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Author: Peter Baldwin

DF95 Winter Series 2025/26 #1 – 6/12/25

The lake didn’t look very inviting for sailing as the 12 skippers arrived for the first of the DF95 series of races including Brian Crosse from Great Orme and David Worron from Gresford. On a positive note the overnight rain had disappeared, but then grey skies remained and the promised wind had not materialised leaving a glassy look on the lake with only the odd zephyr managing to pass through.

Guy Cowper had problems with his FlySky transmitter and it took Dave Howard to sort it, (for those interested it turns out you can not bind on channel 2 if channel 1 is empty). Apart from this the pre race antics where trouble free. Neil Westbrook, was our RO for then day ably assisted by Dave Howard. By the time racing got underway on time at 12-00 there was just enough wind to note which direction it was generally coming from enabling a standard course to set, starting at the clubhouse end a spreader mark at the far end, and a gate at the leeward, a short beat back to the finish line halfway up the lake. Due to the lake of ‘real’ wind a single lap was set.

The start line looked like it had a port bias to it, but in reality there was a trade of between starting at the committee end and chancing your luck with the wind, or at the pin end where the wind was more reliable. Whichever position the skippers chose it resulted in a long port tack, then trying to navigate the best approach to the windward mark where many a place was lost and gained. The short beat back to the finish from the leeward gate was also a tricky win or lose leg, meaning the places were not secure until you’d crossed the line.

Unfortunately Martin R was a late arrival and missed the first 2 races. Racing was very tight, right from the outset, but John Brierley showed his class in the first race shooting out from the middle of the pack on the first beat, taking the win with Guy and Alan following him home. Race 2 and it was commodore Dave sneaking home first passing Clive and John B on the final beat. Race 3 and Martin joined in and showed his class straight away taking what was the start of 4 second places in a row but couldn’t topple John B from taking his 2nd win and the start of a run of 4 bullets. The minor places were keenly fought with Clive being very consistent having a run of 3 thirds and Brian C taking 1. The final 4 races were business as usual for our top 2 helms taking 2 wins each, but dropping out of podium positions when not winning, second places went Guy with 2 and Clive with 1 and final podium positions being filled by Dave W, Guy and John Beech

Special mentions go to Dave W for his win in race 2, John Beech who led convincingly at the first mark only to be pegged back, and Steve Miller who was in 3rd place in one race coming through the gate mark.

All in all, an enjoyable if not frustrating at times where everyone was close to the lead at some stage, but as always the cream always seems to float towards the top, Well done John B and Martin.

Thanks again to our ROs for the day and to Dave Howard for the photos.

DF65 Social Racing 2025 – 24/9/25

DF65’s

The sun was shining and the light breeze looked like it was straight down the lake from the   club house end  (south easterly). The reality was that the it was swinging between south and east in various parts of the lake, but on a positive note there weren’t too many holes to fall into. The standard windward / leeward course was set and the below average turnout of 4 skippers were underway on time at 11-00am. The starts were self monitored and first to finish recorded the results.

8 races were sailed in a very socialable manner with the skippers enjoying the conditions. Clive dominated the racing with 5 firsts and 3 seconds but didn’t have it all his own way with Dave Williams sailing well early on, notching up a pair of wins in races 2 and 3. Alan was also very consistent and with a change of fortune, instead of the bad luck in a couple of races, could have pushed Clive harder, finishing with a win and 5 seconds.

It might have been a small field but a most enjoyable morning was had by all.

  1. Clive Warren       No53   5 wins     7pts
  2. Alan Watkinson No373   1 win    11pts
  3. Dave Williams    No33     2 wins   15pts
  4. David White        No94                   21pts

DF95’s

The sun remained shining and the light breeze held and if anything strengthened marginally and was a bit more consistent for the afternoon DF95 social sailing. It was still swinging from south and east in various parts of the lake, but on a positive note it was more predictable, or were we just becoming immune to the shifts? A similar standard windward / leeward course was set to the morning sailing with a slight tweak. The 5 skippers were underway on time by 13.30. The starts were self monitored and first to finish recorded the results.

Racing was undertaken in good humour with some good banter between the skippers. Clive spent the best part of a couple of races coaching Steve Miller who was back after a few months absence, which I think was appreciated. Racing was very competitive even with the reduced fleet of 5 boats with 3 of the 5 helms recording 3 or more wins each. Alan came out on top just ahead of Clive, after the 2 were separated only by the number of wins. Martin wasn’t quite as consistent as the front two despite notching up 3 wins. Steve Miller showed glimpses of good boat speed and ability and even lead around the windward mark on one occasion.

Ten very enjoyable races were completed sailed, in a lovely Autumnal afternoon with good sailing conditions..

  1. Alan Watkinson                        23   4 wins   13pts
  2. Clive Warren                               93    3 wins  13pts
  3. Martin Whitingham Jones    77    3 wins  16pts
  4. John Beech                                288                   28pts
  5. Steve Miller                               637                   36pts

IOM Winter 2024/5 #5 – 8/3/25

Glorious sun and wind at Gautby Road for our 12 skippers. Great to see a few guests travelling to join in.
The wind was quite an unusual one for Birkenhead, predominantly down Gautby Road but with some cruel shifts if you got on the wrong side of them but hero shifts if you got on the correct side of them, nice top end of A rig with some nosediving in the first 6 races before tea.
It was Brad that showed early pace, taking out the first two races and Alan also showing us some great speed in these races with a third and fourth, unfortunately Josh, sailing Pop, missed the first race with a temperamental knob, on his transmitter which was quickly fixed with a bit of fiddling.
Race positions throughout the day switched very quickly due to the shifts but it was Brad who stayed consistently in front, winning 8 in the end. Martin had a better last 6 races that included a string of seconds, probably due to him growing into his new sailing glasses. Andrea should have won race 10, but in the excitement and concentration she unfortunately forgot to finish but still managed a third.
There was also a great battle all afternoon between Andy, Phil and John, I am sure they enjoyed their afternoons sailing.
Race winners included, Brad, Rob, Graham, Simon and Josh.
Many thanks to Neil and Dave (who also took the photos) for starting and finishing us and good luck to all Birkenhead skippers at next week’s ranking weekend in Scarborough.
  1. Brad Gibson          42   Post PUNK    13pts
  2. Graham Elliott     09   BritPOP!        31pts
  3. Martin Roberts   168  BritPOP!        35pts
  4. Simon Fairman    71   Alioth             40pts
  5. Andrea Roberts   127  BritPOP!       43pts
  6. Josh King                 26  POP!               46pts
  7. Rob Macintosh      66  V9                   50pts
  8. Alan Watkinson    23  Corbie 5         77pts 1x3rd
  9. Graham Birkett   133  Widget           77pts
  10. Andy Backhouse 142  Widget           97pts
  11. Phyl Fanning         37   Lintel           106pts
  12. John Beech           139   Gadget         109pts

DF65 Social Racing 2024 – 3/7/24

Nine sailors today and just a light breeze from the top of the lake on arrival. Racing started at 11.00am, and by 11.45 we had managed just two races. The normal course was sailed but with using existing marks a long distance spreader. All the starts were well disciplined as to be called over would have been a disaster.

John Carlin led the first race and looked to be on for a certain win until he sailed into a hole, allowing the following boats to catch him with Alan taking his first of two wins. Such was the unpredictability of the wind that two of the races had photo finishes between four boats. After three races and the light wind dropping to zero at times, a final race was decided to enable one discard. Even so, three skippers still had had enough and retired.

  1. Alan Watkinson   4pts 2wins
  2. Dave Williams      6.2pts 1win
  3. Richard Walker   9pts 1win
  4. Frans King             9pts
  5. Charles Legg         9.2pts
  6. John Carlin            15pts
  7. Malcolm Harvey 15.2pts
  8. Paul Little              18pts
  9. David White          23pts

Due to a lack of cooperation from the wind to produce anything to sail with, DF95 racing was cancelled.

BRSPC Club Statement – Fish Deaths at Gautby Road Lake

This recent event is not the result of any actions by the club.
We only apply a D.E.F. R.A. approved natural dye called ‘ Lake Shadow ‘,
manufactured by Dyofix (see www.dyofix.co.uk/commercial-pond-dyes/)  and which is also used by many lakes and fisheries to reduce algae and improve water quality.  This has been used just twice this year, the last application was on 25th May.

The Environment Agency attribute the pr0blem to the recent hot weather and high temperatures, with too many large fish and not enough oxygen in a lake which is very shallow and has no cover from intense sunlight. It is not suitable as a fishing lake.

According to a report from the Environment Agency local Fisheries Officer;
“Unfortunately this is a natural occurrence at this time of year, and we are seeing more and more Oxygen Crashes. The dye will certainly help the situation in terms of controlling the algae and has no effects on fish.”

Wirral Council staff have now cleared the lake and surrounds of dead fish.

RG65 Winter Series 2023 #2 – 9/12/23

Well, we had a little rain today and plenty of wind but unfortunately it was blowing from over the houses and veering towards the top corner. The sail choice was in some cases, ‘this is all I have so it will have to do’. The majority using low A, and some using B which appeared to be the wrong choice.

The course was set starting from the Clubhouse end, to the windward mark with a port rounding at the very top of the lake, to a spreader then down to the outer start buoy mark with again a port rounding.  The timing of gusts on the start line caused many call backs spotted with the eagle eye of our assistant race officer George (Alan Bennett’s son).

Racing to the first mark was very close throughout the fleet but it was to the spreader that Alan B and John B were able to pull away. The downwind leg was disastrous for many with clear rudders showing in the nosedives. After four races with the wind picking up a break was called, for dinner and a change of rigs. Unfortunately Charles and Martin had suffered damaged and were not able to continue.

With the wind picking up and white horses on the lake, C rig was used by most boats which certainly made the downwind leg more manageable. With the wind increasing in strength even further, it was decided after the ninth race to finish the day before any more failures could occur.

Our thanks to Clive and George for acting as race officials and giving us nine long races.

  1. Alan Bennett       Ivy                          9pts 5wins
  2. John Brierley       Uno                      13pts 3wins
  3. Bill Culshaw         Ivy                       21pts 1win
  4. Alan Watkinson  Uno                     29pts
  5. John Carlin            Uno                     32pts  1x2nd
  6. Dave Williams      Uno                     32pts
  7. Martin Roberts    Pocket Rocket 38pts
  8. Charles Legg         Uno                      51pts