English (UK) Flag Officers Friday Newsletter
Welcome to the Clwb Hwylio Pwllheli Sailing Club Friday newsletter.
The weekend of the 12th and 13th June certainly saw CHPSC and Pwllheli burst into life. A second successive hot and sunny weekend saw many boats of all descriptions taking to the water.
Friday evening saw the long-awaited return of the CHIPAC youth and junior training sessions which as usual was well supported with six new pupils and eight returning experienced sailors. Many thanks to all the volunteers and instructors for their hard work in making this possible
Saturday saw the start of Race 7 of The ISORA series, an Offshore 115 mile race from Pwllheli to Liverpool. Three boats - Mojito, Jac Y Do and Finally came to the start at 07.35hrs and Jackknife started an hour later at 08.35hrs. Mojito won the race ahead of Jac Y Do in a time of 17 hrs 57 minutes.
Mojito, Jac y Do and Finally starting from the CHPSC Club line
CHPSC and Plas Heli also hosted the flagship RYA Cymru Wales 2021 Welsh Youth and Junior Championships for the International Laser (ILCA) and 29er classes. Saturday saw champagne sailing conditions in the bay resulting in some exciting and close racing. Yet again our local CHPSC/CHIPAC sailors have done us all proud with Arwen Fflur and Ffion Wood taking 1st and 2nd overall in the International Laser 4.7 Class. Fin Sinclair of Neyland Yacht Club took 3rd Place. Another CHIPAC sailor Annabelle Pierce-Jones achieved a very commendable 7th place. Congratulations to them all.
Arwen and Ffion will both be competing in the World Championships in Dun Laoghaire this August, and I am sure you will all join me in wishing them all the very best. They are indeed a credit to the Club.
The 29er class was won by Aled Llewelyn-Jones and Ben Bradley (Saundersfoot SC/Hill Head HISC) 2nd place went to Ewan Plowden-Wardlaw and Matthew Mikk of Wessex SC and in third place were Tom Storey and Ben Willets (Yorkshire Dales/Llandegfedd).
The International Laser 4.7s in action at Pwllheli
Hot action at the start line for the 29ers
Due to a lack of wind on Sunday racing was initially delayed allowing the committee boat crew time to relax and enjoy what the waters of Cardigan Bay in another way.
Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped make the event a great success. A special thank you also to Tim and Carol Twells for the use of their beautiful Beneteau 40.7 as the race committee boat
Sunday also saw the start of the Jester Challenge to find out more about these intrepid group of sailors click here.
This year’s event should have seen the boats sail to Baltimore to arrive in time for the annual Pirates’ Week but the situation prevailing due to the Covid pandemic meant that an alternative one-off event was arranged. Competitors had a choice of three start lines Pwllheli, Cardiff and Plymouth. They then have to sail across the Irish Sea to a virtual waypoint at 51N 8W which is equidistant from the three locations. Having rounded the mark, they have to sail back to the finish at St Ann’s Head at the entrance to Milford Haven. These skippers all sail single handed and in vessels not exceeding 30ft in length.
The start at Pwllheli was a close affair with David Knowler first across the line in his Achilles 840 HEADWAY III closely followed by Bob Angell in his 1908 Morecambe Prawner COMRADES and Geoff Turner in his Parker 21 DAWN. Pwllheli’s Roger Fitzgerald was last over the line due to a technical problem with the main halyard, but was soon on the heels of the leaders.
The sight of a wooden sailing boat built in 1908 crossing the start line of a 285mile offshore race was a sight to behold. To learn more of COMRADES’ history check out the following website here
I am extremely pleased to report that despite his problems at the start, Roger Fitzgerald was the first to cross the finishing line at Milford Haven, in his Dehler 29 ELLA TROUT III, after 4 days 2 hours and 45minutes.
Congratulations Roger and many thanks for bringing The Jesters to Pwllheli once again.
All in all, a fantastic weekend for CHPSC and its members.
As there was no racing scheduled for Pwllheli last weekend Pat and I took a short trip across the bay and down the East Passage to Barmouth to watch the start of the 2021 Three Peaks Yacht Race.
If you are not familiar with this event which has taken place annually since 1977, here is a brief explanation.
The boats leave Barmouth with a crew of five, three sailors and two runners. They sail to Caernarfon where, the two runners disembark and run from the dock to the summit of Snowdon and back. Having returned to their boats they then sail to Whitehaven where the runners run to the summit of Scafell Pike. They then sail to Fort William in Scotland where they run to the summit of Ben Nevis and back to the finishing line in Fort William.
The record time for this event was set in 1998 by a Corsair F31R trimaran called “Pwllheli Partnership” and skippered by CHPSC member, past commodore and president Richard Tudor. The time set was a remarkable 2 days, 3 hours and 47 minutes and remains unbeaten to this day.
The start of the 2021 Three Peaks Yacht Race
Finally. Many thanks to everyone who turned out on Saturday morning to assist Gwyndaf Hughes with laying then Dinghy launching mat on North Beach. If you did not receive your invitation to this event, then you are not on the CHPSC volunteer list. To be included in this group please forward your e-mail and mobile number to
I’m sure your efforts will be greatly appreciated by our ever-increasing group of dinghy sailors.
Gwyndaf would like to thank the half dozen members who turned up on Saturday morning to roll out the matting to provide an easier beach launching facility to CHIPAC youngsters, as well as our dinghy sailing members. I am sure that it will be greatly appreciated.
Hoffai Gwyndaf ddiolch i'r aelodau a ddaeth i osod y llithrfa dros dro yn Glan y Don.Bydd hyn yn gwneud lansio cychod bach yn llawer haws i aelodau CHIPAC ac i aelodau o'r Clwb sydd yn hwylio cychod bach.Bydd hefyd yn werthfawr iawn pan yn cynnal cystadlaethau hwylio yma.
You will notice some activity on the Quayside on Monday 28th June - part of the area will be used for the construction of the new slipway for St Tudwal's Island West.
Finally, a big thanks to the volunteers who turned up at short notice on Wednesday to help with moving items from the balcony to the main compound. Diolch - Thanks
Gerallt Williams
Morlywydd Commodore - Clwb Hwylio Pwllheli Sailing Club.
Panorama Restaurant and Lounge
WIFI Plas Heli
We are pleased to inform you that Plas Heli, the operating company of The Welsh National Sailing Academy and Events Centre has provided CHPSC members with a new dedicated and separate WiFi system
This is part of the reconfiguration of the WiFi distribution at the Centre and will be a great benefit for 2021 paid-up CHPSC members. The service will be fast safe and reliable, even when under the strain of large events. 2021 Members have received the password for this network by e-newsletter. If you missed it, please send an email to the secretary.
For non members the free guest network is "Plas Heli Guest" and the password is: Plas.H3L1
There is also two further networks, one for events, and one for Pontoon users - passwords will be sent to event administrators and pontoon berth holders. It is hoped to increase the WiFi coverage to include the pontoon area, more on this as the project unfolds. This will also allow us to extend the web cam on the pontoons in addition to our CCTV coverage.
This WiFi connection has been configured to be safe for children.
Welsh Government Alert Level 2 towards 1 ( wef 7th June)
> Organised Events allowed for up to 4000 standing/10000 seated
> Elite training can take place
> Casual sailing can take place as part of exercise, 30 people can meet outdoors
> The Plas Heli compound, event pontoons, indoor classrooms and hospitality spaces are now open.
> Indoor Organised Activity for 30 Adults
> Latest RYA Cymru Wales Q & A clarifying the announcement of May 3rd is here
MÔR DEITHIO / CRUISING
Many members have enjoyed some excellent weather for both local sailing and trips further away, with a number of PSC boats heading for Scotland - we hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip.
Cruisers are invited to take part in all elements of the "Pop up Regatta" (July 8-11th), both on and off the water, with cruiser racing and social activities planned , or jump on a race boat for a race experience - contact Stephen (details below)
For adhoc cruising and suggestions please contact Stephen Williams
Quintette Too at Gallows Point during their recent cruise 2021 Membership Rates
Membership of CHPSC for 2021
The membership year is from 1st January to 31st December.
2021 Fee Structure
Primary Member - £65
Joint Membership - £115
Racing Skipper - £125
Joint Racing Skipper - £180
Associate Member - £75
Student/Apprentice Member - £30
Youth Member - £20
Dinghy Storage
Small (Optimist/Topper) £55
Medium (Laser) £65
Large (Merlin Rocket) £85
Multi Hulls (Dart etc) £95
Road Trailer £50 or £75 for 2 stacked
Box storage trailers under 10 feet £60 (£75 for larger box trailers)
You can purchase a club burgee or pay for your club calendar postage as part of your membership process!
Reasons to be a member in 2021
Pwllheli Sailing Club offers something for everyone, casual boaters, a base for cruising, racing and motor boating together with being a great venue for events, training and importantly a fantastic meeting place, with views, for friends.
In addition to all of the varied activities featured in this e-newsletter (123,700 individual e-mails sent in 2020/21 - see past copies here), membership of the club provides:
- Meeting place for like minded people in a friendly environment
- Affiliated membership of the RYA who safeguard recreational boating in the UK
- Helps to support youth sailing (CHIPAC)
- Training and Development - RYA courses run by club members
- Dinghy and keelboat racing opportunities
- Cruises in company
- Great social events - club members have priority
- Discounted berthing at Plas Heli pontoons,
- Dinghy storage in the refurbished and secure compound
- Access to CHIPAC for members children to learn to sail with experienced instructors teaching in the medium of Welsh and English
- Members can gain RYA qualifications through volunteering experience at club events.
- Advertise your Holiday Accommodation to a target audience of visitors to the area during events (small fee applies)
- Receive regular e-newsletters with useful information
- 10% discount at the bar in Plas Heli
- Easy membership (application/renewal) process all on-line and starting from £65 for the year!
- Racing Skipper membership includes all racing entry fees, except the IRC Champs and the ISORA element of coastal races.
- Bespoke safe and secure fast WiFi connection in Plas Heli for club members only.
Calendar Collection
2021 Calendars are available for collection - please email
Rasio/Racing
A busy weekend of racing last week with the 115 mile ISORA Offshore race to Liverpool featuring three club boats - see Vickys race report in Yachts and Yachting here
Any NHC cruisers wishing to race and wanting a more cruiser style race track, separate from the racing fleet, please email cruising
An improvement program has seen a new PC installed at the PSC bridge, and the previous unit will be refurbished and used on "Heli" the committee boat
With the cancellation of the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta, the club have arranged a "pop up regatta" to provide racing over the 4 days 8th -11th July the NOR, SI's and Entry procedure are here Skipper members have a discounted entry fee.
Subject to weather we hope to organise a BBQ or a Hog Roast
The 2021 racing programme is published on the website, and the club activity calendar here - note this schedule is subject to change and will always be updated via the WhatsApp group, though the dates should always be correct.
You can, of course, try out the Commodore Challenge and Tremadog Triangle and report in your elapsed time via the Racing WhatsApp Group.
Club Racing at CHPSC is arranged under the guidelines of the RYA/RYA Cymru Wales and the latest charter is reproduced below.
ISORA has published its 2021 programme.
The 2021 Programme of Races includes a five-race 'Plas Heli Welsh Coastal series'
Further information and the race schedule can be found here
PLAS HELI
The centre is now open in line with Welsh Government Alert Level 2 restrictions ( moving towards 1) with authorised access now permitted to the pontoons, classrooms, compound and the "Panorama Restaurant and Lounge" . In line with Welsh government Covid regulations, we advise the use of the "NHS Covid App" when visiting any of the Plas Heli facilities.
The QR codes are on the doors and relevant gates. There is an additional Track, Trace and Protect requirement in the hospitality area, which the panorama staff will manage.
Note: elite RYA squad training is permitted indoors, as is indoors organised activity for up to 30
Plas Heli - Pontoons
The pontoons are very busy this year with demand potentially exceeding capacity. A berthing plan has been drawn up and will be emailed to all Plas Heli berthing customers, with the planned location of their berth.
Plas Heli has extended the berthing capacity with additional finger berths, which have been successfully installed. We hope that this will enable us to satisfy the increased demand, but you must book to reserve your berth.
To apply for a berth (seasonal or short term) fill in the berthing application form on the Plas Heli Website here and also email
Once allocated a berth please make all efforts to stay in your allocated space, remembering boats out racing may be short crewed when returning to their berth. Any issues with berths, shore power or water please email
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. It is a Welsh Government recommendation that you also use the NHS app, via the QR codes below. (Please check in by using the most relevant one for the part of the centre you are accessing)
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. The first planning meeting was held last month via "zoom" to agree the format of racing and framework to publish the Notice of Race. This is now complete and published with the online entry open at the event website here
Thought for the Day:
"a meaningful silence is always better than meaningless words"
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 2021 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 receive an automated 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
