Understanding the DSC Sailing Programme is the first step in your club racing career. More broadly, and of immediate value, it tells you when you can expect there to be rescue cover and people in general at the club. Armed with this information, you’ll know when to turn up for a chat or a casual sail i.e. from about one hour before the start time.
The club runs several one-off races or events which are sprinkled throughout the race calendar. These are usually a move away from the fleet based approach to the regular Series and allow all the sailors to compete against each other. These events include:
UKIDA Dart 18 Grand Prix
The Dart Open – typically a three day event run over a bank holiday weekend, usually Easter or the early May bank holiday. As the premier catamaran club in the North West this is an event not to be missed whether you sail a Dart or not. Expect 30+ boats, 8 races over the 3 days and the best socials on the circuit!
Round Hilbre
A club race taking us into the open waters beyond Hilbre Island This year (2006) this is being run as a series of races. Here you will encounter seals, clear water, an open sea swell and probably a bit more breeze. The rules are simple: start and finish at the usual place, passing Hilbre to port (keep it on your left). It is often run as the middle race of three on the day, with results also counting towards the current series. The Seldom Seen Trophy is awarded to the winning catamaran and the Trantom Trophy goes to the winning monohull. Times are adjusted according to the boat’s handicap. Some of the challenges along the way will include taking the shortest course while navigating shallow waters, and getting round the island without straying into the inevitable wind shadow, whilst sailing as quickly as you can. This race will be run when the tides are high and the wind is not too strong.
Coronation Race
Club members will compete for the Coronation Salver and RNLI Pennant in this pursuit race. The slowest boats (in terms of handicap) will start first, with faster boats starting behind them at a time that theoretically has everyone finishing together. The first to cross the line is the winner. Clearly the faster boats have a lot of overtaking to do, while the slower boats can practice their tactical blocking.
Dee SC Open Day
Not a race, but a chance to share the fun of sailing with visitors to the club.
RMYC, LYC, WCSC, WYC, HSC, WKSC & DSC Regattas
Collectively known as the Wirral & Mersey Regatta Series, usually run over four weekends in June-July. Racing is provided for something like 20 classes of boats, with the cats now racing on the Dee as a rule, with some still on the Mersey. Prizes are awarded for each regatta and for overall winners in the series. Darts race as a class and other cats race on handicap.
Commodore’s Cruise
A booze cruise without the luxury. Everyone decamps by whatever means possible to Hoyle Bank for the day. For most people this is another excuse to sail out past Hilbre and play in the open waters. Since Hoyle Bank is submerged during high tides, we sail out on the outgoing tide, land on the sandbank as it emerges from the sea and sail back on the incoming tide as the sandbank once again dips below sea level. The intervening hours are spent in the sunshine playing beach games, sailing for fun, speed and thrills, joyriding and indulging in a BBQ and Bar, provided by Dawpool once it has chugged down the estuary to join us. Friends and family can join in without getting their feet wet (ha!) by walking out to Hilbre at low tide and cadging a lift from various Ribs, fishermen and bemused locals. The event is usually coordinated with the other local clubs so that people outnumber seals for a while.
Mates Race to Hoyle Bank
Crews and helms swap roles for a race to Hoyle Bank, as their warm-up in the Commodores Cruise.
Whombaff Trophy
Everyone is reduced to a Pico sailor for an evening. Teams of three compete in a league / playoff fashion to find the most competitive team racers on the day. Dads are pitched against their kids, and the Rib riders are expected to beat Fast Cat sailors, and often do. The International Racing Rules of Sailing appear to be forgotten… Best played for laughs.