'Tornado', Shelly Road, Exmouth, Devon EX8 1EG Telephone 01395 264607

Three boats from Exe travelled the short distance up to Wimbleball Lake for the Exmoor Beastie on Mar 15^th.  The wind was a light F2-3, the sun shone all day and the 3 hour pursuit race was well run in a relaxed manner.  Ben Cornish was always going to struggle in these conditions but he made a good fight of it holding off Alex Horlock and Tim Pearce in an RS200 for 2 hours, at which time Iain Horlock and Adam Wooley in an RS400 passed both of them.  With a clutch of Phantoms and the RS400 of Figgi Cain out at the front Alex and Tim did well to finish in 8^th place  just in front of Iain and Adam who had managed to miss out a mark but recovered to finish 10^th.

13 Mar 09 - Clean up time!

Come and help clean up the dinghy park and club on Sunday 29 March from 10:00.  The bar will be open later!

5 Mar 09 - ESC response to DfT re the HRO

Following the work Rex Frost and Bob Green have led on in relation to Exe Estuary issues, the Commodore has today written to Simon Evans at the Department for Trade, as the opportunity existed to do so.

The letter has been sent on behalf of our members to express our deep concern should the Inspector recommend the HRO sought by Exeter City Council. 

You can see the full text of the letter here.

2 Mar 09:  Exe Sailing Club awarded £650 for environmental project

Exe Sailing Club has been awarded a cheque for £650 by local Volvo dealer Kastner Exeter, after entering the Volvo Eco Challenge. The Volvo Eco Challenge was set up to provide grants of up to £1,000 to sailing clubs across the UK for young people aged between 10 -16 to undertake an environmental initiative at their club. Sailing is seen as an environmentally friendly sport, but research has proven that Sailing Clubs are struggling to comply with current environmental legislation.

A group of local young sailors from Exe Sailing Club took on the challenge of making their club more environmentally friendly. The plan submitted involved setting up collection bins to recycle glass, plastic and cans and to organise litter picking evenings to control the waste on the foreshore of Exe estuary, where the Club is situated. There are also plans to fit energy saving light bulbs and door fittings in the clubhouse.  

The scheme's ambassador, Chris Packham, television presenter, wildlife photographer and author, who was one of an expert panel of judges for the Challenge together with Sarah Black, Project Manager for The Green Blue. The Green Blue has been working with clubs for several years now, developing best practice and encouraging environmental improvements.  

Television presenter Chris Packham said “The Volvo Eco Challenge has encouraged young members of Volvo RYA Champion Clubs to get actively involved in environmental projects. I am always keen to work where there is both enthusiasm and a need to help overcome an environmental issue.”  

Richard Newcombe from Exe Sailing Club said “It has been a great project which the youth sailors enjoyed being involved in over the winter months. Applying for a grant and helping to move the club forward shows the juniors of the club how small changes can make a big difference to the club and the environment. The club is very grateful to Volvo and to the youth sailors who have made this possible"  

The £650 cheque was awarded by Clive Woodward, sales manager from Volvo dealership, Kastner Exeter, to Richard Newcombe and some of their junior members, who were wearing the tee shirts they designed to promote their recycling scheme.

Clive Woodward, from Kastner Exeter said “With the Volvo Eco Challenge, Volvo hopes to help a new generation who are ready to think creatively to reduce environmental impact in their local sailing community, something Volvo strives to do continually.  It is so encouraging to see a group of youngsters who are willing to embrace the concept of environmental health, take hold of a project and see it through to the final phase. We felt it was a genuine effort that will definitely pay off in the long term.”

Volvo is ranked as a leader in terms of Environmental care among the world’s premium car brands. Volvo's commitment to the environment covers the entire lifecycle of the car, from design, engineering and production to useful life, service and recycling. Over the last forty years, Volvo has reduced the environmental impact of car manufacturing by a significant extent. All new cars are now 85% recyclable, and designed for 95% recoverability.

 As part of Volvo’s commitment to the environment, alongside the Eco Challenge project, they are proud to launch their DRIVe range of cars this year.  The DRIVe range are new economical versions of the C30 Sports Coupé, S40 saloon and the V50 Sportswagon.  These vehicles all have aerodynamic refinements enabling lower CO2 emissions, reduced fuel consumption, minimising the impact on our environment. 

21 Other Sailing Clubs around the UK have been presented Volvo Eco Challenge awards; a total of £20,000 was made available to sailing clubs across the UK.  The Volvo Eco Challenge is entering its second year and sailing clubs across the UK are being now invited to enter their environmental projects for 2009.

For more information about the Volvo Eco Challenge visit www.volvocars.co.uk/ecochallenge

Well done Rick and his team!

01 Feb 09 RYA BASIC NAVIGATION AND SAFETY COURSE 

This is an "entry level" theory course aimed at those who have not taken a small boat very far from a harbour before, or for crew who want to be of more assistance to the skipper, with navigation and nautical understanding. More specifically, it will be taught assuming that pupils are using RIBs, small dayboats/keelboats or even canoes, with the most basic of navigation facilities plus a hand held GPS. No prior knowledge is necessary. 

The course also represents a first step towards the Day Skipper theory course. 

The course length is 2 full days of instruction (0845-1730) and will be held on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th of March at Exe S.C. The course fee is £70. 

Further information and booking through Rex Frost on 01395 271026, or r-exe-f@virgin.net

01 Feb 09 - Job Vacancy for Club Professional

The club has a vacancy for a Senior Sailing Instructor/Club Professional. 40 hours/week April to September. Applications to Rick Newcombe (training@exe-sailing-club.org) by 15 Feb 09.  (Full details will be posted when translated from the Greek version sent by Rick...)  

19 Jan 09 - Progress with the Extension

If you have been to the club recently you will have seen that the extension is coming on very well.  If you haven't, then click here to see some photos (by Nigel Walshaw).