Newsletter - 2020
Teesdale Sailing and Watersports Club 2020 Newsletter We thought that Members may like a newsletter to provide an update on current plans and activities, especially with so many unable to sail this year. We, along with the rest of the world, have had a very disruptive year. Plans made ... changed ... postponed … cancelled … re-made and re-cancelled … and that was just Tuesday! The good news is that the works to reinforce the dam have broadly remained on track, to be completed by the end of this year. The reservoir should be refilled for the 2021 season. The new boat park and slipway should make it easier to launch and recover boats, and we are lucky Northumbria Water have been so accommodating and supportive. After the double disruption of essential dam repairs and the wider chaos caused by COVID, we can but hope that we will be able to enjoy a full season of sailing in 2021. As usual, we have a ‘close-down’ procedure to run through for the end of season, and this will take place on the first two Sundays of November (1st and 8th), assuming we are permitted under whatever regulations regarding social distancing are in place at the time. It would be great to see Members at one of these days (assuming you are symptom-free, not shielding etc) to help ensure we are ready for the Teesdale winter.
to rescue them when the possibility arises. As contractors continue to work, including on Saturdays, we are trying to arrange collection of personal boats for the Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th November.
We have a few new faces in the Committee including a new race officer in the form of James Hewitt, who is looking to try to get as many people as possible involved in club racing, and hopefully set up a few junior competitions—if only so the adults don’t always end up losing to them! A big thank you to members – and their families - for their support to the Club this year - whether paying up for full membership, painting and repairing, clearing up and maintaining the grounds, looking after club boats, or working behind the scenes with the dreaded paperwork – it is greatly appreciated. The aim in 2021 is to try to encourage people back to the Club and increase membership generally. Finally, but unsurprisingly, we are not running a Club social this year, and wish Members a good winter season – we look forward to seeing you at the Club in 2021.
Anthony Tubbs, Club Commodore.
It is unclear when we will be able to get our safety boats off the water at this point, although we will try at the working parties – if not, perhaps a later ‘working party’ may be needed 1
Newsletter - 2020
The New Slipway under Construction
Shoreline Development Work at the reservoir started in August 2019 - to reinforce the dam wall and create a permanently slightly lower reservoir. Northumbrian Water expect the total project to complete by August 2022. Thankfully, the works providing us a new waterside boat park and slipway will be complete in 2020, and the new ‘normal’ water levels will be established in time for the start of the 2021 season. The current lower water level is down 4 metres or so from normal, with a noticeable sandbank just off to the left (looking down from the Clubhouse). This ‘spit’ forms a natural defence to our new launch area, assuming the usual prevailing south-westerly. However, the spit could cause grounding issues, even
when the reservoir has been refilled. As a result, the Club are installing three additional buoys that will permanently mark the heights 271, 272 and 273 metres (above sea level). Northumbria Water expect the reservoir to be full at 274 metres (well, 273.89m, but good luck spotting the difference!). So when full the buoys will be at 3m, 2m, and 1m water depth. Northumbrian Water expect the reservoir will usually operate in the range 273-274 metres. Obviously at the bottom of this range, the end buoy will only be in 2 metres of water. We will be colour co-ordinating the buoys with markings on the new slipway. Hopefully this should make more sense when we see it next year!
The New Shoreline and Buoys 2
Newsletter - 2020
Shoreline Development In terms of the new facilities for the Club, Northumbria Water have used the former disabled parking area together with the area beyond (to the south west), as a new additional boat park for us. This includes a wider launch ramp. Fencing will be erected around this with double gates to access the ramp. The new area has been laid to hardcore. The ‘start of season’ work days are likely to require a lot of thought as to what goes where and how it is best secured. This is provisionally booked in for the 21st and 28th March, with Easter being the 4th April. There are therefore some likely additional costs to factor into next year,
expected to be a ‘one-off’ as we get back up and running. Hopefully, at the end of this year or early next, a new wooden shed will be erected at the foot of the boat park as a home for the safety boats, and trailer park will be levelled to provide a camping area and event space. Next year Northumbria Water will be filling in a valley on the far side of the reservoir, pretty much opposite our boat park. Water levels and our sailing should not be affected by this work.
A Sunny Day in Teesdale
2020-2021 - Key Dates Collection of own boats – 7th and 8th November.
End of season close down – 8th and 15th November.
Start of season working party - 21st and 28th March with Easter being4th April. 3
Newsletter - 2020
Grassholme Cup This year with low water levels at Grassholme Reservoir, and
Covid-19 restrictions it has been difficult to keep the idea of sailing in Teesdale alive, yet despite a decidedly unhelpful weather forecast a small but determined company of sailors recently turned up to compete for the Grassholme Cup. The cup was originally presented to Teesdale Sailing Club by Northumbrian Water back in 1988 when work on Selset Reservoir necessitated that the club decamp from Selset (our base at the time) to Grassholme. It was hoped that the cup would stimulate interest in sailing at a difficult time for the club. Since that first competition the Grassholme Cup has become the premier competition of the club’s year, so it is fitting that a competition was held this year under even more difficult times for the club. It was also fitting that this year’s winner should be one of the youngsters who represent the future of the club. Ten year old Toby Waggett recorded a clean sweep of four victories out of four races to deny all the older, more experi-
enced sailors any chance of victory. Two of those elders taught him to sail during one of the club’s F3 sessions. Just last summer Toby’s Triumph
Toby achieved his Royal Yachting Association junior stage 1 to 3 certificates, and now he is beating his teachers. It is the first time Toby has won the Grassholme Cup and he is the youngest ever
winner. Also worthy of mention was Ian Yeowart who also started sailing recently and has steadily and surely improved as a sailor. Electing to sail a club boat with a race sail, he was very fast indeed, and recorded three second places, (including a ‘quick’
capsize) and finished second overall. So at the end of the day we had a new winner of the Grassholme Cup. Toby will be back next year attempting to win it again. If he continues to improve at this rate it will get increasingly difficult to wrest it away from him. Richard Hewitt 4
Newsletter - 2020
Thank You Paul After five years as Commodore, Paul Davison has decided to step down. Paul has been a very amiable and approachable Commodore, with a friendly, calm manner, and has helped many a new sailor get afloat in his trusty GP14 … of course he shows a more competitive spirit in his Laser. Otherwise, you will have noticed that Paul is also the ‘entertainer’ at the year-end events, quickly able to award prizes or sing and play guitar. Luckily, Paul remains on-hand to assist with anything in a consultancy role, as Anthony takes over as Commodore. The Committee wishes Paul a huge thank you for all his hard work and dedication to the club.
2020 VENDÉE GLOBE Starts 8th November British sailor Alex Thompson (Hugo Boss) is among the favourites - sailing in a radical new yacht.
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Newsletter - 2020
Training We are extremely fortunate at Grassholme to have a wide range of instructors, whose skills include power boat training, through to advanced sailing instructors. The instructors have put together a provisional timetable for activities in 2021 – however, this is entirely dependent on whatever restrictions are in place due to COVID-19.
Members for some additional training. Anyone interested in training to become an assistant instructor or dinghy instructor should let Imogen Gibb know. We are always keen to add new people to our instructor team.
Our Optibat training boats for youngsters are reaching the end of their lives with three of the boats developing cracks and splits, that Expressions of interest have been sought allow water into parts where water should not on a number of activities and it appears there go. The committee is currently pursuing a grant are good levels of demand from current application to help with their replacement.
Juniors Although there was no British Regional Junior Championships this year, which has meant there was not the usual selection process for the RYA Regional Training Groups, there have been two Indicator events for Toppers and Club member, Finn Goodman, has competed in these and been awarded a place, so many congratulations Finn!
winner Toby Waggett, is also going forward for selection despite the lack of Optimist Indicator events this year. He will be attending a “trial” at Derwent in early November and will be assessed by the Lead Coach. If successful at his trial, he will be selected onto the RYA Regional Training Group – we wish him the very best of luck!
Another of our young sailors, Grassholme Cup 6
Newsletter - 2020
2021 - Club Racing Racing has been extremely disrupted this year. However, there has been some rays of sunshine. The Grassholme Cup was successfully completed and ad-hoc racing has taken place throughout much of late summer and autumn weather dependent as always in Teesdale! A big thank you to everyone who has volunteered as Officer of the Day or to run the rescue boat.
racing - that way the big boats can be chasing the Oppies for a change. So if anyone happens to know the current whereabouts of the Cadet Cup or Pursuit Cup please let us know!
While I am creating the racing calendar is your chance to have your voice heard. If anyone has any suggestions or ideas about the future of club racing, and any competitions or series they would like to see take place, please Assuming COVID19 is under control, the feel free to talk to me. club hopes to run a full programme of racing If you haven't raced before please come next year, starting with the Icebreaker on 4th along and give it a go next season, it’s a great April. I have been asked to organise this racing way to improve your sailing and have a bit of - following Tony (who has set the calendar for fun in a relaxed and friendly environment. many years) stepping down from the See you all next season, Committee. James Hewitt I hope to introduce a few changes, including new junior trophies at the Regatta and Grassholme Cup, and a Round the Lake event. I also hope to see the return of pursuit
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