English (UK) Flag Officers Friday Newsletter
Two weeks ago, Plas Heli and Clwb Hwylio Pwllheli Sailing Club were hosts to the 2022 RYA Youth National Championships. No fewer than 286 sailors turned up with their families to take part in the five-day regatta which is considered to be the country’s most prestigious youth sailing competition. It was a fantastic sight to see the venue filled to capacity and decorated with flags and with so many boats of different classes taking to the water.
It was a great feeling to be part of this event and to receive so many positive comments regarding the venue and the warm welcome extended to our guests. Despite some difficult sailing conditions, many people left with smiles on their faces and declaring they could not wait to return.
Gerwyn Owen the CEO of RYA Cymru Wales stated.
“I was delighted to be part of the operational team at the recent RYA UK Youth Nationals 2022 that was held at Plas Heli, the National Sailing Academy and Events Centre, in Pwllheli. It was a great opportunity to promote the facility to the wider UK racing community, and the success of the event has put Plas Heli firmly back on the map”
The tremendous success of this event is attributed in no small part to all the volunteers who worked tirelessly to clear and prepare the building and compound and my sincere thanks goes out to each and every one who helped. It was a great effort by our club members that will be remembered for a long time to come.
Congratulations to our local CHPSC youth sailors Arwen Fflur who achieved an excellent 8th place in the 420 Class despite her very recent transition from the ILCA Class and to Ffion Wood on her creditable 10th place in the ILCA 6 Ladies event.
On Wednesday 13th April we had the pleasure of welcoming the Member of Parliament for Dwyfor Meirionnydd Liz Saville Roberts, our Member of The Senedd, Mabon ap Gwynfor and the Chief Executive of the RYA Sara Sutcliffe MBE to the venue. They were given a tour of the facility and were able to meet some of the competitors.
Later they were treated to the sight of the boats being launched from Glandon beach.
A great event was had by all both on and off the water and the varied street food theme night proved very successful. A big thank you to our Rear Commodore Lyndsay Harrold for all her hard work organising the food and packed lunches.
Our newly appointed bar and catering operators Sean and Kellie Devlin also reported a very successful week with many of the organisers and members dining in the restaurant.
The event culminated in an open-air prizegiving ceremony before the sailors and their families began to pack their boats and trailers ready for the journey home.
***************************
Clwb Hwylio Pwllheli Sailing Club Annual General Meeting.
The Clwb Hwylio Pwllheli Sailing Club Annual general meeting was held on Saturday the 16th April. The meeting was well attended despite a very busy week for us all.
In the absence of our Honorary Treasurer Phil Horwood, due to personal circumstances, his report was read out and it was concluded that the Club was on a sound financial footing the results representing a satisfactory outcome with adequate reserves. Phil Horwood was thanked for his years of exemplary service to the club.
Our Honorary Secretary Stephen Tudor declared his intention to retire from the post after carrying out the duties for an unprecedented seventeen years. The transition process is already underway with Management Committee members Robert Smith and Tim Twells kindly volunteering to share responsibility for the role.
Stephen was thanked for his hard work and dedication over many years. A vote of thanks was also offered by Brian Dixon and this was accepted unanimously.
There were three proposals for membership of the Management Committee: Avril Banks, Mike Thorpe and Tim Twells. They were all passed unanimously by all present and welcomed to the committee.
In conclusion, the club is now on a sound financial footing with membership increasing year after year. I am confident that the club will continue to flourish and provide good value to its members during 2022.
********************
Last Saturday we welcomed the first Welsh Coastal ISORA (Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association) race to the CHPSC starting line. A total of eight boats made the start line with the Class 2 boats starting at 12.00 hrs and Classes 1 and 0 starting at 12.30hrs. This was followed on Sunday by racing around the cans. (Details of the races to follow).
********************
Class 2 start
Class 1 and 0 start
Our CHIPAC instructors met last Monday evening and it is hoped that our youth sailing programme will commence very soon. In order to facilitate this and in order to prepare the dinghy compound for the season, our Chief Instructor Gwyndaf Hughes would like to move some dinghies and trailers from the dinghy compound back in to the main compound. Many boats were moved into the compound to make room for the Youth Nationals and they now need to be returned to allow our members sufficient space.
Gwyndaf intends to start this work this coming Saturday the 30th April at 10am and with sufficient help he estimates the work can probably be done in an hour and a half and any help that our great volunteers can give will be greatly appreciated. I hope to see some of you there.
Hwyl – Good Sailing
Gerallt Williams Morlywydd - Commodore CHPSC
Racing
The spring series is well underway with two coastal races part of the programme this year. The first, an ISORA Welsh Coastal race sponsored by Plas Heli took part last Saturday in a gusty north easterly wind, taking the fleet of 8 to Porthmadog Fairway, Eurwyn and the St Tudwals Islands. The race was won by Peter Dunlop and Vicky Cox ( Mojito) with Pete Ashworth (Zig Zag) leading class 2 and Andrew Hall leading class 0
Race 2 of the coastal series, and day 5 of the spring series takes place on Saturday 30th taking the fleet to the west in lighter conditions
Further information and YB tracking at www.isora.org
More information will be published shortly regarding the Jubilee weekend racing plans, which incorporates the Pwllheli Regatta race on Saturday 4th June
The entry process and NOR will be published shortly for the IRC Welsh National Championships, with prizes by spinlock, including load sensors and gift vouchers
Further information at www.ircwelshchamps.com
Youth Sailing
Prior to CHIPA getting underway, our club youth sailors are having a keelboat session on MOJITO and JAC Y DO today, Friday 29th
Thanks to the volunteers for making this event a reality and there should be a good view from the balcony at Plas Heli
