Celebrating over 50 Years of Sailing

What Happened in 2018 ?

Put simply, it was mostly brilliant, but we didn't take enough photos !! More effort next year please folks !!

Also in August, the club turned out for the annual Harbour Raft Race, with a fabulous flying raft, and some incredible paddling amid the storms of flour flak.

I guess we'd rather forget the day we lost our beloved tractor to the sea, it was a frightening time for the club, and she will not be forgotten. New safety boat launch and recovery techniques are now in place.

43rd Laying Up Supper 2015

On Friday 27th November members and guests attended St. Ives Sailing Club annual Laying Up Supper.

Among them were, Deputy Mayor Maxine Armstrong , Councillor Colin Nicholls and members of the Penzance Sailing Club. Commodore John Palser welcomed everyone with a few light hearted jokes about famous food and drink quotes and then asked everyone present to give thought to those less fortunate than ourselves.

All had a very enjoyable meal which was followed by a raffle.

The prize giving of racing trophies was conducted by Sailing Secretary Mike Cook and prizes were presented by Maxine Armstrong.

John Palser and Colin Nicholls presented the special awards;  the Most Improved Sailor trophy to Millie Freeman, and the Commodore Cup to Daniel Rouncefield for being the most inspirational and helpful member over the season.

John Palser then presented Brian Gray, who was retiring from dinghy racing, with a framed photograph and the Out Of County trophy was awarded to Steve Fuller. This was followed by a few words from Colin Nicholl, who then raised a toast to the club. Penzance S.C. member Paul Kent thanked the sailing club for a very enjoyable evening.

The season’s racing results;

Spring Series

Saturday 1:  Porthgwidden Trophy 1st Mike Cook, 2nd Stuart Backhouse, 3rd Paul Gray.

Saturday 2:  Rampers Trophy  1st Mike Cook,   2nd Stuart Backhouse,     3rd Paul Gray.

Wednesday Series:  Bamaluz Trophy.   st Mike Cook,   2nd Paul Gray,    3rd John Palser.

Summer Series

Saturday 1:  Island Trophy      1st Stuart Backhouse,  2nd Mike Cook, 3rd John Palser.

Saturday 2:  Sloop Trophy   1st Stuart Backhouse,  2nd Mike Cook, 3rd Assistant Sec.

Wednesday Series:  Pedn Olva Trophy 1st Mike Cook, 2nd Paul Gray,  3rd John Palser.

Jubilee Challenge Trophy  1st Mike Cook,    2nd Paul Gray,     3rd John Palser.

St.Ives Sailing Club 42nd Anniversary 

Laying Up Supper - Friday 28 November 2014 

The, club’s annual ‘Laying Up Supper’ took place at the Chy an Albany Hotel on 28th November 2014

The Laying Up Supper was very well attended as usual with around fifty or so club members, their friends and guests; including guests from Penzance Sailing Club and Councillor Colin Nicolls who kindly agreed to help with the trophy presentation. 

Following a reception with greetings, drinks and chat a very enjoyable three course meal was served in the dining room, followed by coffee. The evening then moved on to the presentations. 

John Palser, the club commodore, delivered a short review of the very eventful 42nd year of the Club, before announcing the recipients of the Commodore’s Cup. The review Included thanks and praise to all those who had worked so hard throughout the year in ensuring a secure future for the club: raising much needed funds; dealing with issues that affect the club’s future and carrying out duties, on and off the water, that are necessary for a full program of racing and sailing to take place over the season. In this respect special thanks went to Mike Cook (Sailing Secretary), Laying Up Supper organiser, David Eddy (Membership Secretary), Matt Harvey, Jonathon Thomas, Stuart Backhouse (Treasurer), Martin Rawling, Simon Ashmore, Dave Peters and Richard Sadler. The Commodore then announced the recipients of the Commodore’s Cup. The Commodore pointed out that the recipients, John Wilson and Paul Tarplee., besides doing many Safety Boat duties over the season, had put hours of hard work into maintaining the Club’s new tractor, the Safety Boat and its launch and road trailers and there enthusiasm for the task had been inspirational. St.Ives Town Councillor, Colin Nicolls presented the Trophy, accompanied by loud applause.   

After this presentation, Councillor Nicolls said a few words in praise of the club and its place in St.Ives and his hopes for the future of the club, before the Commodore handed over to Sailing Secretary, Mike Cook, to announce and present the winners of the Sailing Trophies for the three Summer Series of races and the Jubilee Trophy, an event that took place on October 11th. All results below. 

This part of the evening was concluded with the presentation of the ‘Overall’ sailing trophy and the ‘Most Improved Sailor’ trophy.  

This most agreeable evening was rounded off with a raffle that had been organised by David and Margaret Eddy, with prizes donated by club members, followed  by more drinks and chat and reminiscing, 

Thanks to David Eddy for organising the Laying Up Supper this year for what, all who attended agreed, was a very enjoyable and entertaining evening. 

Trophy presentation: 

Wednesday Summer Series – Pedn Olva Trophy: 1st John Palser (Laser), 2nd Brian Gray (Laser/Radial), 3rd Mike Cook (Laser Radial) 

Saturday Summer Series (Race 1) Island Trophy:  1st Stuart Backhouse (Contender), 2nd Mike Cook (Laser Radial), 3rd John Palser (Laser/Radial)  

Saturday Summer Series (Race 2) Sloop Trophy:  1st Stuart Backhouse (Contender), 2nd Brian Gray (Laser/Radial), 3rd John Palser (Laser/radial).  

Overall for the year - The Florence Challenge Cup – for the helm with least points over the year 

1stMike Cook (Laser Radial) – Florence Challenge Cup 

2nd Brian Gray (Laser/Radial)  

3rd John Palser (Laser/Radial)  

Special Awards 

Daniel Rouncefield: - Alan Major Trophy’ for most improved helm this season. 

John Wilson and Paul Tarplee – ‘Commodore’s Cup’ awarded by the Commodore, John Palser, to a  member(s) of his choice for services rendered to the club over the season.   

Sailing Club Gets Another Clear Win

Friday 9th August saw the annual Harbour Raft Race, organised by the St Ives Gig Club.

In another demonstration of rafting prowess, we were proud to announce that the ninjas of our Sailing Club paddled their dragon boat to a clear victory.  

Having selected a prime starting position the ninjas collected their mermaid with only one floating greenhouse providing any competition.  

On the second leg the weakness of a greenhouse as a competitive vessel became apparent and, pushed off course by the Stennack Wind familiar to club members, they fell behind.  

Having collected the token from Smeaton's Pier the way was then clear for a romp home in great style.

Crossing The Line

Clearly, due to the nature of their work, it is impossible to name the ninjas concerned, nor identify them in any photographs for fear of compromising future contracts, so congratulations can only go to Barrie Dain for supreme paddling and his elegant attire.

However we do believe that the under mentioned may have had a hand in ninja recruitment: Paul Gray, Stuart Backhouse, Liz Kessler, Vickie Dove, John Wilson, Stephanie Eddy, Matt Harvey and Vickie's niece, Eleanor Coller.

Thanks to dragon boat designer John Palser who was unable to paddle this year but was beamed news within minutes of the finish.

Thanks also to David Eddy's team of bucket rattlers who assisted an under strength gig club in their fundraising on the night.  Mike & Terrie Cook & Margaret Eddy.

"It was the first time I've been here for the raft race and not paddled, but it was incredible to hear so much support for the club from along the wharf and to see so many club T-shirts amongst the crowd.  From the cheering and the people that came to speak to me at race control next to the lodges, there is clearly a great deal of support for the club in the town." Simon Ashmore *Proud Commodore Face*

New Sailing Season Gets Underway !!!

 Saturday 30th March

The chilly spring weather and has done nothing to deter our members from taking their boats to the water, and shaking out the cobwebs, after the long winter lay-up.

The safety boat was back on station in the nick of time, the sun shone, and the swell eased, as our hardiest sailors dipped their toes in the chilly ocean for the first time this season.

Here's hoping the on-time start of racing is a good sign for the rest of this season.