Dell Quay Sailing Club

Bosham dinghy Cruise

Sunday 15th May

With a forecast for gentle breeze and sunny intervals ??, why not come and join fellow club adventurers for a classic sail to Bosham on 15May ?
Bosham is a picturesque waterside village with plenty of opportunity to obtain refreshments of various kinds!

Itinerary:

• 9:00am rigging   
• 9:30am cruise briefing 
• 10:00am ready to depart  

We will return on the early ebb tide and aim (wind dependent) to be back at Dell Quay by 13:00-13:30pm

Other information:

• Please note that the cruise is NOT supported by a patrol boat . Crews should be capable of sailing/navigating independently and be aware that they sail at their own risk
  
  
• All boats should be seaworthy and equipped with oars, anchor and a tow rope
  
  Please use Spond https://group.spond.com/XDFOG to sign up. This app allows us to talk chat more easily prior to the cruise. It also gives us a good idea of numbers
• HW= 11:43am   Set sail = HW -1h40m

As I write this, there isn’t a volunteer for event coordinator. I sadly won’t be on the cruise myself because I will be helping the Sunday Funday team.

Zander Hack 07527147300.
I will also be contactable by VFH.

GENERAL COMMITTEE RESPONSES TO THE CHANGING ROOM CONSULTATION

First of all, I would like to thank everyone who took the time to contact us with regards to the refurbishment of the changing rooms.

In terms of the comments received, the overwhelming feeling was that we should revert to the plans that were described at the AGM in November 2021. We have made that change.

Some other comments related to the timing. There is never a perfect time for projects such as these. In the end, the GC decided that given a variety of factors, including inflationary pressures on material costs, and the weather that was likely to support the build being completed to schedule, we decided to start now, with the target of being ready for the first Open event of the season.

There were comments related to the length and type of consultation. Our preference would have been for it to be longer, but we believe that the type of consultation, based on a costed proposal, rather than a number of options, was the right approach. Our decision on the length was driven by the need to complete works before the first Open of the year.

All the comments received are reproduced in the Appendix to this note, without identifying the commenter, with the GC’s response to each individual comment. Where the comments are from a single responder and linked, they have been numbered and dotted lines inserted between the rows.

The final drawing is being updated and will be published here as soon as it is available. It should be noted that the GC has decided that all the changing rooms will be flexible, e.g. the ladies and gentlemen may be switched around depending on the needs of the event concerned.

Yours,
Ben Alcott
Commodore

Detailed comments and responses
Original Plan drawing
Current Plan Drawing

Itchenor Cruise  - Sunday 17th Apr
 
Many of us have been looking forward to getting back out on the water and once again setting sail with fellow club members around our stunning, wildlife packed harbour. That time is almost here. With a promising sunny forecast and a gentle breeze, please come and join fellow club members for a gentle sail to Itchenor and back.
 
We will meet at the club at 9:30 to 9:55am Sunday 18th April. There will be a short briefing + completion of the attendee list. We will be ready to depart promptly at 10.10pm. There will be no patrol boat to get ready and out on the water.
 
It is a spring tide, so progress will be slow towards Itchenor. We will aim to set sail on the return journey on or before 12:00 on a close haul to the SE winds. High water at Itchenor is 12:46 and we should avoid sailing into an ebb tide especially if the winds are light. We aim to all be back at Dell Quay before 13.00pm.
 
Please note that the cruise is not supported by a patrol boat . All crews sail at their own risk. Helpful support and advice is always on offer but sailors must be capable and have seaworthy boats with oars, anchors and a tow rope.

I will be bringing an outboard and radio and will be sailing in the centre of the group.

I hope to see many of you at the club on Sunday.

Please download Spond to your phone and join the Dinghy Cruising Group. The app allows us to stay in touch with each other more easily.

Zander Hack 07527147300

As detailed in the latest Club Roundup eNews, the 2022 members’ survey is now live and will be open until 15 April.

As a reminder, you can get to it by logging in to SCM, then going to your portal and clicking on ‘polls’,  or by using the link: https://members.dellquaysc.co.uk/poll-group/835

You’ll be asked to log in then will go straight to the survey. When you’re done, just click ‘save responses’ at the bottom.

Thanks!
GC

The prize giving evening for the Victoria fleet was held on Wednesday 1st December and 30 members enjoyed a lovely, three course meal prepared by Anne, Sarah and Sue. In between courses, Simon and Linda p entertained us with singing and playing their ukuleles.

Liz was thanked for her work in managing our races and ensuring that no skulduggery is afoot. We definitely could not manage without her!

The series Cups and trophies for 2021 were awarded to Rob for the Autumn series and to Simon for the Spring and Summer series.  Our overall winner of the Bob Strong trophy for 2021 was Simon. Many congratulations to all the winners for a great performance.

Rob then presented the toy boats (new version of the ducks). The winners were Dave for being awarded most turns in a race, Jean for his bravery in challenging Liz, Barrie for his invisible boat and to Chris for crossing the line a little early and asking if it was ok to continue!

The final award of the evening was the 2021 Cruiser Trophy which was presented to Rob in recognition of his work in developing and supporting the

Victoria group – very well deserved!  

Finally, a big thank you to all for making the evening and the Victoria group such a success.
Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and 2022.

Itchenor Rowing Regatta

The DQ women’s, men’s, and mixed rowing teams attended the excellent inaugural Itchenor Rowing Regatta over 22-24 October 2021 weekend with more than 60 rowers and coxes from six different clubs, and a range of boats including Celtic Longboats, Solent Galleys, Quads (with all sculling), and also the Thames Barbarian’s and CYC Cornish Gigs.

World class organisation by Itchenor row management enabled 28 races in 3.5 hours over a 500 metre (allowing 7 minutes for line up and race) in the tidal window with crew changes after each race.  Everyone rowed 5 races in at least 3 different boats in an assortment of mixed, men’s and women’s crews. Both the spectator and crew changeover area were located on the small beach 300 metres west of the Itchenor Northley shipyard with beach masters assisting with every changeover.

The 12 crew Dell Quay rowing squad with our Celtic longboat, Seafox, included Nikki Buchanan, Ally Forrest, Becki Dicker, Mary Webb, Michelle Atkins plus Steve Forrest, Martin Moss, Phil Guimaraens, Chris White, John Rogerson, Nick Atkins, and Richard Bland. Steve, Ally, Martin, Mary, and Becki also made the Sunday Picnic row flotilla to East Head with Mike Dicker as Patrol Boat support. All races were a challenge and we had few wins and  several photo finishes. I think we all lost a few kg, in great conditions with mainly light winds and no rain, and also celebrated Ally’s birthday.

Going forward, subject to cox and crew availability, we look to continue club rowing sessions on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays plus some weekends over the winter period and are always looking for more rowers and particularly coxes. We are holding the next rowing taster session on Saturday 20 November 1000-1230 hrs. So, if you want to join the taster session to row or/and cox please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Sunday 14/11/21 or contact Richard Bland/John Rogerson. Otherwise just email to be added to the rowing WhatsApp group where rowing sessions over next 2 weeks are scheduled and crews organised. We encourage rowing for all abilities.

Next year we are hoping to attend various events, including Bembridge Rowfest, Cockleshell Heroes row, Round Hayling race, and also aim for the Great London River Race in September.

Power Boat Level 2 and Safetyboat Certificate Courses

You will be aware that the club provides excellent patrol boat cover for many on the water events throughout the year, including club racing.  To helm a patrol boat, the club asks that the members who volunteer hold a RYA Safety Boat qualification. 

To gain this qualification, the RYA require that a Power Boat Level 2 qualification is held.  Fortunately, DQSC is a RYA Training Centre providing both of these courses. 

Our training programme this year has 4 Safety Boat courses and 4 Power Boat Level 2 courses.  If you are interested in starting out and learning how to drive a power boat, please do sign up for a PBL2 course. 

If you already hold the PBL2 qualification and wish to helm a Patrol Boat at DQ, please do sign up for a Safety Boat course.  You can see the course dates and sign up for both online from this page.

Training at Dell Quay is excellent value – each course only costs £50 which is a fraction of the price elsewhere! 

For further information, please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Hardway Rally 25th/26th September

The date for this popular rally is fast approaching so do sign up if you wish to go. Hardway Sailing Club is located on the Gosport side of Portsmouth Harbour, about halfway between the entrance and Fareham.

Sailors from Dell Quay have been going there for many years and it has always been an enjoyable place to visit. The club has a long pontoon stretching out into the harbour. Although the majority of this dries during a spring tide, mooring there is no problem for bilge, lifting or even fin keels as the mud is very soft.

The club charges £10 per boat for the night and this allows us to enjoy their facilities and their bar.

HW Portsmouth on the 25th is 1459hrs and you will ideally need to arrive no later than 1730hrs. This should be little problem for boats leaving DQ by lunchtime.

Please sign up on the website and I will be in touch with more details nearer the time.

Tim Applewhite