ITCA (GBR) : News

Hoodies for 4.2 Nationals

Website Administrator — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:41:55 +0100

Hoodies are now available for this year's Sailing Solutions Topper 4.2 National Championships. You can order yours by clicking on the following link:

4.2 Nationals Hoodies

Coaching at Topper World Championships

Website Administrator — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:43:50 +0100

We are putting together a package for pre-event training and event support at the Topper 5.3 Worlds in Workum and trying to establish the numbers involved. Please can anyone interested contact Carol Williams at squads@gbrtopper.co.uk for further details.

Welsh Area Championships Date Changed

Website Administrator — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:49:19 +0100

For anyone planning to go to the Wales Area Championships, please note that the date has changed to 23/24 June. The venue remains Llandegfedd SC. More details are available here.

Considering Transition to a 420?

Website Administrator — Tue, 01 May 2012 11:18:34 +0100

The 420 Class Association will be present at the Inlands to answer questions for those looking to move on from Toppers this summer. Transition Squad sailor James Taylor (age 15) and the Class Association Chairman Jackie Taylor will be there to answer questions people may have about 420s.

The class is now running 3 days of Class training at Torbay YC, where the 420 Natioanls are being held. This is in the June half-term week just before our Largs event, and they can accommodate people who may just want to do a day or so as they are hoping to attract some potential newcomers to their fleet.

If you are interested you can find more information by clicking here - 420 Training Events.

There is also an information leaflet about transitioning to a 420 here - 420 leaflet.

Jonny McGovern, the 420 Transition Squad coach, has put together a 420 introduction video that you can find here - 420 Introduction Video.

NoR and SSIs for Sailing Solutions 4.2 Series 3

Website Administrator — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:35:27 +0100

The NoR and SSIs for the Sailing Solutions 4.2 National Series 3 at Grafham this weekend have now been posted with the event documents.

Food at Grafham

Website Administrator — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:39:06 +0100

If you are arriving at the Inlands on Friday there will be a Fish & Chips van outside the Club on Friday evening. The club is also laying on dinners on Saturday night. Saturday night dinners can be booked at registration, and there is a choice of:

Lasagne, Garlic Bread and Salad; or
Chicken Tikka with Rice and Poppadom; and
Apple Pie & Custard.

The cost is £9 per meal, and meals will be served downstairs in the clubhouse from 17.30 - 18.30.

Topper Taster Sessions at the Inlands - Come and try a 4.2!

Website Administrator — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:40:33 +0100

We are running free Topper taster sessions at the Inlands on the 5/6^th of May. This is aimed at younger siblings or sailors who have not yet tried a Topper. The sessions are being run by Adam Millington who is one of our qualified coaches and will be available on Saturday from 12 till 4pm and on Sunday if wanted. Sessions will start on the lawn in front of the clubhouse and there will be a choice of 4.2 and 5.3 rigs for you to try. So if you’re interested, bring some kit and come and have a go!

For any other information please contact: training@gbrtopper.co.uk or chairman@gbrtopper.co.uk

Motorhomes at 2013 Inland Championships

Website Administrator — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:24:26 +0100

If you are thinking ahead to the 2013 Inland Championships at Grafham Water on 4th/5th May 2013, and would like to book your motor home into the Grafham Water site, please can you email the Squads Administrator Carol Williams to request a place. Please DO NOT contact the club directly.

Please note that this only applies to motor home bookings. Camping should be booked direct with the club.
Thanks

Spare Toppers Wanted at Inlands

Website Administrator — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:15:17 +0100

Do you have a spare Topper? Will you be at the Inland Championships?

We are seeking three older Toppers to allow new sailors a chance to experience a brief sailing session at the Inlands. We are already borrowing three club boats and have access to both 5.3 and 4.2 sails, but would like to have up to three more boats available.

f you can help please contact Andy Millington (riibs@gbrtopper.co.uk) or Tom Dixon (chairman@gbrtopper.co.uk). Thanks.

Photos from Craftinsure National Series 1 at Datchet Water

Website Administrator — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:55:50 +0100

Well done to everyone who sailed at Datchet Water in National Series 1. The photos from the weekend are now available for you to browse and order online, in a variety of different styles. You can find them here:

Pics from Craftinsure NS1 at DWSC

Topper World Championships 2012

Website Administrator — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:58:22 +0100

The International Topper Class Association is pleased to announce that the 2012 Topper World Championships will be held at the Sailing Club Workum, in the Netherlands, from August 19th to 24th. Since 1985 Workum has been a well-known spot in the International Sailing World and its reputation has increased because of its detailed organisation of many sailing events and championships, including the 2002 Topper World Championships. The Sailing Club is supported by a large number of volunteers with skill and enthusiasm and its facilities and location allow the organisation of a great event. Entries are now open, and you can find more details by following the link from Major Event Notices.

Topper 5.3 Inland Championships

Website Administrator — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:31:49 +0100

This year's Topper 5.3 Inland Championships and the Sailing Solutions 2011/12 Topper 4.2 National Series 3 are being held at Grafham Water over the weekend of 5th/6th May. If you are thinking of coming and haven't already entered, please note that we have extended the deadline for the Late Enry Fee. The Late Entry Fee of £76 per entry will now apply from Monday 23rd April.

We are now taking orders for 2012 Inlands Hoodies. If you would like to order one, please can you do so by contacting Susan in the office by noon on Monday 23rd April. You can find details of how to order your hoodie here:

2012 Inlands Hoodie Order Details

AGM - 5th May 2012

Website Administrator — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:23:53 +0100

At the next AGM which will be at the Inlands at Grafham on Saturday 5^th May, we will ask all members to vote on an updated constitution. This is an important document which governs how we operate as a class but is rarely looked at and we have sought to adapt it to reflect what actually happens in the day to day running of the association.

The changes are not radical and the existing one can still be found at the top of the Class Rules page of the website, but it does incorporate various updates which we hope will be approved by the membership to allow the Topper Class Association to build on the successes achieved to date.

The proposed revised constitution can be found here:

Proposed Revised Constituion

In summary the changes are:-

2.1 a)            Objects – we have added in reference to the Topper 4.2

3.1)            Membership – we have adapted this to represent how we ask you to join, but also added Honorary Members (more below)

3.2)         We have updated the communication to reflect email but allow for future alternatives

5)    National Committee - we have adapted membership of the National Committee to reflect both a wider sharing of the workload and that sailors are moving through the class more quickly which means people are not always around for very long, despite many now starting with the 4.2 rig.

We have also sought to regularise situation where we have National Committee members whose sailors have moved on but they are still active by creating Honorary Membership when they serve on the National Committee. This currently applies to Andy Millington (Ribmaster).

We have debated incorporating Sailor Reps as a separate category but they can join the National Committee now so rather than create yet another category we will be asking you as sailors if you want to play an active part in running the association by joining the committee.

The other changes are minor grammatical or gender corrections.

The full agenda for the AGM can be found here:

AGM 2012 Agenda

If you have any comments ahead of the AGM please raise them either through Tom Dixon (Chairman) or Susan Wellard (Secretary).

Craftinsure National Series 1 - SSIs

Website Administrator — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:42:13 +0100

Please pay special heed to the SSIs 18 and 27:

18 - BUOYANCY AIDS & CLOTHING - Please be aware that in order to comply with Thames Water requirements, competitors and their supporters MUST wear personal buoyancy aids when on the 'beach area' and on pontoons. All competitors must wear whilst afloat a full Wetsuit or Dry Suit with appropriate thermal undergarments.

27 - BOUNDS - Please also note that the path around the reservoir, including the pier and water towers, are out of bounds. Competitors and their supportors must not board them.

Craftinsure National Series 1

Website Administrator — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:11:57 +0100

Entries for Craftinsure National Series 1 at Datchet Water are now closed. If anyone wishes to make a last minute entry please can they contact the class secretary (Susan).

BBC Challenge Update

Website Administrator — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:59:07 +0000

After visiting the Cancer Research unit in London and presenting Stephanie Moore with a cheque from the BBC Challenge for £17,000 we have officially finished all fundraising. We would like to thank all of you that helped our cause in some way whether it be in loose change or buying an item at the Inlands auction or just generally been supportive of our whole concept. Thank you to ITCA for been so supportive and letting us collect, and to Sailing Solutions for all their kind donations. After meeting a Cancer Research Lab technician we know the money we have raised will be well spent. Thanks everyone, James and Jamie.

Winter Regatta Entry

Website Administrator — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:32:57 +0000

Online entry for the Winter Regatta is now closed. Anyone who wants to enter but who hasn't yet done so should telephone Susan in the office. Telephone number and opening times can be found on the Contact Us page.

Entry Forms for this weekend's Winter Regatta have now been emailed to all competitors. Please can you print your form and bring it with you to the event.

If you can't find your Entry Form, please can you check your spam filters to make sure it isn't being blocked, and also please make sure that you are checking the email address that you used when entering the event. Thanks.

Kit Sale at Winter Regatta

Website Administrator — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:45:18 +0000

Do you have a cupboard full of outgrown sailing gear, or just the odd item cluttering up your home? Why not bring it along to the Winter Regatta and turn it into cash? Or have your sailors outgrown their gear and are looking for something for the new season?

Several Mum's from the South West have got together and will be running a second hand kit sale at WPNSA this weekend. The stall will be open once everyone has launched until they come back in on Saturday, and until 13:00 on Sunday. If you have items you would like to sell, please attach an envelope with your name and contact number, and remember to include the size and price (in whole £££s please). Any money/unsold items should be claimed by 13:00 on Sunday, and unclaimed money/items will be donated to charity. You can find more details here.

If you would like to help out on the stall, volunteers are very welcome.

Winter Regatta Late Entry Fee

Website Administrator — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:08:23 +0000

Due to the problems we have been experiencing with the website since the weekend we have put back the time at which the Late Entry Fee for the Winter Regatta will apply to 17:00 on Thursday 16th February. After this time, the Late Entry Fee (i.e. £76) will be charged.

If you continue to have problems entering the regatta via the website link to SailRacer between now and 17:00 on Thursday please email Susan (secretary@gbrtopper.co.uk). Provided Susan receives your email before 17:00 on Thursday 16th February you will still be charged the standard entry fee of £38.

Once again we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Free Topper 4.2 Sails at 4.2 National Championships

Website Administrator — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:52:35 +0000

RYA OnBoard and Topper have joined together to offer OnBoard children who are attending their first Topper 4.2 National Championships a Brand New 4.2 sail Free of Charge!

To qualify for this, the sailor must have been introduced to sailing as a direct result of OnBoard, must be sailing in their first Topper 4.2 National Championships, and must not have sailed in either the Topper National Championships or the Topper National Regatta Fleet in previous years. Also, this offer only applies to entries that are received before 5pm on Friday 1st June 2012.

Full details of the qualifying conditions for this offer will be available shortly. Watch this space for more details ...