Fancy a Taster Sail? Whether you used to sail, already sail, or just fancy having a go on a keelboat, you will always be made welcome and looked after, by members of Rutland Civil Service Sailing Club.

An afternoon Taster Sail with Hunts, Cambs and Beds Area Association : Gav, Peta and Wendy. RCSSC had launched in the morning and went out for a sail on the Soling: Time Flies and Squib:Satyr. It was a moderate breeze plus a bit more every now and then, that made it 'interesting' for Mike T and Dave on the Soling and Eric and Mike S on the Squib. We were zipping along and there was plenty of water coming over the bow into the boats. Great sail. Time for an early lunch, get ready for our guests and keeping an eye on the wind levels. For once, it did exactly as forecast and dropped to a steady F4 with a few more white horse every now and then. Wendy went with Mike S and Eric in the Squib and Gav and Peta with Mike T and Dave G. Even on reduced sail, Soling Time Flies was moving well, as evidenced by the grins from Gav and Peta , and Mike and I - great fun to sail with and definitely having a great time on their first ever sail. Whoop! Whoop! We covered a lot of Rutland Water over to Whitwell Creek, passing the end of the peninsula and Normanton Church to our right, and back to the basin area near the dam, before heading back to the South leg of RW. The foiling wind surfers were having a ball and whipped by with a passing wave. Gav and Peta's first time seeing them and up close to. We headed towards the nature reserve, up to the limit of sailing boundary and then broad reach back towards Rutland Sailing Club. Dave had a go on the helm and showed our guests what Time Flies can do - whipping along with a good lean on. At this point we saw Squib Satyr being towed by RSC rescue rib - we later learned there the helm had come away from the rudder. RSC were soon out. We followed them in and Gav & Peta kindly agreed to Wendy finishing off her sail on Time Flies, We bid our farewells and sailed out with Wendy on board. Turns out Wendy had previous sailing experience and she was soon very much 'at home' on the helm "Ready About!" lee ho. We enjoyed a sail in the area in front of RSC and up to the peninsula. The pictures tell the story for all of us. Our guests had a great sail in exciting conditions, under the watchful and friendly eyes of Mike T and Dave. Smiles all round. All too soon time to return to the pontoon - Mike took us in and Dave was able to go forward and just step off and walk Time Flies down the pontoon - ready for recovery and putting away ready for the next sail. All in all, just what we all needed - a day sailing in good company.

The forecast was good so Mike and I (Dave) agreed to meet up at Rutland Sailing Club for a sail on Rutland Civil Service Sailing Club (RCSSC) on Friday 30 June 23. The forecast was a F3-4, dry so we looked forward to good sail on Squib Satyr. For a change they weather was forecast and so we launched and rigged Satyr and with the wind blowing from the south/ south east. With Dave on the helm, we headed along the south leg of Rutland Water (RW) and once away from the shore, the wind picked up and we enjoyed a sail up to towards the boundary line for sailing, up to Old Hall on the Peninsula. We had the lake almost to ourselves, the wind was picking up and Satyr, over 50 years old, was showing us she could still give us a great sail, heeling. As ever on RW, wind awareness had to be constant as the wind strength and direction kept us on our toes. Time for Mike to helm. After a few more crossing back and forth we headed back toward Rutland Sailing Club (RSC) and then out toward the end of the Peninsula, Half Moon Spinney and Normanton Church. The wind picked up and got lively with white caps we were speeding along with a good heel on the boat with water splashing onto the decks and onto us both. We were soaked but enjoying the sailing - the years fell off us both and we Satyr did herself proud, making a good way on a beat. The sky greyed a bit more and we decided to head back to RSC for lunch, brought in nicely by Mike in changing wind strength and direction. We'd been well over 2 hours. After a brief lunch break we decided to head back out for an hour or so. This time I donned my waterproof jacket and trousers. Mike on the helm and myself crewing this time. The Waszp Event was on and sailing north in the basin area - Dam down to Normanton Church and looked a great sight. We sailed to towards a safety rib and checked the course to stay out the way and spent time going back and forth in a good breeze with Mike on the helm and myself videoing on My iPhone (as usual - it works for us) and we managed to capture a good number whizzing between the two gates. A wonderful sight to see relatively close-up but out of their way. Time to change helms enjoying the strengthening breeze, now more white horses. Just enjoying being on the water, with a sailing buddy and getting a great sail out of Satyr as we sailed the area between the Peninsula and Normanton for a while before it was time to return to the pontoon. We put in a sail past RSC and sailed in to check out our pontoon to find the wind direction would mean we would have to come in on the other side to the recovery slipway. Luckily the two dinghy sailor came out and were setting off and the RAF Rib kindly moved away to kindly make it easier for us when it came to bring Satyr round to the recovery side of the pontoon. We had a plan of approach and escape if necessary to come in again and we able to come in alongside comfortably, using the strong breeze to quickly slow us, but allow us to gently come along side. Thanks to Malcolm RSC Bosun, who offered to use his tractor to recover us, Satyr was soon back on her trailer and in the trailer park. 15 mins and Satyr was stowed ready for the next members of RCSSC to sail her. Time for a debrief and a pint and reflections of another perfect day, in sailing great conditions, in good company.

Mediterranean conditions saw six RCSSC volunteers take out both Squibs and our Soling for our CSSC Taster Sail guests (3 in the morning and 5 in the afternoon). The wind picked up to a F3-4 , warm, dry and sunny conditions. After a safety briefing it was time to issue buoyancy aids and it was time to head to the pontoon and joint he boats and RCSSC Helms for a sail on Rutland Water. In the morning we headed out on the south leg towards Manton and in open water we got the boats heeling and sailing well. In the afternoon we headed over towards Whitwell and dipped into the Northern leg of Rutland Water. All our guests and our volunteers had a wonderful sail in good company. To find out more, check out Rutland Civil Service Sailing Club website http://rutlandcssc.org.uk

There was a gentle breeze for the afternoon sail and Lift Off set of with John and Eric with guest Paul, followed by Satyr with Tony and Steve. Pontoon Charlie to see them all off was Dave who took the video of the two boats sailing away. The rest of the photos were taken from Steve. Ann had never sailed and said she was nervous and as the pictures show, she sailed with confidence under the guidance of Tony and Steve. Likewise Paul hadn't sailed before and he too got aboard and enjoyed this sail. Just what we like, happy smiling taster guests enjoying their sail.

A real delight to take dad Adrian and son James for a taster sail today. Adrian sailed on Lift Off (the blue Squib) with John Cranwell Ward and Eric Andrew and James sailed on Satyr (the red Squib) with Tony Garrick and Dave Grundy. Speaking to both soon after returning to the pontoon, they had big smiles and said they had really enjoyed their Taster Day with RCSSC. Adrian was a natural and sailed Satyr for most of the time we were out. He had a natural feel for the breeze and changes in wind direction. We sailed out from Rutland Sailing Club and soon tacked to head passed the gap between Hambleton Peninsula / Normanton Church into the open waters before the dam head. There were plenty of fishermen out and with Adrian on the helm we gave them space to fish and got plenty of friendly waves as we sailed by them. We covered the length of the Dam and getting great view of 'Rutland by the Sea' then across towards Whitwell Creek with sight of the slides, canoes and of course The Rutland Belle. Seeing Lift Off with Dad Adrian on board, near the peninsula and head up the North leg of Rutland Water. All too soon we had to turn for home and followed Lift Off, sailing in good company, heading by for the pontoon at Rutland Sailing Club on the South Shore, near Edith Weston. Whilst Lift Off headed in we decided to sail on for a few minutes and sailed half way along the South leg, and enjoying a strengthening breeze. By now Tony and myself were pretty confident in Jame's helming so when we saw a fleet of lasers sailing in a group towards with us, and us on a starboard tack (right of way) we decided to 'hold our course' and with a few marginal tweaks to make things easier for other sailors, James 'sailed through with aplomb. Nice one James. By now we could see the others were on the pontoon and it was time to join them. Adrian relinquished the helm to Dave and took control of the jib sail with Tony. The wind was a northerly blowing straight onto the pontoon soon so with bow and side fenders on, we sailed to the pontoon, turned into wind and came along side.

A days sailing and great to have RCSSC member back sailing with Rutland Civil Service Sailing Club (RCSSC) after a long gap due to Covid and lots of other things to keep him busy busy busy. At last some time for Mark to get a sail in. I have never seen Rutland Water so low before as the pictures show. The good news it is so large, we still found plenty of water in both the Northern and Southern legs. In the morning Mark sailed Satyr with Mike and I got some hands on sailing Time Flies with John. The wind picked up throughout the morning but was mainly F2-3 . Lunch break and I joined Mark on Satyr and Mike joined John on Time Flies and the wind really did pick up. The weather warned of thunderstorms and whilst these did not materialise, a god F4-5 did and we lapped it up. All too soon time to recover our keel boats to the boat park, ready for the next sail. But not without a debrief for Mark, Mike and Dave on the clubhouse veranda and enjoyed watch Kids Week sailing, jumping into the water, giant water pistols and all. The picture on the podium was us being 'boys' again. Another great day sailing at Rutland Sailing Club.

We welcomed our sailing guests Don, Joanna, Kay and Steve, Barbara and Andrew and enjoyed great sailing conditions with a F3-4. Thank you all for joining for a taster sail and being such good company. Good to see you all got on the helm too.

Pete Shuttleworth was the driving forces behind founding Rutland Civil Service Sailing Club and he gathered a group of interested sailors at Rutland Sailing Club to establish if there was interested in forming a keelboat sailing club - Tony Garrick was one of those interested and like Pete, is still sailing with RCSSC today. Recently we bade farewell to Graham Hudson, also a founding member - and we hope he and other founders will stay in touch with RCSSC and come for a sail some time. The others in the club have all contributed to RCSSC flourishing and growing and making sailing affordable and accessible. Though the CSSC we run tasters and enjoy them as much as our guests. Pete now lives back in Yorkshire and his decision to pop down for a couple of days and sail, coincides (almost - it was on 21 July 2022 at RSC) with the initial founding meeting. The Club got its boats in 2003 and was sailing soon afterwards and continues to do so. The Squib was chosen by the founders and has proved to be a good choice. It gives an exciting sail for those with experience and is kind for those who are just starting out. The Soling brings another dimension and is beautiful to sail.

John Heasman is an old friend of RCSSC member Eric Andrew and we all met up recently on a chance sail on a bright and breezy day - you may have seen the recent video on this channel. I asked John if he would like to tell us about his boat and provide a few more photos - these are his words. "My boat, 'Cerafina', is a Swale Pilot, a Gaff Cutter, built ( circa 2003 ) by John Pollitt of JEP Marine, on the Swale in Kent, a tide channel between the Isle of Sheppey and Kent. She is 5m boat length, 6m with bow sprit, with a 1.89m beam. An easy to use trailer sailer. Her hull design is taken from an old rowing lifeboat off a decommissioned Welsh lightship. A mould was made of the lifeboat hull, which John Pollitt bought. He then designed and converted the hull into a beautiful gaff cutter. They are clinker look, grip hulls, with cream internals and mahogany gunwales and seats. Sadly they are no longer manufactured. Quite a few were built in the late 1990's through to 2008 / 10. In 2020 there were three Swale Pilots based at RSC. Two have since sadly moved with their owners. Cerafina is currently the only one now left at the club. They do come up for sale fairly infrequently, one or two every couple of years, if you watch the usual boat sale websites. Cracking gaffer boat to sail, with the challenges of multiple sails, including a topsail.." Thank John and hope to see you out on the water again soon.

Eric, Mike and Dave on Squib out for a sail on Rutland Water in nice and breezy conditions F3 to F5. You never know what you might see when you sail on Rutland Water and this time was special surprise for Eric.

New members Steve and Mark Grout get on the helm, with Mike T and Dave, on a breezy day at Rutland Water. With winds F4-6 and plenty of wind changes and full sail (no reefing on the Squibs) it was a busy and exciting sail. Well done Steve and Mark. Another day sailing in good company with RCSSC.

A Saturday taster sail on Squibs Satyr and Lift Off. The day before had been wall to wall sunshine, a good breeze and 34 C. The forecast for our sail was 90% chance of rain. However, those who sail at Rutland Sailing Club will know the local weather sometimes decides to do something quite different - and so it was.

We had two Squibs and Soling out for a sail with our four guests. Four ladies who want to have a go at sailing and we really enjoyed having the aboard. A delight to have Diana sail with myself (Dave) and Jon and had a fun afternoon, even when it rained and we got wet.

The wind was not great when we sailed on 2 June 22 and we decided to abandon sailing at lunch time. "Fancy a sail tomorrow? The wind looks to be better." Fro Dave its a 50 Mile round trip - would it be worthwhile just a half day sail? John Cranwell Ward and Dave Grundy met up about 09:30 and 45 minutes later had launched and rigged and were leaving the pontoon in a decent breeze. We set of down the South leg and were pleased to see Rutland Sailing Club new RS21's out giving folks a taster sail. They looked great and even managed to get their spinnakers up a couple of times. Soon more boats appeared and we enjoyed. Our Squibs are 50+ years old but they still give us an exciting sail, given a decent breeze - the sun was out, the breeze ideal and lifting. Was it worth the round trip? Without doubt. Great to be out on the water today Friday 3 June 2022.

A word from RCSSC Boat Husband, John Cranwell Ward "Both Squibs were launched for the first time this season for lake trials to check and finely tune rigging , control lines and equipment." John and Mike, Eric and Dave sailed both Squibs - swapping boats after lunch.

Mark Grout, recent new member to RCSSC, enjoys a sail with Dave Grundy and Christine Peck on board Squib Satyr. Whilst Anne and Chris Brolly along with Marc Tebbutt sail Squib Lift Off. Later Eric Andrew swapped places with Anne and enjoyed an afternoon sail. Smiles all round after enjoying a fabulous sailing conditions and sights with winds F3- F4, wall to wall blue skies and sunshine. Rutland Sailing Club (RSC) were holding three events, including the Moth Open, so we had plenty to keep us interested and occupied as we sailed around the 3,100 acres of Rutland Water.

Julie, a CSSC taster guest, joined five members for a sail on our keelboats - two Squibs and a Soling. Having been greeted and briefed and issued with a buoyancy aid, it was down to the pontoon to meet RCSSC members. In the morning she sailed with Dave Grundy on a Squib in a moderate breeze, cloudy but dry conditions. She was soon setting the jib, pulling on jib sheets and finding the wind. Time to go on the helm Julie and she managed just fine, pleasantly surprised how manoeuvrable the Squib is and, with a good breeze, how Satyr quick picked up speed. A short lunch break and all change, joining John and Eric on Soling: Time Flies. The wind picked up at time and she was motoring along. Meanwhile Pete was with Dave on Squib: Satyr and Tony and Christine were enjoying their sail on Squib: Lift Off. This short video, pardon the pun, give you a taster of Julie's 'taster sail'. Welcome Aboard Julie - you did your self proud. Smiles all round at the end of the day and of course, we met up on the veranda to view the lake and reflect on a perfect days sailing.

Enjoying a sail on Squib Satyr and (at last) a decent F3 breeze. The wind did pick up at time to a F4 which had the boat heeling well over and showing us what she can do. Apologies for the quality of the image - taken on my iPhone and a tad too busy in the decent wind to use my iPhone ;) Great sailing with you Mike Simmons. cheers Dave Grundy

Mike Threadgill and I decided to sail RCSSC Soling "Time Flies" on Sunday 11 July 21 - Euro Cup Final day and agreed it would be good to explore the North leg of Rutland Water. We were gently sailing towards the end of the leg when we came across these really friendly folks also out for a sail.