Ron receiving his award

HRH, The Princess Royal, President of the RYA, presented the annual RYA Community and RYA Awards at the 2009 RYA AGM  on Thursday 19 November 2009. WRSA member, Ron Clark, was invited to attend the event to receive his Lifetime Commitment Award.

The RYA Awards and Community Awards acknowledge the importance of volunteers within the sailing and boating communities. They recognise the outstanding contributions, time, effort and experience individuals have made to making it possible for others to enjoy boating and sailing, from establishing clubs, committee participation, to boat maintenance and training.  

Forty-nine Community Awards were projected across three categories recognising; Lifetime Commitment, Outstanding Contribution and Youth.  

Ron was nominated for his award, in secret, by Di Wetherell, the club’s commodore. “I was so surprised when I received the letter,” exclaimed Ron Clark. “I was the last person in the whole club to know!”

“Ron has been a member of the 50 year old White Rose Sailing Association (WRSA) for 40 years, by far the longest serving member,” explained Jenny Byers on behalf of the WRSA Committee. “Any problems at all, we always say “ask Ron” and he always understands the problem and what has to be done. We have come to rely on Ron as the ‘father’ of the club and many members do not realise just how much he does and has done over the years behind the scenes. Every successful club needs a ‘Ron’!”

Until recently, Ron’s dedication to the WRSA was mirrored by his wife Patricia who unfortunately died a few years ago. “I would very much like to pay tribute to my wife and the support she gave me over the years,” said Ron. “I would also like to thank Di Weatherell, the Commodore, and her committee. My sister accompanied me to the presentation and The Princess Royal was so nice and very welcoming.”

Ron enjoyed a celebratory lunch and was presented with a commemorative medallion and certificate by HRH, The Princess Royal.  

Rod Carr Chief Executive of the RYA said: “The RYA is delighted to make this award to Ron in recognition of his enthusiasm and promotion of our sport and his years of contribution to the region’s sailing scene. The work and voluntary time that all 49 RYA winners put into our sport is simply outstanding and it is my pleasure to recognise and celebrate this through these awards.”

Enterprises took the first 3 places in the day’s racing with Andrew Iveson finishing on the same points as Richard Thomlinson and Cameron, but winning overall on the tie breaker of the most number of 1^st places. Drew Lawrence came 3^rd and the leading Mirror was helmed by Pete Tarren in 4^th place. As is the custom, everyone that went on the water received a bottle as a reward for their efforts.

For those members that were not able to get there on Saturday, these photographs will perhaps give you a flavour of what the day was like

Results:

Mirror Fleet:

1. 1. Pete Tarren
2. 2. James Thomlinson
3. 3. Steve Bell

 Handicap fleet: 

1. 1. Richard Thomlinson and Cameron in an Enterprise
2. 2. Richard Valentine in a Gull
3. 3. Bob Barber and Mike Wade in an Enterprise

 Overall winners:

1. 1. Richard Thomlinson with Cameron in an Enterprise
2. 2. Pete Tarren in a Mirror
3. 3. James Thomlinson in a Mirror 

Some 20 club members had a  very successful weekend on Coniston Water in September with seven boats being trailed across to the Lakes from Ripon.

The weather was kind to us with some excellent sailing on both days.  In an exciting and closely fought contest for the Sailaway trophy, Richard Thomlinson and Callum in an Enterprise beat the other contenders, closely followed by James Thomlinson in a Mirror; with Drew Lawrence and Bob Barber third in an Enterprise. 

The sailing during the day was followed by some enjoyable socialising during the evenings with several members joining in an impromptu sing-along session in one of the local hostelries in Coniston.

Andrew & Laura Iveson

After a pleasant Saturday of training and sailing, eight boats were on the water for the long distance race on Sunday 13 September and what an eventful day it was.

It was overcast and threatening rain when the three Mirrors started the race. The wind veered between NW and NE and varied in strength from almost nil to gusts of Force 5.  Two Gulls started six minutes after the Mirrors and almost forty minutes later three Enterprises started the chase. After two and a half hours only one Mirror, a Gull and the three Enterprises were still on the water but the wind was strengthening and the fun was just about to start.

The Gull, helm Bob Dickinson and crewed by Richard Valentine capsized near the overhead cables but the strong current and the wind forced the boat into the willows and the support boat went out to ensure all was ok. Before it could return Bob Barber was in trouble in his Enterprise. He quickly righted the boat and then Andrew Lawrence capsized. In the next half hour Bob capsized three more times and Andrew a second time.

The outboard on the support boat failed so there was the interesting sight of the support boat with an Enterprise attached being paddled across the river by Andrew, Ron and Jim who were defiantly trying to counter the current and the wind. In the meantime, James Thomlinson continued to defy the conditions in his Mirror as if it was glued to the water. Andrew, Laura and Terri Iveson and Anne Barber came to the assistance of the “three men in two boats” whilst new member Mike Wade dashed home to bring another outboard motor. By 4.10 everyone was either wet or exhausted and we haven’t a photo of any of the capsizes so you won’t know if it is truth or fiction!!

The well deserved winner of the Mirror Trophy was James Thomlinson and, bearing in mind the conditions, one of our youngest members James Proudler did brilliantly to gain second place. Ron Clark was third.

The Overall trophy was won by Andrew Iveson  with Laura as crew. James Thomlinson was second and Bob Dickinson with Richard Valentine as crew came third.

Ewan Byers receives the winner's shield at the 2009 Novice Trophy

A brisk wind provied an enoyable afternoon’s sailing for helms and crew in this year’s Novice Trophy held on Sunday 2 August 2009. Fortunately no one capsized but there were one or two exciting moments.

The final positions after three races were:

1st place – Ewan Byers in a Enterprise

2nd place – Ian and James Proudler in a Mirror

The latest in video based technique tips from the RYA

Have a look at this site – www.ryachampionclubtv.co.uk/index.asp which is the latest in a series of resources being developed in conjunction with Sport England and Volvo Car UK, for the benefit of sailors and coaches within Volvo RYA Champion Clubs. The clips aim not only to provide the sailors with a great training aid and tips on correct technique, but also to provide the coaches and volunteers with basic knowledge of the ‘pathway’ classes in order to enable them to deliver quality and consistent race training within Volvo RYA Champion Clubs. Thereby, ensuring that the Volvo RYA Champion Clubs can provide the very best springboard for young sailors to progress to the RYA squads.

The video clips are narrated by double Olympic gold medallist, Shirley Robertson, OBE and feature a comprehensive range of techniques across the classes which have been specifically selected by expert RYA class coaches. They represent the key skills which other, more challenging techniques are based upon. Therefore, these key skills are an ideal focus for race training and sailor development at club level. Basically, mastering these skills at club level will give young sailors the skills to progress on into regional competition, and ultimately the very best chance of progressing to RYA squad based training.

We would encourage sailors and coaches to use the technical content of the clips to support their race training programmes and shape their sessions such that they are fun, safe and constructive for developing aspiring racers. For suggested training exercises and ideas on developing safe and effective training, which could be used specifically to favour the development of these skills, as well as other accompanying training resources please visit www.rya.org.uk/vcc

Anyone for sailing on a Wednesday afternoon?

Now the school holidays have started it might be a good idea to attempt sailing during the week – could I suggest a Wednesday afternoon – 2pm onwards, with possibly a barbeque in the evening for those who want to. Please email round if you intend to go. Di.

Ron (left) at the WRSA Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2007

Many congratulations to Ron who has been awarded a Lifetime Commitment Award from the RYA. This is for someone who has shown exceptional committment and dedication over a period of 15 years or more.

The RYA Community Awards, launched in 2002, recognise the exceptional voluntary contribution given by individuals. These awards, seen as the ‘MBEs’ of our sport, are given to people who make a real impact on our sport at local, grass roots level. In November 2008, fifty Awards, including four in the Youth Category were presented by HRH the Princess Royal.

Ron is the longest serving member of the Club. He has been an extremely active sailor in the past, winning many trophies. He ran our beginners’ training sessions on Sunday mornings for many years; giving lessons before taking to the water and supervising the trainees. During racing he would allow learners to helm his boat, with him crewing. All of this carried out with amazing patience!

Ron joined the club in 1972 when it was in its infancy. There was only a small clubhouse, chemical toilets, and no running water. In 1981, he helped to raise money to buy and, with a lot of effort by members, erect the present clubhouse. Since then the club has gained a septic tank, running water and flushing toilets. We have acquired a motor support boat and a ride-on mower. Ron has been instrumental in all of these changes.

Ron served on the committee for a long number of years and was Commodore from 1993 to 1995. Since 1999, Ron has taken the role of Bosun both officially and unofficially. Because he has seen the club from such an early age, he takes responsiblity to repair and upkeep all aspects of the club’s site. Ron’s contribution for the last few years has focussed on constant running repairs and upkeep of the site, clubhouse, changing rooms and grounds. Any problems at all, we always say “ask Ron”. He always understands the problem and knows what has to be done. We have come to rely on Ron as the ‘father’ of the club and many members do not realise just how much he does quietly behind the scene

I think you will all agree that this is well-deserved award. Every club needs a ‘Ron’ and we are extremely fortunate to have him in ours. Well done, Ron!!