Blog

So the worst possible time for the tractor to stop working is when you’re already in the sea up to the foot plates launching a RIB and the tide is coming in fast!  Yep, that was us this morning, running to the jeep grabbing any decent length of rope on the way.  Thankfully the trusty Rav4 had enough grip to pull the tractor out of the sea.  Jump started her on the beach, took her to DGP Garage for a quick test of the alternator… as I suspected it isn’t working.  Trip to Auto Electrics at White Hoe at lunchtime methinks.

I must try to write something here every day, I must try to write something here every day…..

Nine juniors took part in our annual regatta on Saturday afternoon in steady conditions at Port Erin.  Four races were sailed, James Arnold in his Tera Pro showed good form from the start, he won the series hands down with a bullet in every race.  Leah Jay came a close second place overall.

First time racers Ross Arnold, Steven Arnold and Peter Cope had a great little competition in the Taz fleet with positions changing frequently.  Steven finished race 3 in an incredible second place beaten only by big brother James.  In the end it was Peter Cope who took overall victory in the Taz fleet, but only on countback, he and Steven had actually finished on equal points.  These three guys had the biggest smiles on their faces having completed their first ever regatta – it was great to see!

Racing in the Topaz fleet was pretty relaxed, the breeze filled in by the final race to provide a bit more excitement for older sailors,  Matthew Billinghurst, Ryan Hollreiser and Tom Bowman.  Matthew finished first in this fleet and fourth place in the overall standings.  Ryan was doing well until a rules infringement saw him do a 720 turn and lose a few places.  Tom Bowman’s best result was sixth place in race 3.

Results:

1st: James Arnold (Tera Pro)  4 points

2nd: Leah Jay (Tera Sport) 9 points

3rd: Will Henthorn (Tera Pro) 15 points

4th: Matthew Billinghurst (Topaz) 16 points

5th: Peter Cope (Taz) 23 points

5th: Steven Arnold (Taz) 23 points

7th: Ryan Hollreiser (Topaz) 25 points

8th: Ross Arnold (Taz) 32 points

9th: Tom Bowman (Topaz) 33 points

I can’t believe it – 8 years since we opened the shop and here we are still going strong 🙂 Keep sailing folks!

RS Tera Start of Season Championships

Seventy Six Boats from around the UK took part in the start of season championship which was held at Northampton sailing club, with seven sailors from the Island taking part.

The first race on Saturday was a shifty and overcast affair of around 10 Knots, with the race team, setting a great course in the Southerly breeze. First away were the PRO fleet with twenty-five boats taking part with Erin Murphy ,Ffinlo Wright, Matthew Perry and James Arnold who was making his first appearance in a National event.

The Sport fleet included Manx Sport Aid recipient Ben Batchelor along with brothers Patrick and Alec Cope. Ben chased the leader all the way finishing 3rd. A quick break for lunch and then back out for another two races back to back with increased breeze and some strong gusts in beautiful sunshine, a perfect sailing afternoon.

In the PRO fleet after three races Erin had a score of 13,16,18. Ffinlo had 15,21,and an excellent sixth place. Matthew was carrying 21,11,20, and James 22,24,26.

In the SPORT fleet Ben had scored a 3,7,3. with Patrick carrying 16,22,9. Alec had scored 19,51,22.

Sunday dawned with a slightly decreased breeze but from the North East, blowing straight over the trees on the Eastern shore, a slightly different challenge for the race team, it was very shifty, and a very different challenge for the sailors, dealing with shift, gusts, bend and holes.

In the Sport fleet, Ben took his first ever race win in a National competition , with Patrick getting a very good eight place, and Alec scoring a well earned 11th place. For the Pro fleet Ffinlo highest place was a sixth, Erin best result was a 10th with Matthew it was 11th place and James was 22nd.

Overall results after six race the Pro fleet Erin came 17th with Ffinlo 18th,Matthew 21st and James 24th.

In the Sport fleet Ben came 4th overall with Patrick 15th and Alec 22nd

The Manx Youth Sailing Squad would like to thank their sponsors the IOM Steam Packet and Equiom for all their help, along with Seventh Wave and the Isle Of Man Yacht Club.

We are now taking bookings for Youth Sailing Weeks in 2014 and already enquiries are rolling in.  Youth Sailing Weeks run during all school holidays from Easter through to September.  These weeks are great fun and an exciting way for kids to learn to sail with people their own age.  We provide a safe and enjoyable environment for youngsters to get on the water.

Please contact us if you would like further information or to make a booking…..

NOTICE OF RACE

Port Erin Beach Festival 13th & 14th July 2013.
7th Wave Sail for Gold Regatta

Racing to take place in Port Erin Bay, prize-giving at 7th Wave after racing on 14th July

Rules
The series will be governed The Racing Rules of Sailing.

Eligibility
The series is open to sailing dinghies with a current PY number. Competitors must be under 18 years of age on the days of racing.

Start Times and Races
Racing will take place in Port Erin Bay. The start time is 14.00 on Saturday 13th July, three races will be sailed back to back. The start time on Sunday is 10.30 with two races to be sailed back to back.

Registration, Entry Fees and Measurement
Registration will take place at 7th Wave from 12.45pm on 13th July. Entry is free of charge.
Boats will conform to their respective Class Rules. Competitors are encouraged to bring their own boats. 7th Wave boats can be used for the event, boats must be booked before 12.00pm on Friday 12th July.

Sailing Instructions
Will be available at registration. There will be a briefing for competitors at 1.15pm on 13th July at 7th Wave.

Scoring
Five races will be sailed with one discard if all five races are completed. The low points scoring system will be used.

Prizes
Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places overall, the best new-comer not already winning a prize and the best improver in the series not already winning a prize.

The Prize Giving will be held on the stage outside the Bay Hotel after racing on Sunday at approximately 1pm.

To register or book a boat please email jen@7thwave-iom.com before noon on Friday 12th July.

Ffinlo Wright and Ben Batchelor competed at the RS Tera Southern Championship this weekend in Highcliffe, Brighton.

Having won the recent Northern Champs at his home Club Ben was hungry for a good result at the Southern’s too. His best individual race result was 2nd, but overall he had sailed a consistent series to finish in the prizes in 3rd place overall.

Ffinlo found the competition more tough in the Pro fleet, he did manage to score a race win on the the Sunday but with mixed results Ffinlo finished in 7th place overall.

This is a very good effort from the lads who are hoping for National and World Championship success this season…

The kill cord is there to protect you

Following the publication of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch’s Safety Bulletin 1/2013 today (17 May) the RYA is reminding everyone driving powerboats and RIBs to wear a kill cord.

In its bulletin the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) says that the RIB involved in the tragic accident in Padstow over the May Bank Holiday was fitted with a kill cord but that it was not attached to the driver at the time.

Always attach the kill cord to the driver

All owners and operators of such vessels fitted with a kill cord to should:
Test them regularly to ensure that the engine stops when the kill cord mechanism is operated
Make sure that the cord is in good condition
Always attach the cord to the driver, ideally before the engine is started, but certainly before the engine is put in gear
When changing drivers it is strongly recommended that you should turn the engine off before transferring the kill cord from one driver to the other. The engine should only be restarted when the kill cord has been securely attached to the new driver.
It’s there to protect you

Richard Falk, RYA Training Manager and Chief Examiner said: “The kill cord serves only one vital purpose, to stop the engine when the driver moves away from the controls for whatever reason.”

“No one wants a repeat of this tragic accident and so the RYA is urging everyone driving a powerboat, RIB or personal watercraft to make sure that they attach the kill cord around their leg before they switch on their engine.”

“In this type of boat a kill cord is just as important as wearing a lifejacket or buoyancy aid. Both are there to protect you”.

You can read the MAIB Safety Bulletin 1/2013 on the MAIB website.

The purpose of an MAIB Safety Bulletin is to communicate any safety lessons that have been identified from an incident prior to the full report on an investigation being published.

Excited about the IOM Sports Awards tomorrow night, with sailing nominated in both the Coaches category and RS Tera World Champion Greg Kelly nominated in the Under 21 Sportsman of the Year.

Fingers crossed for Greg, he really has had superb year. The fourteen year old started the season with a fourth at the RS Tera Nationals. He went on to win the RS Tera World Championship with a race to spare and completed the season with a win at the Inlands as well. His achievements were recognised by the RYA and in January he was presented with the RYA North-West Regional Sailor of the Year Award.

A team of us attended the Awards in 2010, when James Kelly was RS Tera World Champion, it was a really inspiring evening and a great celebration of amazing success stories in Manx sport. Needless to say I’m really looking forward to it…