WELCOME BACK TO SAILING – WITH THE OPENING SPLASH!
WE’RE BACK! Yes, at last we’re able to go sailing again, joining our 2021 programme at what would have been our second event of the year – and first race day – with the Opening Splash at Downs SC on April 24.
Downs SC are putting a lot of effort into making this a special event, while keeping things ‘reactive’ – the final programme afloat, they say, will depend on the entry numbers and the weather conditions on the day. What they are hoping to do is to offer a four race programme operating from a committee-boat close to the sailing club shoreline. This could be 2 races / lunch / 2 races or all races back-to-back – the format will be chosen as soon as the likely weather conditions are known.
Here are a few pointers (from Downs SC) on how things will roll-out on the day:
BRIEFING
There will be a short beach-top briefing at 10.00hrs on the Saturday morning but this will be preceded by an Online Briefing for all sailors and their supporters at 19.00hrs on Friday 23rd April. The online link for the briefing will be sent to all entries by the Friday morning 23rd April.
COACHES & HELPERS
The staffing of the event will be by the adults of KSSA & DSC with coaches afloat in some RIBs to assist the less confident sailors. Parents will be especially welcome on the shoreline to help their children with launch and recovery. At Downs SC we ask all people to have extra rope attached to their sledge or trolley to ensure we maintain the 2 metres social distancing while helping with launch and recovery.
COVID LIMITATIONS
Unfortunately we remain under some Covid 19 Pandemic restrictions and hence there will be a few special arrangements. Please remember throughout the Rule of 6, face masks & 2 metres social distancing.
FACILITIES
As you arrive we will have restricted use of The Green but there is plenty of promenade / roadside parking to the south of the Sailing Club. We will help you with access through the Club boat park to the foreshore where there is plenty of space !!! The DSC toilets will be open throughout the day but we will not have showering facilities. There will be sheltered places to change & store your clothes if you are not able to arrive ready to go afloat.
REFRESHMENTS
People are welcome to bring a picnic for lunch and post race ‘nibbles’. We will be trying to offer hot drinks and a simple hot meal dish for hungry sailors – this will need to be pre-ordered and paid for by card before people launch – further information will be provided at the Friday evening briefing. If you bring your own reusable drinking mugs we ease the need for plastic disposable cups – a little bit towards our environmental plan!!
Because the Club-house is closed to casual use people may feel it would be worth bringing a spare blanket and / or dressing robe – its still only April!!
DEBRIEF/RESULTS
We will be trying to hold a brief open-air Debrief and Presentation of Results towards the end of the afternoon but unfortunately the pandemic means the relaxing end to the day with tea and cake will not be possible.
N.O.R.
The “Notice of Race” and “Sailing Instructions” will be published in early April and displayed on the KSSA website.
ENTRY
Please enter and pay for the event in advance on the KSSA website – entries will open on Thursday 1st April and close at midnight on Wednesday 21st April.
If you have any questions – please email training@downssailingclub.co.uk
