Cymraeg CHPSC News:
The Autumn Series, part of the Pwllheli Challenge, started last Saturday with a stiff breeze to test the competitors. Race Officer Robin Evans managed an excellent weekend of racing in champagne sailing conditions, with a big fleet coming to the line. The short start line and easterly winds made for a real spectacle from ashore.
Congratulations to Injenious, Mojito and Wil2Win for race wins in the IRC and NHC classes.
Race 1 Start with Race Officer Robin Evans on the PSC Bridge at Gimblet Rock
Transformers!
The transformer, BBC News Wales reports, was unloaded from an 262.5ft (80m) barge on the beach at Morfa Bychan (also known as Black Rock Sands) Porthmadog, Gwynedd which was described as "the size of a large motorhome", it will remain on Morfa Bychan beach until it is transported to Trawsfynydd substation where it will replace an old model. It is the first time National Grid has used a public Welsh beach in this way.
National Grid said the new transformer, which regulates the voltage of electricity between circuits, "will ensure power continues to be delivered reliably" to the local area.
The company said it had used the beach to avoid disruption at Porthmadog Harbour.
The Transformer on the beach at Morfa Bychan. The younger generation patiently waiting for it to transform!
Member Spotlight - Gwyndaf Hughes
Many members will know Gwyndaf, who is a former commodore, current member of the club management committee and manages the dinghy compound for CHPSC. As well as being a highly experienced inshore and offshore sailor, having completed iconic races such as Round Ireland, and many ISORA races, Gwyndaf is perhaps better known for his work teaching children to sail, and in particular his tireless work with our youth section "CHIPAC", and at aged 81 is still an integral part of CHIPAC providing his wisdom, experience and guidance.
In 2011, Gwyndaf was recognised for his contribution, being presented with a recognition award at the Sport Wales "Coach of the Year" Awards - 2011 in Cardiff on November 16. Below is an article written in the Daily Post
A SAILING coach who carried on teaching youngsters after being diagnosed with a serious illness is to receive a special award at a prestigious ceremony.
Gwyndaf Hughes has been a volunteer sailing coach for 49 years.
Even during his treatment Gwyndaf still turned up every Monday and Friday to help prepare boats and organise paper work.
He received the all clear in November 2010 – and was straight back into his regular 10-12 hours a week of volunteering at the club.
School teacher Gwyndaf, from Pwllheli, said: “I came back to the area in 1962 and formed the club in 1963. I was a craft and design teacher at Ysgol Glan y Môr (Pwllheli) and started the sailing club in school, which I ran until I retired 17 years ago.
“I kept going down to the club during my treatmnents and, although the members wouldn’t allow me to do too much, something like that gives you a great incentive. It’s great to be with youngsters all the time and maybe I’m still a bit of a youngster myself, which is why coaching appeals.
“If you take coaching and volunteering as a long-term project you’ll see the better side of youngsters. I don’t recollect having to seriously tell anyone off in all my years of teaching sailing.”
Gwyndaf has coached generations of young people in sailing and passed his Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Senior Instructor course at Plas Menai in 2010
His efforts were recognised by the RYA when he received their prestigious Community Award for services to the sport, and Pwllheli Sailing Club in particular.
Among the people inspired
by his coaching over the years is Round the World Yachtsman Richard Tudor.
Former pupil Aimee Saracco-Jones said: “He taught me and many others about respecting and appreciating the sea and the coastline where we live.
“Gwyndaf also taught my father to sail when he was a young boy. He is now 46 and one of the RYA senior dinghy instructors. Most of the instructors have been taught by him"
Gwyndaf on the trusty CHIPAC Grey Fergie
CHIPAC (Clwb Hwylio Ieuenctid Pwllheli A'r Cylch) - our youth sailing section continue their 2020 programme, and can be seen in action on Friday evenings from the balcony.
Members holding RYA Dinghy or Senior Instructor qualifications who would like to help out with CHIPAC, please reply to this email
"Back to Boating" - Task Force Update
Vice Commodore Gerallt Williams, our Task Force leader reported as follows:
"Track and Trace" is an essential element of our back to boating protocol, and one that is mandated for the leisure sector by Welsh Government. We have two track and trace email addresses, one for the Bar as highlighted below (
* If you are, or intend being a user of the Plas Heli pontoons, please read and adhere to the pontoon protocols which are available here *
* If you are, or intend being a user of the Plas Heli compound for dinghy sailing, please read and adhere to the Plas Heli compound protocol - available here *
Read more about the work of the 'Back to Boating Task Force' here
Club What’s On:
The "Tremadog Triangle" and "Commodore’s Challenge" are available for members to attempt – see the website for details of both race-tracks here
Pwllheli Challenge continues next weekend 3rd October. Any potential crew should meet the skippers in Plas Heli on Friday evening or email
Plas Heli:.
BAR - AMSERAU AGOR/OPENING TIMES
Monday - Closed
Tuesday 11:00 -17:00
Wednesday/Thursday 12:00 - 21:00 (food service 12-19:00)
Friday/Saturday 12:00 - 22:00 (food service 12-20:00)
Sunday 12:00 - 20:00 (Carvery from 4th October)
The email address for track and trace is
Outside space is also open, and less restrictive. It is crucial to not move furniture, to comply with distancing regulations. In addition, exiting the bar should normally be via the deck and down the stairs to the beach carpark, to provide a one way flow. There are several sanitisation stations in the building.
Please help the bar/catering staff, Plas Heli management team, and club flag officers in complying with these requirements,
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
Future Plas Heli/PSC hosted Events:
CHIPAC - Friday Evenings
Regional Junior Championships – 26-27th September
Autumn Series (Pwllheli Challenge) 3/4th October
Thought for the Day:
"Don't make excuses, make improvements"
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.
To obtain a parking permit
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
