English (UK) CHPSC News:
With Wales in the middle of the "Firebreak lockdown", there is sadly no sailing news to report. Behind the scenes, the Flag Officers continue to engage with RYA CW and attend on-line development forums, where we have an opportunity to discuss restrictions with RYA CW and their interpretation of Welsh Government COVID laws and the direction it takes with advice regarding boating activities etc.
In further co-operation, the Flag Officers continue to discuss current and future facilities for club members at Plas Heli with the directors, and are grateful that Plas Heli have entered into this collaborative partnership with us.
Vendee Globe
This Incredible race starts on November the 8th and is one we know many members like to follow. Some interesting Celtic connections, with Solo Skippers Alex Thomson racing "Hugo Boss" born up the road in Bangor, Pip Hare racing "Medallia" who competed in the 2017 Three Peaks yacht race from Barmouth, Samantha Davies racing "Initiatives Coeur" along with French Vendee skipper Miranda Merron and Volvo Ocean racer Dee Cafari, who set the incredible 6 day and 11 hour record for the circumnavigation of GB and Ireland in 2009
The promotion video for this years race can be viewed here or below.
IRC WELSH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS - UPDATE
Plas Heli, the Welsh National Sailing Academy and Event Centre, has been awarded the venue rights for the 'IRC Welsh National Championships' for 2021 and 2022. The Championship is hosted by Plas Heli, and organised/managed by CHPSC and the RDYC.
We now are recruiting volunteers for event planning purposes and if you would like to contribute, or have any suggestions to enhance the event, please reply to this newsletter. Its intended to have the first planning meeting in December to agree the Notice of Race and proposed format of racing. This meeting will be open to all potential entrants and volunteers, and will be held using Zoom. Further details next month.
2021 Membership Rates
Membership of CHPSC for 2021 is now available from 1st October 2020 for new members - a person who has not been a member for the last three years
The membership year is from 1st January to 31st December, so a new member in October will benefit from 15 months of membership for the price of 12!
2021 Fee Structure
Primary Member - £65
Joint Membership - £115
Racing Skipper - £125
Joint Racing Skipper - £180
Associate Member - £75
Student Member - £30
Youth Member - £20
Dinghy Storage
Small (Optimist/Topper) £55 (£48 early payment)
Medium (Laser) £65 £55 early payment)
Large (Merlin Rocket) £85 (£75 early payment)
Multi Hulls (Dart etc) £95 (£83 early payment)
Member Spotlight - Arwen Fflur
Club youth member and CHIPAC sailor Arwen (13) is putting in some incredible performances in the Laser, having moved up to this class from the Optimist and (briefly) Feva. Arwen recently competed in the RYA Youth Championships and UKLA Qualifiers (originally planned to be held in Pwllheli) with a fantastic 3rd place overall in the UK Laser Association ILCA 4 "October Qualifier" and RYA Junior Championships in a 33 boat fleet, and first girl - winning Gold in the U16 category - Llongyfarchiadau Arwen !
Arwen Fflur competing in Pwllheli, September 2019
An excerpt from the race report is reproduced below (kind permission of yachts and Yachting)
Well done Arwen, representing Pwllheli so well.
The weekend of 17th & 18th October saw 118 sailors spread across the ILCA-4, 6 and 7 fleets. Two events were combined, the UKLA Marine ILCA7, ILCA6 & ILCA4 and the RYA Youth Championships (See separate write-up for the ILCA7 fleet.)
Wind conditions started with a wonderful 12 - 15 kts, a fresh 12 degrees centigrade, and almost champagne conditions if not for the very grey skies, and the drop to below 10 knots during the last race of the day.
ILCA-4 fleet
This was an important event for the ILCA-4s, as, in addition to being the second UKLA qualifier event in the new season, it was the RYA's Junior (U16) Championship, which was rescheduled due to Covid-19 restrictions on the original date.
was very pleasing to see a growing female participation (almost 50%) in the fleet. Arwen Fflur had a very strong performance, particularly in the light winds of the second day, scoring a hat-trick of silver placings, and breaking the dominance of the boys in the middle of the top five placings on the score board. Hazell McDonnell was second placed female with Leah Fidling defeating Honor Proctor by one place to claim third placing overall, although Honor wins the bronze medal in the U16 category.
Due to Covid restrictions, there was no prize-giving, but medals are being sent to the winners.
Arwen Fflur - focused and enthusiastic
Arwen's coach Chris Jones (CHIPAC) commented: Arwen seems to have adapted remarkably quickly moving into the Laser. Clearly, she has been able to transfer and adapt a great deal of skill from the optimist into the new boat. During CHIPAC Friday sessions she was focused, enthusiastic and able to adopt laser specific techniques quickly. This will no doubt serve her well in youth sailing.
PLAS HELI:
Plas Heli is currently closed in-line with Welsh Government regulations. Some essential maintenance is taking place and the Directors and Flag Officers are making regular security checks of the building, compound and pontoons.
The "Glan Don Beach Bar" remains closed, and we will publish the opening hours for the rest of the year in next weeks newsletter, when Welsh Government regulations coming out of the firebreak have been published.
"Pysgod a Sglodion" - fish and chips, plus the popular burger - offered as a special on Saturdays with a free beer
New codes on all gates - please don’t pass on these numbers. Anyone with a genuine need to access the pontoons, compounds or other gated areas will be provided with the code, combination or key. Email
Track and Trace is a Government requirement, please record your details on the sheet provided at the entrance to the bar, or send an email to
Future Plas Heli/PSC hosted Events:
Winter series 21/22nd November
Thought for the Day:
"Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue"
For more information, membership links and the latest weather and webcam
go to:
www.pwllhelisailingclub.co.uk
Plas Heli Quayside Parking
The parking area on the Plas Heli Quayside is available for paid up CHPSC members and to authorised pontoon users.
The parking area is accessed through the gate adjacent to the old club building
The code to the gate is changed regularly and can be obtained through the plasheli.org website > Facilities> Parking. For convenience follow this shortcut link here
Fill in the details – put a tick in the box to confirm that you are a CHPSC member (have your 2020 membership number ready)
Then in the payment bit – use ‘I am a paid up CHPSC member and request permit for parking’ - Then Submit
You will then get a return e-mail with instructions
Please make sure the gate is closed and locked at all times and that the padlock is never left open or with the code left on the dial
NHS at Plas Heli
Many of you will have noticed a new porta-cabin located adjacent to the old club building - this is used by Betsi Cadwaladr National Health Trust Nursing staff for patient consultations in a secure covid-free environment.
Plas Heli is pleased to be able to assist the NHS with this facility and the use of the training rooms in Plas Heli
