps he´ll buy you a drink, if its a Lassie, perhaps you´ll buy her one, why? Because at the end of this month its the 8th Anniversary of the “Santa Irene Sailing Club”. How did all that happen? I´ll tell you the story:
10 years ago, it was Millennium year, I was on my own; It had been 15 years since I had sold my Racing Dinghy and 28 ft Sailing cruiser to move to Mojacar with Ethel Irene. Life had been good but now it was time to get back on the water. I had two young friends: Analisa and Marian, why not build two “Optimist” dingies? By 2001 I had completed one and the second well on its way but I was needed in the UK. I was there nearly 7 months which gave me the opportunity to acquire 5 more dinghies, I was now thinking of a Sailing Club. The 19th of December saw me on my way home in a Mercedes Sprinter Van with 4 dinghies inside and 1 on the roof. Traveling back via Portsmouth, Cherbourg and arriving in Spain to be greeted by snow. After 4 months of painting, varnishing and paperwork, all Seven Dinghies were ready for a “Boat Show”. With the help of Sharon Penfold and Miguel Egea, the “statutes” of the Club were completed and signed on all 29 pages. It was now 2002. Mojacar Councillor, Beatriz, a local school teacher and Miguel Egea, arranged for us to use the New “Artisan Centre” for a “Boat Show” during the week-end, 31st of May and the 1st of June.
So it was that the “Santa Irene Club de Vela” was Born in the year 2002. During that year, a long with 5 youngsters, we sailed from Mojacar Playa, Garrucha slipway and even visited Aguilas. Once again Councillor Beatriz came to our aid with a Cabin which was situated on the playa near the Indalo Hotel. It was December 2002. The new year started bright, I had treated myself to a new “Pastinac” Sailing dinghy but best of all, Vic and Irene arrived on the playa with their “Dart Catamaran”, Vic was probably the only other small boat sailor in the area, who had been sailing off the playa near Villaricos. They have been staunch supporters and my right hand ever since.
As the holiday season progressed, we had to move away from the Indalo Playa. Nevertheless, we continued sailing where ever we could, so, where are we now?
The future looks good, with the support of the Garrucha Port Authority, we have a Dinghy Park with a dozen racing dinghies on it, we have the Drascombe, Devon Yawl, Kittywake, Tideway and Casi Casi, plus the RIB. The Cruiser fleet is growing, Pelwist, a Micro cruiser, Sue and the Magregor 26, Ian and the Dehler 25 there could more!
I´m sure our Catamaran fleet will grow too, we have 3. From the new slipway we can launch almost any thing at any time and still have the use of the “Playa´s” .
My Sincere Thanks to All who have helped us on our way, to Martin and the Post who had supported us since 2002.
Visit us at El “Rincon del Puerto” Garrucha, 11 am Sunday morning.
Take care.
John Talliss
Tel : 950 475 157
Movil: 658 548 790
E-mail johntalliss@gmail.com
Sailing News Sol Times - 19th May 2010
Lets look back to April 2002 ; We were 8 years younger ; its a lovely Spring day, you look out to the horizon over the blue Mediterranean, “Not a sail in sight”.Now at the weekend, you will see the tan coloured sails of our classic dinghies, the coloured spinnakers of racing dinghies and bright sails of the Catamarans from Mojacar playa. We´ve come a long way in 8 years and will continue to grow. Last Sunday 4 Classic dinghies, 3 racing dinghies plus the R.I.B were on the water.
It was a perfect day for a present sail; the icing on the cake was Rosie and Steve taking out their 34 ft Beneteau with 4 club members. Thanks to Rosie and Steve for introducing our 2 youngsters from Los Gallardos to such an experience, at one time they were flying their Spinnaker.
Rosie and Steve are very accomplished sailors having charted yachts in Greek Waters, also in the Caribbean, why haven´t I done that ? You! Should learn to sail, then “ The World is your Oyster”.
Their Yacht is named “Infinity” and it´s normally berthed on the marina at Agua Dulce; I´m happy to say they will be with us for a few weeks. Their trip North to us was interesting!!
The date was the 10th of May, the forecast was Strong Southerly Winds for the whole week. They cast off from the marina berth at 9 am on pasage to Garrucha with the wind behind them. They hoisted the Mainsail and Jib in light winds which soon began to increase, time to reduce sail. The decision made was to lower the mainsail and sail on the large Jib. As the wind increased to force 7 they sat comfortably in the cockpit having lunch. I was happy to meet them as they arrived in Garrucha harbour at 5:30 pm. We very much look forward to their company and hope to help them find a permanent Berth with us in Garrucha. I have noticed a few shallow draft boats have been able to arrange temporary mooring in the new marina, so who knows!!
We look forward to seeing you any Sunday morning at el Rincon del Puerto in Garrucha for a chat and coffee.
Take care.
John Talliss
Tel : 950 475 157
Movil: 658 548 790
E-mail johntalliss@gmail.com
Archived Newsletters