Whitefriars Sailing Club Celebrates 50 Years

Whitefriars SC Celebrates 50 Years - The 4 Hour Race © WSC

On 29th-30th June, Whitefriars Sailing Club in the Cotswold Water Park, celebrated 50 years with two days of fun-packed celebrations and exciting sailing, culminating in the presentation of a newly established Founders Cup for a handicap race competition held on the Sunday.

A good number of members took advantage of club's facilities by camping and starting the fun on Friday evening with a Sundowners social sail and a BBQ.

Saturday started early with welcome breakfast rolls in readiness for a 4 hour team race and Junior sailing activities, keeping an emphasis on fun and friendly competition.

The 4 hour race was won by Simon Clark and Richard Gimmler in a Phantom. In second place were Steve Ashford/Jamie Grigor/Wolly Merchant and Ed Bartlett. Third place was taken by a Sailability team of Dave Durston and George Paxford in a Hansa Liberty.

Cream teas were provided in the afternoon accompanied by the sound of the Purton Villages Voices ladies choir, whilst the Juniors enjoyed themselves with sailing-based games. In the evening, celebrations continued in a marquee, with catering by Chef Adam and musical entertainment by the band 'Freeze' helped along by a few dubious air guitarists.

The main event on Sunday was the new Founders Cup competition, with two races to count, while the Swindon Big Band provided musical entertainment for those ashore.

In challenging conditions, first place was claimed by Will Gifford in an Aero 7 with some excellent sailing giving him wins in both races.

Presenting the Founders Cup to the winner was Dennis Phelps, one of the original founders of the club back in 1969 at Whitefriars School, Cheltenham, where the club was established. Returning to the club after thirty years, Dennis could not recognise the surroundings with its modern facilities, compared to the wooden sheds the club operated from back then.

Whitefriars SC Celebrates 50 Years - Will Gifford wins the Founders Cup, presented by Dennis Phelps, one of the original founders of the club - photo © WSC

The other places were amazingly close with only a single point covering second to sixth place. In second place was Richard Gimmler in an Aero9. In third place were Charlie and Rupert Whelan in a 2000.

After the mid-afternoon Founders Cup award presentations, the Club Commodore, Tony Jackson, thanked everyone behind the scenes whose hard work had made a fantastic weekend and in particular Nicky Durston and Victoria Farmer, who had done so much to organise and coordinate a willing team of helpers over some months of planning.

Everyone was wowed by a huge and colourful iced cake, provided by Joanne Hocking, along with over two hundred scones, served with cream and jam.

One last event remained, providing entertainment for everyone, by a Juniors Oppie-Water Polo contest and although there were rules, their enthusiasm meant more time was spent in the water than on it!

Anybody interested in joining the Whitefriars Sailing Club please contact the Membership Secretary via the club's website www.whitefriarssc.org

Founders Cup Results: