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Yorkshire Ouse Sailing Club: 70th Anniversary celebrations
Sailing is always weather dependent, but none more so than river sailing. The long planned YOSC 70th Anniversary regatta and social dawned fine and bright with a light breeze, just right for some leisurely competition but the Ouse had decided otherwise. Torrential rain in the previous 36 hours had already caused flooding and fatalities elsewhere and the Ouse was now looking angry and rising fast. Sailing was impossible. With great regret the sailing was cancelled and attention turned to making it a great party. We were lucky; by evening Ferry Lane alongside the Club was more like a dock and visitors could only just reach the Club with dry feet. The partying started at 5pm and by 7 there were over 100 members and guests enjoying Boatshedyorkshire.com sponsored fizz and eagerly anticipating the charcoal-cooked hog roast. The N12 class had been the largest class entry in the regatta that wasn’t: the N12 social guests comfortably outnumbered all others. The Commodore thanked everyone for their support, read a congratulatory email from John Meadowcroft, the NTOA Chairman and, duly assisted, the lady Commodore cut the celebratory cake. With the hog duly roasted and consumed, attention turned to the great company, yarns of YOSC past, and an even greater enthusiasm to do it again, with sailing! The delights of river sailing often pass the 21st Century asymmetric super stars by. Short tacking a National 12, and particularly a vintage 12, tight up alongside the bank, picking up the eddies and shifts is a skill and pleasure like no other in sailing. It develops a sensitivity and responsiveness in helm and crew that makes open water sailing almost tedious, and those who sail really well on rivers, win everywhere. Well that’s what was unanimously agreed by all still at the bar past midnight and there is some truth in it! Next morning the returning helpers found the Club inaccessible without Wellies and water across the lawn and almost at the door, still rising. Even the social would have been impossible 24 hours later. YOSC has sailed National 12s continuously since the Club was founded in 1938 and the YOSC fleet continues to be very active and competitive throughout the Class. How many other Clubs can match this record? Would make an interesting comparison. With thanks and regards to all who have supported YOSC over the 70 years. Ian Purkis Secretary YOSC
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