Forest Sailing Club (FSC) held a very successful SUPERSPAR The Grove Easter Weekend Regatta at Da Gama Dam, with two competitions held over three days.

Both the club’s regular fleet and visiting sailors enjoyed good weather (and some rain) and mild but adequate wind conditions, with a total of five races in the Commodore’s Cup and four races in the Sail GP event.

The Commodore’s Cup was sailed over the traditional Olympic Course, comprising a triangular, then a sausage, and finally a triangular route again, around a set of buoys on the dam.

The Sail GP event mirrored the more complicated and exciting course used by the International Sail GP Series.

A great deal of sailing fun was had, including the novel ways in which members of the fleet were trying to scupper each other’s chances by ‘sabotaging’ boats, with drag weights surreptitiously attached to the back, and plastic chairs hoisted up the mast.

A host of fun prizes were dished out at the prize-giving as well.

Results:
Commodore’s Cup (12 boats, including keelboats, monohull dinghies and catamarans)
1st: Terry Grossmith and crew (Flying Dutchman) – 8 points
2nd: Alex Garaufalias and crew (Pirate) – 12
3rd: Ken Grossmith (Pirate) – 14 points
Sail GP (12 boats)
1st: Alex Garaufalias and crew (Pirate) – 11 points
Tied 2nd: Anthony and Christine Theron (Vivacity 20); Alex Garaufalias and crew (Pirate), Ken Grossmith (Pirate) – 13 points
5th: Llew Taylor (Finn) – 23 points.

Barco van Heerden (Optomist), won the junior class, sailing shortened courses in both the Commodore’s Cup and Sail GP. He is incredibly keen and a fast learner, and soon had the seasoned sailors, including his father, Carel, looking over their shoulders to see where he was on the course.

The health of junior sailing at FSC is turning a corner for the better, and the club encourages parents to bring their youngsters along to give it a go on the club boats that are available for learning to sail.
Please go to https://forestsailingclub.co.za/ or contact the Commodore Anthony Theron on 082 856 4430 for more information.

A special award, the Macleod Floating Trophy for the Sportswoman of the Club, was awarded to Christine Theron for her active participation in her Laser dinghy and services to the club for over 10 years.

Finally, the FSC grounds at Da Gama Dam were bursting at the seams the entire Easter weekend, with the sailors, their family and friends, visiting fisherfolk and the Christian denominations of the region and their traditional Easter Sunday Service, all having fun and fellowship in beautiful surroundings and great weather.