(latest items appear first)
Drennan Trophy, 13th October 2024
As the last race of the season, the Drennan Trophy was sailed on 13th October. Due to light winds, some competitors had difficulty reaching even the first mark. However Robert and Sue Signer (Flying Fifteen) managed to come in first, closely followed by Paul Farish (Flying Fifteen Classic).
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| Drennan Winner |
The club is now closed for the winter.
Autumn Series Race, 29th September 2024
The Autumn Series races continued on 29th September. Although the day started sunny and calm, a pleasant breeze built up and allowed an interesting race. Some photos of the day are as follows. (Click to see a larger version of the photographs.)
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| Tranquil Loch | Race in Progress |
Fun Sailing Day, 21st September 2024
A number of dinghies got out on the water for the Fun Sailing Day. A moderate and at times gusting wind made for interesting sailing for the experienced sailors, and also the young solo helms improving their skills. Impromptu racing added to the enjoyment. There were short 'taster' sessions in one of the club's larger training dinghies, with smiles all round from the participants.
Some photos of the day are as follows. (Click to see a larger version of the photographs.)
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| Fun Sailing | Taster Sail |
Couligartan Bay Cruise, 14th August 2024
There was a great turnout at the club for a cruise to Couligartan Bay. A fleet of ten dinghies, two canoes and a kayak set off in glorious summer sunshine to try to get to the picnic spot on the south shore of Couligartan Bay. Due to very light (and for a lot of the time non-existent) winds, only five of the dinghies managed to cross the bar into the bay. However, a very nice light Easterly wind back out on the main loch allowed some superb sailing. The club was very busy with family groups, as well as a visit from some of the club's longest serving social members.
Some photos of the cruise are as follows. (Click to see a larger version of the photographs.)
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| Entrance to Couligartan Bay |
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| Cruising on Couligartan Bay |
Club Regatta, 4th August 2024
Club members took to the water for the annual regatta despite light and variable winds and somewhat cloudy weather. Three races were sailed during the course of the afternoon. The top placings were 1st Will Barrett (Flying 15 Classic), 2nd Paul Farish (Flying 15 Classic), 3rd Mitch Roger (Kestrel) and 4th Jim Bedwell (Topper).
The winning boat is shown below. (Click to see a larger version of the photograph.)
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| Regatta Winner |
Fun Day, 22nd June 2024
The Fun Day was a big success with around 20 children (plus parents) taking part. A large variety of activities kept everyone occupied, both onshore and on the water. The Almost Credible String Band played in the club house to an appreciative audience.
Some photos of the event are as follows. (Click to see a larger version of the photographs.)
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| Water Balloon Volleyball | Fun Day on The Water |
Spring
Race Results, 9th June 2024
The Spring Series, sailed over 12 races, has now been completed with a good number of entrants. The overall winners were Robert and Sue Signer (Flying Fifteen), with Paul Farish (Flying Fifteen) coming in second and Will Barrett (Flying Fifteen) coming in third.
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| The Winners |
Opening
Day Race, 21st April 2024
There was a good turnout for the opening race of the season (the President's Plate). With a mix of sunshine and light winds, the results were fairly close. The main placings were: 1st Will Barrett (Flying Fiteen), 2nd Paul Farish (Flying Fifteen), and 3rd David Kohn (Laser).
Club
Readied for Sailing, 23rd March 2024
The club was readied for sailing on 23rd March, including getting the site neat and deploying the racing marks. One young member also took the opportunity for a first sail. (Click to see a larger version of the photographs.)
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| Deploying Marks | A First Sail |
Loch Ard
on YouTube, 31st December 2023
A time-lapse video of the Loch in 2023 is now available on YouTube. This combines photographs taken by the Loch Ard web camera at 12.00 each day.
Web
Cam Photographs, 31st December 2023
Some of the nicer photos taken by the webcam in 2023 are as follows. (Click to see a larger version of the photographs.)
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| Noon 01/01/23 | Sunrise 19/01/23 |
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| Sunset 24/02/23 | Mid-Afternoon 07/03/23 |
2023
Racing Results, 16th October 2023
Racing results for the whole season have now been announced. Detailed results are available to members, while a summary is available online.
Club
Closed for Winter, 7th October 2023
The club is now closed for the winter, restarting in Spring 2024.
Racing,
27th August 2023
Racing continues at the club, most recently for the Admirals and Founders series. Robert and Sue Signer took first place in both races on 27th August. Some photos of the races are as follows. (Click to see a larger version of the photographs.)
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| Flying Fifteen Racing 27/08/23 | Solo Racing 27/08/23 |
Our Ukrainian friends continue to develop their sailing skills in Flying Fifteens and enjoyed the afternoon's racing.
Sailing
Training, 18th June 2023
The club held a sailing training day on 18th June, with a combination of sunny weather and a good breeze. The club was pleased to welcome two Ukrainian youngsters who wished to learn sailing. We look forward to seeing them come back and develop their skills further.
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| Sailing Training 23/06/23 | Sailing Training 23/06/23 |
Drascombe
Sailing, 20th-21st May 2023
The club was pleased to welcome members of the Drascombe Association with visitors from St Mary's loch, Edinburgh and Conway north Wales.
Eight boats arrived on Friday evening so they were ready to make the most of the weekend’s activities. On Saturday our visitors enjoyed a treasure hunt down the loch, even though much was done by rowing due to a lack of wind. The evening meal was followed by an impromptu jam session in the clubhouse session, with recorder, guitar, violin and two small accordions.
Sunday brought a nice easterly breeze that gave all our visitors a chance to enjoy the delights of the loch. Everyone thought we lived up to our motto as ‘the friendly club’. It was great to see so many of these unusual boats and their characterful crews.
Some photos of the event are as follows. (Click to see a larger version of the photographs.)
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| Jam Session 20/05/23 | Drascombe 21/05/23 |
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| Drascombes 21/05/23 | Drascombes 21/05/23 |
Opening
Day Race, 23rd April 2023
The first race of the season was sailed in pleasant conditions for the President's Plate. The main placing were: 1st Robert and Sue Signer (Flying Fifteen), 2nd Oliver Wesolowski (Laser Radial), 3rd Paul Farish and Ian (Flying Fifteen).
General
Notice of Race, 22nd April 2023
For club racing in 2023, a general Notice of Race has been issued.
Loch Ard
on YouTube, 31st December 2022
A time-lapse video of the Loch in 2022 is now available on YouTube. This combines photographs taken by the Loch Ard web camera at 12.00 each day.
Web
Cam Photographs, 31st December 2022
Some of the nicer photos taken by the webcam in 2022 are as follows. (Click to see a larger version of the photographs.)
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| Sunrise 22/01/22 | Mid-Morning 24/02/22 |
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| Mid-Afternoon 05/11/22 | Sunset 05/11/22 |
Club
now Closed for Winter, 9th October 2022
After a successful sailing season, the club is now closed for the winter. Activities will resume in April 2023 with the regular sailing programme.
Solo Travellers' Results, 8th October 2022
The Scottish Solo fleet gathered at Loch Ard Sailing Club on 8th October for the last of this season's HD Sails Travellers Series. Shifty winds made for challenging races. The results were as follows. A full report can be found online.
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
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| 1st | 6043 | Kevan Gibb | Largo Bay | -2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2nd | 5602 | Kieth Milroy | St Marys SC | 1 | -3 | 3 | 4 |
| 3rd | 5948 | Stuart Gibson | CCC Bardowie | 3 | 2 | DNC | 5 |
| 4th | 5841 | Ross Watson | East Lothian | -4 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| 5th | 4975 | Charlie Brecknell | Chanonary SC | 6 | -7 | 4 | 10 |
| 6th | 4766 | David Whyte | CCC Bardowie | -11 | 5 | 6 | 11 |
| 7th | 4502 | Malcolm Worsley | RTYC | 5 | 6 | -9 | 11 |
| 8th | 5889 | David Parkin | ASYC | 7 | -8 | 5 | 12 |
| 9th | 4856 | Robert Signer | LASC | -10 | 9 | 7 | 16 |
| 10th | 4517 | Robert Taylor | Dalgety Bay SC | 8 | -10 | 8 | 16 |
| 11th | 4850 | Donald Aitken | Largo Bay | 9 | RET | DNC | 22 |
| 12th | 561 | Bruce Birrell | Largo Bay | 12 | 11 | RET | 23 |
A photo of the prize-winners appears below. (Click to see a larger version of the photograph.)
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| Solo Prize-Winners |
Club
Regatta Results, 14th August 2022
The club held its annual regatta on 13th and 14th August. For the 13th, the top placings were as follows: 1st Robert Signer (Flying Fifteen), 2nd Paul Farish and Paul Moore (Flying Fiften), 3rd Will Barrett and Jim Bedwell (Flying Fifteen). For the 14th, the top placings were as follows: 1st Jeff Heath (Solo), 2nd equal Robert Signer (Flying Fifteen), 2nd equal Paul Farish and Paul Moore (Flying Fifteen). Congratulations to Robert Signer for being the overall winner.
Spring
Handicap Results, 29th May 2022
The eight-race Spring Handicap series is now complete, with the main placings as follows: 1st Robert and Sue Signer (Flying Fifteen), 2nd Paul Farish and Oliver Wesolowski (Flying Fiften), 3rd Dick Arnold (Flying Fifteen).
Opening
Day Race, 1st May 2022
The opening day race for the President's Plate took place in very light and variable winds. The main placings were as follows: 1st Paul Moore and Bob Duncan (Flying Fifteen), 2nd Nigel Orr (Heron), 3rd Will Barrett and Gavin Barrett (Flying Fifteen).
Some photos of the event are as follows. (Click to see a larger version of the photographs.)
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| Flying Fifteen | Heron and Solo |
2022
Programme Announced, 19th February 2022
The 2022 sailing programme has been announced.
Loch Ard
on YouTube, 31st December 2021
A time-lapse video of the Loch in 2021 is now available on YouTube. This combines photographs taken by the Loch Ard web camera at 12.00 each day.
Web
Cam Photographs, 31st December 2021
Some of the nicer photos taken by the webcam in 2021 are as follows. (Click to see a larger version of the photographs.)
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| Mid-Morning 01/01/21 | Sunrise 03/01/21 |
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| Sunrise 22/01/21 | Sunrise 02/11/21 |
Club
Closed for Winter, 11th October 2021
The club is now closed for the winter, the restart date in April/May 2022 depending on coronavirus restrictions.
Drennan
Trophy, 10th October 2021
The final race of the season was sailed in changeable conditions, but with sufficient wind for a good circuit of the loch. The top placings were: 1st Robert and Sue Signer (Flying Fifteen), 2nd Rob and Ann-Margaret Cordingley (Flying Fifteen) and 3rd Oliver Wesolowski (Laser).
Solo
Travellers Event, 9th October 2021
The club was pleased to receive a fleet of visiting Solos for a travellers event on 9th October. This was sailed in misty conditions with light and variable winds. Three races were sailed back-to-back, with the wind dying towards the end of race 3. (Click to see a larger version of the photographs.)
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| Windward Mark for Race 1 | Some of The Competitors |
Overall results for the three races were as follows:
| Place | Sail No | Helm | Club | Points | Race 1 | Race 2 | Race 3 |
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| 1 | 5408 | Tony King | Derwent Reservoir | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 2 | 5618 | Jon Gay | Lochaber YC | 5 | 10 | 4 | 1 |
| 3 | 5602 | Keith Milroy | STML SC | 5 | 3 | 2 | 14 (DNF) |
| 4 | 4856 | Robert Signer | Loch Ard SC | 8 | 6 | 9 | 2 |
| 5 | 5889 | David Parkin | AS YC | 8 | 2 | 6 | 14 (DNF) |
| 6 | 5841 | Ross Watson | Loch Tummel | 10 | 9 | 7 | 3 |
| 7 | 4975 | Charlie Brecknell | - | 10 | 7 | 3 | 14 (DNF) |
| 8 | 4969 | Gary Macfarlane | Bardowie | 13 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
| 9 | 5496 | Patrick Burns | Dalgety Bay | 15 | 4 | 11 | 14 (DNF) |
| 10 | 561 | Amanda Henderson | Lochaber YC | 16 | 11 | 5 | 14 (DNF) |
| 11 | 4766 | David White | Bardowie | 17 | 5 | 12 | 14 (DNF) |
| 12 | 5447 | Nigel Ford | St Andrews SC | 22 | 12 | 10 | 14 (DNF) |
| 13 | 4297 | Douglas Hay | Bardowie | 27 | 13 | 14 (DNS) | 14 (DNS) |
Summer Solstice Sortie, 19th June 2021
Despite a rather un-June like day, a good number of club members and friends enjoyed the annual barbecue and summer solstice sortie on 19th June. Culinary skills were much in evidence. Despite a variable wind, a number of boats were able to sail to the bottom of the loch and back, with younger members having a great time on paddle boards and kayaks. Some spent more time in the loch than on it! (Click to see a larger version of the photographs.)
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| Pre-Sortie Barbecue | Setting Off for The Sortie |
Spring
Handicap Series, 30th May 2021
30th May saw the last set of races in the Spring Handicap series. Members have enjoyed some excellent sailing, with the last race providing ideal conditions: a good easterly force 3 wind, gusts giving rise to white horses, and full sunshine. The results of the series are: 1st Ken Turner (Solo), 2nd Nigel Orr (Heron), 3rd Will Barret (Flying Fifteen). (Click to see a larger version of the photograph.)
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| Last Race of Series |
Club
Reopened, 2nd May 2021
The club reopened on 2nd May for social-distanced sailing activities. There was a race for the President's Plate, with Robert and Sue Signer taking the Honours in a Flying Fifteen. (Click to see a larger version of the photographs.)
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| Group at Club House | Winning Flying Fifteen |
Loch Ard
on YouTube, 31st December 2020
A time-lapse video of the Loch in 2020 is now available on YouTube. This combines photographs taken by the Loch Ard web camera at 12.00 each day.
Web
Cam Photographs, 31st December 2020
Some of the nicer photos taken by the webcam in 2020 are as follows. (Click to see a larger version of the photographs.)
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| Mid-Morning 01/01/20 | Sunrise 03/03/20 |
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| Sunrise 27/09/20 | Mid-Morning 15/10/20 |
Club
now Closed for Winter, 11th October 2020
After a limited season for sailing, the club is now closed for the winter. Hopefully we will be able to resume in April 2021 with a normal sailing programme.
Club
Club Partially Reopened, 9th July 2020
Club members may now make limited use of the cluhouse and site, subject to a variety of restrictions prescribed by the Committee to ensure safety. Club events have not yet been resumed.
Club
Activities Cancelled, 24th March 2020
The Committee has carried out a risk assessment of the ongoing coronavirus situation using the guidance available. Having done this, the Committee has decided, with great regret, that all club events should be cancelled until further notice. For the same reason, the clubhouse will be unavailable to members in the meantime. Members considering using the club outdoors are asked to respect Scottish Government travel guidance and social distancing.
Historical News
See the separate list of historical news items.