Splash August 2026

Summer Sailing At It's Best !

Celebration Racing,

The Sailing Secretary reports:-

The HBSC Celebration Weekend was three races: a normal race at 10:30am, a 1:30 pursuit race, followed by another race. As boats rigged early Sunday morning, the weather was looking feisty, yet 11 boats took to the water to brave the conditions.

The race was interesting, with huge wind shifts and 25+ mph gusts regularly causing tacks to fail, leaving boats stuck in irons. As the race reached its end, the wind gusts were hitting 35mph, causing mayhem.

Karl and Gordon got their kite and jib in a horrible twist, leaving only a mainsail to get back to the slipway, and other sailors had to lay their boats down for a rest, or as Sam and Michael said, "We were inspecting our spreaders."

Linda put on a fantastic lunchtime spread, refuelling the battered sailors and guests.

At 2pm the pursuit started, with 11 boats tackling the WSW stiff breeze. The first boat to start was Catherine in a Topaz, the last Sam and Michael in the RS800 35 minutes later.

It wasn't long before the capsize drills started, with Karl and Gordon having to wizz here and there over bumpy water in the safety boat.

Alfie ended up with a tangled mainsheet, having to sail in. Next, Lester was knocked off his boat and was washed away, requiring safety assistance. Sadly, as he was dropped back on his boat, the safety boat had to assist three other boats in trouble, leaving Lester to wash ashore.

Marrat and Aigel in a 420 managed to avoid capsize, along with Olaf (although Allan said his was a test capsize before the race start - and it didn't count). Olaf was in front at 1:30, Allan was second by a tight margin, chased by the RS800, which capsized around a mark just prior to the end, leaving Sam and Michael in third place.

It was clear the last race of the series was not going to happen as sailors rapidly headed to the slipway.

The Jim Newbury race was won by Sam and Michael in the RS800, the Paul Smith Pursuit by Olaf, and the Colin Sproxten (single-handed) by Allan.

A big thanks goes out to Brian and Graham, who ran the races in difficult conditions, making it a fantastic day.

Graham said:- "A great day on and off the water, a massive thanks to the usual suspects! HBSC at its five star best "

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Looking Ahead

Work Party Saturday 1st August

Saturday 1st August we have a work party from 10:00, followed by Improvers/Open sailing and Cadets at 14:00.

Come on down to help tackle some boat shed tidying and other minor jobs for a couple of hours, then grab something from the galley or bar and stay to play on the water in the afternoon!

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Cruise News

8th August Club Cruise towards Margate

Our first August cruise heads east towards Margate, departing the club at 10:00 and making the most of the outgoing tide before stopping ashore for lunch between Minnis Bay and Margate.

29th August Club Cruise towards Whitstable

The second cruise of the summer heads west towards Whitstable on the 29th, again departing at 10:00 before stopping for lunch ashore and returning with the afternoon tide.

Club cruises are always a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a day afloat together and we'd love to see as many club boats taking part as possible. If you have room to take another sailor, please consider offering them a lift.

We're also looking for volunteers to helm and crew Viking and Humber as safety boats. If you can help, please sign up via the club website.

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Club Week - 26th-28th August

Three days of Cadet activities return later this month, followed by the Club Cruise to Whitstable on Saturday.

Registration for club week is now open. The deadline for cadets signing up is 8th August.

This is an amazing week of fun for everyone involved. If you'd like to sign up or help please contact Janine via the main group chat or hbsc.cadets@gmail.com

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Training

We're planning further RYA training later this season.

Please email Adrian via training@hernebaysailingclub.co.uk if you're interested in:

RYA Dinghy Level 1

RYA Dinghy Level 2

RYA Powerboat Level 2

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Lester's Log

After three months exploring the coastline of Britain aboard Helena, Lester has finally completed the adventure and returned safely home to Ramsgate.

The final leg brought him east along the south coast, passing Newhaven, Beachy Head, Dungeness and across Pegwell Bay before arriving back where the journey began.

Along the way we've shared encounters with dolphins and puffins, friendly harbour masters, spectacular anchorages and, every now and then, another instalment of "it seemed like a good idea at the time."

We've thoroughly enjoyed following the voyage from afar and thank Lester for taking us along for the ride. Now that he's safely back ashore and reacclimatising to life on dry land, we hope it won't be too long before we can persuade him to join us for an evening in the bar to tell the stories that never quite made it into WhatsApp.

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What's Coming Up

Friday

Bar Open

Saturday

Working Party

Improvers & Open Sailing

Cadets

Sunday

Racing & Open Sailing

Wednesday

Midweek Series Race + Sail

Remember to check the full calendar on the club website for all upcoming events.

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One Final Thank You

The Harbour Master at Herne Bay is extremely grateful for the assistance from HBSC concerning the motor launch on Sunday. To have a RiB on the water in the vicinity directly saved him calling out the RNLI.

It's always good for the club to be recognised for lending a hand on the water, especially if it saves the cost and time of the RNLI getting called out!

As responsible water users, we should all look out for each other and be ready to lend a hand whenever it is safe to do so.

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See you soon, on the water or in the bar and remember...

Many hands make great sailing!