Home

Happy Christmas to All from Cullaun Sailing Club

Details: Written by Jim O Sullivan

happChristmas

Santa Claus to Visit Cullaun

Details: Written by Jim O Sullivan

Christmas Flyer

GP14 Munster Event Nov 6th -7th

Details: Written by Jim O Sullivan

Traditionally all dinghy sailing events cease for the year in October with only the hardiest of sailors competing in what is known as the frostbite series, but Covid has had an impact on every facet of our lives over the last two years so it’s not surprising that it also impacted on sporting events.

Cullaun sailing club were scheduled to host the GP14 Munster championships in May of this year but as the time drew closer it became more and more apparent that it would not be possible to host an event that attracts some of the top sailors and boats from all corners of the country and so the decision was made to postpone and reschedule until November.

So last weekend saw forty sailors arrive in Kilkishen and the surrounding areas, all set for what turned out to be a tumultuous event with the wildest and the most beautiful of weather, some great sailing, and some great sport. Saturday saw wild winds gusting strongly across the lake challenging all competitors to their limits and providing the fleet with some of the best heavy weather sailing of the season. This was followed on Sunday by lighter trickier winds, and sunshine (believe it or not), which changed the dynamic of the regatta as well as the leader board as the sailing went from survival of the fittest to a serious tactical battle.

In the end it was won by Alan Blay from Sutton with Katie Dwyer from Sutton coming a close second and JP and Carolyn McCaldin from Lough Ern coming third. Sam and Matthew Street from Blessington took junior honours.

Sailing is a strange game and a sport that does not stop at a certain age. It always demands a certain level of fitness, but it rewards experience and this is demonstrated in a fleet that has an age difference of nearly six decades between the youngest and the oldest in the same fleet. All of whom are fighting hard to be first across the start and the first across the finish.

The social side of sailing is just as important as the competitive side and the fleet were looked after by the fantastic Noreen Gallagherin Gallaghers pub in Kilkishen on Saturday night and catered to superbly by Carmel Cronin. Thanks to all the helpers who made the weekend such a success. Des Mac Mahon

Click here to see all the great Pics that were taken over the two days (C) Pat Biesty

GP 14 Munster Event

Details: Written by Jim O Sullivan

On the 6th and 7th of November we will be hosting the GP14 Munster sailing regatta. there will be boats from all over Ireland competing at this great event. we will look forward to welcoming all sailors and our nieghbours down to see what is happening on the lake for this weekend. If you are sailing a GP and are interested in this event then click on either picture below and it will bring you to the booking form.

See Updated Sailing Instructions below

Attachments:
File	Description	File size
GP14 Munsters Cullaun Sailing Club	GP14 Munsters Cullaun Sailing Club	725 kB
Notice of Race GP14 Munsters	Notice of Race GP14 Munsters	170 kB
Sailing Instructions	Sailing Instructions	136 kB
Welcome to Cullaun SC	Welcome to Cullaun SC	509 kB

Junior Regatta

Details: Written by Jim O Sullivan

Images From Sundays racing ©PBiesty

Junior Regatta Report – Sunday September 5th

Cullaun SC hosted the Junior Regatta on Sunday September 5th. 12 boats were registered in the morning with 4 races scheduled with one discard. The Wind was coming steadily from the southeast of the lake and the race course was set up, with a triangular course for all 4 races.

Laura Collins + Michéal Hayes started well in Race 1, followed closely by Rory O’Sullivan in the Laser and Robert Stafford and Ruth Golden in another RS200. Rory was able to stay close to both RS200 even on the reaches where the RS 200’s were able to fly the Gennaker. Maeve Hawkins with Eva and Zsu-Zsi Kidney crewing had a great race, with Maeve’s Dad looking on taking down a lot of notes for himself apparently.

Race 2 started in similar fashion with Laura and Michéal into the lead, Rory close behind and Grace Golden and Aoife Healy third. Jane Collins and Noah Doherty were next in fourth in the RS Feva with visiting boat from Killaloe SC Stephen O’Brien Colin Haugh in fifth, also in an RS Feva.

We now had a quick break on the water for lunch with lots of chat emanating from all the boats.

The wind started to increase so we decided to get started again for Race 3. Timothy O’Neill and Éadaoin Caffery had an excellent first beat, rounding the windward mark in second place, just behind Laura and Michéal, with Rory very close in third place.

With the wind now up, it was a great sight to see Gennekars hoisted quickly and filling, a credit to the Juniors on how they have developed their skills during the training camps and club racing nights. The final placings again going to Laura + Michéal in first, Rory in second and Robert and Ruth in third.

Ingrid Biesty in the Laser Radial was having a great battle with the 3 Omegas, with very close finishes in each race,

Dearbhla , Eva and Rachel Barron won the battle of the Omegas with Alex , Aoife and Sinead just behind, “Omega 3” had 5 crew on board with Clodagh, Katy ,Martin, James , Bea all having a go on the helm and having great fun all day.

The Start Line was tweaked slightly for Race 4 – with the wind at its strongest level of the day. The safety boats hovered at various angles at the start to capture some spectacular shots. Laura and Michéal got the perfect start to get into the lead, again a having a great battle with Rory in second with Robert and Ruth having a great regatta in third, and this is how the race finished. Stephen and Colin of Killaloe SC had their best race slotting into third place after handicaps were applied. Everyone retired to shore for the prize-giving. It really was a memorable day with such high standards throughout the whole fleet and hopefully we will see a lot of Juniors sailing in the Cooler Series and returning in 2022.

Congratulations to all the crews competing.

Link to Image From Sundays racing in opens in new window

Report by Chris + Andrew Caher – Race Officer Junior Regatta 2021.

September regatta Adults

Details: Written by Jim O Sullivan

Images on the day © Emmet O'Mahony

Adult Regatta Report – Saturday September 4th

Cullaun SC hosted its Adult Regatta on Saturday September 4th, with Juniors welcome to participate. The morning started with brilliant sunshine but zero wind. Reports were coming through that the lake resembled a mirror. Should we postpone the first race? No, we decided to go ahead with briefing at the scheduled time of 11am. 18 boats were now registered including fleets of 5 Enterprises and 5 RS 200’s, with 3 visiting boats from our friends in Killaloe SC.

By now the wind had filled in from the East and the fleet were keen to get going for the first gun at 12.00 noon. The Race Course was set up for 2 Triangles and 1 Windward/ Leeward leg for each of the 4 races scheduled.

Ex-Commodore Jim O’Sullivan and crew Kevin Donlon were first out of the blocks and duly led the fleet from start to finish, with Des and Pat in the GP 14 and last year’s winner Margaret and Mike in the Wayfarer in third. At this stage our treasurer pointed out that one competing crew had forgotten to register. We decided to allow racing to continue and have a word with the offending crew. Possibly for next year we’ll order one of the swipe Card readers on a pole like they have at the fast food drive through lanes in order to collect outstanding fees on the water 😊

During the week Des’ kit bag had gone missing and he now had the appearance of someone who had borrowed various items of sailing gear from different sizes of people. It didn’t affect his performance in the first race with a solid 2nd place.

Race 2 was quickly started, and Margaret Hynes and Mike Hayes starting to show their skill in the Wayfarer, the wind now starting to die off with the Enterprises starting to come to the fore, the race was shortened to allow all competitors to finish – Margaret first, Tom and Lelia in the Enterprise second, with Brian Park and Tomás Galvin in third. Coranne decided to clip the committee boat just after she finished - to ensure the race committee weren’t nodding off in the afternoon sunshine.

We now had to wait for the wind to fill in again, some members made a quick dash to shore for various reasons, and unfortunately were a little late for Race 3. Pat Culloo from Killaloe SC with crew Martin Bon were having excellent starts and performing very steady throughout the Regatta. The ever-modest Kevin Mulcahy with crew Éadaoin Caffrey in an Enterprise won this race, with Margaret and Mike second and Coranne and Dearbhla Smith in third.

Margaret and Mike were now tightening their grip on the Donnellon Trophy, and it was down to the last race, the door was shut by Michéal Hayes and Laura Collins on the start line to prevent Margaret and Mike Hayes to get the perfect start at the Committee boat end, but somehow they found a gap – we were expecting hails of protest but it never came so on we went. Margaret and Mike stretched their lead throughout after a great battle with Pat Culloo and Martin Bon in the RS 200 in second. Tom and Lelia finished in third.

And so it brought an end to a very enjoyable Adult Regatta with the Prize giving held outside the clubhouse to ensure social distancing.

Congratulations to the crew who just can’t be caught – our own Bonnie and Clyde and overall winners Margaret Hynes + Mike Hayes and also to First Juniors Laura Collins + Michéal Hayes.

A special mention to George Fitzgerald of Mobius Design who designed and printed the wonderful posters for the event and Chris Davis for providing prizes, and to the many helpers leading up the event and during the event. Without these, we would not have had such a successful weekend.

CSC Adult Regatta 2021 Images here

Overall Result

1st – Margaret Hynes + Mike Hayes - Wayfarer

2nd – Kevin Mulcahy + Éadaoin Caffery – Enterprise

3rd – Pat Culloo + Martin Bon – RS200

First Juniors – Laura Collins + Michéal Hayes – RS200

Report by Race Officers – Chris + Andrew Caher

August Newsletter

Details: Written by Jim O Sullivan

Hi Everyone, I hope this email finds you well and you are having a good summer. Hard to believe its the middle of August.

Summer Camps - The Club completed a record 9 weeks of summer camps and the feedback is very positive. We hope to complete an short online survey of summer camp parents and young sailors experience of the camp. Feedback is very important for our club to learn and improve. All this would not have happened without Paddy Donlon our (Seinor Instructor) and his excellent team of staff, instructors, volunteers and helpers. Thank you one and all.

Cullaun Sailing Club Regatta 2021will take place on the 4th and 5th of September. Thank you to Club Member George Fitzgearld www.mobiusdesign.ie for the stunning 2021 Regatta Poster.

The priority for our 2021 Regatta is for everyone to be safe and enjoy some good racing. We understand that as this stage members and visitors are well aware of Covid 19 and it variants. To keep everyone safe and minimise risks, the club has decided to run the 2021 regatta in a similar format to last year. Two one day events, Saturday September 4th Adult and Sunday 5th Junior Racing. Social elements of the regatta are affected this year but we hope that in 2022 we can return to normal and look forward to hosting a full two day event and have the biggest party ever.

It is important that anyone taking part in the regatta reads - COVID Information for the Regatta 2021 . This Covid Info pdf is issued in addition to CSC Regatta 2021 (NOR) Notice of Race, Race Instructions and Entry form at the links below. The club will continue to operate Cullaun 2021 Covid 19 Contact Tracing for everyone attending the club..

Regatta 2021 Format. - Saturday September 4th - Adult Regatta, Sunday September 5th - Junior Regatta. On both days Entry Fee 20 Euro / 15 Euro Singlehander. Registration 10am / Briefing 11am / First Gun 12 Midday. 4 Races Scheduled Both Days with 1 Discard if All Races Sailed. Prize Giving in the Compound after racing. No BBQ

Wayfarer Irish Southern Area Championships

It is with regret the Club has decided to cancel the 2021 Wayfarer Irish Southern Area Championships at the club. This event has been part of Cullaun Sailing Club Regatta over the years and no doubt it will be again in 2022. It will be missed. It has always been a great social meeting as well as serious sailing. Roll on 2022.

Killaloe Sailing Club on Lough Derg have officially turned the sod on a new clubhouse facility. We wish them the best and a go fund me page has been set up. To find out more email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or donate directly to the GoFundMe page at: gofundme.com/f/killaloe-sailing-club The Club also run their regatta in August no details yet but check updates at their clubs facebook. https://www.facebook.com/KillaloeSC/.

The Irish Sailing Women at the Helm is now in its second year and will take place on Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th September 2021 at the Royal Cork Yacht Club. Following on from 2019’s successful inaugural event where we saw 64 boats and over 200 people from 16-70+ take part, and then a pandemic postponement in 2020, we want to come back with a bang in 2021.

To register and find out more https://www.sailing.ie/Events/Irish-Sailing-Women-at-the-Helm

September Cruise Expression of Interest ( Waiting list places only left ) In September we are hoping to run our normal and very popular cruise in west Cork for a long Weekend if covid restrictions allow. To help us to plan for this we have an expression of Interest form that we would like you to fill. This is open to all members of the club over 18 and no experience is needed. It is always a great weekend. https://bit.ly/3rRKVDg

Safety is a top priority at the club. Only competent club members Junior or Senior are allowed take out Club Omegas. Young sailors that have achieved levels in the summer camps may not be yet competent to take out club boats. To avoid disappointment and it important that parents are on shore at the club with there kids on Sundays and involved in this assessment with the safety crew and shore duty.

Shore Duty. we would appreciate parents doing shore duty on Sundays as it takes a lot of volunteers to run Sunday sailing- safety on shore and on the water. Our club is run by members / volunteers, you don’t need to be able to sail to help with shore duty meet and greet people and help with launching and retrieving boats. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you can help in any way.

Race Report Thursday 12 August 2021

Kevin Mulcahy was OOD for the night, assisted by Martin Golden. The rescue boat was manned by Kevin Ryan and Patrick O Brien. Wind warnings were in place for earlier in the day & eased off enough for racing. It was lively with gusts forecast of 24 knots. The winds were a big draw for the juniors and they made up three of the four boats that were racing.

The first race was off to a close start with Des and George first in the GP14. They were closely followed by Robert Stafford & Ruth Golden in the RS200. Two Omegas followed shortly afterwards. Rounding the first mark the GP14 pulled ahead. With the RS200 using their spinnaker to recover some ground. Omega 1 of Tim O’Connell, Rachel Barron, Clodagh Custy & Beatrix O’Neill had a man overboard & broke all records for getting back into the boat! Omega 2, crewed by Grace Golden, Dearbhla Smith, Conor Smith & Eadaoin Caffrey narrowed the gap on the RS200 before they pulled away again.

The race was comfortably won by the Des & George followed by the RS200. Third place went to the Omega with Grace on the helm. Gusts whipped up just and as they were about to go through the start line the RS200 went turtle and Omega 2 capsized seconds afterwards. Clearly the Omega’s crew had lots of practice capsizing as they were back on board in minutes!

The OOD called for a fresh start with the RS200 first through the line. They were followed by the GP14 which quickly pulled ahead & maintained the lead for the race. The RS200 had beautifully formed figure of 8 in their spinnaker after the first marker and were second over the line followed by Omega 2 & then Omega taking fourth place.

Race 1. 1. Des & George 20m 3s , 2. RS200 23m 20s, 3. Omega 2: (Grace…) 26m 54s, 4. Omega:( timmy ) 30m 15s

Race 2, 1. Des & George 19m 53s, 2. RS200 20m 47s, 3. Omega 2: 26m 19s, 4. Omega : 30m 40s

Thanking you,

Margaret Hynes,

Commodore.