 Archives: Latest News 2006 Back to the Current Year's Latest News HSSC
Members Selected for National Junior Squad (16/10/06
By Mark Brooks) The RYA's intensive youth training programme will systematically prepare the two young windsurfers both physically and mentally for international competition and the World Championships to be held in Formentura, Spain in August 2007. Jack and Sam have worked hard all season to achieve their ambition to be selected for the National Squad they have attended qualifying events all across the country. " Windsurfing is a fantastic sport which is challenging and exciting. As well as racing we love to jump waves in high winds and practice freestyle tricks. We are extremely proud of our achievement and are grateful to our parents for supporting us and to Activ Folkestone, Magic Marine and Shepway and Hythe Councils for sponsoring us throughout the season." Hythe
Hotshots National Champions (10/10/06
By Mark Brooks) Even before the event began Hythe's team were to lose two of their key sailors; Jack Brooks (12) and Sam Latham (14) who have just been selected to join the Royal Yachting Association's elite U15 and U17 GBR National Squads. Undeterred the 10 strong team were determined to compete against the other teams of fifteen and to overcome this early set-back. Strong winds on the first day were to favour Hythe's experienced sailors and to challenge its newest members. However the whole team set a blistering pace from the onset, with over half of the team establishing themselves in the top five of their fleets. Stuart Hards and newcomer Thomas Addison sailed brilliantly to secure 1st place by the end of the first day's sailing. Sam Conroy (Current 4.5m National champion) stunned the opposition by completing the courses before the entire fleet had reached the first windward mark, and then showed his stamina and love of high winds by free sailing in-between all the races. In the highly competitive 6.8m Techno Fleet, consistency and unfaltering determination to finish every race in the top four proved highly successful strategies for William Lama and team mate Claudia Carney. The 23 strong 3.5m fleet and difficult conditions provided the newest team members with many challenges, but equally resolute determination to support their team mates saw Alex Barry, Fredo Edwards and Dani Conroy grow in confidence, to put in their best performances all season. With a small but important lead established by the end of the first day it was time for a hog roast, games and plenty of loud music. Lighter winds on day two saw Catriona Hards join team mates on the water, successfully supporting the team's unwavering response to hold on to their hard earned positions from the previous day. Final overall results: 3rd William Lama, 4th Claudia Carney (1st girl) (6.8m Techno Fleet ), 5th William Hurrell (6.8m Open Fleet), 1st Stuart Hards (5.5m Open and 1st Techno board), 1st Sam Conroy (4.5m Open and 1st Techno board). With newcomers in the 3.5m Fleet; 1st Thomas Addison, 4th Alex Barry, 10th Fredo Edwards and 23rd Catriona Hards, with the Merit Award for exceptional progress going to Dani Conroy The introduction of a 16 lap 'team relay' this year was to provide more prizes an exciting and additional dimension to the Champion's Cup. The inclusion of the team coach to race the last leg of the course produced nail biting tension. Hythe Hotshots' 'Coach Tash', Mark Brooks overtaking the lead team's coach to take first place in the last few seconds of race; amidst the screams of support from his over-enthusiastic team mates and their parents! "This was certainly one of the closest run competitions, with only five points separating the top three clubs in the country. I am extremely proud of the team's achievement and the honour they bring to the club. Despite its size and not being supported a commercial windsurfing school, Hythe has now clearly established itself as the undefeated National Team Champions and one of the foremost clubs in the country for promoting the highest standards in youth windsurfing. We are particularly grateful to local sponsors Activ, Folkestone and Maui Marine " Said Hythe's coach. Photo - click here Hythe Hotshots
SE Zone T-15 Champs (10/10/06
By Mark Brooks)
The combined event at Bewl was
also the South East Zone Championships and selection event for the South
East Zone Squad. September
Newsletter (29/09/06
By The Committee)
ANNUAL DINNER DANCE Saturday
25th November 6.30 for 7pm at Lympne Castle. Presentation of prizes and
awards. Black tie / lounge suit. Carriages at 12.30 pm. £27 per ticket.
Annual Dinner Dance Tickets have to be purchased in advance, before 1st
November. Please send cheques to Gwen Finch. Cheques to be made payable to
HSSC. Tickets are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Unless your preferred table group is specified, seating will be arranged
prior to the THE WINCH. Thanks to the sterling efforts of Phil Rutt and Gordon Jessop, the winch is now back in action with a new and longer cable. As I am sure you are aware, the winch has a powerful motor which if operated carelessly could cause serious injury and damage. On a number of occasions we have noticed that the winch has been operated incorrectly and unsafely, resulting in damage. I would be grateful therefore if members who may wish to use the winch from time to time could make note of the following:
Many thanks - Jeremy Speakman. PS. My missive re the winch has inspired HSSC’s very own poet in residence, Jools Chappell, to pen an ode – "The Gwinch" - click here (with apologies to Dr Seuss and the Grinch!). Note from Mat: What a great idea to pen some HSSC-related poetry. If anyone else want to contribute, they are very welcome. Hythe
Hotshots take Honours at National Championships (05/09/06
By Mark Brooks)
With an excellent display of courage and skill in winds gusting to 34 knots Claudia Carney (15yrs) secured a silver medal in the 7.8m Techno class, despite a critical break in her equipment in the last race. Strong performances were also produced by fellow team members; Andrew Petts (8th), William lama and William Hurrell who have benefited greatly from their selection to the RYA's South East Zone Squad earlier this year. With some adjustments to his equipment after his first race, Sam Latham (14yrs) narrowly missed a gold medal in the 6.8m class, after winning his next two races by a significant margin, ahead of the GBR squad members. Stuart Hards also demonstrated his courage and determination to battle his way round the 6.8m course in force 30knot plus winds. Jack Brooks maintained his domination of the 5.5m Techno fleet, and a remarkable undefeated three year record, securing his third successive National Champion's title at the age of 12. Sam Conroy (13yrs) also completed a highly successful year in the 4.5m Techno Class, skillfully sailing ahead of the fleet to his first gold medal and well deserved National Champion's title. After a long wait and in extremely testing conditions, with cramped start lines some of the newest members of Hythe's Team eventually took to the water late on Sunday afternoon. Excellent performances demonstrated the potential of Fredo Edwards and Alex Barry to play an important part in the future of Hythe's growing team, with Tom Addison adding to the honours list with a well deserved silver medal. The Youth and Masters is also the last event in the Grand Prix National Junior Circuit concluding a series of 5 events held throughout the UK. As a result of their unshakable domination in three out of the four fleets, Sam Latham (6.8m), Jack Brooks (5.5m) and Sam Conroy (4.5m) also secured top honours. Congratulations to all the team members and their parents for their patience, determination, and excellent performances in what was one of the most frustrating and difficult and demanding National Events! Hythe Hotshots can now to look forward confidently to the SE Zone Championships 30sept/1st Oct and to defending their National Team Champions title on 7/8 October. Photos. Click Here Bike
Ride Challenge. Saturday 23rd September (04/09/06
By Graeme Fuller) The challenge will involve setting off from HSSC, either individually or in teams, and making your way to a variety of checkpoints, finding the answers to a series of questions on the way. Full details and map will be provided on the day. Childrens event Adults event Party Please contact Graeme Fuller, in order to gain an idea of numbers involved. graemefuller@mac.com Hythe
Hotshots SE Champions (11/07/06
By Mark Brooks) In addition to a tee-shirt recognising the growing talents of Hythe’s team, new Maui Magic wetsuits, harnesses, buoyancy aids, and rash vests were presented to the individual team members by local businessman Steve Burton representing ‘Activ’ of Folkestone and sponsors ‘Maui Magic’. “We are delighted to be able to support the extremely successful ‘Hythe Hotshots’ team, who not only provide an excellent opportunity for youngsters in the area to take up windsurfing, but also the chance to compete at the highest levels.” Mark Brooks concluded “The strength and depth of the team, with eight Hythe members selected for the Royal Yachting Association’s SE England Zone Squad this season, has placed Hythe as one of the best windsurfing clubs in the country.” Due to extreme sea conditions and winds in excess of 20mph the Team 15 inter-club racing was quickly rearranged to Hythe’s inland training venue thanks to the flexibility of Nickoll’s Leisure Quarry and Derrick Weller, who have supported the club’s training programme for a number of years. Rescue craft and volunteer crews Eric Petts, Marc Carney and Phil Hards anxiously awaited the arrival of the beginner’s 3.5m fleet on the water. Survival techniques were the order of the day, with determination, bravery and lots of parental support the fleet made their way round the headland and back into the safety of the awaiting shore. Only to be marshalled out twice more by the RYA’s Race Coach, Clyde Waite. Honours went to Thomas Addison 1st, and Fredo Edwards 3rd . Dani Conroy also showed considerable determination in battling with competitors and the extreme conditions, to achieve a creditable 4th place, with latecomer from scout camp, Alex Barry supporting the team’s success The very high winds provided on-lookers with an exciting spectacle, with the more experienced Hythe sailors demonstrating their love of speed. Sam Latham’s superior board handling skills secured 1st place for the team in the 6.8m Techno fleet, hotly pursued by Hythe’s depth of talent; William Lama 2nd, Claudia Carney 3rd and William Hurrell 4th. Despite the lack of opposition, Jack Brooks, 1st 6.8m Open fleet, found a way of entertaining the crowd, by developing some interesting ‘reed hugging’ skills. In spite of the high wind damage to his board Stuart Hards sailed confidently into 1st place in the 5.5m fleet. Sam Conroy also continued his season’s domination of the 4.5m fleet with another convincing win. Congratulations to all the ‘Hythe Hotshots’ for their success in winning the SE England inter-club Championships for the third successive year. Click here for photos. Ship
Long Distance Race (10/07/06) Hythe Festival
and RNLI Race (10/07/06) New
Weather Station Features (07/07/06) HSSC
Summer Party, Saturday 15th July (27/06/06
By Kathy Brooker) Team
15 News (26/06/06
By Mark Brooks) Having already won the first inter-club event at Aquasports earlier in the season 'Hythe Hotshots' are half-way to securing a place in the Champions Cup 2006 and an opportunity to defend their prestigious title. The next event is at Hythe & Saltwood Sailing Club on the 9th July (World Cup final day!). We would welcome as much local support as possible for our youth windsurfing team, particularly as it is part of 'Hythe Festival Week' and another win would secure the SE England inter-club series. Activ
Demo Day, Saturday 15th July (06/06/06) Spring
Newsletter (28/03/06) RYA AWARD GOES TO HSSC COACH Britain's best instructors, coaches and trainers were recognised at the RYA Coach and Instructor of the Year Awards at the RYA Dinghy Sailing Show, Alexandra Palace last weekend (Saturday 4 March). The Awards recognise those who have shown outstanding commitment, skill and hard work in training others. The RYA introduced these prestigious awards to acknowledge the importance of instructors and coaches within the sailing community. The Awards were co-hosted by David Ritchie, RYA National Sailing Coach and Coach Development Manager Alan Olive and presented by Eddie Ramsden, RYA Chairman. Fourteen individuals from all aspects of boating - from powerboating, dinghy sailing, windsurfing to squad and club racing - were recognised. The second windsurfing award was presented to Mark Brooks. Mark recently led his team to victory at the first T15 National Championships. CLUB NEWS - email Using email for club news and events is very economical and environmentally friendly. It also reduces time taken as postage involves printing, folding, into envelopes, stamps and addressing so is a preferable media for all those involved in updating you. Please could you ensure that Pam has your current email address if you would like to receive updates by email. Post will remain an option for those who do not have email. Tuesday Night Racing Is Back Hello Windsurfers, is summer ever going to arrive? Tuesday night racing is just around the corner and the temperature is still in single figures. I am sure there are plenty of people who can't wait to get back out there on the water, I know I am one, has this been the longest winter ever? Last season was excellent and we attracted some new Tuesday Nighters, the likes of little Chris, Joe Ling and a few others invested in One Design kit and completed a very successful season of racing. The One Design fleet will continue this season so if anybody is interested in racing, this is the best way to start and you can pick up some reasonable priced kit that will get you on the water. We are thankful for those who organised the racing last year, setting the courses organising the boats and the results. There is always something to do to get the racing sorted so please be willing and lend a hand. If everybody does there part it makes everything a lot easier. As many of you already know there have been great changes in the kit being sailed this year in the national and international circuits. The RS: X has arrived and is now officially the new Olympic board. The One Design is still around but is now low profile on the racing circuit, but hopefully this will help it grow for the not so serious racers and open class is as controversial as ever. It's going to be very interesting to see what happens this season nationally and at the club in the racing on Tuesdays. There has also been a lot of activity on the Techno front over winter. The board is now officially the national and international Junior One Design for the under 17. It has a new rig 6.8 for under 14 and 7.8 for under 17. Following the success of the Hythe Hot Shots last season, who picked up the T15 Inter Club National Title at Witwell, the RYA have selected eight of our juniors for the Zone squad and have supplied new board and rigs at discounted rates. These powerful kits will hit the water on a Tuesday night so make sure you are up to speed or you will get beaten by a Hythe Hot Shot! The success of Team 15 continues to grow, if anybody has young children who are interested in T15, please contact either Mark Brooks or myself and we will be pleased to get you on board. Look out for club training dates on the notice board. We are building some new board racks at the rear of the club for the juniors wide boards these should ready in a few weeks. Approximately twelve spaces will be available (cost to be agreed). Please contact myself or Willy Wire to reserve a slot. Look forward to seeing you all on the water, lets hope it warms up pretty quick but if not you will find me sitting on the new "Heated Floor" in the changing rooms! Good luck Good Windsurfing. Marc / Elliot Carney HELLO AND WELCOME to the 2006
sailing season starting on Sunday 2nd April at 2p.m. There will be a
presentation of sailing trophies for 2005 and afternoon tea after the race
at approximately 4p.m. Everyone is welcome, come along for a cuppa and chat
with friends. We are all looking forward to sun soaked beaches and good
winds, so we can go off across the bay with all sails up and hanging on for
dear life! I cannot guarantee the weather but I can promise a warm welcome
from the Hythe sailing team. THE NEW
SEASON: All the old favourites will be there, the SHIP RACE (or SHIP WRECK
as some might rename it after last years troubles!) Hythe Festival week,
Sunday racing and Thursday evening racing. Check the notice board regularly
for updates and times of new events. As the laid back cruises to the mermaid
café were so much enjoyed by all, we are going to do as many of these as
the weather and tides will allow, some starting early as some people like a
spring sail - I would be on the water every day if I could. The club on
Sunday offers great facilities now due to volunteers hard at work in the
galley, so make a day of it come down and chill out with us all day. Lets
have some more men volunteering for the galley (this is 2006 not 1956!)
BUDDY SYSTEM: We are aware that new members
often feel awkward so it is important that they are made to feel welcome by
everybody. With this in mind we are setting up a Buddy System. Each new
member will be teamed up with a volunteer, well established club member, to
whom they can go to find out information such as where is the key to a
particular gate or just for a chat about sailing! Anyone who would like to
take on this (not too demanding!) role, please contact Peter Brooker.
THE BOAT PARK: Some boats were not out in the
last season. If your boat is one of these you will notice that we have
racked it or moved it to allow easier access to the people who sail each
weekend. We now have a queue for boat park spaces so if you no longer intend
to use your boat please help us out by clearing the much needed space. If
you have no space or towing bracket to store your boat at home, please let
me know and we may be able to help. TEAM
WORK ON BEACH: We need better team work on the beach after sailing events.
Please don't leave the beach until the rescue boat is in and up the shingle
safely. The safety boat is every sailor's responsibility not just the safety
boat crew! You need them to look after you when you are on the water so
please help them when they need to bring the boat up! This holds true for
all the boats on the water (not just the posh ones!) If we all look after
each other, launching and landing, it will make sailing much more enjoyable
and much safer for everyone at our club.Well I am just off to the garage to
look out my sailing gear. See you on the beach! Peter Brooker RYA LEVEL I TRAINING for adults and stage 1 for children, 3rd /4th June £65 per person for HSSC MEMBERS. This weekend training session will be held at Dover Watersports. The normal price for this course is about £160, but we will use HSSC member Instructors, who are working for free and so we are able to offer this at a greatly reduced rate, for this weekend only! There will be one pre-session meeting, held on Friday 2nd June, in order to run through some theory/ safety etc. Places are limited, so please let Chris Rutt know as soon as you can if you are interested. Cut off date is Friday 5th May. IMPROVER SESSIONS Sunday June 11th, 18th, 25th July 2nd, 9th and 16th 10a.m - 12 noon. Cost: £5 per person per session. Please book one week in advance. These sessions are aimed at those who have just completed the course at Dover and also for those who have already got an RYA Level 1 or 2 certificate. A series of structured sessions, to cover a range of skills aimed to build your sailing confidence and independence. Experienced sailing members of the club and our own instructors will be on hand to help. We now have a 420 as well as the club toppers for use in these sessions. The idea of these Sunday mornings is to get more people involved, so even if you just want to come down and sail your own boat at that time, in the knowledge that there will be a safety boat around, that's ok too! INTERESTED? or for further information, contact: Chris Rutt or Jo Mortimer EGM
Friday Jan 13th (03/01/06)
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