Fireball Open at Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club - Preview

Sponsored by Allen Brothers

It is just over 2 weeks until the Fireball Inland Championships at Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club on the weekend of the 1st and 2nd of November.

This is the last class specific event before winter events kick off. So at this event you won't have a whole range of out of control semi-hypothermic idiots. Well, only those sailing in Fireballs. It might even be warm. At this time of year the Chairman might, if you are lucky bring his leaking drysuit so we can take pity on him.

With a large number of Fireballs based at clubs in the area, we are expecting a strong turnout, with plenty of visitors from further afield also planning on sailing. Some in preparation for a campaign toward the 2015 World Championships, with others looking for a weekend away armed with a "Pass". There will be some without "Passes" who will soon be getting divorces instead. Others will be mixing, or attempting to mix "serious" sailing with consuming their own body weight in beer or other liquids.

Lets not forget the last title of the Fireball season in the UK is also up for grabs. Who will be walking away with the trophy? Or in this case trophies as there is also a Chew Valley trophy as well! Nice. Please note selling the trophies on ebay after the event is generally frowned upon. It will also ruin your star rating when you get caught.

Allen Performance Hardware have very kindly agreed to sponsor the event and are generously providing prizes for various the gold, silver and bronze fleets, plus other categories throughout the fleet. All will be revealed on the day. Although no branded mankinis have been offered as part of the prize package at this point as they have used up this year's stock. So you will have to settle for something a little more practical.

If you have not been to Chew Valley Lake before racing takes place on the fifth-largest artificial lake in the United Kingdom (thanks Wikipedia) owned by Bristol Water. The club is in a fantastic setting, with a large race area just minutes from the clubhouse, close enough for those who always arrive late to watch the first start from the shore with a cup of tea whilst still rigging.

Sailing wise its shifty, and there is a shallow patch over by the island somewhere, but if the OOD races us there we can deal with him in the boat shed afterwards (there is no bike shed available).

The club also offers great food and has a large clubhouse and bar. Campervans are allowed overnight but not tents. This must be a strange Bristol Water rule, please try to avoid abusing them on Twitter. Although if you have no tent just pass out somewhere else and that will be fine. Someone may even kindly put you up if you are good at blagging and don't vomit in the air vents of their car.

Accommodation for the more sensible/flush is also available locally see the Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club website for ideas.