SAILING CLUB
Sunset Series is a spring and summer evening, dinghy training and racing series for members of the Dabchicks Sailing Club. Racing in fast handicap and slow handicap fleets is available for all ages; training takes place for young sailors from the age of 8. Dates for your diary and an application form are given later, but important information is written below. If you do not read it all then you may find your application rejected
The training fleets are:
- Optimist Port Fleet, these are the beginners and must have reached the age of 8 by 1st May of the year, which they wish to start.
- Optimist Starboard Fleet, these usually in their second year of sailing and working to an agenda at a level of RYA 1 and 2.
- Optimist Bronze fleet, these are usually in their third year and working towards level 3/4.
- Optimist Silver Fleet, these are the fleet which is starting to learn to race their boats and are looking at Zone level.
- Optimist Gold Fleet , these are the hotshot racers.
Full details of how the fleets are organised is available by reading the document
There is also one further training fleets:
- Jade Fleet, this is a training fleet for two man dinghies and singlehanders who are wishing to improve their skills and racing techniques. In 2008 these will train on Tuesday evening but may race in Slow Handicap on Wednesday
We encourage all those sailors in Optimist Silver fleet, Optimist Gold Fleet and Jade fleet to take part in Club racing whether it is held at the weekend or the Sundowner series. Please refer to the annual programme for more details.
The whole of the training is run using volunteers and members of the club and with numbers of participants in
the region of 100 it is mandatory that parents of the children contribute to the running of the series. There
are a variety of jobs, which need to be undertaken, and these are:
- At least one duty in the galley, this is not a mum preserve both mum and dad are encouraged and training is given. If you do not volunteer for a week then you will be put on the rota and expected to be there.
- Launching on the beach, there is a beach master, but in order to maximise the amount of time on the water we need to launch the young people quickly. Boots/waders are useful, no good clothes and be prepared for mud. Full training is given and please do not just look after your own child.
- Coaches, if you have experience as an instructor or racing coach then please contact Paul Jackson.
- Race officer’s team, the race officers are always looking for people to help them with the racing and the results, if you would like to help then please contact him/her.
- Safety boat crew and drivers, this area is part of the event, which is important for the safety of the people on the water. With the potential for there to be 100 boats on the water we need a lot of them. If you have a boat and are willing to help then please speak with Paul Jackson
The registration date can be found by clicking here and you will find a link to the registration form here.
Please use it and complete the form as much as you can prior to the registration evening.
Numbers will be limited this year to 120 boats and registration forms will only be accepted on Registration evening. This means you must attend registration evening. We know that this is harsh but in order for this event to work we need people to attend the first evening.
Registration form available here from 2/2/08
There has been passed at the last AGM a change to the membership rules. It is now mandatory that a cadet up to the age of 16 years old has an adult member in the club as well. If you have any doubts about your status then please contact the membership secretary or Alan Roberts who will advise.
