Monthly Archives: May 2020

Phase 1

Dear Members,

I hope that you are well. Following the First Minister’s announcement to move to Phase 1 tomorrow and Angus Alive’s announcement to re-open the car parks at their country parks, I would like to update you on the plans for Forfar Sailing Club.

The committee has put together a plan to follow each of the proposed government stages. Please be assured that our primary consideration continues to be the health and safety of our members. I attach for your information the plan for Phase 1, which will take effect from tomorrow. Please do read through and familiarise yourself with the arrangements.

You will see that there is the opportunity for members to start returning their boats and beginning to sail individually or with another individual/family whilst maintaining physical distancing. Whilst Forfar Loch is a large public space with lots of visitors, it is important that we ensure that the Club is not seen to be encouraging groups of individuals or families to meet at the same time. To assist this, we are asking that you please check the online calendar to confirm a space and email the Club when you intend to visit. The times will be added to the online calendar which can be found on the Club’s website under ‘when do we sail?’

https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=forfar.sailing%40gmail.com&ctz=Europe%2FLondon

Any members who have a boat stored at the tattie shed should contact Tony Walker directly to arrange access.

If you haven’t already done so, then we would be pleased to receive your membership renewal. For your convenience we would ask that you complete this using the online form and paying by BACS. please remember that we changed out account to the Bank of Scotland at the start of this year so make sure that you use the new details, which are provided on the online form.

Membership form

This has been a challenging time for everyone and we appreciate your continued support as we take small steps towards restarting our Club activities. We will continue to monitor the Scottish Government’s advice and will advise you of any changes to the arrangements.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the rest of the committee for their support and camaraderie over the last few months. I look forward to seeing you all on the water at some point soon.

All the best,

Helen Brown
FSC Commodore

From RYAS

From the commodore

I hope that you are well. I am sure that like me, you were all eager to hear what, if any, changes would be announced at the end of last week. Unfortunately, whilst England are taking the first steps in lifting restrictions, here in Scotland there has been no change.

As we wait for further announcements, we are continuing to monitor government advice and guidance from RYA Scotland. We are putting together a plan to restart sailing activity in a considerate and conservative way so that we are ready to return to sailing when it is permitted. Our primary consideration will be the health and safety of our members.

Meanwhile, we continue to do what we can and a number of you have been joining in with our virtual racing series. This has proved to be a pleasant distraction once a week, although I suspect that this lockdown will have to continue for some while yet before I consider that I have got the hang of it! Fortunately, some of our members have taken to it rather well and the radio sailors have demonstrated their skills very ably. My thanks to Erwin and Becci Oosterhoorn for setting up and running the sessions each week and also to Tony Walker, who has graciously kept me from finishing last! Plans to host an online quiz are also progressing and we hope to run that soon.

As you will understand, maintenance work at the Clubhouse has been unable to progress over recent weeks. However, with the dry weather that we have had over the last couple of months, the loch is at a very low level and it is an ideal time to carry out some necessary repairs to the pontoons. We have therefore ordered the required materials and plan to carry this work out in a few weeks’ time.

As the restrictions continue, we are all missing our usual activities and look forward to a return to sailing in some form in the near future. Meanwhile, we would love to hear your lockdown news, boat-related or otherwise, or any suggestions for online activities or training.

Stay safe and I hope to be able to see you soon.

Helen Brown
FSC Commodore

Tuesday race

Last Tuesday we welcomed another virtual sailor on the water, Danielle joined the race. There are now 15 sailors from the club and Radio sailors joining into the Tuesday virtual sailing. It’s never too late to add yourself, even if you think that you can’t get anywhere. Some of this week’s responses:

Helen: I want to know Tony’s secret, 10.3 knots!
Tony: I’d like to know as well… and still came last!

Helen: I thought that having the wind sock green was the idea but it doesn’t always seem to be the fastest!
Becci: I find that sometimes as well ->Helen: just like on the water!!!
Tony: Mm there’s a few things like that

During one of the races
And the finish line is in sight, Simon passed already.