The Friday POETS series, is a very relaxed and sociable way to race and to socialise. We normally meet for 20 Fridays, a race every other week and social sailing every alternate week.

There are 3 POETS Suppers  this season and an Annual Dinner and prize-giving at the end of the season.

In July we have 5 weekdays of racing, called Masters Week.

During the winter we organise fortnightly local walks.

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The race format is as follows :-

The races are run every two weeks on Friday afternoons.

Dates are in the Sailing Programme.

We meet at 12 noon for lunch, a chat, set the course and sign on.

The race start time is normally 13.30 hours. (Decided on the day.)

To allow for a fairly casual start you have10 minutes to cross the start line, from 13.30 to 13.40 hours.

The Race Box is not used for timing, but a safety boat is on duty.

The whole lake may be used for the course, to give fairly long legs normally.

Participants must time themselves with their own stop-watch.

Handicaps vary after every race result. Winning boats’ handicaps are adjusted downwards after every race. Boats in the lower order have their handicaps raised after every race.

All sails may be used, but using a spinnaker or a genniker will incur a handicap adjustment. (-40 and -20 respectively)

Solo racers have their boat handicap adjusted by +20.

There are 10 races with 5 to count for the series.

So, if you want a relaxed style of racing, then come and join us.

John  Easterby

POET Laureate.