Join the Flag Officers for a drink at Plas Heli on Friday 30th December from 6pm - we will have the 2023 calendar available for collection. The Commodore also has a very limited supply of printed copies of the 2022 yearbook, available for a small doanation to cover the printing costs.
Bore da/Good Morning from the Flag Officers and this week's Friday newsletter.
We are now publishing every fortnight and will resume a weekly offering when the season gets going. We hope it provides a brief but informative break from lockdown, detailing all aspects of our club activities. This week we focus on cruising with publication of the cruising association webinar on Brexit and a proposed RYA online cruising conference in March. Border force links are also attached for those planning a cruise out of UK waters.
Membership renewals are flowing in, and we are posting out calendars to those that have requested this service as part of their renewal package.
Work has almost been completed on the club dinghy compound, offering a really top class facility for those members wishing to store a dinghy as part of their membership package, in a secure and clean compound. Our thanks to Gwyndaf Hughes for project managing this upgrade.
We look forward to welcoming all members and visitors back to our incredible facilities, to enjoy everything the club has to offer from our home at Plas Heli with the most stunning views of Cardigan Bay and Snowdonia.
The club has a webcam mounted on the Plas Heli Bridge, and the live images can be viewed here, or at the bottom of the website home page.
Welsh Government Restrictions (announced 18th December) and RYA Cymru Wales interpretation.
Alert Level 4 was applied at Midnight December 19th - Level 4 has no end date and will be reviewed every three weeks (next review January 29th 2021)
Outdoor individual exercise and professional, elite and designated sports and training permitted - if you have access to water local to you.
Essential travel into and within Tier 4 only- this has implications for clubs and centres.
Organised outdoor activities not allowed; this has implications for Club and Centre activities.
Organised indoor activities not allowed (limited to specific public and voluntary services)
Organisations delivering either workplace learning or adult learning should continue with online learning. RYA Training Centre seeking guidance on running virtual learning should read relevant section Current guidance for RYA Training Centres in Wales
Community facilities, sports courts, golf courses, enclosed pitches to be closed; this includes Clubs and RYA Training Centres.
Alert Level 4 restrictions apply from midnight on the 19 December. Level 4 has no end date and will be reviewed every three weeks. Therefore, recreational boating activities will have to cease. As soon as any changes are announced, and we have had advice from RYA CW we will publish in the newsletter.
BREXIT - RYA Guidance - see cruising information below
Border force (customs) requirements for recreational boats leaving UK waters (for example visiting Ireland) are listed here with links to the forms etc
CRUISING
RYA Cruising Conference goes Virtual for 2021
The RYA's annual Cruising Conference will take place as an online event this year on 21 March 2021.
The conference promises to cover the issues that matter most to cruisers, including post-Brexit guidance, training insights, real-life stories from fellow cruisers, as well as the latest developments in safety and more.
The exhibition area and on-demand talks at the conference will be open to delegates from 9am to 2.30pm with the live streaming sessions running from 9.30am to 12.30pm. The exciting range of topics and speakers for the event will be announced by the RYA in the New Year.
Stuart Carruthers, RYA Cruising Manager, commented: “This is the first time that the RYA Cruising Conference has been held virtually and we’re really excited about the benefits that the online event management programme can offer, particularly in terms of being able to pre-record content that will enable delegates to visit more sessions that previously may have clashed on a live event timetable. Being a virtual event also means that delegates can join the event from across the globe, making it the most accessible RYA Cruising Conference yet.
“We have a broad range of speakers and workshops lined up for the day, from cruising sailors to technical specialists and RYA experts. We look forward to sharing the full conference programme very soon.”
Booking for the 2021 RYA Cruising Conference is expected to go live in early January. For all the latest conference news visit the RYA Cruising Conference page or follow the Royal Yachting Association on Facebook and Twitter.
Cruising Association - Brexit Issues For Cruising Sailors Addressed in RATS Webinar
The key Brexit issues affecting the sailing community have been addressed in a recently held Brexit Special Webinar entitled "Brexit Issues for Cruisers", the contents of which was researched and presented by members of the Cruising Association (CA) Regulations and Technical Services group (RATS).
Over 300 members of the CA from 13 different countries tuned into the webinar on Saturday 5th December and there has since been huge demand for the webinar to be made available to the public. The CA and RATS are delighted to now share the webinar publicly (below), excluding the Q&A segment which attracted around 150 questions and is available exclusively on the CA members’ version. A PDF of the presentation slides is also available below.
The webinar programme focuses on the main difficulties facing cruising sailors as a result of Brexit:
Introduction: Robin Baron (Chair)
People issues including immigration and Schengen 90 days: Trevor Page
Vessel issues including VAT: Roger Bickerstaff
CA Brexit webpages: Robin Baron
Cruising - Safety (article courtesy of Simon Jinks - RYA)
Fire extinguishers
In the heat of the moment, will yours fit?
I was on board a brand new 40 footer destined for use by an RYA Training Centre for cruising courses; this was its first inspection.
The yacht was up to spec with lots of expensive and shiny new safety equipment and signage, making her look like a floating Health and Safety advert.
‘I doubt it’ll fit’, I said. ‘Do you mind if we try?’
We were discussing whether the engine fire extinguisher would actually fire through the key-hole in the engine compartment fascia.
Unfortunately, the extinguisher did not have a nozzle or tubing to feed through the key-hole; because of its design it could not be positioned to effectively fire through the hole.
It was agreed the extinguisher had to be exchanged.
On examining the engine compartment the problem was found to be more fundamental; the hole was in the wrong place. The key-hole in the fascia was positioned so that any extinguisher fired through the hole would simply hit the engine casing, where there would be little chance of fire.
The owner was aghast; the solution was to drill another key-hole in a position where the fire extinguisher had a chance of reaching the area’s most at risk fire.
Causes of engine fire
Common causes of engine fires are fuel and oils spraying onto a hot surface such as; turbo chargers, exhausts, and those made hot by malfunction, such as a pump. The other culprits are electrical faults; alternators and starter motors generate or use huge amounts of electricity.
Extinguishers used to fight engine fires are either:
Inside the compartment and operate automatically at a certain temperature, or sound an alarm so that a manual trigger can be operated on deck.
Alternatively, they are outside the compartment and fired through a peep-hole in the fascia.
Types of extinguisher
There are three common types of extinguisher fitted to leisure boats:
Dry powder extinguishers which smother and create a chemical reaction with the fire. They can be fitted inside the compartment and operate automatically or fired through a key-hole.
Halocarbons such as FE36 and FM 200, change the oxygen content in the air starving the fire of oxygen and are always fitted inside the engine bay.
Pyrogen aerosols propel potassium radicals at the fire. These attach themselves to the flame reaction, extinguishing the fire chemically and are always fitted inside the engine bay.
What to do in the event of an engine fire:
Do not to open the engine compartment and feed it with more air.
Turn off the possible causes: diesel fuel, batteries.
Close the engine seacock to prevent the inlet pipe burning through, sinking the boat.
Alert everyone and get them on deck with lifejackets readying the liferaft but not inflating it.
Smoke and heat is the immediate problem, so act fast and investigate early.
Fight the fire with a clear route of escape.
Crouch down low to escape heat and smoke.
Ensure the fire is completely extinguished as embers remain hot for long periods. If opening the engine compartment do so after it has had chance to cool and have an extinguisher ready.
Boredom Buster Video - Action Thriller - "All is Lost"
In a change from racing videos, this week a "thriller". Just when things can't get any worse we present "All is Lost" - enjoy!
RNLI Bad Achub Pwllheli - Pwllheli Lifeboat Update
Another milestone passed this week with the bell ringing ceremony for the new New Shannon class lifeboat ON 13-39 named RNLB - "Smith Brothers" to be based in Pwllheli at the new lifeboat station.
The video below details the 18 month journey from blueprint to launch. Video courtesy RNLI
2021 Membership renewal process
At the end of last year a bespoke membership renewal email was sent out, which we hope simplifies the renewal process, with much of the user data populated when logging onto the members area. This process also includes an option to collect the new and fantastic club calendar, or for a small fee we can post it out to you.
The calendars have arrived and the collection times for local members when a Flag Officer will be in attendance at Plas Heli are published below- We will be using the external door of the middle ground floor training room (to the right of the main entrance) - this will be signposted as the main doors and internal facilities will be closed. Please don't make a special journey, but we recognise many local members pass by as part of their exercise so an opportunity exists to collect the calendar.
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 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)
Road Trailer £50 or £75 fort 2 stacked
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 (120,300 individual e-mails sent in 2020/21 - see past copies here), membership of the club provides:
Meeting place for likeminded 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.
Calendar Collection
2021 Calendars are available for collection - please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to arrange this. They can also be posted out for a £5 fee to cover the courier charge (tick this as part of the membership renewal process)
Racing
The 2021 racing programme is being developed by club Racing Captain Vicky Cox, and will be published on the website, and in the club activity calendar here shortly.
Racing and event updates will be confirmed in the Friday newsletter when the applicable restrictions are known.
The marks have been lifted and are undergoing annual maintenance by Abersoch Moorings
Club Racing at CHPSC is arranged under the guidelines of the RYA/RYA Cymru Wales and the latest charter is reproduced below.
PLAS HELI
The centre is closed in line with Welsh Government Alert Level 4 restrictions. New opening hours will be posted as soon as restrictions are eased, and our bar and catering partner's have assessed what they can offer.
In order that the club and centre can open re-promptly, there is some essential maintenance work being undertaken on the infrastructure of Plas Heli and both Plas Heli and CHPSC equipment by the Directors and Flag Officers, in line with Welsh Government Regulations. In addition a review of the facilities is currently underway.
When restrictions are eased a little, we will be looking for additional volunteers to ensure a smooth return to club activities. All voluntary activities will be managed to keep members safe, and all within allowable guidelines.
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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details, or talk to one of your Flag Officers. The Plas Heli event car park on the quay is also available for members parking, should the main Plas Heli car park fill up - for a parking permit see instructions below.
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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. It is a Welsh Government recommendation that you also use the NHS app, via the QR code 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 shortly 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.
Thought for the Day:
"the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time"
For more information, membership links and the latest weather and webcam
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 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
Traditionally, at this time of the year, we look back at the highlights of the past twelve months before ringing in the New Year and looking forward with great hope and anticipation for what the new year will bring.
I’m sure that nobody needs reminding that 2020 has been the most remarkable year that any of us could possibly have imagined. We have seen restrictions to our movements and lifestyles, been separated for months from our friends and families and many people have lost loved ones to this deadly virus. Our first thought should be for those people who were taken from us and with the families they leave behind.
Despite being the worst year that most of us can remember there have been moments of inspiration which we must also never forget. We will never forget the nation going out of their front doors at 8pm every Thursday night and “clapping for the NHS”, the thousands of rainbows painted by children and proudly displayed in windows and gardens up and down the country and of course, who could ever forget the exploits of Captain Tom Moore - the World War II veteran who in his 99th year decided to walk laps of his garden with a goal of raising £1,000 before his hundredth birthday. His exploits touched all our hearts and at the last count his efforts had raised in excess of £32 million for NHS charities.
As 2020 came to an end, the short period that we were promised over Christmas to meet with friends and family was cruelly taken away from us due to a sudden increase in the infection rate as a new strain of the virus began to circulate.
As we were approaching the new year however, we were given a ray of hope as the MHRA approved the Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine for use in the UK.
This week has seen the NHS begin its immunisation programme and also the announcement of further extended lock-downs in England and Scotland. We must all do our bit to prevent the NHS being overwhelmed and hopefully by the Spring we may see some signs of improvements and a gradual return to normality.
May I take this opportunity on behalf of The Flag Officers and Management Committee of CHPSC, to wish you a very Happy New Year. I am confident that if we all continue to comply stringently to Government guidelines, we will beat this pandemic and look forward to a great summer both on and off the water.
Gerallt Williams – Commodore CHPSC.
Welsh Government Restrictions (announced 18th December) and RYA Cymru Wales interpretation.
Alert Level 4 was applied at Midnight December 19th - Level 4 has no end date and will be reviewed every three weeks;
Outdoor individual exercise and professional, elite and designated sports and training permitted- if you have access to water local to you.
Essential travel into and within Tier 4 only- this has implications for clubs and centres.
Organised outdoor activities not allowed; this has implications for Club and Centre activities.
Organised indoor activities not allowed (limited to specific public and voluntary services)
Organisations delivering either workplace learning or adult learning should continue with online learning. RYA Training Centre seeking guidance on running virtual learning should read relevant section Current guidance for RYA Training Centres in Wales
Community facilities, sports courts, golf courses, enclosed pitches to be closed; this includes Clubs and RYA Training Centres.
Alert Level 4 restrictions apply from midnight on the 19 December. Level 4 has no end date and will be reviewed every three weeks. Therefore recreational boating activities will have to cease.
BREXIT - RYA Guidance
There will be a new relationship between the UK and the EU in 2021 with the changes in effect as of 2300 hours UTC on 31 December 2020 when the transition period ends.
What we know now
Brexit - what happens next? outlines what the end of the transition period means for recreational boating and what we currently understand the arrangements will be from 1 January 2021. This is of course a fluid situation, given that in mid December 2020 it was still undecided whether there or not there would be a future relationship deal. Further information on the RYA website here which will continue to be updated as arrangements are finalised
Border force (customs) requirements for recreational boats leaving UK waters (for example visiting Ireland) are listed here with links to the forms etc
Boredom Buster Video - Thriller
In a change from racing videos, this week a "thriller". Just when things can't get any worse we present "Sea of Terror" - enjoy!
2021 Membership renewal process
Last week a bespoke membership renewal email was sent out, which we hope simplifies the renewal process, with much of the user data populated when logging onto the members area. This process also includes an option to collect the new and fantastic club calendar, or for a small fee we can post it out to you. The calendars have arrived and the collection times for local members when a Flag Officer will be in attendance at Plas Heli are published below- We will be using the external door of the middle ground floor training room (to the right of the main entrance) - this will be signposted as the main doors and internal facilities will be closed. Please don't make a special journey, but we recognise many local members pass by as part of their exercise so an opportunity exists to collect the calendar.
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 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)
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, membership of the club provides:
Meeting place for likeminded 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.
Calendar Collection
Flag Officers will be at Plas Heli on the following dates, for those local members who would like to collect their calendars (within the limitations of Alert level 4 restrictions)
Saturday 9th January 11-12:00
Sunday 10th January 11-12:00
Member Spotlight Peter Ryan - ISORA Chairman and CHPSC Honorary Member
Congratulations to Peter on being Awarded Afloat.ie “Sailor Of The Month” for December 2020
Peter Ryan at the Helm of Pwllheli J109 "Mojito" - 2013 Fastnet Race
2021 started with the announcement on Friday that Peter Ryan has been awarded “Sailor of the Month” by Afloat.ie – the voice of all things nautical and marine in Ireland.
Peter and his in -laws, the Horgans, have given decades of service to the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire, but this award was made to acknowledge his great leadership of the ISORA (Irish Sea Offshore Racing Assoc.) during 2020, which encompasses racing on both sides of the Irish Sea.
NYC Commodore Martin McCarthy commented: “Peter richly deserves this award. He has been incredibly innovative is designing and executing an exciting series of ISORA races – within the guidelines and needs of the Irish Cruiser Racers who partook. Peter was also very instrumental in the Fastnet 450 race – our biggest offshore celebration of the NYC's 150th , which was a joint SCORA / ISORA / RCYC and NYC event.”
Mark Thompson (Vice Commodore CHPSC) added, "Peter continues to drive forward ISORA and is particularly encouraging towards the entrants on the UK side of the Irish Sea, including those of us from Pwllheli where Peter is a regular visitor and club member, and for many years an integral member of the J109 Pwllheli based "Sgrech" team which won the the "Wolf's Head" trophy three times"
The centre is closed in line with Welsh Government Alert Level 4 restrictions. New opening hours will be posted as soon as restrictions are eased, and our bar and catering partner's have assessed what they can offer.
In order that the club and centre can open re-promptly, there is some essential maintenance work being undertaken on the infrastructure and equipment by the Directors and Flag Officers, in line with Welsh Government Regulations. When restrictions are eased a little we will be looking for additional volunteers, more about this in subsequent newsletters.
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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details, or talk to one of your Flag Officers. The Plas Heli event car park on the quay is also available for members parking, should the main Plas Heli car park fill up - for a parking permit see instructions below.
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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. It is a Welsh Government recommendation that you also use the NHS app, via the QR code 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 January 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.
Thought for the Day:
"the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"
For more information, membership links and the latest weather and webcam
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 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
Croeso/Welcome to this membership renewal newsletter special, containing all the information required to renew membership of Clwb Hwylio Pwllheli Sailing Club for 2021
With the advent of a new year, let's hope we can focus positively and see 2021 enabling us all to have our new year resolutions come true! (OK well most of them!)
The hard work of event planning, infrastructure maintenance and facility management both on and off the water starts again, and the Flag Officers and management committee members continue to meet (mainly virtually) to work on the programme for 2021.
The Welsh Government hope to publish the pathway to lower alert levels later this month, which then enables us to plan our own pathway back to boating and club activities once again, and the re-opening of our facilities.
Let's hope this time next year, we will be recovering from a great night at the club, celebrating the new year with friends and fellow members, having shared tables, danced, laughed and linked arms for "Auld Langs Syne"
Wherever you are, we wish you all a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda - A Happy New Year, and we look forward to making sailing memories in 2021
Club President - Bob Lowe
Bob takes over the role of Club President from Stephen, for the next 2 years, and supports Gerallt as Commodore alongside the other Flag Officers. Many members know Bob who was Club Commodore during 2014-16
Bob has written a New Year message which can be read on the club website by clicking here
Welsh Government Restrictions (announced 18th December) and RYA Cymru Wales interpretation.
Alert Level 4 was applied at Midnight December 19th - Level 4 has no end date and will be reviewed every three weeks;
Outdoor individual exercise and professional, elite and designated sports and training permitted- if you have access to water local to you.
Essential travel into and within Tier 4 only- this has implications for clubs and centres.
Organised outdoor activities not allowed; this has implications for Club and Centre activities.
Organised indoor activities not allowed (limited to specific public and voluntary services)
Organisations delivering either workplace learning or adult learning should continue with online learning. RYA Training Centre seeking guidance on running virtual learning should read relevant section Current guidance for RYA Training Centres in Wales
Community facilities, sports courts, golf courses, enclosed pitches to be closed; this includes Clubs and RYA Training Centres.
Alert Level 4 restrictions apply from midnight on the 19 December. Level 4 has no end date and will be reviewed every three weeks. Therefore recreational boating activities will have to cease.
BREXIT - RYA Guidance
There will be a new relationship between the UK and the EU in 2021 with the changes in effect as of 2300 hours UTC on 31 December 2020 when the transition period ends.
What we know now
Brexit - what happens next? outlines what the end of the transition period means for recreational boating and what we currently understand the arrangements will be from 1 January 2021. This is of course a fluid situation, given that in mid December 2020 it was still undecided whether there or not there would be a future relationship deal. Further information on the RYA website here which will continue to be updated as arrangements are finalised
Border force (customs) requirements for recreational boats leaving UK waters (for example visiting Ireland) are listed here with links to the forms etc
2021 Membership renewal process
Last week a bespoke membership renewal email was sent out, which we hope simplifies the renewal process, with much of the user data populated when logging onto the members area. This process also includes an option to collect the new and fantastic club calendar, or for a small fee we can post it out to you. The calendars have arrived and the collection times for local members when a Flag Officer will be in attendance at Plas Heli are published below- We will be using the external door of the middle ground floor training room (to the right of the main entrance) - this will be signposted as the main doors and internal facilities will be closed. Please don't make a special journey, but we recognise many local members pass by as part of their exercise so an opportunity exists to collect the calendar.
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 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)
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, membership of the club provides:
Meeting place for likeminded 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.
Calendar Collection
Flag Officers will be at Plas Heli on the following dates, for those local members who are able to collect (within the limitations of level 4 restrictions)
The centre is closed in line with Welsh Government Alert Level 4 restrictions. New opening hours will be posted as soon as restriction are eased, and our bar and catering partner's have assessed what they can offer.
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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details, or talk to one of your Flag Officers. The Plas Heli event car park on the quay is also available for members parking, should the main Plas Heli car park fill up - for a parking permit see instructions below.
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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. It is a Welsh Government recommendation that you also use the NHS app, via the QR code 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 January 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.
Thought for the Day:
"with the new day, comes new strength and new thoughts"
For more information, membership links and the latest weather and webcam
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 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
It was always a bit fanciful to think that having survived six years as a Flag Officer one would be let off for good behaviour, but, oh no, here I am again.
I should have remembered a similar experience in 1998/99 with Club Hwylio Y Felinheli/Port Dinorwic Sailing Club, except there was no two years of probation before recall !
Time marches on with CHYF/PDSC celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2023 - and plans are already afoot for a weekend in July ‘23. CHPSC follows on in 2024, if my memory serves me well.
Hopefully Stephen will brief me shortly on the presidential role, expectations and precedents in Pwllheli. For my part I will support the Commodore during his tenure and be conduit for the discrete representation of member views, experience and ideas to strengthen the CHPSC offer.
Christmas 2020 will be remembered for ‘lockdown/lock out’ - our planned trip to York to see my brother and sister-in-law cancelled at short notice and still 'no entry' to Fremantle to see Nick and family. Still we managed a zoom call with family on camp site in remote south-west WA on Christmas Day - joined by my brother +1 near York, nephew1 +3 near Reading, nephew 2 +3 in Cardiff and nephew 3 home alone in Clapham. So all the family - totalling 17 noisy souls ! Only my elderly aunt (95) missed out from her care home in Burton-on-Trent.
Such a contrast to 2019 when we swam in Indian Ocean in our Father Christmas hats and went skiing in Japan for the New Year. Hindsight says we should have stayed in Fremantle and not returned to Wales last February ! I met up with Rob Riddell in Fremantle and, if you read his continuing exploits on his world tour, he has still to cross the Pacific to Mexico with Billy Whizz, his trusty 'motorhome'.
2021 should see the initiation of the ’new normal’ as controls on the plague can eased in parallel with the roll out of vaccines. Until then we have to be stoically patient.
Cymraeg 
New Year’s greetings from the President
Christmas 2020 will be remembered for ‘lockdown/lock out’ - our planned trip to York to see my brother and sister-in-law cancelled at short notice and still 'no entry' to Fremantle to see Nick and family. Still we managed a zoom call with family on camp site in remote south-west WA on Christmas Day - joined by my brother +1 near York, nephew1 +3 near Reading, nephew 2 +3 in Cardiff and nephew 3 home alone in Clapham. So all the family - totalling 17 noisy souls ! Only my elderly aunt (95) missed out from her care home in Burton-on-Trent.
Such a contrast to 2019 when we swam in Indian Ocean in our Father Christmas hats and went skiing in Japan for the New Year. Hindsight says we should have stayed in Fremantle and not returned to Wales last February ! I met up with Rob Riddell in Fremantle and, if you read his continuing exploits on his world tour, he has still to cross the Pacific to Mexico with Billy Whizz, his trusty 'motorhome'. 
