Lark eNews - Season Opener

Season Opener

March 2023

The weekend of 1st-2nd April sees the Midlands Double Header of South Staffs and Shustoke. Expect a warm welcome from the home fleets and tight racing wherever in the fleet you are.
The weekend kicks off at South Staffs - 1st April
First race at 11.15. Three races are planned, with lunch after race 1.
NoR, SIs and ONLINE ENTRY.
Any questions, please contact Chris White at chriswhite_747@hotmail.co.uk.

We then move 30 miles down the M6 to the open water of Shustoke - 2nd April.
First race not be before 11.05. Two races back-to-back before lunch, one after.
Food is available (soup, rolls and baked potatoes).
NoR, SIs and ONLINE ENTRY.
Any questions, please contact Stu Hydon on stuarthydon@hotmail.com.

That's right free entry and free pizza for all competitors, sponsored by the Lark Class Association. Waldringfield Sailing Club will be holding the 2023 Youth Champs on 8th April (Easter Saturday). If you are interested in joining in (it's the day before the Easter Egg Open) – or can lend a boat – contact Dan Watson on banier@yahoo.com.

Entries for our National Championships in May at Brixham Yacht Club are OPEN
See Lark Nationals Webpage for all the info and how to enter.

There is also so much more action this year.
29 Apr-1 May - Rock SC is sailing heaven combining fantastic sailing with a holiday atmosphere, loads of other things to do and (usually) sunshine! If you want to join in the fun, there is still time to get organised.

14 May – Frensham Pond SC hosts a one-day event. Competed for every year since 1967, the event is steeped in history. Frensham Pond is a beautiful reservoir owned by the National Trust, with plenty else to do for non-sailing family members. Expect a friendly welcome, complicated courses, tight racing and the famous Frensham tea!

18 June – Banbury SC. Easily accessible from all parts of southern England, this pretty, 90-acre lake will be a must for those who have been before and should be a priority for those who haven’t tried it yet. There’s plenty other family things in the area to combine it with.

1-2 July – Itchenor SC. Glorious sailing right in the heart of Chichester Harbour. On Saturday, it's the Lark Short Course Championships with 6 short races. Then on Sunday, there's an Open Meeting with 3 races back-to-back. There is accommodation at the club if you get in quick! Just ring Itchenor SC.

6-11 Aug – Salcombe YC. The week-long regatta is very popular so get booking your accommodation, if you haven’t already! A unique combination of competitive, sniggly sailing and a relaxing beach holiday – with that Salcombe Gin & Tonic in one hand of course!

[change of date] 9-10 Sept – Weymouth SC. The Larks return to possibly one of the best sailing waters in the UK. The small friendly town club is ideal for a family weekend away.

16-17 Sept – Waldringfield SC. The usual welcome and close racing for the famous Cartoon Trophy. A welcoming BBQ on Friday evening with free camping on site in the delightful Suffolk countryside.

23-24 Sept – Draycote Water SC. We end the 2023 Belle Isle season with the Inlands. A welcome return to this excellent inland venue, often frequented by the Larks in the 80s and 90s and now back on the calendar.

18-19 Nov - Barnt Green SC. End the season in style and start the 2024 Belle Isle with the Winter Championships at a new venue of Barnt Green. It will be a celebration event with plenty of fun on and off the water.

Check out the 2023 Fixtures List Online

Synergy to invest in the future of the Lark Class with new moulds

We have some fantastic news to share, having built the highly successful demo boat (2540) and a works boat (2541), Synergy Marine are ready to further invest in the long term future of the class by producing a new hull mould to compliment their new deck design. The intention of both Synergy and the LCOA is to be able to place orders for fully faired, brand new boats out of the new mould tooling now. Synergy intend to build the new hull mould this summer with a production run of boats in Autumn 2023. After the initial batch of boats, and moving forward Synergy will build single boats to order rather than batch building as has been the case since the Rondar years.

Lark Class Chairman, Nigel Scott, is working closely with Simon at Synergy to collate a batch of orders out of the new hull mould. So if you’ve been thinking about a new Lark, don’t delay! Please contact Simon or Nigel as soon as possible so we can get the process under way!

After too many years of no new boats being built it is great to see the class increasing in numbers again with quality, modern looking boats, which should also improve the availability of second hand boats, further fuelling growth in the class.

2023 RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show

Thank you to everyone that turned up to support the Lark Class at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show on the stand. We had lots of enquiries from new and old Lark Dinghy sailors interested to find out why we are the most family friendly class out there.
Check out the cool video that was being shown on the stand.

Extension of Lark Spinnaker Pole Trial

Don’t forget now is the time to try out the experimental new spinnaker pole in club and Open meeting sailing (not the Nationals, though). To allow everyone to see and try it for themselves, the vote will not now be until late Summer. If you can borrow a pole from a friendly GP sailor (who doesn’t need it), then feel free to use that - if not, the class will purchase two poles for South Staffs and Shustoke – please contact Chris White or Harry Pynn (respectively). Information about the trial and vote can be found in the Lark Pole Length Proposal.

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