After yesterday’s announcement, the rumour mill is obviously running at full speed. Before its bearings seize, we thought we’d answer a few of the main questions that have been raised.
Q) Has the club stopped sailing?
A) Short answer: No the club has not stopped anybody from sailing.
Long answer: The club has suspended the senior fleet racing as turnouts were down to two to three boats and some of those were now discussing stopping as the conditions for launching and recovering their boats was becoming too difficult. The turnout for the juniors is still very good as their boats (e.g. toppers etc) are easier to launch and recover. We felt it was not fair to ask club members to do their OD duties for the few boats that were still racing and we have asked those already involved with the junior fleet to take over to provide OOD and rescue cover alongside continued training and coaching.
If any member would like to go sailing at any time, they are not being stopped. Just be warned that the mud round the shore is deep and slippery and we do not want to see people getting injured while trying to handle large boats around these areas.
As the racing format may change, with non-fixed start times and possibly shorter sprint races you should ask those organising the day if you can join in. We would like to encourage those who have not raced before to come along, but would prefer them to sail boats which can be launched and recovered easily. Mainly Optimist, Tera, Topper and Laser. If you would like to help out with OOD and rescue please let us know. It would be a great time to learn the ropes.
We also expect the Sunday morning training to continue in some guise to be discussed at the meeting.
Q) Did the club know about the problems with the water level?
A) Yes, there was a discussion at the AGM of the possible problems we would encounter. Unfortunately, our worst case scenario has occurred as the drought conditions has exasperated the already reduced water level set for the safety of the workers carrying out the spillway repairs. The committee have passed on all the information we have received through regular updates by email and on the website and we have had several meetings at the club which members were invited to attend where there was a plan on display of the lake showing the anticipated water level and sailing area.
Q) Why can’t we let the water level come up?
A) We can! We currently have around 4 metres of capacity before the safety limit set by United Utilities. Unfortunately, we’re not been able to organise the rainfall required to fill the lake. As you may know, UU have imposed a hosepipe ban from Friday 9th July as the capacity in all the North West reservoirs is well below the normal level at this time of year. Rivington is currently at least 6 metres below full and that is without them taking 3 metres out for work to be carried out. In all actuality, with the old flow rate of 11 Ml per day, we may have been in the same situation without the work being carried out.
Q) What do I do now?
A) Please attend the meeting on Sunday at 2pm. There are other options and other activities. We are a sailing club so sailing and training will continue as long as possible. Many club members are taking the opportunity to travel with their boats to open meetings and other regatta. We’ll have the largest Bolton SC turnout at Bass Week this year that we’ve ever had. We’ve had the largest turnout of juniors at the Junior travellers of any club in the North West. We have the opportunity to finish the year with sailors who are fully trained and involved in their sport with the prospect of a great future.
