Episkopi Services Sailing Club

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE I hope everyone is well rested and hasn’t acquired to much extra ballast for this year’s sailing. The new forecast events are now on the website and is crammed full of events and activities, so get your diaries out and take a look. Thanks to Andy and his team who have had numerous meetings to get everything fitted in.

As usual since our last update lots of events have taken part.

Our Team racing took place at the end of November with teams from Dekalia and Aktrotiri participating. Well done to the winners Dekalia. Everyone had a super day and for many of us it was our first experience of team racing. Thanks to Rick and Keith for their expert tips.

A very successful Club Regatta was organised by Colin, the conditions were extremely demanding not so much on the body but more on the mind with very light winds and at some moments none. But Colin made some fantastic calls; planning the course and shortening it when necessary. Thank you to everyone for all their help behind the scenes and to Alan and Carole Gillman for such a yummy barbecue and for allowing to have such a stylish committee boat ‘The Tideway’

This year we have seen a new event the Alessina Astie Arrival Trophy (AAA) which Julian organised to celebrate the birth of his baby girl. It was great to have some different courses with a few more jibes than normal; quite challenging for some sailors who aren’t use to jibing from port to starboard. Congratulations to a very delighted Costas who declined the baby but took the cup!

Again our instructors have been busy with different courses. In December eight people completed the safety cox course. Thank you to everyone who volunteered to act out the different rescue scenarios it wasn’t the warmest of weekends to be in the water! On Sunday they completed the course with lee shore rescue in torrential rain. This was followed by a level 3 seamanship course so as you can see our instructors have been busy, busy, busy. Thank you to all of them for all their time and efforts this year it is much appreciated by all at the club.

The Club is now battened down for the winter. We had a very successful maintenance day with lots of sweeping, tidying and reorganising. The Laser shed is looking very spick and span with a number of Picos tucked away for the winter, the Nissen hut cleared out of rubbish and Laser2000’s and RS Visions sails and rigging checked. Thank you to everyone for all their help.

On the social front Margot is now staying as membership secretary and Val has volunteered to be social secretary so any ideas for a get together please see Val.

I hear everyone had a good time at the Christmas Meal. I was given a full rendition of all the ingredients in the curry from Phil and it sounded delicious. I hope a great time was had by all.

Finally for all budding racers Ray has kindly offered his expertise on race rules and strategies .He is planning to run sessions on Thursday afternoons in March so don’t be late and get signed up. The only downside to this is we won’t be able to plead ignorance again when we get it wrong on the water!!