The unofficial story: Nigel Harrison writes

   A multicoloured fleet enters the fray! (See photos below) What a great pleasure to see a new fleet enter the racing at Bala. We now have the coloured sails of Steve, Damien and Claus starting racing for the first time. Welcome!

   If any of you have never thought of racing I will explain how easy it is to get started at the Bala;

  1. Arrive a day early so we can help you rig

   2. Stuart offers tuition3. Saturday we start with a pairs race where you are paired with and experienced on-the-water coach to guide you around your first race

  3. Saturday we start with a pairs race where you are paired with and experienced on-the-water coach to guide you around your first race

  4. Enter the proper races and fun races for the rest of the week end

  5. Pie and pies in a Marquee on Saturday night

  6. Meal out at the pub on Sunday.  

 (Below: Pairs race at Bala in July, in the light first-day breeze---experienced helms coach new joiners upwind. The variety of rigs shows the ease of getting going in a cheap racing boat)

 You go home happy and having improved your sailing  Let me know if you are coming to any events (The next one is Bridlington 25, 26 August) and I will make sure that you are looked after.

   For the rest of us:    What a superb weekend!

   Thank you to Stan for lending me your boat. Good to see; Alex, Gareth, Stuart, Stan, John P, John T, Justin, Alastair, Nigel, Steve, George, Damien, Claus, Paul

  Sorry to miss Chris, Tony, Neal, Mike, Daryl, Dave and Ann. Look forward to seeing you soon.

  Below: Bala colour.

  Left: Steve Fenner exercises the TI rig upwind in a useful breeze.

  Right: Damien Cooney's unique  coloured Classic sail looking good downwind.