Blithfield Sailing Club Blog
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We are open to new members, welcome beginners and as an RYA-recognised training centre, we run training courses for juniors and adults of all abilities. For the more experienced we have a comprehensive club racing programme and host Open Meetings for classes represented at the club. Our blog is your source for all the latest news from our club, updates, stories of the events and sailings and more!
Blithfield Sailing Club Blog
6d ago
Great video produced by Gary Chester (Blithfield Instructor), Tom Davenport (RYA) and compiled by Olivia Simpson (RYA) ...on one of the ..read more
Blithfield Sailing Club Blog
3w ago
A few video's have recently surfaced....The links below are direct links to the Blithfield YouTube page where they are stored. Let's see ..read more
Blithfield Sailing Club Blog
1M ago
Such was the draw of this event, and possibly the popularity of the venue, that the entry list reached the maximum of 70 boats with 2 ..read more
Blithfield Sailing Club Blog
5M ago
There has been a trend as of late, for Merlin Rocket reports to be written using Chat GPT. First we had Chris Gould's Shakespearean piece from day 3 of the 2023 Nationals at Brading Haven (here), which on pressing for more info I found was a quote 'collaboration' between Chris and Chat. Then, more recently, we had Arran Holman's account of the 2023 Inlands at Bartley (here), which was more obviously Chat GPT than a sixth former's homework.Both reports landed well but instead of pieing off all work to a bot, I thought I would do a little myself. Rest assured I have certainly cheated a bit.T ..read more
Blithfield Sailing Club Blog
10M ago
A Buzz from the Blithfield Barrel - Round 3 - 14th Jan 24.
A week ago, the 3rd Barrel Race looked like it would be touch and go for any decent wind. On the day, it delivered a steady-for-Blithfield 8-12 knots from the NW and the chill factor made the bracing 4C temperature feel even lower - and a real test of gloves. A smidgeon of morning rain and a bit of low, late afternoon sunshine all served to remind us it was January.
That said, 33 boats launched for the first race, including 8 Merlins, a VX1, 5 GP14s, and of the 4 Supernovas, one flew the brand new re-designed sail. Despite the ..read more
Blithfield Sailing Club Blog
11M ago
The winter season is a great opportunity to reflect as well as making plans for the season ahead. However, before I do so, I’d like to extend a big thank you to the person who until recently organized the ladies sailing sessions: Tracy Smith. Many thanks Tracy for your time and energy over the years. You always made everyone feel very welcome. Your enthusiasm and passion for the sport is infectious, sailing made fun and informal.
The ladies sailing sessions are just that. Monthly meetings for anyone, whether you have previous experience and wish to refresh your skills, or no experience and ju ..read more
Blithfield Sailing Club Blog
1y ago
10 boats arrived from all over England ranging from Swarkstone to the Medway to the Cotswolds and whilst the weather gods didn’t entirely play ball, they enjoyed a good weekend at Blithfield. They say that different classes have different personalities and this one is definitely a big hearted, good humoured one. With an excellent hog roast and Richard Hartley of Hartley Boats acting as Master of Ceremonies serving wine, the Saturday evening meal was a triumph. As ever, no success is independent of the people that make it and a team of 13 led by Andy Watterson (and not forgetting those that ha ..read more
Blithfield Sailing Club Blog
1y ago
https://youtu.be/9Ti48to0QpY
Video & editting bt Marc ..read more
Blithfield Sailing Club Blog
1y ago
The forecast for the day was for a fresh westerly breeze and a bit of sunshine, perfect for Blithfield.
Twenty-one competitors set out for the start of Race 1 which began almost on time after some quick mark and line moving as the breeze settled from south west to more of the forecast westerly direction. The race team set a course attempting to use every inch of sailable water on Blithfield.
Matt Thursfield led around the windward mark closely followed by Alex Reeve & Andy Flitcroft, the places stayed close on the first run but began to open out by the end of the second beat. By the end o ..read more
Blithfield Sailing Club Blog
1y ago
Blithfield sailing club hosted their round of the Midland Merlin Rocket circuit on the 2nd July, preceding this event on Saturday 1st the club hosted a Merlin training day attended by about 10 teams eager to hone their rigs & skills, unfortunately it was a bit windy so only the team of Rob Kennough & Andrew Prosser went for a sail. The rest of the teams spent time checking over rig settings & discussing all things, Merlin!
Sunday dawned and any hopes of a gentle sail soon diminished as it was again a bit windy. It was in fact so windy it was all a bit of a blur. Rob & Andrew g ..read more