Loch Earn Sailing Club

  1. Home
  2. »
  3. News

News

  • 2026 Season Getting Underway

    |

    Webteam

    The 2026 Season is Getting Underway

    The 2026 LESC Season is officially underway with the publication of this year’s fixture list and invitation via DutyMan to choose duty sign ups.

    As many of you will be aware,

    The continuing good health of a small club such as ours is dependent upon the contributions of its membership whether through serving on the club committee, making skills or resources available, taking part in the work parties, and taking turns on the OOD/safety boat driving roster. Relevant training is available: just ask a committee member.

    Please ensure that you participate, rather than leaving everything to “someone else”.

    – Club Rules and Bye-Laws

    Race Duties

    As a club, the membership comes together to run various racing and cruising events that require a few members to ‘run.’ Mostly these duties centre around safety and support in the event that there is an accident. Sailing is not without risk. The health and safety of club members is the primary concern of the committee. Incidents in the past have underlined for us all that even the most experienced sailor can suffer a mishap on this loch.

    To this end, we request all members to join in by volunteering for at least two positions per year. Almost every event on the fixture list requires roles including:

    Race Officer – This person sets the courses for all fleets racing, operates the light and sound system to signal starts, records finish places and times, then ensures the results are sent to the sailing secretary.

    Safety Boat/RIB Driver – This person will ideally have an RYA Safety Boat certification or at least an RYA Power Boating Lvl II certification, and will be responsible for driving the RIB.

    Safety Boat/RIB Crew – This person does not need any certification but will assist the Safety Boat Driver as needed.

    At LESC, we use an system called DutyMan to manage who is on duty when. If you weren’t invited to choose which of this year’s duties you would like to volunteer for and when, please contact the Sailing Secretary via sailing@lochearnsc.com ASAP.

    Swap Duties

    Once the DutyMan roster has been finalised around about 1 April 2026, the DutyMan interface accessed via the link in the Member’s Area (https://lochearnsc.com/members-area/sailing/race-duty-info/#dutyman) will allow you to manage and swap duties with others.

    New Members

    To request a DutyMan user for the first time, visit https://lochearnsc.com/members-area/sailing/race-duty-info/#dutyman. You will need access to the member’s area of lochearnsc.com. To register for the member’s area, see your welcome email from the Secretary (secretary@lochearnsc.com).

    Request a DutyMan User

    Spring Work Party

    28 March 2026 | 0930

    Mark your calendars now for the annual day of unpacking and cobweb dusting that will officially kick off the 2026 sailing season: THE SPRING WORK PARTY! This year’s work party day falls on Saturday, 28 March, and the most intrepid members will start as early as 9:30 AM. A jobs list will be circulated and posted closer to the date.

    Jobs List

  • 2025 Final Fling Wrap Up

    |

    Webteam

    2025 Final Fling Wrap Up

    It was a great turnout for the Final Fling despite the poor weather forecast.

    Huge thanks to the kitchen team, rescue team and race team, as always, it is really appreciated.

    Colin – Congratulations to Aaron and Tanya, Tasar Scottish and UK Inland Champions. A nail biting last two races saw them draw level with Tom and Ben finishing level on points and countback. The result was decided on the last race — doesn’t get closer than that. Next up was young Lawrence who sailed a blinder in extremely tricky conditions to take the RNLI Dinghy Trophy.

    The roar from the club nearly blew the roof off the club house. I believe we have just seen the youngest ever winner of the Final Fling in the history of the club. “Peerie” Lawrence will be one to watch in the future. Finally congratulations to Graham and Cameron Sharp who won the RNLI Keelboat Fleet in their Flying Fifteen.

  • Final Fling NOR and Entry

    |

    Webteam

    Hello everyone!

    The Final Fling – 27th & 28th September 2025

    The Final Fling, the clubs last big event in 2025, is now just over a month away. Nicol, our Sailing Secretary, has already posted a copy of the Notice of Race (which has a link to the Entry Form) on Whats App but in case you missed this, its attached to this email. Check out the details and get involved – it would be great to see as many members on the water as possible for our Final Fling!

    Our bigger events rely on the support of volunteers, and we are still looking for people to fill the following roles:-

    • Assistant Race Officer
    • Rib Driver
    • Rib Assistant
    • Kitchen helpers – no skills or previous experience needed,  its all very casual, just bring some enthusiasm and muddle in. 

    If you are able to help please contact Nicol at sailing@lochearnsc.com

    If you’re not able to help on the day, perhaps you could bring some home baking? Home baking is always popular so if you are able to bring something along to add to the menu this would be really appreciated. Just hand it into the kitchen in the morning.

    Thank you to everyone who dedicates their time and energy to supporting our club events. Your efforts make these events possible and ensure they run smoothly, and the Committee, and I’m sure our members, very much appreciate everything you do.

    Notice of Race
    Entry Form

    Kind regards.

    Catriona Murray
    Honorary Secretary
    Loch Earn Sailing Club

  • Training Week Courses Filling Fast

    |

    Webteam

    LESC’s 2025 Training Week Courses are nearly full and any members interested in booking a place must do so asap!

    Adult and Junior Dinghy Sailing Courses cover RYA Dinghy Sailing Youth Stages 1-4, Adult Levels 1-3, and Advanced Courses as needed in small classes. Once a minimum number of applicants for a particular class have been received, applicants will be notified and payment requested. Experience is not required and the minimum age is 8 years old. This year’s Training Week will run from 7 – 11 July from 0930-1630 with registration opening from 0830 on the first day.

    APPLY NOW

  • First Fling Final Results

    |

    Webteam

    Well done and thanks to all those involved in running the 2025 First Fling.

    Race and rescue teams did a great job in trying conditions — not easy to run races in almost no wind as we had on Saturday to the full on breeze we got on Sunday afternoon.

    Last but by no means least, well done to the kitchen team. A tremendous spread set out for visitors and club members alike. Several of the visiting competitors commented on how well they were looked after and appreciated the welcome they received. What a great start to the season!

  • Racing Rules Clinic with RYA’s Craig Evans

    |

    Webteam

    Craig Evans, the RYA Regional Rules Advisor (RRA) for Scotland, will be at LESC to give a racing rules clinic on Sunday, 20 April, 2025 from 1000 – 1200. This is becoming an annual event at LESC.

    Evans was appointed as a national judge in November 2020, in addition to serving on the jury for several national-level events including the Irish Youth Nationals. He has also served on several international juries at events abroad, including three class world championships, alongside team-racing and match-racing umpiring around the UK and Ireland.

    Evans’ role is to improve rules knowledge in clubs and classes throughout Scotland and to assist with rules advice and training with the RYA Scotland performance teams. Last year we spent time with Rule 42 and with the RRS being updated this year, we should have loads to cover.

    May 2021 INTERPRETATIONS OF RULE 42 (RRS 2021-2024)

    Rule 42 Most Common Breaches (Europe Class)

    Rule 42 Most Common Breaches (Laser Class)

    Entry: £5 for members and non-members (to cover his travel expenses).

  • 2025 First Fling Entry Now Open

    |

    Sailing Secretary

    The first event of the 2025 season kicks off on 26 – 27 April with the 2025 LESC First Fling Open Meeting. Entry is open to members and non-members via the entry form below. Camping available on first come, first served basis to be booked via the entry form. Light breakfast (such as bacon rolls), lunch (such as soup and bread roll), hot drinks, and snacks will be available to purchase in the kitchen. Registration open 0930 – 1030 with a competitor’s briefing at 1100. First start will be 1200 on Saturday, and 1100 on Sunday. For the Open Handicap Fleet, any boat with a Portsmouth Yardstick Handicap number is eligible. Entries limited to 25 boats in the Open Handicap Fleet. Individual fleets will be held for the Enterprise class (both days) and the Supernova class (Saturday)

    NOR
    Entry Form

  • New Site Launching Soon

    |

    Webteam

    Fresh design, improved navigation, and a wealth of new content

    We are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new website! After months of hard work and dedication, we are excited to share this new platform with you.

    Our new site features a fresh design, improved navigation, and a wealth of new content that we hope you will find useful and engaging. Whether you are looking for the member’s area, or just want to explore, we believe there is something for everyone.

    In particular, the new site will support multiple authors to post news and updates if anyone would like to contribute, please get in touch with the webteam.

    We would love to hear your feedback on the new site. Feel free to reach out to us at webteam@lochearnsc.com with any comments or questions.

    Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you on our new website!

  • 2024 AGM

    |

    Webteam

    This year’s Annual General Meeting will be 17 November, 2024, at 1400 on ZOOM. Meeting ID and passcode TBA.

  • 2024 Final Fling Entry Now Open

    |

    Sailing Secretary

    The 2024 LESC Final Fling Open will take place on Saturday, 28 September, 2024, and on Sunday, 29 September, 2024, for both keelboats and dinghies with an 1130 briefing and 1300 start on Saturday followed by an 1100 start on Sunday.

    All proceeds benefit the RNLI.

    VOLUNTEERS NEEDED in the race hut, rescue boats, and kitchen. Contact sailing@lochearnsc.com.

    NOR
    Sailing Instructions
    Entry Form