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White Boat Open 16th & 17th June

FOX takes top honors at NPC’s Yare and Bure Open Design Open on Barton Broad

 

One of the largest fleets of these iconic Broadland sailing boats in recent years took to the water to compete in the Norfolk Punt Club’s YBOD Open last weekend on Barton Broad. Twenty-one boats, including many that travelled from other clubs, enjoyed the fine weather (though at times breezy and inconsistent winds) over the weekend. Many of Broadland’s top YBOD sailors took part in this annual open event, and the ever changing but generally South Westerly wind direction presented many challenges, both for those setting the course and those taking part. On Saturday, nearly everyone’s position changed on every round sailed. The sailors from the host club fared well, but could not drive home any advantage over the visiting crews.

 

The Consortium Cup, was won by Chris Bunn and Niki Tansley sailing FOX, who were joined by Jo Ford on the Sunday. They were closely followed by Paul and Elise Carrington sailing White Ermine, and third was The Miller helmed by Flip Foulds crewed by Gilly Foulds and Katherine Brady. Three boats, Grizzled Skipper, Silver Blue and Small White were all in close contention for the Whelpton Trophy, awarded to the highest placed Norfolk Punt Club boat, going into the last race on the Sunday. Ultimately Small White, helmed by Peter Robbins and crewed by Chris Pugh, came out on top.

 

Results:

Consortium Cup

1st Fox / Chris Bunn, Niki Tansley and Jo Ford

2nd White Ermine / Paul and Elise Carrington

3rd  The Miller / Flip and Gilly Foulds and Katherine Brady

 

Whelpton Thophy: Small White / Peter Robbins and Chris Pugh

 

 

Try sailing on Barton Broad – 19 May 2018 

Try sailing on Barton Broad – 19 May 2018 

Calling all would be sailors.

On Saturday 19th May Norfolk Punt Club are offering you the chance to sail (free of charge) in a range of boats including the very fast Norfolk Punt featured on the BBC recently. You may also sail in a dingy, keel boat and River Cruiser. Experienced skippers will take you around the beautiful Barton Broad to see the wildlife, including Marsh Harriers and other reed bed dwellers. Sample the delights of a ‘Punt Club afternoon tea’ on the pontoon in the middle of the broad. The club will provide “water taxis” from Barton Turf Staithe to ferry you out to the pontoon at 12.30 and 2.00pm. Taxis will bring you back at 4.30pm.

As it is also a Royal Wedding Day there will be a ”bit of a party” on the pontoon so bring a picnic if you want to and a few pounds for tea and cake. We can lend you Buoyancy Aids but please dress in suitable clothes that will keep you warm and can suffer splashing. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

For further information please contact vicecommodore@puntclub.co.uk 

THE BARTON BUNNY

The Barton Bunny – sponsored. by the White Horse Neatishead
Great fun was had by all at the second annual Barton Bunny Easter Pursuit race yesterday, this year sponsored by the White Horse Inn.

Despite the weather forecast and very cold conditions a small, perfectly formed clutch of boats set off in four separate starts to enjoy the first race of the season. The S/SE breeze was mainly gentle and the rain held off at first but the wind chill factor was extremely challenging. The first shower was about bearable but the later, heavier, longer one, after around 1 hour 40 mins defeated a couple of crews who retired from the back of the fleet, very cold and wet. Smiles came back to their faces with cups of tea and a piece of cake in their hands.

Third overall was John Seeley in Lilac Beauty (YBOD 139), with Alison Sawyer and Jannie Seeley. Second was Fred Wickham with brother Rupert in Zhaba (Wayfarer 3045) who steadily crept up on 5 of the 6 boats that started ahead of them. But they could not catch March Ringlet  (YBOD 126), helmed and crewed in turns by Simon Adler, Andrew and Robert Friend and Brigitte, which took the lead at the second mark after Pessimist (Laser Radial) went the wrong way.
Key statistics:

100 £s raised for the club Centenary Fund

16 sailors
8 cakes (maybe more… we lost count)
7 boats
5 cake bakers
4+ laps
3 safety boat crews – taking turns for hot drinks on the pontoons
2 tea hut supremos
2 DNF’s
1 wrong turn (must write course on hand in future!)
0 capsizes (but lots of near misses)

and lots and lots of cups of tea.
All the bunnies went home with chocolate imitations of themselves – and carrots.
It was good to see so many visitors and old Punt Club members taking time out from their Easter breaks in Norfolk to brave the conditions and support the race.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen  – in particular to Bea and Roseanna for following in Max Dixey’s footsteps as the young OOD team in charge. Special thanks to Phil, Liz, Bill, Louisa and Martin in the safety boats. I hope they have warmed up by now.
And thanks to Max Dixey for dreaming it all up last year.
Looking forward to next year already – and hoping for a later, warmer Easter!

 

Powerboat Courses

Safetyboat Training

Want to know what to do in this situation?

do you want to be able to drive a safety boat and help with duties on a Sunday.

Or

Already have your powerboat L2 but would like to improve your skills and really learn to rescue boats and people safely.

Powerboat Level 2  Training Course            14 – 15th April                      This course is the basic handling course and is the minimum requirement for doing safety boat duty for the Club.

Without enough safety boat drivers Club racing and other activities will not happen. 6 places only.

SAFETY BOAT TRAINING              21 – 22nd April

If you have already passed your Level 2 Powerboat course or are experienced in powerboat handling then you need to do the Safety boat training. This course trains you to rescue people and boats.

Ideally everyone driving the club safety boats should have this level of skill. 12 places only.

Both these courses will cost £30, which covers the coursebook, fuel and certificates and is heavily subsided by the Club and the Instructors who give their time for free. Please complete the application form and return to Ian.

Ian Mason has kindly offered to do refresher sessions for anyone who has their L2 but feels they need some practice. These will happen anytime Ian is out on the Broad on a Saturday.

Contact Ian if you are interested:              ian@kjim.co.uk

Powerboat Application 2018

Rules evening

We may be sociable and informal but we race by The Rules and its essential we all understand these

So once again we have arranged a pre-season ‘teach-in’ from Mike McNamara about the racing rules. This will be the third year in a row that he has kindly agreed to do this for us; the others have been very successful (and entertaining) – so don’t miss out.

Basic details:

  • 20 April 2018, time tbc (probably 6.30 for 7pm)
  • Horning Sailing Club (with special thanks to the HSC Committee)
  • Cost: £5 per head
  • Informal gathering in The Swan afterwards.

Many thanks to Carol Watson for making this happen. Do contact her with any queries or special requests

To book your place, please email Carol telling her

  • how many places you want

and

  • how much money you have transferred by BACS to the NPC account – Please add Reference: Rules [your name] (Account

We will confirm the details nearer the time.

Hope to see you there!