Sailing
Commodore
Superintendent Craig Downham (Cornwall & Isles of Scilly)
Secretary
PS Julie Finn 279 (Launceston - currently on maternity leave)
DS Jon Bancroft 4643 (Crownhill)
Treasurer
DI Andy Munday (Tiverton)
Assistant Secretary
DS Jon Bancroft 4643 (Crownhill)
Assistant Commodore
Trevor Bardwell-Jones 53855 (HQ)
Camber Liaison
Dave Green 51101 (Plymouth)
Dinghies Representative
DS Tim Wright 3751 (Liskeard)
Plymouth
PS Clive Collier 3911 (Plymouth)
Devon
PC John Carter 2926 (Dawlish) & DI Andy Munday 5653 (Tiverton)
CIOS
PC Graham Higginson 4395 (Camborne)
Sailing Events
Forthcoming eventsfor 2009 include
RYA Day skipper practical - April
Falmouth Dinghy Regatta - 15th April
IPA 2009 International Police Association Greece cruise - 9th to 16th May
PSUK 2009 Offshore Sailing regatta - 17th to 22nd May
PSUK Dinghy regatta - 9th to 11th June
2009 Trebeurden cross channel race - 25th to 28th June
Falmouth Regatta - 8th to 15th August
Force Dinghy Championship - TBC September
Dinghy sailing courses at the Camber, Plymouth thorugh the year
Cross channel and coastal cruises arranged through the year.
Useful Links
Club application form
2009 AGM Minutes
Previous AGM minutes
Camber sail training centre programme of courses for 2009
Club Programme of events 2009/10
The Police Sailing Section is open to all police staff and officers. The only condition for participation is that you must subscribe to the Force Sports Association and join the sailing section by completing the attached application form on the link above.
Introduction by the Club Commodore
Within the Force and retired staff there are a number of active and committed dinghy and yacht sailors. In many cases they are happy to do their own thing with their own family, friends or club. However, my intention is for the Force Sailing section to bring together as many sailors as possible, whatever their qualifications and levels of experience, and for us to assist by co-ordinating events and making arrangements across the Force area so that people can use their membership of the section in order to get out on the water whether its for competitive sailing, cruising or developing their skills and qualifications. For those interested in dinghy sailing there are race events organised in Plymouth and Cornwall each year when all equipment and boats are provided.
Membership of the Force section stands at over 100 and most are not competitive sailors, but represent wide ranging interests including anything from solo Transatlantic crossing to weekend and day cruising to dinghy sailing. Lack of experience is no bar and the section warmly welcomes people of all abilities. The Royal Navy and Royal Marines sail Training Centre at Stonehouse in Plymouth, runs a variety of water and shore based training courses in dinghies, yachts and powerboats. The sailing section is affiliated with them to enable members to have access to these courses, which are extremely cheap by comparison with private organisations. The 2009 training programme is attached on the link above. Members should note, however, that the centre tends not to allow us access to seagoing courses for day skipper/yachtmaster, logically giving preference to service personnel.
As well as the national PSUK events for dinghies and yachts each year, which we will continue to support and seek funding from the Force sports association for, the committee continue to develop an exciting programme of events – see link above - including at least one international event.
We are seeking to provide an opportunity for staff from across the Force to become involved in a variety of events. We will apply for funding from FSA BCU funds and co-ordinate skippers, crews and the chartering of boats to make it as simple as possible for members to turn up, compete and have a good time. In many cases we will set a fee for members to get involved but this is kept to a minimum and makes up the difference between what we are able to get from BCU funds and the costs involved in chartering a vessel and entering events.
Another important role for the club committee is to encourage more people to join the section – those who are existing sailors, those who would like to try it out, or perhaps those who have not sailed for some time and would like to get back into it. By increasing our membership we can show the level of interest in each BCU and this will in turn assist us in funding our programme of events.
A note for the novice, it is our intention to make the sport accessible to all at an affordable cost and without the need to rush out and buy expensive equipment before being satisfied that sailing is for you. Whilst it is not for everyone, if you like it, it could open a whole new world. If you want to try it out then one way would be to join us on a ‘taster’ weekend or a short passage race. Please make the most of what is on offer and help the section to grow.
The committee members will be happy to answer any questions or queries you have – please do not hesitate to contact any of us.
We live in one of the best parts of the country for watersports, and access to the Channel islands and France add another dimension to the offshore sailor. Whilst we don’t have a clubhouse or any vessels of our own, I hope that membership of the sailing section offers an opportunity to become involved in a range of activity at all levels, for competition or just plain pleasure.
Kind Regards,
Craig Downham
Commodore, Force Sailing Association
Force Dinghy Championships 2008
The Force Sailing Section, with kind permission from the RM/RN Sail Training Centre, held the 2008 Force Dinghy Championships at the The Camber, Plymouth on Wednesday 17th September.
Thirteen crews from across the Force took part in five races in light wind conditions in Plymouth Sound. Race officer Roger IRVINE set two morning courses from a start line near Drake's Island to allow crews clear air and less effect from the strong tide. PC's Kevin REED and Dave PICKLES used the tide to their advantage to win both races.
A stronger breeze in the afternoon allowed for three races to be set from the Camber start line. DS Tim WRIGHT and DC Dave APPS made a clean start and opened up a significant lead in race 3, only for spinnaker problems on lap 2 to allow them to be caught by REED and PICKLES before the upwind mark. A critical navigation error allowed WRIGHT and APPS to regain the lead which they held to win race 3.
Race 4 saw practically every boat try to take the same approach at the start which led to a huge raft and lots of advice being shared between the crews on the start line. REED and PICKLES again got away and overhauled Chris JELLIS and Scott ROTHNEY to gain a third win. Race 5 saw more congestion at the start line and REED and PICKLES were pushed over the line by some aggressive sailing. Despite having to re-cross the line, some fine sailing saw them win their fourth race and secure the overall champions spot. Second place overall went to Tim WRIGHT and Dave APPS with PC John DORMAN and Sgt Malcolm HITCHENS third.
All competitors enjoyed a great day's racing and only DS Steve FOALE and DS John BANCROFT won the spot prize for an unexpected dunking at the upwind mark.
IPA Adriatic Cup - Sibenik, Croatia - May 2008
Please see the comprehensive update provided on the national police sailing website: www.policesailing.org.uk and click on the links for ‘events and regattas – IPA Adriatic Cup 2008’