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WELCOME: Latest News 2005

HSSC Win T15 National Championships (18/10/05) by Mark Brooks
Photo - click here. Hythe’s windsurfing heroes ’Hythe Hotshots’ return triumphant from the British ‘Team 15’ Champions Cup. After winning the South East of England regional inter-club championships earlier in the year, HSSC’s elite team of windsurfers traveled to Rutland Water for the weekend of 15-16 October, to compete against the best windsurfing teams from England and Scotland. During the Royal Yachting Association’s first national ‘Team 15’ Champions’ Cup event, one hundred of the best junior (under 15) windsurfers completed nine races over two days to find the best team in the country. With the first six places to count and Andrew Petts, one of Hythe’s seven strong team, having to fly out to Cyprus at 5.00am on the Sunday morning, every race was to going to count.

A freshening breeze on the first day saw row after row of competitors starting from the shoreline, this favoured HSSC’s sailors whose skills in quick beach starting are regularly challenged by the rough seas. By the end of the first day and six races Hythe Hotshots had taken the competition by storm, clinching 1st position overall, with places in the top three of every fleet. Andrew Petts could leave his team mates knowing he had contributed significantly to their convincing lead, providing an important 3rd position in the toughest 6.6m fleet.

If more than three races (with 3 discards) were run on Sunday, Andrew’s contribution to the team’s success would have been whittled away and the team’s chances greatly diminished. However poor weather on the morning of the second day gave HSSC the break they were looking for. Strong winds eventually blew away the mist leaving time for just 3 races. Sam Latham and William Lama were the first to take advantage, by continuing to dominate the 5.5m fleet, taking 1st and 2nd place in every race. Claudia Carney went from strength to strength, excelling in the stronger winds to finish 3rd girl in the 6.6m fleet. Jack Brooks, twice National Champion at the age of 11, produced a breathtaking performance throughout, leaving the entire fleet of 23 sailors over 200m behind in the final long distance race. The Stuart Hards and Sam Conroy, the newest team members, were to provide the greatest excitement as they battled with each other over nine races dominating the front of the 3.5m fleet, finishing on equal points with the number of 1st places determining Stuart’s 2nd and Sam’s 3rd place overall.

Team coach, Mark Brooks was extremely impressed by the determination shown by each individual member to give their best performance for the team on the day. To compete against the best teams selected from the nine zones throughout Great Britain was wonderful opportunity for the club. To have won so convincingly was a credit to everyone and to the contribution made by other HSSC team members who were unable to make the event due to prior commitments. I have been amazed at the team’s progress throughout the year. The Royal Yachting Association’s Team 15 initiative has attracted hundreds of new youngsters into the sport of windsurfing every year over the past four years. This was the first national event to find the best club in the country. I am enormously proud of their achievement and the prestige their talents have brought to HSSC. Photo - click here

Results:
Sam Latham (13) 5.5m 1st
Claudia Carney (14) 6.6m 3rd girl
William Lama (14) 5.5m 2nd
Stuart Hards (11) 3.5m 2nd
Sam Conroy (12) 3.5m 3rd
Jack Brooks (11) 4.5m 1st
Andrew Petts (15) 6.6m (3rd ) day 1, 6th overall

Autumn Newsletter (30/09/05) by Mat Mackenzie
Click here to read our autumn newsletter.

RYA South East Zone Champs 1-2 Oct 2005 (05/10/05) by Mark Brooks
Photo - click here. Hythe's junior windsurfers take all major prizes! Island Barn reservoir Sailing Club Hosted the annual South East England RYA Zone Championships. This is also one of the selection events for SE England RYA Zone Squad. Despite the absence of competitors from other clubs HSSC youth team turned out in force, to provide a high standard of racing. Gusting, variable winds and plenty of sunshine, produced an exciting 2 days for Hythe's talented youth and their dedicated parents. The new format of racing 8 'box' courses for 1/2 hour, saw Andrew Petts (6.6m) lapping his team mates with consistency and some huge grins. The gusty conditions and huge wind shifts provided ample opportunity for all sailors to learn about headers and knockers!!! (Excellent preparation for the 'Champions Cup' at Rutland water in 2 weeks.) Without the HSSC team this would have been a non-event for the RYA, instead of which we had a real championship, with positions regularly changing and competitor's stamina, tatics and skill challenged in every respect. Well done to all Hythe Team and to all the new South East England Zone Champions. Fingers crossed for Zone Squad selection!

1st 6.6m Andrew Petts
1st 6.5m techno Sam Latham
2nd 1st girl 6.5m techno Claudia Carney
3rd 6.5m techno William Hurrell
1st 5.5m William Lama
1st 4.5m Jack Brooks
2nd 4.5m Stuart Hards

AGM (30/09/05) by Mat Mackenzie
A reminder that this years AGM will be help at the Club on Sunday 12th November, commencing promptly at 5.00 pm. We urge that you all try to make this important meeting; your chance to have your say and vote in the running of the Club. Key to this year's AGM are changes to our Constitution. Please read the proposed changes here. There is discussion on the new clauses in our forum.

HSSC Clean up at Youth Masters! (30/09/05) by Mark Brooks
Photos - click here. A fantastic set up results from HSSC windsurfers, at this year's Youth Masters competition 24th/25th September at Weymouth. Congratulations to all the competitors, young and old, from HSSC - top windsurfing club in England. An excellent performance - well done especially to the kids. 5 gold medals, 2 bronze medals.

Elliot Carney, 1st, 6.6m
Marc Carney, 1st, raceboard 7.5m
Phil Hards, 1st, raceboard unlimited
Jack Brooks, 1st, 4.5m
Sam Conroy, 1st, Newcomer 3.5m
Stuart Hards, 3rd, 3.5m
William Lama, 3rd, 5.5m
Andrew Petts, 15th, 6.6m
Claudia Carney, 17th, (5th girl) 6.5m techno
William Hurrell, 27th, 6.5m techno

HSSC T15 Southeast Champions! (29/09/05) by Mark Brooks
Photos - click here. We are the Champions! 'Hythe Hotshots' are once again South East England Windsurfing Champions for the second consecutive year !!! Having won three of the 4 ' Team 15' inter-club events this season, the final event at Whitstable on the 11th September, was an opportunity to secure the individual overall series positions- and nobody was going to make it easy for them, with a fleet of 30 windsurfers on a breezy day! Hythe Hotshots did not disappoint the spectators, as the more experienced sailors from Hythe proceeded, over 5 races, to secure first place in all four classes. With our youngest new members; Stuart, Sam, Jamie, Evie and Alex all competing with determination and inspiration in increasingly difficult conditions.

Congratulations to all the team who placed Hythe and Saltwood Sailing Club firmly at the top of the SE windsurfing circuit, collecting all the major trophies for the season. A special mention to William Lama who was not only recognised as the 'Most improved Sailor 2005' but also clinched the overall 'Best sailor 2005' award. The key to success was clearly consistency, avoiding the temptation to change class mid-season and regular attendance at all training and events.

The overall series positions for the south-east zone were as follows:
3.5m: 1st Stuart Hards, 2nd Sam Conroy, 5th Jamie Farnes, 6th Evie Carney, 7th Alex Barry, 11th Rachel Finch
4.5m: 1st Jack Brooks, 2nd William Hurrell
5.5m: 1st William Lama
6.6m: 1st Andrew Petts, 2nd Claudia Carney

An impressive set of results of which 'Coach Tash' is extremely proud. The team spirit has been admirable throughout, with the more experienced sailors always finding time to support and encourage our newest members. The support from parents has also been a key to the outstanding success achieved. Hythe will now represent the South East of England in the national 'Champions Cup' at Rutland Water in October.

Dover Regatta Sunday 7th August (11/08/05) by Peter Wright
A total of 4 Hythe boats entered this years Dover Regatta on Sunday 7th August. The event consists of two races the Mayor's Cup - a standard handicap race, and the Fairway Scramble - a 'first past the post' slalom style race. This years turnout did not match that of previous years, however the racing proved close with the NE wind producing some huge windshifts. The Mayors Cup Race opened the event and first off the start line was Colin Gough in his RS600 closely followed by Tom Coley, Dave Pescod and Peter Wright in Lasers. Jeremy Speakman in a Supernova also proved very much in contention gaining several places in the difficult wind shifts. By the third lap it became clear that the gybe mark was drifting which made for increased tactical maneuvering. The Race Officer, however, seemed oblivious to this, and by the final lap the gybe mark was close to drifting out of the Eastern Entrance! - at this point the harbour patrol intervened. No one was able to come close to catching Tom and Colin and so with no course to sail the organisers were obliged to end the race declaring a draw for first place.

The afternoon Fairway Scramble Race saw a much more tightly packed fleet and some frantic action at the final gybe mark which resulted in Jeremy tearing his mainsheet block from the boat! After some ambitious mark rounding by some of the younger sailors Dave Pescod lead the beat back to the finished line. Again the windshifts were to play a key role, and in the final few seconds of the race Peter Wright moved up from 3rd place to take the line first. Dover Harbour winds proved to be as challenging as ever but the good weather ensured a pleasant days sailing. Many thanks DWSC and to the race sponsors, Accommodation Shop and Active Security Systems, for providing the silverware. Photos, Click Here.

Results
Mayor's Cup
1 = Tom Coley - Laser
1 = Colin Gough - RS600
3 - Peter Wright - Laser
Fairway Scramble
1 - Peter Wright - Laser
2 - Tom Coley - Laser
3 - Dave Pescod - Laser

T15 at Hythe, Sunday 10th July (28/07/05) by Mark Brooks
Thank you to all the parents, club members and flag officers who came especially to support our highly successful junior T15 windsurfing team. Congratulations to Evie Carney, Rachel Finch, Jamie Farnes and Alec Barry who gave an excellent boost to the team on their debut appearance for 'Hythe Hotshots'. It was a disappointing that so few members from other clubs attended (Most are lake / reservoir sailors and have a fear of the sea + waves and the majority of children at this age are reliant on commercial organisations' support for their equipment to sail). However the growing numbers from HSSC ensured a good racing standard, despite the difficult gusty conditions. However, we have now secured the TEAM 15 SE ZONE inter-club series trophy- as the team has won 3 out of the 4 events so far. Photos - click here.

Results overall:
6.6m Claudia Carney 1st Hythe Hotshots
5.5m William Lama 2nd Hythe Hotshots
5.5m William Hurrell 3rd Hythe Hotshots
4.5m Jack Brooks 1st Hythe Hotshots
3.5m Stuart Hards 1st Hythe Hotshots
3.5m Sam Conroy 2nd Hythe Hotshots
3.5m Jamie Farnes 4th Hythe Hotshots
3.5m Rachel Finch 5th Hythe Hotshots
3.5m Alec Barry 6th Hythe Hotshots
3.5m Evie Carney 7th Hythe Hotshots
Jamie Farnes 'Most improved sailor'

HSSC Summer Party, 23rd July (26/07/05) by Mat Mackenzie
This year's summer party, was a typically well-organised event, with Social Sec Gwen at the helm, we all knew it was going to be a good one. The weather was kind to us, with a forecast rainy day giving way to a light breeze and even some sunshine in the evening. Preparation started early, especially for Mark Forge, who kindly supplied the Hog Roast equipment, and who slaved for most of the day to ensure we had a delicious meal in the eveing. Photos - click here. A bouncy castle on the beach was provided for the younger children, whilst the rest of us exercised our competitive natures in the Dodgeball arena. Inside the confines of this large inflatable pitch, fancy dress, wigs, and stuffed lycra abounded as teams clashed in a frenzy of ... erm ... dodging balls! It was unanimously agreed that this was fantastic entertainment, for players and spectators alike. Photos - click here. The party went on well into the night, aided by live music and, of course, much alcohol. Photos - click here. Can't wait until next year!

Ship Long Distance Race, 24rd July (26/07/05) by Mat Mackenzie
A cruel twist in fate led hungover party revellers to drag themselves out of bed the next morning for our annual race down to the Ship Inn in Sandgate. Photos - click here. This event is kindly sponsored by Stuart Wiffen, Landlord of The Ship, who also provides us a with a rather delicious and copious bar-be-que. Photos - click here. The coffee and hot grub was especially welcome this year, as the weather finally gave up trying to please us, forcing us to bash our way upwind against a very gusty force 4 in the pouring rain. Despite this, HSSC members proved their metal with a good turnout, and much fun had by all. Unfortunately the southeasterly we started with veered through south to southwesterly during the day, providing yet another beat on the way home - at least for those boats which still had masts! The southerly pushed a large swell against the high tide shingle in Sandgate to make for a particularly nasty shorebreak, resulting in doom for an unlucky pair of racers, one of which, I'm embarrassed to say, was myself. Photos - click here.

HSSC-Redoubt Sailing Event, 2/3 July (20/07/05) by Peter Wright
This annual fixture, now in its third year, again proved popular. Saturday morning saw 4 hythe boats making their way down to the Marsh to join the redoubt fleet. As always the conditions on the lake proved testing with a gusty wind and plenty of shallow water to catch out the unaware. Encouraged by a small support team from HSSC our sailors went afloat. Tom Coley made full use of his new sail and rudder to dominate the first race in his Laser but faced a challange from Dave Pescod in the second. Click here for photos of day 1

Sunday afternoon brought sunnier conditions with 4 Redoubt boats visiting HSSC for the second half of the event. With the wind still blowing a steady F3 from the SW conditions were perfect and 19 boats lined up on the startline. Again racing was tight with a notable performance from Ed Bowen in his Topax Race X. Race one was won by Mike Essex and Jo Mortimer in an RS200, Race two by Tom Coley. A consistant strong performance from the Redoubt Laser fleet has left Redoubt in a stong position for the team prize - all will be decided at the next HSSC/Redobt event to be held 3/4th September - don't miss it!

Junior Windsurfing (28/06/05) by Mark Brooks
'Hythe Hotshots' Claim 2nd Victory of the season. Sunday 26th June TEAM 15 inter-club Competition Bewl. Congratulations to the team on an excellent performance - especially to our newest and hottest member, Stuart Hards, who despite trying to break his nose on a dingy boom whilst cycling round on his dad's bike, came 4th in his first race event. Good winds once again favoured the more experienced sailors from Hythe and allowed 6 races to be won. Greater numbers on the water at this second event in the series, meant tougher opposition, especially from a 'guest team' from Alton, Suffolk (I think!).

Andrew Petts, carrying a leg injury, found himself with a tough guest sailor, providing the opportunity for some exciting 6.5m races.
William Lama, once again trashed the opposition in true style, wth 6 first places, using his smart new 5.5m sail. William Hurrell, again fought a very hard battle, tustling for 1st place in every race, leaving the rest of the 4.5m class behind. Jack Broooks, returning from his school trip stamped his mark on the 4.5m fleet- taking no prisoners Sam Conroy, 3.5m continues to gain valuable experience, race by race, improving with experience, to achieve a respectable 5th place, but with two guest sailors ahead, this gave him a 3rd place in the SE region.

Results overall
6.6m Andrew Petts 2nd place (1st SE region)
5.5m William Lama 1st place
4.5m Jack Brooks 1st place
4.5m William Hurrell 2nd place
3.5m Stuart Hards 4th Place (2ndSE region)
3.5m Sam Conroy 5th Place (3rdSE region)

'Hythe Hotshots' fantastic performance ensured they won the 2nd team trophy of the season - only one more team win at home and a place in the national finals will be yours!

Junior Windsurfing (08/06/05) by Mark Brooks
'Hythe Hotshots' 1st season Victory. Sunday 5th June inter-club Aqua Sports. Congratulations to the team on an excellent performance - especially to our newest and hottest member, Sam Conroy, who exhausted himself doing his bit for the team,in his first race event. Good winds favoured the more experienced sailors from Hythe. Andrew Petts whipping round the course at top speed proved to be king of the lake, William Lama 'Most improved sailor' cruised his way to victory, whilst William Hurrell fought a very hard battle, narrowly missing 1st overall, by one race.

Results
6.6m Andrew Petts 1st place
5.5m William Lama 1st place
4.5m William Hurrell 2nd place
3.5m Sam Conroy 2nd Place

Despite having only four team members, 'Hythe Hotshots' superb performance ensured they took home the 1st team trophy of the season - only three more to go and a place in the national finals will be yours! We hope to see the numbers improve, with 3 new members and our absent team members, back on the water for Bewl.

Junior Windsurfing (01/06/05) by Mark Brooks
Hi All Junior Windsurfers and Parents. Just a quick reminder that the first event is Next Sunday, so let me know if you think you would like to have a go (last year beginners? Anyone 15yrs and under and can sail just enough to get round a triangular course on flat water- no prior racing experience necessary) and let other parents know too! We’re all set for another fantastic team15 year. Due to the hard work of THE TEAM MEMBERS we broke yet more records in 2004, winning local and national titles. I am hoping that with your continued support this trend will continue in 2005…The current team have been training throughout the year and got off to a great start, winning the Eric Twiname Championships, providing 5 of the 8 strong RYA South East team. Being The best in Great Britain is a hard act to live up to! However keep up the good work and encourage more kids to get involved in team15, both at club level and inter-club racing. We’d like to see even more youngsters participating in the challenges this year, so if you haven’t yet joined in, maybe this is something to consider. Remember :Team 15 caters for the absolute beginners to racing – all our current team members started as complete beginners!

T15 training is on Sundays at 11.00am (When not racing at inter-club events). T15 members also race with the adults on Tuesday evening – First race 6.00pm. Courses for the beginner and intermediate junior windsurfers are available for club members ( a Thursday evening and all day Saturday) - contact Marc Carney. (Marc is also providing adults and experienced kids race training on Thursday evenings from 6.00pm.) If you would like to start racing please contact Mark Brooks a.s.a.p. The club has a range of equipment which I can arrange for you to use at Aqua sports so if you need help to get started please contact me a.s.a.p. Should parents find any of the events too difficult to attend it is possible to arrange for your child to be taken, however it is anticipated that parents would wish to support their child at each of the 4 events. For insurance purposes your child should become a member of the RYA (either as a family or junior member) visit www.rya.co.uk

TEAM 15 EVENTS. Dates for your diary – put them in now before you forget!

Sunday 5th June Aqua Sports
Sunday 26th June Bewl
Sunday 10th July Hythe & Saltwood Sailing Club
Saturday 10th September Whitstable

Junior Windsurfing (19/05/05) by Mark Brooks
Hythe Windsurfers take Top Team Honours at British Team Championships. British Windsurfing Team Championship winners: Claudia Carney, William Lama, William Hurrell, Andrew Petts and Jack Brooks, members of Hythe and Saltwood Sailing Club, were part of an elite 8 strong windsurfing team representing the South East of England at the 'Eric Twiname' British Team Championships this weekend 7th /8th May at Rutland Water near Peterborough. Together they brought home the top team trophies for both the 4.5m and 5.5m open classes and were 1st overall gaining the coveted Eric Twiname windsurfing team trophy. The best sailors and windsurfers under 15 years of age from all over the British Isles are selected by regional High Performance managers from the RYA (Royal Yachting Association) to compete in this prestigious annual event. Racing in winds gusting in excess of 26mph tested the skills and endurance of every competitor, providing spectators with a breathtaking performance on one of Europe's largest man-made reservoirs.

Outstanding individual performances came from Andrew Petts (left) 5.5m open class champion and Jack Brooks 2nd place in the 4.5m open class. Andrew Petts (14yrs) provided onlookers with a spectacular performance in the highly competitive 5.5m open class fleet, finishing first overall. Jack Brooks (11yrs), gold medallist at 3.5m National championships in 2004, gave the older competitors a lot to think about, finishing in second place overall in his first competition in the 4.5m open class.
Hythe and Saltwood Sailing Club's top youth windsurfers can regularly be seen training off the coast of Hythe, where they run training courses for beginners as well as race training and competitions for their rising stars.

Happy New Year! (19/01/05)
A very Happy New Year to all Club members. Its that time again when I prepare this web site for the forthcoming season. Please watch this space for details of the 2005 sporting and social events, as well as loads of fun photos, and the latest news. Already available is the new Committee Gallery for 2005, and with a complete change of people at the helm, it's well worth having a look to see who's who. Mat Mackenzie.

Junior Windsurfing Team Success (19/01/05) by Mark Brooks
Current South East England windsurfing Champions, 'Hythe Hotshots' successful windsurfing Team have been celebrating the sucess of five of its team members who have been selected to join the elite Royal Yachting Association's 'GBR Zone Sailing Squad'. The five young hopefuls were nominated by the RYA's High Performance Manager and selected from a highly competitive field of youngsters from all over the South of England, after attending a weekend training camp at Dachet Sailing Club near Heathrow.

We are proud to have so many of Hythe & Saltwood Sailing Club's team were selected. The GBR Sailing squad is designed to enable talented young windsurfers to compete at national level and to create future Olympic champions following in the footsteps of Nick Dempsy (bronze medallist 2004). We all wish them every success in the future. Click here for Squad Photo sporting their new GBR Zone fleeces. (From left to right Claudia Carney, William Lama, Andrew Petts, William Hurrel and Jack Brooks.