Southern Area Update Paul

Davis

Well, its official, the season has begun, Dinghy Show has been, and we have had the Noble Marine Winter Champs along with the 1st rounds of many area series! The Dinghy Show was certainly a hit with lots of interest in the class just showing how good the class is. Many conversations with people looking to join the class, many already in the class looking to up their game and improve, and many tales of people sailing a Solo along with the memories they have. The future looks healthy for the class which is down to the hard work that goes on behind the scenes with the committee, but also the members of the class making it the attractive class it is.

Last weekend seeing the first of the area traveller series for the Midlands at Banbury and the Rooster Southern Area Travellers at Broadwater which was won by Mike Dray! Your sabbatical mat kicking playing lawn bowls obviously served you well. Could Mike be the one to topple last year’s series winner and Mr Consistent, Tim Lewis??? Time will tell.

This weekend the Tyler Trophy at Hayling Island, the venue for this year’s Selden National Championships, so a good chance for those going to get some time on the water at the National venue. This is the 2nd round of the Rooster Southern Area Series.

There have been a couple of changes to this year Rooster Southern Area Travellers so this would be a good time to get this years updated calendar out and in view of you all to make sure the dates are in your diaries, so…

· 1st & 2nd April, Hayling Island (Tyler Trophy)

· 15th April, Bough Beech SC

· 7th May, Dell Quay SC

· 13th May, Spinnaker SC

· 14th May, Frensham Pond SC

· 20th May, Chichester SC

· 10th & 11th June, Lymington Town Sailing Club (Southern Area Champs & Pusinelli Trophy)

· 16th September, Megham Rythe SC

· 22nd October, Papercourt SC

So, in total 10 events, 5 to count for the series. Details, on the events will be live on the class website when they are available. Let’s make it a great series once again.

Other news from the south, the Southern Demo Boat is on its travels down in the west country currently at Torpoint Mosquito where there is a lot of interest in the class with many potential newcomers to the class around the area.

The demo boat so far is planned to visit Frensham Pond later in the year along with Hill Head Sailing Club, to great clubs with promising Solo fleets and interest to build the fleets there. If you would like the demo boat at your club to help grow your solo fleet’s please do get in touch. Over the years having the demo boat at your club is a great asset and proven to help grow the interest and solo fleets.

Well, that’s enough from me, let’s have a cracker and see you on the water.

Paul Davis