Club Racing
Club racing takes place on Tuesday evenings, Saturday afternoons and, new for 2013, four Super Sundays. There is additional racing/cruises on Bank Holidays. There is always safety boat cover for racing, but of course the safety of a boat and her entire management including insurance is the sole responsibility of the owner and sailor. Members should not venture on to the water if they or their crew do not feel able to cope with the boat and/or conditions, either immediately or forecasted.
A member of the sailing committee sets the course and sailing members are expected to undertake either race officer or safety boat duties (about 3 or 4 times during the season). Training is provided for newcomers. The sailing committee member on duty has the final decision on whether racing will take place.
The Club has class racing for RS400s and Laser 2000s with handicap racing for other boats. The short course series is handicap racing with all-in starts.
Beginners to racing are welcomed. Established sailing members are always willing to give help and advice. Several have volunteered to operate a buddy system to coax new racers on to the water and help with tactics and tuning.
The start is normally from the shore but there is an option to have afloat starts should the conditions allow. Racing is competitive but friendly. The racing rules are largely competitor-enforced, and occasionally protests are lodged, though this should not put off novice racers as they do improve rule knowledge.
Prizes are awarded for each of the race series at the annual Laying-Up Supper. All series winners are entitled to compete for the Club Championship which is scheduled for September. Race and series results are posted at the clubhouse and on the website as soon as practicable after the race/series.
The club hosts class open events, and this year we have two - Laser 2000 and Phantoms in July, Musto Skiffs in August. A large number of entries are attracted to these events, and many sailing members assist with on the water, beachside or administrative arrangements. Along with these open events the Club has the Solstice Regatta in June and the Club Regatta in September. These events are open to all and are a multi class event.
Several club members own cruising yachts with day and weekend cruises organised around the many attractions of the Solent and beyond.