
July has seen some beautiful summer weather and has been a great time to get out on the water and enjoy some food and drink apres-watersport at Bartley.
Tuesday evenings have continued to see large participant numbers with over 30 sailing some weeks. The informal coaching has continued to draw in our members who are newer to sailing to hone their skills in the warm summer evenings, and the SUP team continue to be the fastest growing group in the club bringing a great social atmosphere on and off the water. Wednesday afternoons remain popular with those who have flexible or non-existant working hours (very jealous), and K2O and the race series on Saturdays are keeping the water stacked full of boats and activity.
I guess that the weather had to break sometime with this weekend seeing some very strong winds which seemed to bring a large number of windsurfers out of hibination - great to see the boards whipping accross the water after what seems like a long period of absence - keep coming as the winds strengthen, I need the company!
Dave was also running the powerboat level 2 course on the Sunday in the rain to build our strength in this area. If you haven't yet booked on, please do as it is invaluable to the club and shares the load when rescue duty comes around. Thanks to those who signed up for this course and for sticking it out in the bad weather.
Further afield Bartley sailors have been competing and putting the club on the map regionally and nationally:
Supernovas:
Bartley was very successful in the Supernova Nationals winning the team prize (now behind the bar for you to admire), 1st place (Sam Knight), 1st youth (Ed Hidson), 3rd Silver fleet (Garry Butterfield), 4th Master (Mike Gibson). Bartley also has 3 boats in the top 10 on the Open Circuit.
Juniors:
Harrison Allen represented Birmingham schools in the NSSA national regatta posting 4 top 10 positions with his best result a 4th in his laser 4.7. Well done Harrison - keep up the good work.
Merlin Rockets:
The Bartley SC flag flew over the Salcombe Merlin week with Chris Gould and Chris Kilsby taking 3rd place and Caroline Croft and Matt Lulham-Robinson 8th
Solos:
Bob Suggitt (on loan from Barnt Green until it rains some more!) is currently 3rd in the Midland series with David Badger and Ian Capener in the top 11
RS400s:
3 Bartley boats travelled to Lee on Solent to get some practice in for the RS Games and the Bartley Open on September 9th. The Knights got into the top 10 despite leaving early!
Lasers:
John Ling pulled up into 9th place on the Midlands traveller circult one place ahead of me but with plenty more opens to close the gap to the top. I competed in the Masters nationals and finally made the jump from 2/3rds down the fleet to half way to get 30th out of 60 boats. Highest position was 14th teaching me that a good start and clear wind made all the difference - just need to learn how to do it again now!
In the News:
You may have seen Barnt Green SC mentioned on the BBC Midlands News recently to celebrate their 100th anniversay as a club - Congratulations from all at Bartley, we continue to enjoy having you as members until the water levels finally rise at Barnt Green again.
Please continue to keep me informed of achievements of note to include in the Blog on and I hope you continue to enjoy whatever activities you have planned on and off the water over the summer period.
Simon