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Combs Sailing Club Newsletter
No 236 May 2015
The traditional warm reception at Glossop for the High Peak Regatta, and Combs’ first ever victory there.
Commodores Notes
Having been a member of Combs Sailing Club for quite a number of years, I never fail to be impressed by the
commitment shown by the membership when called upon to help out at our various club functions. A smashing
example of this was the Open Day on May 9th. The club was prepared and spruced up in the proceeding week by our
regular OHC members and our excellent new helper Jonathan Lawton.
Whilst the weather on the day was not the best, the many members who turned up to help worked extremely hard
to make the day a real success. Over thirty visitors experience dinghy sailing and we attracted a number of new
members to the club. Club members also baked a selection of superb cakes, which we sold along with a drink which
raised the magnificent sum of £118.5 for our nominated charity of the day Sail 4 Cancer.
Sailing on our home water, can as we know be delightful. Superb scenery and friendly competition on the water. But
as a club we have always encouraged members to sail on the Open Circuits and the many National and International
events which are held each season. Ok it can be a hassle de rigging the boat and loading it onto a road base but the
rewards in the terms of the sailing experience can make it worthwhile.
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As I have mentioned on numerous occasions, I find starting in a fleet of fifty Supernovas so much more enjoyable
than the melee that can develop in a menagerie fleet of just ten dinghies. You get to experience large open waters
and varied course configurations which really makes you think about sailing. If you have not sailed away from the
club, give it a go, I am sure you will enjoy it.
No strangers to the Open circuit are the Reid family. Stalwarts of the Javelin class they have been European
Champions and held numerous other trophies. The family baton has been handed down to the current helm and
crew Stuart and Neil who will be competing at Carsington in this seasons Nationals. If they don't perform to the
expected standards we have Rosie an Eddie coming through the Combs ranks and they would no doubt be delighted
to oust either dad Neil or uncle Stuart.
Some good news on the Wooden Hut replacement programme. After what seems an age of trying and no end of
bureaucracy the High Peak Borough Council has finally given us permission to replace the wooden hut. I will keep you
informed of the development as it progresses..
You will have noted that the recently purchased defibrillator has been sited on the wall at the changing room
entrance. Whilst we hope this piece of equipment is never needed, given our remote location we feel this equipment
is necessary for the club. A number of club members have kindly agreed to attend a defibrillator resuscitation course
given by East Midlands Ambulance Service.
Can I offer the warmest of Combs welcomes to our new members the Hillesdon family Derek, Emma, Holly and Harry.
Bob Pyett
Open Day (Push the Boat Out.
Every year Combs Sailing Club holds its annual open day. This is usually a jolly affair where families gambol in the
sunshine whilst eating cake and riding in boats. We had the rides this year and lots of cake but sunshine was sadly
lacking. Luckily the wind which had been strong moderated as the day proceeded making it all possible. These days
the RYA wish to gather all the registered clubs together and present open days under the banner of RYA ‘Push the
Boat Out’. This means that the event is earlier in the year than previously which makes the weather less reliable.
It was a success however as some of those families who drifted down the drive obviously appreciated our efforts and
signed up. John Saunders
High Peak Regatta - John Saunders reports from the usual blustery Torrside
Checking the forecast over the week leading up to the High Peak Regatta things were not looking promising! Average
wind speed at 17mph gusting to 41, wind like that at Glossop with a Trophy to defend made retention an uphill task!
All our boats and sailors reported for duty on the morning of Saturday May 16th to see Torrside Reservoir streaked
with foam from end to end and waves breaking on the slipway, “God this is a terrible place”. After rigging boats in
the comparative calm of the dinghy park with the wind howling in the trees above us (and no smell of bacon) it was
time to get racing underway. The four Combs Bytes of Rick, Louis, Alex and Andy were off first bucking over the
waves and crashing into the troughs. Louis’ in his glamorous black boat soon established a lead over Rick who in turn
was leading Alex and Andy. Two minutes after the Byte start a Glossop OK dinghy started. We have seen this sailor
before and know how fast he is under these conditions.
As Louis and Rick reached the top end of the lake they realised how harsh the conditions were. Louis little Byte just
screamed downwind with Louis sitting on the transom in clouds of spray. Rick looked safer but slower - caution
seemed the best option! Alex and Andy who had held things together upwind now found themselves totally out of
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control with loads of speed but always ending spectacularly in very big splashes. Andy managed two laps but was
drained of strength retiring back to the clubhouse. Alex made it back down the lake in a series of uncontrolled
reaches but upon attaining the more sheltered end of the lake she decided to play. Sheltered is a comparative term
of course! At the end of her fun reach she stuck her nose out into the ‘jet stream’ and was blown down behind the
club with her mast pointing variously up or down. She made it back and retired.
Meanwhile all our other boats had started, Russell and
Kevin in Supernova’s, Chris Wooley in his Radial, Eric and
Julie in the blue Albacore and finally the brothers Reid in
their Javelin. The Supernovi circulated looking fast and
amazingly cool (although they assure me this was not the
case). Chris seemed to look comfortable and Eric and Julie
were incredibly fast downwind in the big blue boat. Mike
Craddock launched his Phantom and began his progress to
the line only to return with a halliard breakage, probably a
good thing! The Reid boys left the line in company with
Richard and Kathrine Smith from Glossop who are multiple
class championships and sailing a boat at least 100 years
younger than the orange deck Reid boat which has been in
the family for many years. As the pursuit race drew to a
close the Smiths were winning from the Reid boys with the
OK in third and Louis in fourth. All the other boats tailed in
with Kevin, Chris and Russell completing the course.
Over lunch with conditions worsened if anything, many
boats deciding to stay off the water Eric remembered that
an Albacore can sail three up and recruited Alex to share the
front seat with Julie in this roomy boat. Three up it all
looked a lot more manageable, but just as fast. Louis and
Rick were now the only Bytes sailing and Louis, aware of the
OK only two minutes behind sailed away from Rick.
The Combs fleet was somewhat diminished now with only Louis, Rick, Neil and Stuart Reid, Eric, Julie and Alex in the
Albacore. Again a wild race ensued with Louis fantastically fast on the reaches. In fact he admitted that he had never
gone so fast in a Byte! The faster-rated OK did get in front of him as expected but he fought back and regained the
lead. It was inevitably only short lived, Louis was fast downwind but the ungainly Ok was just so stable on the beats
and it’s helm was making full use of this advantage. Rick once again sailed super cool never looking ruffled. The Reid
boys looked awesome leading the Smiths who then capsized on a gybe letting our boys build a healthy lead and relax
a little through to the end where they were the leading boat from the OK and Louis. The final drama of the race was
after the finish. Rick was landing his boat when the OK behind him in the surf capsized, the top of the mast hitting
him squarely on top of the head. [ Sadly, we have no photos of this event, unlike JS in the last edition ! RS ]
Everyone who saw it winced at the impact, not least Rick who stood in the waves with blood dripping down his face.
We managed to stop the bleeding and he was fine but it was a real crack at the end of a long day. What makes it
worse was that the damage was inflicted by that pesky OK which had been so much trouble during the racing. It was
of course a simple accident caused by the extreme conditions. There should have been a full third race but no one
from Glossop had any heart for it so Louis and the Haslingden/Bowden trio took to the water and sailed one lap. This
gave Combs SC the points needed to retain the High Peak Trophy. A great result on an amazing day.
As well as Ricks thick head Neil skinned his fingers and every one was covered in bumps and bruises. Then there was
the hypothermia……
Louis’ famous ‘ win or swim’ approach off wind
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A number of our members drove over to offer support and I am sure that everyone sailing appreciated this. It just
goes to show the depth of talent and determination at Combs Sailing Club across a broad spread of classes and the
friendly support and enthusiasm we all enjoy – especially from the shore !
Alex and Russell among the waves A rare moment of calm in the Reid boat.
Combs GP open - Fun and Games
Back in early April we had the GP open, freezing cold, blowing dogs and generally miserable. I think only five boats
registered on an unpleasant morning. Our own Peter Gardiner and Sue Lucas-Wooley, Neil and Rosy Read (father
and daughter team extrordiniare) Martin Brennan and Alistair Knott from Hollinworth, a father and son from West
Lancs and another mixed sex team from Leigh and Lowton.
The Leigh and Lowton team decided to shelter in the clubhouse, sensible move. Rosie was lifted screaming into the
sinister black GP and sailed all the way to the line (screaming), then came back from the line (screaming) where we
lifted her back out of the boat (still screaming) and gave her comfort (she stopped screaming.) All eyes were now
turned on her evil father (who looked sheepish). I believe Sue would have screamed as well but her make-up would
have run so she and Peter continued. Martin Brennan and Alisdair Knott looked very cool having done it all before in
all conditions as did the father and son from West Lancs.
Everyone got off the line ok and aimed for eight. This is when the fun started, Brennan and Knott were fully hiked
and going well, suddenly they hit one of those ‘only out of 8 headers’ and promptly fell in backwards. I could feel
their shock from 100 yards away, they have sailed all over the World and just do not fall in! Andy Sant and Jenn Lamb
sauntered over in the patrol boat as they struggled to right the high floating GP. But what was happening now?
Martin Brennan was obviously in distress bouncing up and down in the water and shouting, “get me out, get me
out”! Andy and Jenn grabbed him under the arms and pulled only to find him unnaturally heavy. Had he put on
weight? No, he had forgotten to zip up his dry suit after a pre race toilet break and was filling up fast! Eventually they
hauled him into the rib and drained him. Andy drove him in while Jenn transferred into the GP and sailed in with
Alisdair Knott.
Meanwhile the racing, now with only two competitors, continued and was won by the West Lancs boat from Peter
and Sue. A plate of chilli warmed everyone up and race two got under way only to be won by the West Lancs pair
from Peter and Sue. Sensibly that was the end of racing and a good job too! West Lancs took the day with Peter and
Sue in second and taking the coveted Combs trophy being the fastest home boat. I believe Mrs Lucas-Wooley
enjoyed the day but needed much soothing balm to heal the bruises.
Thanks must go to the OOD, was it Rick? Jenn and Andy on rescue, whoever made the chilli, central heating, Typhoon
dry suits and the Beehive. John Saunders
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Byte Open Haversham
John wrote an article on the Byte open that was published in Y&Y.
After much IT jiggery pokery I have managed to reproduce it below in its full Y&Y regalia. RS
Peter Quayle opts for a roll-tack
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The Nationals referred to above are this weekend on the S Wales Coast at Cardiff. Forecast is for light winds on
Saturday and a good breeze reaching around 20 mph on Sunday, so spare a thought for Team Combs at this
prestigious event. RS
Now for something rather different - some extra curricular activities. [ Scroll down / turn the page gently !]
As members of a sailing club it is obvious that our members will be principally known for their sailing ability
(or lack of it), but some participants are also prominent in other fields. Richard Silson can be seen acting
with the Buxton Drama League, Sue Sloan draws animal portraits in pastel, but the principal alternative
occupation seems to be music.
Sue Lucas Wooley sings with the Buxton Musical Society, Peter Quayle is a popular operatic tenor and Alex
Bowden sings lead with Heartbeat Barbershop Chorus and it is this I am writing about. Deep breath
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Heartbeat are both successful and entertaining, recently their dedication was recognised when they won a
Gold Meda l at the National Women's Barbershop competition. Let me put this into context. Heartbeat are
now Number one in Britain (and a little bit of Northern Europe ). On a point scoring basis they are also
fifteenth in the World Wide Sweet Adeline Barbershop Movement.
Most people think of Barbershop as a few men in a black and white film singing close harmony but nothing
could be further from the truth. Imagine ( or glance upwards ) seventy women in a shimmer of sparkle,
colour and movement producing a close harmony sound which is both complex and exciting, and totally
unaccompanied. Just pure entertainment for the sake of entertainment.
As Gold Medal winners and National Champions Heartbeat are eligible to compete next year in the World
Championships in Las Vegas. So 2016 will see Alex Bowden swapping her wetsuit for sequins and jetting
off to Vegas with the girls from Marple!
Heartbeat are normally a 'competition chorus' and public performances are infrequent although a number of
our members have been lucky enough to see them and have been suitably impressed. Luckily for us this is
about to change as public performances are planned to help raise money for the expensive trip to Nevada.
When these happen I would encourage members to attend.
You will not be disappointed! John Saunders