Published by the Open Canoe Sailing Group

Rutland Water - Can It Get Any Better? (KeithM)

The largest patch of water in the south of England has a bit of a reputation with some group members as always being a blowy place, but this year's first weekend event proved that it can be a great venue with plenty of space, interest and scope for lots of nice sailing. Although not exactly tee-shirt and shorts weather, the cloud was often well broken and the sun felt warm and welcome during the quieter moments shared chatting over a brew and a bite. Winds were far from the chilling and challenging version we endured last year, though coincidentally from a similar direction, with a moderate NE, perhaps up to F4 on Saturday and a lighter NE on Sunday.

Some of our most travelled members from north of the border had arrived on Friday in time for a

sail and by the time we met on Saturday morning there was a very healthy turnout, seemingly from all corners of the UK, for a chat about what was going on. We welcomed Jenny and ArthurW from Norfolk for the first time, who had come along to see what we do and get some ideas for adapting their long, fine and sleek composite canoe for sailing.

Arthur trying out Gavin's Shearwater.

JohnS with his sponsons - see later article.

The arrangements adopted at Rutland for the first time last year are proving to be perfectly workable, despite the launching being separated from the campsite; the watersports centre, where we register and sign out, reported a trouble-free weekend, with our group members "a pleasure to deal with".

Philip and AndyW chased by JohnS.

Jeremy and Pauline - a happy crew.

Various little cruising groups headed out to explore Rutland Water's extensive area with the warning to avoid straying into the conservation areas at each end of the big "U" shaped lake. A party, led by Gavin, visited the large sailing club on the far side to meet up with some of their members who get involved with sailing for people with disabilities.

Some of us dropped in at the fishing lodge café for lunch - no surprise there then... Anyone heading over that way enjoyed seeing about two hundred Topper dinghies keenly helmed by future young Olympic hopefuls in a series of races over the weekend. They were started in two fleets and each fleet certainly

Renate and PaulW well ahead of the Toppers.

left a significant wind-shadow behind it - but what's the rush when cruising?

As the sun went down with a bright pink flourish there were knots of people around the campsite chatting (and drinking their pink gins to match the sunset?) before some headed off to find a meal. Apparently this was easier said than done with several local hostelries found to be fully booked. Oakham town came up trumps though and the Chinese restaurant was probably a lot warmer than the campsite, which turned decidedly chilly after dark when the wind dropped.

Sunday dawned quiet, dull and damp, but steadily brightened up to be sunny and warm by lunchtime. Those keen to have a race did so, round three laps of a simple but interesting triangle, including a start/finish gate, all within sight of a spot on the shore close to the campsite for any who wanted to watch.

Race start - always busy...

Rod - nearly there!

AnnM was kind enough to officiate and, after a bit of confusion at the start, due to SteveR being early over the line, a good race was had by all. To the first mark was a close reach, then a broad reach/run to the gybe mark, a very close reach needing a tack or two and then another close reach to the finish line. Ann managed to record the intermediate lap placings with some approximate times as well as the final results. As always there were many little rivalries within the race, including Chris/JohnS, Gavin/DaveM/Keith and Jeff/Eddie/Rod.

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