Thames Sailing Club

Centreboard Sailing Report – December 27th–28th, 2025

Happy New Year to all our readers.

We are now halfway through our current season. With remarkable consistency, all scheduled events have taken place, and we hope for the same in the second half. Last weekend came at a hectic time for many. In previous years, we had a break, based on the assumption that interest would be low. Testing this theory yielded unexpected results: attendance was in line with that of previous races.

Thanks go out to all committed helpers and sailors. This does, of course, not mean that we could not do with more boats on the start line. I am sure we can achieve a lot if we all pull on the same string (in the same direction). Let’s make this club work for all of us.

In detail:

Saturday, December 27th:

Commonly, on our sail training days, sailors do not turn up before the scheduled briefing time. This was different this time around. Not expecting this, I found myself being one of the last to arrive.

With typically only having two hours available on either side of the tide, this potentially opens up more opportunities. I will make sure my boat is rigged and that I am ready to go by the briefing next time around.

In the absence of our youth sailors and newcomers, a number of Lasers went out for some training. The light breeze provided good conditions for practising “ghosting along,” “drifting with the tide,” patience, and mental strength. Our wind generator might need to be fuelled and revved up a few notches. Nevertheless, much can be tested and tried for the next time those conditions occur. It is good exercise. It will make you a more competent sailor (so they say).

Sunday, December 28th:

The forecasted 15-knot north-easterly looked exactly like Saturday’s conditions. On race days, briefing time has been adhered to for a few years now, and boats are launched shortly after. Should you be late, you might not make it in time for the first start. Please do not expect the fleet of committed sailors to wait for individual late arrivals. Much frustration is avoided this way.

Back to the breeze: 5 knots, variable from the south-west, was all we had for the first race. Four Lasers and a Topaz were seen drifting around a triangle–sausage course. Passers-by may well have wondered what these boats were doing out there. It certainly was a race, and the best sailor won. I should have practised a bit more the previous day.

Even four hours of sufficient water could not accommodate multiple races of this format. The wind veered to the north, and two buoys from the triangle were reused for a windward–leeward course. Twice around these buoys to port made up the second race. Sure enough, a little breeze came up after the finish. We used it for some extra exercise, but it did not last very long. Packing up and going home was all that was left to do.

Have a look at the results:

https://www.thamessailingclub.co.nz/index.php/centreboard-sailing2/centreboard-sailing-results

Next up:

We will be back sailing on January 10th and 11th. Please check the calendar.

Does anyone know where this mysterious butcher with the triangular sausages is? If so, I will donate $100 to buy some so we can have a barbecue next time around.

Better yet, come along — and don’t miss out.