IOCA Winter Championships
Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th November 2009
A few of our hardy Otters braved the elements and entered the IOCA Winter Championship National Event at Datchet Water the weekend of the 28th/29th November. There were just under 200 entrants from all over the country, the Saturday results determining Gold and Silver flights for the Sunday races.
Otters Shine at the Optimist End of Season Regatta
Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th October 2009
Over 300 competitors from around the country took part in the Optimist Dinghy End of Season Regatta at Rutland Water over the weekend of the 10th & 11th October. The competitors were split into two fleets with 230 more experienced sailors sailing in the Main fleet and 80 plus younger sailors sailing in the Regatta fleet.
RYA Eastern Zone Championships
Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th September 2009
This weekend ten Oppie Otters from our race fleet competed in the RYA Eastern Zone Championships at Grafham Water. It was a tough weekend, the winds were light on Saturday though three races were sailed. Winds on Sunday were impossible and only one race was sailed in what can only be described as "changeable" conditions - wind shifts of 90 degrees and little puffs in what was otherwise a glassy lake the norm.
Time for the River!
Saturday 26th September 2009
The largest pond group for many years graduated to the river as the finale to their season. Under the watchful and patient eye of lead pond trainer Phil Aspinall, 14 new Otters made the big trip to the RCYC and the River Crouch for their first formal taste of sailing on the river and to demonstrate to onlookers and proud parents just how far they have come in one short season.
Otter Success at the RS Tera National Championships
Weekend 19th &20th September 2009
Four Otters, Zac Bikhazi, Flynn Davies, Hamish Eckstein and James Hutton-Penman, travelled to the RS Tera National Championships at Dabchicks Sailing Club. Zac, Flynn and James competed for the National Championships, using the smaller Sports sail. There were nearly 40 entrants from all over the country including a team from the Isle of Man. Five sailors competed in an Open meeting for the larger Pro sail - Hamish competed in this class.
Laser and 420 Open Meeting
Saturday 12th September 2009
On a lovely early Saturday morning, the unfortunate Laser and 420 trainers were faced with tired and weary students. The nine competitors, six radials, two 4.7s and one 420, sailed in glorious sunshine and force 3-4. There were five short and sharp races. Everyone was pushing hard to do well - so hard both the Toms ended up in the water a few times. With a skilled Race Officer, the courses were brilliant, giving perfect racing.
Otters in Burnham Week
Saturday 29th August to Saturday 5th September
Although Burnham Week was originally designed for the adults, it is nice to see so many Otters and ex-Otters taking part in several classes, for example the 707s and Dragons. I was sailing in the 707 class and the event started with a very competitive first weekend, 14 boats in the class and 10-15 knots of wind. After a day's sailing, the ex- Otters were taking advantage of the Pimm's tent in the bar while the oldies complained about aches and pains! Struggling to make an early start again on the Bank Holiday Monday, it proved to be worth it as it was another great day of sailing with perfect conditions.
Optimist National Championship 2009
8th - 14th August 2009
A number of our local sailors made the long trip to Largs in Scotland for the 2009 Optimist Nationals and were greeted with a variety of sun (a bit), rain, no wind, strong wind and all culminating on the final Friday when the winds blew 20+ knots and three inches of rain fell!
Otters at Stone Week
15th August 2009
Help!
I've got the pictures, which can be a problem but I don't have any words!
Who can send me some copy? Please send to wendy@eagling.co.uk
Well Done, Emma!
August 2009
Emma Tavinor has just completed her year as Vice Commodore to Alex Willsher and normally she would have become the new Commodore. But, sadly for the Otters, Emma has other plans...
Otter Week 2009 - Summing Up
Friday 31st July 2009
It's all over for another year and this year's Otter Week has been voted 'one of the best'! Otters aged over twelve years were invited to give their opinons at the AGM with comments and suggestions for Otter Week 2010. The new Flag Officers were elected and their first comment was that the outgoing Flag Officers, Alex Willsher, Emma Tavinor, Rory Page and Tamsin Witchard would be a hard act to follow!
Otter Week 2009 - Day Six
Thursday 30th July 2009
The strong winds kept up for the last day of Otter Week, to bring us another fantastic day. There were a few nervous smiles as everyone rigged for the pursuit race, but they were soon lost as the morning of sailing turned into a great success. The pursuit race was won by a Cadet, but with two Lasers in hot pursuit after catching up nearly twenty-one minutes.
Otter Week 2009 - Day Five
Wednesday 29th July 2009
Wednesday morning started with the trainers deliberating the best plan for the day - the weather report sounded ominous and the annual 'on the water treasure hunt' was scheduled. With a quick change of plan the treasure hunt was moved to the morning and the pirates were on their way.
Otter Week 2009 - Day Four
Tuesday 28th July 2009
Although an early start the Oppie, Topper, Cadet, Feva, Laser and 420 fleets took to the water at 09:30 for more competitive racing, with the sails cracking alarmingly as we launched. These blustery wind conditions saw multiple boats the wrong way up but this did not affect the Otter Spirit!
Otter Week 2009 - Day Three
Monday 27th July 2009
Despite the poor weather conditions, Day Three provided much better racing conditions. The Lasers and 420s both completed four races before a rush back in to get to the cinema; however the Toppers, Cadets and Oppies alike managed only two races in the constant force 3-4 breeze. The difficult tides had provided a late start, only worsened by the well needed lay in on Monday morning for all involved!
Otter Week 2009 - Day Two
Sunday 26th July 2009
Sunday morning began with a strong south westerly breeze. Walking into the dinghy park the familiar Otter Week laughter of children and parents alike could be heard. Having been briefed about the day's racing, all fleets rigged and changed into their sailing clothes and lined the ramp eagerly. Although launching was difficult with the low tide and the wind direction, everyone cooperated and showed great 'Otter Week
Spirit’. Dominic Woodhill and Tom Waples led by example with the laborious task of taking an endless number of trolleys up and down the steep ramp.
Otter Week 2009 - Day One
Saturday 25th July 2009
The sun shone for the first day of Otter Week 2009. The breeze was steady, not too little, not too much, just right if you were a tiny bit nervous... Briefings took place in the morning and launching was scheduled for 13:00 after an early lunch.
HCC Burnham Optimist Open Meeting 2009
Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th July 2009
We had 50 entrants for the HCC Optimist Open which was sailed over the weekend under blue skies and a gentle breeze. The numbers were evenly split between Regatta and Race fleets. The Race Officer, John Hardy, set interesting courses for the children as the wind direction and tide made it challenging but we managed to complete six good races before the wind died and the tide took over after lunch on Sunday.
Otters blessed with Fair Weather
Saturday 13th June 2009
Saturday 13th June represented our annual Pursuit race followed by camping at Creeksea. The Pursuit race was held under blue skies and a nice breeze, the junior Oppies starting first followed by the Senior Oppies, Cadets, Toppers, 420s and Lasers.
It was a great race with the final places only sorted out in the last two minutes.
A Murder Mystery Party
Friday 15th May 2009
Nearly a hundred would-be detectives joined forces with the Murder Squad for the annual Otter fundraiser. The Murder Squad, an amateur dramatic company from Leigh-on-Sea, was headed once more by an ever enthusiastic Inspector Banks.
Optimist Inland Championship
18 May 2009
Arthur Brown - Regatta Fleet Inland Champion. We had a number of Otters brave the elements at the Optimist Inland Championship at Grafham Water, there were 235 entrants in the Main fleet and 100 in Regatta fleet.
A huge well done to Arthur Brown. Arthur scored two firsts and a sixth to win the Regatta fleet. Also well done to Louis Brand and Angus Eckstein, out there competing and finishing races which, given the conditions, was a great credit to both of them.
The Otter Easter Egg
Saturday 18th April 2009
A good day, it was enjoyed by all sailors of the Optimist fleet. We had about ten boats out including five sailors from the RYA winter Zone squad. 15-20 knots provided a challenge for the fleet, especially those who had not sailed through the winter. Duncan Ayre, as Race Officer, set a windward leeward course for us which kept us all on our toes, especially the downwind leg.
Cadet Inland Championships at Grafham Water
Wednesday 8th -Thursday 9th April 2009
There were ninety entrants for the Inlands this year, which were held over two days. The first day was bright and blustery and produced three different winners. Katie and Emily Kinver from Exe Sailing Club won the first race, Arthur Henderson and Matt Currell from Salcombe Yacht Club won the second and Hugo and Guy Pullen from Parkstone won the third, but through consistency with 13 points Hattie Eyre and I were over night leaders for the Otters.
The First Meeting of the Season
16th March 2009
The Otters are back! Saturday 14th March was the Start of the Season Lunch and Otters and Parents turned out in force. Judy Waples, the Otter President, made the journey south to meet everybody and Alex Willsher, Commodore and her Vice Commodore, Emma Tavinor, made everybody welcome.
Otters take up the Volvo Eco Challenge
20th February 2009
The Otters' ideas and efforts to help with pollution on the River Crouch have earned us a grant in the Volvo Eco Challenge. This project, which has been promoted by the Royal Yachting Association, is designed to make us think about the environment around us and how easy it is to spoil it.
Learn to sail with the Corinthian Otters...
Pre-Season 2009
Applications are now invited from kids wishing to be part of the wonderful world of sailing. Whether you want to be in the 2020 Olympics or just want to enjoy sailing with your family, life on the water can begin as part of our Pond Group under the watchful eye of our qualified and fun-loving trainers. We're dedicated to bring the enjoyment of sailing in a safe and fun environment and at the same time we're seeking to find the next Ben Ainslie or Ellen McArthur.
