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Santa Irene Club de Vela Newsletter - 23rd November 2005
Hola
So how did my trip to Barcelona go – well in the Santa Irene van it’s about 11 hours and that’s to Cabrera de Mar which is 25km north of Barcelona. It was well worth it, we now have two safety boats, our old faithful “Whiskey” and our new 30hp R.I.B. While I was there I was able to visit the club at Port Mataró where I met the builder of the Patin Catamaran and enjoyed the hospitality of Salvador and his family. The club has about 100 “Patin’s” parked on the playa in front of a superb club house, which I assume has taken many years to create, it’s well worth a visit.
Back to our club – while I was away with Salvador, the lads and Lassies had gentle winds and good sailing. The good news is Gill and George are back from France, so we now have the two Hobie 16’s on the water. On the 12th it was a brisk force 4, never the less, the Hobies – Wave - 470 and Pastinaca with Pilar and Salvador as crew enjoyed the conditions. Our new safety boat was on the water and performed well, while “Whiskey” was on stand-by. Oh! That’s the boat.
I was more than happy to welcome Argan Bailey back to the
fold. He was with us more than a year ago – he was then on his way to
Gibraltar to complete his skipper’s and yacht masters course. Now! he
is skipper of the charter yacht S Y Mira a 70ft sloop with a mast of 30m and
Yes he has climbed it. It’s operating in the Greek Islands so I’ll
doubt we’ll see it in Garrucha.
At the age of 17, Argan crossed the Atlantic in a 60ft sloop, although he is
used to big boats, he’s enjoyed his time with us sailing the Topper and
Catamarans. He is a young man earning his living, doing what he loves. So to
you youngsters give some thought to your future. If your passion is sailing
then count yourself lucky – you can go down the RYA route as Argan did
or there are all kinds of marine studies and degrees you can take now, have
a job, which is your hobby!
The interest in yachting is growing, here in Spain we will have the Americas Cup in Valencia 2007. Also a new round the world race with a crew of two, this is the brainchild of Ellen McArthur and Mark Turner. The start and finish will be Barcelona in 2007, so what a boost for sailing in Spain. Dinghy racing is on the up too, the attendance figures for 2005, saw incredible growth in the UK Nationals, 335 - Optimists, 278 –Topper, 197 Laser Radical. Can it happen here – yes, but we need a few people of vision to make it happen. Our little baby at Santa Irene club is growing, so come and join us!
Oh! Don’t forget the club dinner on the 10th December
2005, at the Puntazo Hotel, Mojacar, Dinner & Dance plus entertainment,
30€, it will be a good evening, Phone Irene on 950 529 399 or Movil 627
656 115 or talk to me.
Take Care
John Talliss
Tel : 950 475 157
Movil: 658 548 790
E-mail John@Sailrway.com
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