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.

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.

Member Mike Simmons, helming Squib Satyr, safely navigates through fellow Rutland Sailing Club cruiser fleet as we cross paths.

Thank you Mike Simmons for taking this video - rare footage as I am usually on the other side of the camera making the videos.

Sometimes, often, the forecast at Rutland Water and the actual weather aren't quite the same. The Forecast was very light wind F2. The reality was a very pleasant F3 for sailing in idyllic conditions.

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I took this video to show the actual weather - a decent F3 wind versus the forecast of very light wind F2 at best. Rutland Water has its own weather/ climate for sure.

Did our friends from CSSC HQ have a good time? Did we? Watch the video.

Anne and John enjoy a sail onboard Time Flies

Three men in a boat off for that first sail of the season/

Remembering a lovely Club day on the Wherry Maud on the Norfolk Broads, with Christine Peck, Mike and Merle Threadgill and Dave and Ann Grundy

Des Buckley joins old mate Dave Grundy and Mike Threadgill for a sail.

Guest Des joins Dave and Mike for a sail and get a hand on the helm.

Judging from all the smiles, that went well. #walk1000miles friend of Dave and Ann Grundy, Frances Ipson rather enjoyed her sailing taster with Mark Gadd and Marc Tebbutt -

There is nothing, nothing better than messing about in boats.

Having sailed on the Wherry Maud myself, I thought why not run a CSSC trip and I got to meet all these lovely people. A wonderful day out. Highly recommended.

Friends of Dave from Class of 2016 #walk1000miles Comes to Rutland Water. A weekend of local walking and the chance for a sailing taster. Satyr with Anne Doyle (crew and later helm) and Dave Grundy (helm) on Squib Satyr, sailing by Kate Hall and Michael Threadgill on Squib Lift Off.

We were enjoying our sail and then all of a sudden this happened! Rutland Sailing Club Manager Matt and his mates whizzed by on their amazing Moths. I managed to capture them on my iPhone. Rutland Water is full of surprises and this was not exception.

Our very own taster of a Lake Race at Rutland Sailing Club - Mike Threadgill on the helm and Dave Grundy crewing. Glorious sailing conditions which took us all round Rutland Water. We came in second!!! - not bad for our first race ;)