Introduction

At South Cerney we have a very sociable Laser with about forty-odd boats in the dinghy park, all conveniently parked together to allow easy banter amongst us.  The Laser is a relatively old design but its enduring success makes it the most well -established class in the world  and the only Olympic fleet at the club. Wherever you go you will find a competitive Laser fleet and there are always lots of boats on the second hand market at prices to suit all budgets. The Laser is strict one-design so you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a competitive boat.  Apollo Duck www.apolloduck.co.uk, or the UK Laser Association website,  www.laser.org.uk are good places to look. There are a few rules you should follow when looking to purchase a second hand Laser, like checking that the mast step stays dry, beware of  soft side decks and look for new style XD kit for the control lines.  If you’d like to try before you buy then we have a fleet of club Lasers which can be hired at extremely economical rates! Contact Les Pedrick for details.

At South Cerney we try to hold regular training days for the Lasers and we aim these at all abilities. They vary from the basic rigging of your boat, race starts, tacking & gibing right up to advanced racing techniques.  Being pond sailors, it’s nice to have the chance to sail on the lumpy stuff and we also organise trips to Weymouth to do some training at the Olympic venue.  The Wessex Laser GP series – 10 separate one-day regattas in the local area for sailors of all abilities, culminates at South Cerney in October and  attracts around 30 sailors.   As well as weekend racing, our biggest Laser turnouts are usually on Wednesday evenings during the Hot Dog series.

Happy Lasering..

Mike Frost

Laser Class Captain