Flag signals: the Newsletter of Ely Sailing Club April 2026
Published 19:47 on 30 Apr 2026
Despite the very gusty wind for the first couple of weekends of the season, sailing is back! Thankfully the weather has settled down, the sun has been shining and we've had some lovely sailing at last.
Our talented cadets got the season off to a good start at the first Youth League event at Cam SC last weekend, taking second overall as a club. Congratulations in particular to Edward (3rd overall), Fergus (2nd under 15) and to Josh and Jamie for taking part in their first away event.
This Saturday is the Open Day and the weather is looking good, with the Open Evening on Friday 8th. Volunteers to help both on and off the water would be very helpful, but just as importantly it would be great to have as many members of all ages as we can out on the water to show our guests how much fun it can be.
The training season is getting underway with the first course on the 16th of May. We'll be opening the courses for booking for non-members on the open day, so if you're thinking of booking a space on one, this week is your last chance to get in first!
Huge thanks to everyone who has done their duties and enabled us all to sail - we have fabulous members! Please remember, if you can't do a duty that you've been allocated, please use the duty swap function & ask as many possible swaps as possible to ensure maximum chance of it being accepted - the system will accept the first swap - equally, if you are asked to swap, please do accept or decline promptly. Thanks in advance to those being flexible with their duties to enable these swaps. Please login to your duty portal to see & manage all your duties and remember that if you're not sure how to use the system, have a look under Membership -> Duties and Volunteering for help and instructions.
Just a little reminder to racers and race officers, now that the season is fully underway, that all boats must finish on the lap of the lead competitor. Those who have not been lapped cannot finish before the leader and those who have been lapped must be finished the next time they cross the line and given a pro-rata score.
The model yacht fleet have moved to their summer series, sailing at 17:00 on Tuesday evenings until about 19:00. All are welcome to try all the skills & excitement of sailing without getting their feet wet. There's a club boat available to use for free & fleet members are more than willing to offer advice & instruction.
On the social front, we had a great quiz evening to raise funds for Kitty's Guide trip to Cambodia next year and popped open the beginning of season bubbly for the Commodore's Reception. With Friday evening sailing under way, the clubhouse is open after sailing for drinks (of all kinds!), chit-chat, fun, laughter and food.
We're keeping a close eye on the weather, hoping to get the BBQ out soon, ideally starting on the Open Day and evening. Look out for updates on Facebook and the website!
Lastly, many thanks to Bosun Paul and helpers for sorting out the Cardinal marks round the small island to save us all from finding the extent of the shallows the hard way!
Fair winds and smooth sailing to you all,
Ian, Catherine and Brent
Last updated 19:47 on 30 April 2026