Reports 2013

Members of the Gunfleet Sailing Club were greeted by blue skies and unbroken sunshine last Sunday afternoon 7 April when they took part in the second race of the Spring Series, although a cold south easterly breeze ensured a low wind chill factor.  Twelve boats took to the water including, once again, a number of Cadets.  First casualty was Sonny Hart in his Solution when a technical problem with his centreboard forced him to retire.

Members of the Gunfleet Sailing Club celebrated the start of the 2013 sailing season over the Easter Weekend when they packed the Clubhouse on Saturday evening for the Fitting-Out Supper.  Following the traditional fish and chip meal Commodore Richard Walker thanked everyone for their support over the bleak winter months and looked forward to a full and varied programme of events in the months to come.

Despite the rotten weather it was good to see so many members coming down to the Club over the weekend of 16/17 March to help get the old place “spruced-up” for the start of the 2013 season.  The smell of creosote and the gentle sound of a breaker preparing the ground for a new Topper rack, left one’s senses very alert to the enthusiastic activity at the Gunfleet.  The Clubhouse and the Changing Rooms were given a good “going-over” and, as well as maintaining the existing facilities, it was good to see a number of improvements being carried-out.

There was love in the air down at the Gunfleet on Saturday 16 February when the Club held a Valentine’s Party.  The evening kicked-off with a competition for the youngsters as they busily made Valentine’s Cards, resulting in some really imaginative designs.  The older members of the Club then paired-up to answer a whole host of questions on a “love theme” before the arrival of the food – pizza, garlic bread and doughnuts.  There then followed the highlight of the evening, a Mr. & Mrs. competition with several couples taking part.

Last Saturday 9 February twenty-eight members came down to the Gunfleet to help cut back the tamarisk on the cliff.  Starting at 9:00 a.m. the group worked its way from Star Point to the very tip of the West Compound, and by lunchtime the whole place was free of overgrowth.  After a very tasty and warming lunch, put on by the Rear Commodore and his wife, the group concluded by undertaking a litter-pick; leaving a smart and tidy cliff, and preparing the Club for the start of the sailing season.

Gunfleet had a “House Full” sign up on Saturday 12 January when Teams of six took part in the 2013 Quiz Night.  Quizmaster Ian Power set some varied and interesting questions and the Teams went head to head throughout the evening.  At the halfway stage it looked like being anyone’s game and as the 60 members tucked into their finger food all thoughts were on the next round.  All too soon the final round was over, the answers checked, the scores added up and the winning Team declared – Carol, Yolande, Rachel, Mark, Charlie and Harry – officially the Gunfleet Brainboxes.