Teifi Rally June 29/30

[Michael Rogers]

Matthew, Tim (both with assorted crew members) and I took part: the rest of you missed a VERY enjoyable two days of varied sailing, in a most attractive setting. We sampled the estuary and river up towards Cardigan, the narrows with fairly brisk tides in both directions, and 'further out' which divides into an area inside the bar and the open sea beyond the bar, with Cardigan Island asking to be circumnavigated and lovely coastline in both directions. Changing sea conditions as the tides run with, against or across the wind were great fun.

On Saturday (wind F3, later F3-4) Matthew and Tim were in a small fleet which sailed East to a tractor recovery (a bit hairy, or rather sandy, I believe) from a beach further along the coast, and experienced the ultimate sailing thrill offered by Cardigan Bay - being escorted by dolphins! I have been pale green (from envy not seasickness) since they came back to tell the rest of us about it. The rest of us sailed a bit closer to home, although I was accused of planning a surreptitious day trip to Ireland when I forgot to switch my (borrowed) radio on, and was enjoying a long reach away from land until the support RIB was sent to round me up.

On Sunday a sort of race was planned, but had to be abandoned when stronger-than-forecast winds (F4 but frequently and persistently gusting to F5-6) produced very interesting choppy seas and an epidemic of reefing in the fleet. So, after the larger boats had been beyond the bar to prove they could, most sailing was in and about the estuary and inside the bar. My day was made when I demonstrated Matt's assertion that a Trouper 12 will plane in the right conditions - which for Cavatina on Sunday were one reef in F5+ and a broad reach in fairly choppy conditions: absolutely upright (she is soooo stable), huge sheets of spray from the bows, and spurts of water hurled at me out of the daggerboard case (which is well forward, and I suspect its forward edge under the boat was part of the bow wave). We went past a Storm 17 as if it was stationary. I have never considered myself an adrenaline-rush sailor, but.....

The Rally happens under Drascombe auspices, but in fact the majority of boats are usually Swallowboats, presumably because of the location. Sadly this year Matt was away, otherwise he shows up. This year there were 3 Drascombes, 6 Swallowboats, and 4 assorted types. Gareth Rowlands has organised it for the last 6-7 years, with an informal efficiency which I am sure belies the amount of work involved. I have been three times, and would be sorry to miss it. Hosts are the Teifi Boating Club, which is informal and very friendly, and has a clubhouse overlooking the estuary with a bar which serves, among everything else, excellent Welsh beer (Tony take note) with unpronounceable names. The lady club members did us an excellent meal on Sat evening and a high tea before departures on Saturday.

Gareth has not committed himself to necessarily doing another rally next year, and commented that his drumming up exercise on the Forum (which I think was a first) produced a zero response! Matthew and Tim will let him (and us) know whether in fact they responded to it, or were going anyway. I think some friendly twisting of Gareth's arm and other signs of enthusiasm are called for so that it does indeed happen again next year. Tony owes it to 'Four Sisters' (a Cardigan Bay Lugger after all) to go and commune with the dolphins and try the beer. I'm sure Tim and Matthew will chip in with their impressions. A big SB turn-out next year would make it even better.

Michael

[garethrow]

Thanks for your eloquent write up Michael.

Technical note: The beer is Felin Foel, sometimes known as 'Feeling Foul' - due to the after effects of over indulgence I believe.

Regards

Gareth

[Graham W]

Gareth.......commented that his drumming up exercise on the Forum (which I think was a first) produced a zero response! Matthew and Tim will let him (and us) know whether in fact they responded to it, or were going anyway. I think some friendly twisting of Gareth's arm and other signs of enthusiasm are called for so that it does indeed happen again next year.

It worked for me - the first I heard about it was on the forum and immediately signed up.  The fact that I subsequently had to wimp out is neither here nor there. And I will be signing up next year if it happens, toes permitting (but my ballet days are over).

[Tony]

Hi, Michael.
Zero response?
Well, had Gareth mentioned the beer beforehand.......


My excuse is its proximity to the Bala do. Couldn't face the A38 twice in the same month (!) but your enthusiasm is infectious. Pencil me in for 2014.  The varied sailing in the estuary is a big attraction - along with the opportunity to cross the bar - and the Cardigan Bay area is noted for its wildlife. Any photos to go with your account?

[Michael Rogers]

Graham

I was so sorry to read about your toes. A certain amount of fellow feeling in that, about 20 years ago, my inadequately shod foot slipped under a Flymo on a sloping lawn.....nuff said. And to have to miss Teifi! Well, see you there next year - hopefully. And I hope you are sailing again soon.

(PS I thought a new thread might be appropriate for these commiserations, and you could have given us progress bulletins. But what would I have called it? 'Toeing the line'? 'Tiptoe through the tulips'? And perish the thought of starting some sort of competition for the wittiest title.)

Michael

[Graham W]

In reference to a scandal from over 20 years ago, how about The Duchess of York Appreciation Society?

[Matthew P]

As my mind boggles at the association between sucking and breaking toes maybe it is time to return this thread to the Teifi dolphins: 

http://youtu.be/wylGzTwbuCM

The video sadly does not do justice to the delight from their company.  As somebody said, you don't play with them - they play with you.  I wonder at their perception of boats and objects through their sonar sense do they "see" not only a boat but the internal structure as well? On a social level, how much are they aware of humans in boats? 

As Michael  has already described there were many enjoyable things about the Teifi Open Boat rally as well as dolphins.  Thanks Gareth.

Matthew

[garethrow]

Great video Matthew - thank you.

Just returned from the Drascombe Association Coniston rally based at the Coniston Yacht club. Unbelievable weather, I just can't believe we were in the lakes - more like the Med with hot sun, no tide and plenty of vino calapso. Worth being a Drascombe Association member to samlpe their varied year long programme of rallies.

Regards

Gareth

[Bill Rollo]

Dear Gareth

Sorry to miss Teifi this year but interested in your comment about attending DA rallies. How open are they to non Drascombe boats?

Best wishes

Bill

[garethrow]

As far as I am aware Bill - fine - as long as you are a member. I run the Teifi Rally as a Drascombe event because I think they have the format well sussed after years of experience - placing responsibility for safety onto individual skippers rather than on the organiser. I have only been to one other rally so far - (kids now old enough to leave for short periods), but Conniston was fine. The chair of the Association, John Christie, was there and didn't seem to mind at all that I had a Storm.

Regards

Gareth

[Bill Rollo]

Gareth

Many thanks.

Best wishes

Bill