Commodore’s Report

ByJeff

Now that the winter is over, we will hopefully enjoy a far better summer than last year which will enable us all to get out onto the water and have lots of fun.

We have new Stewards who started at the Club just before Easter and we wish George and Linda Dykes the very best in their new venture. As we all know working here at the Club and keeping everyone happy is a challenging job! If you have any comments or suggestions please pass them on to our Vice Commodore, Heather Ibotson. May we take this opportunity to remind Members that only food purchased from the Stewards may be consumed on Club premises.

Training courses at the clubhouse are back on the agenda so please sign up to learn new skills or to refresh existing ones. The initial course run this year was the First Aid course on 2nd April. Please keep an eye on the Club website and emails for future courses.

We have now provided some facilities for children in the end room of the clubhouse so the whole family can now come down and enjoy time together at the Club. Parents are reminded that children do need to be supervised at all times please.

The ever popular adult dinghy training on Tuesday nights will continue. Wednesday evening keelboat racing needs a lot more support this year. Handicap, 707 and white sail racing can all be accommodated so please come along and join in. Dinghy racing on Thursday evenings has a strong and active contingent and is very competitive and will no doubt thrive again this season. Junior sailing will take place again on Friday evenings and is, as always, very well supported.

During the winter months Yoga classes have been held at the clubhouse and these will soon be joined by Art and Spanish classes. Please look out for notices about these and possible other classes on the website and emails.

Now is a particularly good time to join the Helford River Sailing Club as the joining fee has been reduced to £10 so please encourage your friends to join.

We have an active social calendar planned for this summer as you will see later on in this Newsletter. Notable amongst the events are the L’Aber Wrac’h Champagne Party on Thursday 23rd June and the Falmouth Week Helford Regatta Day on Sunday 7th August. Please come along and support your Club and our new Stewards.

Finally may I wish all Members a very happy and fun-packed summer both on and off the water and I am looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible down at the clubhouse.

Mark Buckley – Commodore

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L’Aber Wrac’h Race Report | 2023

ByElise Atkin

The 62nd Helford to L’Aber Wrac’h race was held on 23rd June 2023 This year we had thirteen yachts, 6 French and 7 English, taking on the challenge of the Channel crossing, with 11 boats crossing the finish line. 

The wind was changeable, starting with a good breeze on the nose, which then went Westerly and variable near the French coast in the morning, the ultimate boat taking 3 hours to go six miles. 

The 1st five yachts finished within within 32 minutes of each other, a credit to the handicap committee. Only two boats retired, one motoring on to L’Aber Wrac’h, seeing seven pods of dolphins and two whales on the way and the other returning to Helford.

The prizegiving was held at the Yacht Club des Abers with a speech by David Kerlan, Mayor of Landeda & L’Aber Wrac’h and Rob Hewett, representing HRSC. Rob and Sue Hewett presented the prizes.

RACE RESULTS – The Winners

1st Calypso Jean Francoise Caraes

2nd  & Sundancer Trophy for 1st Helford Yacht –  Xenia Paddy Royall 

3rd Atahualpa David Guillam

Marie Jo Trophy was awarded to James Christie on Xenia, as the youngest competitor in the race.

The Bobby Martin Trophy for the 1st Yacht under 30” was awarded to Chris Clark on Grand Cru

FULL RACE RESULTS

Thanks must go to Daniel Dagorn, for the Prizegiving photographs and the YCA for the Race reception. Also to Rob Hewett, Anthony Jenkin, Johnny Walker, John Mills for Race Organization, and those who arranged and helped with a great Champagne reception.

GOONHILLY EARTH STATION – TALK – 17th Jan 8pm

ByElise Atkin

Join us this Wednesday evening from 8pm for a fascinating talk from Ian Jones, CEO of Goonhilly Earth Station, as he discusses his work at Goonhilly, along with sharing some fascinating and entertaining facts.

Our bar will be open as usual so come along early and mingle with other members alongside the beautiful Helford River.

Food available from 18:00-19:30 – a choice between a curry, a burger or fish & chips! Please book food in advance on 01326 231606 or via email [email protected]

COVID 19 UPDATE

ByJeff

We have regrettably decided to close the clubhouse until the current lockdown is eased. We will be working to open as soon as possible. Please keep an eye out for further updates.

Helford River Sailing Club

Pontoon Open

ByStephen Brooks

Thanks to a massive effort by HRSC Commodore JC Bolitho and his teams, and indeed Falmouth Divers, by the 20th April:

Pontoon was open for business – MIND the GAP between the Quay & Repaired Bridge.
Dinghy Park, largely cleared Racks repaired
Dinghy Racing Marks refurbished, set & racing began in glorious sunshine
Wayfarers repaired and rejuvenated
Wayfarer, Drascombe, Safety & Committee moorings redesigned & replaced.
Committee & Safety  boats overhauled and improved to an exceptional standard.

Now’s the time to pat each other on the backs,  shake hands by way of thank you,  get out on the water,  and celebrate the season to come when greeting old, new friends and holiday makers alike.

If the Helford is not an elixir of life – what is?

er, yer dont have to drink it, just immerse, something which racers, canoeists and swimmers do willingly (mostly)

 

Memories of Johnny Blunden Founder Member of HRSC

ByElise Atkin

Rodney Myers has been in touch with the club to advise us that Johnny Blunden died aged 99 on his 99th birthday in early February.

Johnny was a founder member of the club in 1948. Rodney Myers and his sister Jane will be attending his funeral on March 4th at 2pm at Urchfont village church.

Rodney has kindly sent us these memories and a photo of Johnny to share with you, the members of HRSC.

The club was formed by a small bunch of enthusiasts in 1948 when Culdrose Air Station opened. They were very helpful & used to race their whalers on the Helford. The group who got the club started were Mr Kirby, Johnny Blunden, Bets Williams (then Betty Danby) Mary Gardiner, Peter Danby & Robin Momber. Bets is the sole survivor now. She was 19 years old in 1948 & now lives in Constantine, having lost 2 husbands. The committee originally met in a room at Selangor, Bar Road, where Bets lived with John Edwards (they were married). They needed more space, so my parents invited them to come to Trewince for meetings & social occasions & they got very involved in the development of HRSC. Johnny was a pilot at Culdrose flying Venoms & other prop planes & jets such as the Sea Vixen. He became great chums with my parents who sailed & raced an old gaff cutter called Otter. There is a framed photo of Otter in the club.

Trewince Hotel became almost a second mess for the young officers & Saturday nights was food, drink, dancing & party time. Several unfit to return to base so the large sofas were often occupied until breakfast time!

As a youngster Blunden was a bit of a hero for being a pilot of a jet, plus he had a lovely old Riley with running boards (always breaking down) plus he was a good sailor & became a huge family friend. He was Godfather to my younger sister who was christened at Culdrose. So, a long association & I last met him a few months ago on our way up country for a pub lunch.

Best Wishes to you & the club.

Rodney