All posts by : Ian Jay

It’s not all serious sailboat racing at Sutton Bingham. This Sunday (18 September) the Sailing Committee organised a series of 4 fun races. There was still an element of competitiveness, but also a good deal of craziness with everyone, beginner to experienced yachter, having the chance to come away with a prize.

The day kicked off with Chris’s Terrific Tera Team Race. Sailors were paired into adult and junior crews to race in the club’s fleet of junior Tera dinghies. A Le Mans style start was adopted, with a twist, as sailors made the 50 metre dash to boats moored on the pontoons “three-legged” to add to the mayhem. Once aboard the teams sailed out to deposit one of their crew on moored rescue boats out on the lake, before racing around a small course. Crews then swapped to enable their partner to sail the course before they paired up again to sail back to shore. There was a bit of skullduggery involved with a lot of splashing, boat hooks used to try to delay dinghies getting away from the rescue boats and a some paddling towards the end. Chris Jones and Lucy Hodge emerged winners of the contest with close runners-up Tim Robertson and Dotty Hodge. Continue Reading

The South Coast Grand Prix Laser Open at Sutton Bingham has been announced for the 1st October. Further details of the event and any notices can be found on the relevant event page – see Laser Open Event Page

A Somerset sailing club has found itself at the centre of Hollywood blockbuster Swallows and Amazons after teaching one of its stars to take to the water.

Sutton Bingham Sailing Club was approached to teach Yeovil teenager Dane Hughes, who plays John Walker in the upcoming big screen adaptation, the art of yachting.

The film required actors who were able to combine the skills of delivering lines with faultlessly manoeuvring dinghies.

Producer Nick Barton originally wanted children who could already sail, but when this approach failed, young actors were cast and taught to sail instead.

Sutton Bingham was approached to teach Dane last summer, and guided him through a crucial sailing qualification – while keeping the big screen link secret.

Mike Burke presents Swallows & Amazons lead actor, Dane Hughes with his RYA Level 1 certificate

A spokesman for Sutton Bingham Sailing Club said: “Dane joined the training course and successfully completed an adult RYA level 1 course under the instruction of senior instructor Mike Burke assisted by assistant instructor Sam Barnes.

“The training was conducted in one of the club’s Comet Trio dinghies with the content especially adapted to concentrate on boat handling skills and manoeuvring the boat to be expected during filming.

“Dane picked up the skills quickly and passed the level 1 award with flying colours.”

The film is screening this week at Cineworld Yeovil.

(As published in the Western Gazette and online at www.SomersetLive.co.uk)

Read the 12 page Newsletter now – http://www.suttonbinghamsc.net/w/newsletters/

Articles include:  Youth Junior Sailing 2016, South West Youth Sailing Academy Comes to Sutton Bingham, The Triangle Challenge & Banbury Chaser, Comet Inland Championship, Sutton Bingham Sail Training Centre, Push the boat out report, Thursday Evening Series Results, Dates for your diary and much more.

Picture: George Fenn enjoying his trial sail with Mervyn Clark, Membership Secretary

In spite of the far from ideal sailing conditions for sailing; torrential rain and high winds on Saturday and light, fickle winds on Sunday the public response to the Royal Yachting Association initiative, Push The Boat Out at Sutton Bingham Sailing Club this weekend was phenomenal. 189 visitors from 6 to 75 years of age took to the water and enjoyed a trial sail with experienced club sailors, which massively exceeded the organisers expectations.

Chris Jones, Media Liaison Officer for the club said, “It was a joy to see so much enthusiasm for our sport and so many smiling faces. The important messages that we want to get across to everyone are:

Local people are always welcome to visit the club. The best times to come and speak to members are Sundays 10am-3.30pm and Thursday evenings (Apr-Sept), 5.45pm-7.30pm).

The club are happy to arrange trial sails for anyone that missed the Push The Boat Out weekend that have a serious interest in taking up sailing. You can still email push@suttonbinghamsc.net to enquire about trial sail opportunities- remember to include your full name and contact telephone number

Sailing at entry level is accessible to all and a great deal less expensive than sometimes perceived. You can sign up for a learn to sail course, crew for an existing member to learn the ropes or buy a boat for under £500.”

Pictures:    The PTBO Event Crew (Sunday)                         Phil Bailey and daughter Lucy                      

A few quotes from the weekend…

“I had the privilege of visiting the club’s PTBO today and I was absolutely bowled over by every aspect of the event. From the set up and organisation through to the enthusiasm and hard work of the mass of volunteers both on the water and on shore through every type of wind and weather. Not only that but the public turnout was spectacular to the point of being overwhelming.

Every visitor was being treated with care and consideration and that showed in the messages of thanks as they left the club after their sail.

Having been sceptical about the PTBO approach this has changed my mind. It also made me really rather proud to be a member of this club. I’m sure many visitors will become members or at least pursue sailing as an activity which is exactly the ethos of the club. ” Andy Roxburgh, Commodore, Sutton Bingham Sailing Club

“Thank you to everyone at Sutton Bingham, particularly to Richard Frost, who took Joe and me out yesterday. Great fun, we loved it.”  Nicky Cohen

“I’ve lived in Yeovil all my life and I had no idea how much went on up at Sutton Bingham reservoir”  Stephen Mason

“Thanks to Phil for taking Dave and I out today, it’s was a very enjoyable sail despite the downpour. Well worth getting soaked, thanks also to all the friendly members and catering volunteers. Looking forward to becoming members ”  Rose Lee