Welcome to Sailing

CSSC (Civil Service Sports Council) Sports and Leisure through the Civil Service Sailing Association (CSSA) arrange an annual Inter Departmental Offshore Regatta (IDOR) in which HASSRA sponsors and enters one or more chartered yachts to compete on an individual boat basis against other yachts from other government departments and CSSA recognised clubs.

IDOR is a recognised National Competition.

IDOR 2008 used yachts chartered from Sunsail at Port Solent near Portsmouth and were based at West Cowes on the Isle of Wight, with the Island Sailing Club acting as race organisers

Crews typically consist of 8 per yacht, namely Skipper, Mate, Helm, Navigator, Foredeck Crew and Cockpit Crew. Applications from specialists such as expert Spinnaker handlers are particular welcome.

Chris Malone is the HASSRA National Sailing Team Manager and always aims to select a balanced crew, factoring in if at all possible a 50-50 mixed gender crew, also taking into account if possible such considerations as geographical spread and DWP / DH departmental representation - but with overall safety considerations paramount.

Each year at least one novice is selected for each boat, and, in principle, as many applicants as possible are selected for each HASSRA entry each year who have not taken part in IDOR before.

For other sailing opportunities, see the Civil Service Sailing Association website including details of membership. Membership is free to holders of two CSSC shares.

http://members.madasafish.com/~csorc

The CSSA have a number of divisional clubs, including dinghy sailing at Netley Cliff, Littleton Sailing Club and in the Bolton area. There are also CSSA yachts based on the East, South and North West coasts.

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) provide sailing opportunities for disabled people – see the RYA website. I should be pleased to discuss these in the event of any uncertainties or anxieties.

RYA Sailability link: www.rya.org.uk/AboutRYA/RYASailability/

The RYA also operate a comprehensive shore-based and practical programme of learning and development via recognised RYA training establishments – again see the RYA website for details and to make contact. (The CSSA is a recognised RYA training establishment and run practical courses from Competent Crew to Yachtmaster Offshore).

RYA homepage link: www.rya.org.uk/

Enjoy getting on the water!

Chris Malone

Sailing Team Manager
(Yachtmaster Ocean – sailed with Nelson as a lad)

Chris’ Crew

Trudy’s Crew

IDOR 2008

• After several years of applying I was lucky enough to get aboard a HASSRA boat, competing in the Inter-Departmental Offshore Yacht Race. I was given the position of ‘bow-man,’ taking care of launching the spinnaker (sometimes successfully!).
• We had two HASSRA boats among the twenty-one starters, drawing their crew from all parts of the UK and with all levels of experience, from total novices to the more experienced of us. I had not raced yachts before, nor handled a spinnaker, so it was quite a challenge with a new set of ropes to learn plus our novices to help and reassure
• We had our day, coming in ahead of several pre-established crews in one race, after getting a great start. We also rounded the Isle of Wight within the time limit of 10 hours, within a time of 9 hours 59 minutes and 45 seconds (that was close!), gaining us a placing and beating several other boats.
• Our overall standing after seven races is yet to be published, but we were about a quarter the way up the field. Our HASSRA sister ship fared better, finishing within the top quarter which was an excellent performance against the seasoned and already established crews at the top, some of whom could be seen moving their bags and water off the boat to lighten it before each race!
• Our scariest moments included a passage through the tidal race off St Catherine’s Point … like riding a matchbox in a washing machine; also finding ourselves caught literally between a rock and a hard place on the western approach to The Solent, the Needles to our right, and a shallow submerged shingle bank to our left. We decided the shingle offered the softer option and watched the depth sounder reduce to near zero as the tide vied against boat speed for dominance. The hissing sound of the shingle moving could be heard below decks before we inched clear under sail.
• By the end of the week, our novices had gained bushy beards, a full set of tattoos and exaggerated Cornish accents… unusual for two girls from Jobcentre Plus!
• My spinnaker skills improved to the point that it launched the right way up.
• Many thanks to Trudy Netherwood (skipper) and Bill Hughes (first mate) for taking care of us for the week and to Sam Luchmun for organising.

Simon Hookey

Hastings CSAC

The DWP at Sea!

For an in-depth look in the week of the IDOR, please read the IDOR 2008 diary from Graham Platts

Contact us:

Sam Luchmun

HASSRA Central Support

Room 551

New Court

Carey Street

London WC2A 2LS

Tel: 0207 412 1298

Fax: 0207 412 1237

E-mail: sam.luchmun@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Chris Malone

DWP WWEG FBMD

5^th Floor

The Adelphi

1-11 John Adam Street

London WC2N 6HT

Tel: 020796 28623 /07795 256829

Fax: 020796 28359

E-mail: chris.malone@dwp.gsi.gov.uk