Clifton College Website

Sailing Club

2011

See the Inter-House Sailing 2011 news story.

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2010

The Sailing Club has had its busiest year for some time with all year round sailing and powerboating, a longer list of racing fixtures and, thanks to investment by the bursar and the generosity of the OCs, the arrival of three brand new Rondar-built, matched, team-racing Fireflies with ‘Clifton College’ emblazoned across the hulls and the azure-blue sails. The boats’ beautiful lines and the striking new sails make a stunning impression against the backdrop of Chew Valley Lake.

The Club is regularly taking a minibus full of students to CVLSC on Thursdays and Saturdays whilst the historic Bristol Harbour is used on Tuesdays for ‘better sailing’ and RYA Level 1 and 2 powerboating courses in the Michaelmas and Lent terms.

Recreational sailing on the glorious lake continues in Lasers, in our ever-popular Stratos and for those in need of an adrenalin-rush and a swim, our Buzz. However the biggest change this year has come with the new Fireflies whose arrival has ushered in an exciting racing development plan. Under the plan Clifton students have been coached in team racing tactics; have had much more competitve on-the-water time and have been able to race most weeks thoughout the summer and are thus better prepared for travelling away to compete in fixtures.

See the
photo gallery

The racing season is getting longer than usual with ‘local’ fixtures against Millfield, Prior Park, Colstons and Sherborne to complement the Southern and Midland BSDRA events. We remain a young, relatively inexperienced racing team and have much still to learn about rules and tactics but we have been helped by Simon Green who raced very well and has been an effective team captain.

The House sailing competition 2010 was a delight after the completely becalmed 2009 event and all 11 houses entered teams, with 10 making it over the start line. The weather was incredibly changeable with steady force 3 wind, a squall that soaked us and knocked boats flat before blowing itself out and leaving light breezes, which then built up for the final. There was some extremely close, competitive sailing on display – especially exciting was the duelling between Alicia Harrop of Oakeley’s and Clara Salfelder of Hallward’s. In the end it came right down to points – East Town and Hallward’s were level on points but Hallward’s had more ‘firsts’ and had won when the Houses last met.

The gap left by Julian Noad’s departure last year was ably filled by the continued enthusiasm and commitment of Mrs Ballance and the arrival from Charterhouse School of Nick Mills who is the new Head of History, but also a former Master i/c Sailing. Nick brings experience and has been a racing stalwart.

This year’s bosun’s award for boat damage has to go to Patrick Howell for his mavering tactic of ramming and putting a hole in an opponent’s boat in an attempt to sink it before it could cross the start line.

After two years of regatta events at the 2012 Olympic venue The Portland and Weymouth Sailing Academy we have decided to end this season with a passage on the Yacht Tectona, an historic 70 tonne teak-built vessel which could not be more different to helm than the light, quick, ultra-manoeuvrable Fireflies.

A selection of match reports from the 2010 season is available for you to read. You can also read the latest Sailing Away Days that the pupils enjoyed.

Owen Lewis
Master i/c Sailing

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Clifton College Sailing Club 2009/10

Victory!

Clifton College sailors took advantage of the glorious weather and steady breezes this week to get the fleet back on the waters of Chew Lake and to notch up our first win of the new season against Millfield School.

Millfield’s crews are strong this year and their number one helm is a National-level laser sailor – and very quick in a Firefly.

However, the crews of Green/Tang, Terry/ Howell, and Clark/Farmer managed to win two of the three races on overall points. This was a very good start to the season.

The Sailing Club have been delighted with the arrival in 2009 of three brand new Rondar-built, matched, team-racing Fireflies and is extending its programme this term with Tuesday sailing at Axbridge. This would be an ideal opportunity for students who are new to sailing to try the sport.

For pupils interested in more information, please contact Mr Lewis.