Before this event I had been extolling the virtues of Pwllheli (
everything at Pwllheli SC
) and admitting the drawbacks (
Pwllheli as a place
,
lack of really local accomodation - no camping on hand like Pentewan, Thorpe Bay or Netley
). I said that despite the drawbacks it was one of the very best places to hold a National Championships. Having been there again, I think no different; and I think that the 13 other sailors who had competed at both the Nationals held at Pwllheli share my opinion.
But what do the other 44 sailors who went this year think?
Did you go there on a false recommendation
?
Or do you want to go back there again
? Let us all know what you think, and especially Erling who has been having a trying time finding Clubs who are willing to stage a National Championship for us. Who knows, our Webmaster Martin might set up a vote for this!
Personal Report and Update
My sailing was limited following a
sudden onset of chest pain
when hiking out on the second tack of the first beat during the 5th race, the third on Saturday. I sat in which
reduced the pain enough
for me to go on and
finish the race
, sailing
with as little exertion as was prudent
- well almost,
Christine Roman and the 2up pair Rob and Hannah Bowen might remember me hiking to sneak up a couple of places on the tacks and beat to the finish
.
The long fetch ashore proved trying
.
I was not well enough to recover my boat up the beach
(I watched 4 good mates -
Keith Chidwick, Jan, Kevin Parvin and Ed
-
I hope I've got those names right
- dash it up the beach while
I trailed up slowly
). Just after changing, a
resurgence in chest pain and constriction
, this time with
light-headedness and some shortage of breath
, left me with little option other than collapsing to sit on the nearest bench.
Kevin Dutch
noticed and dashed off to ask for the Paramedics to be called.
They arrived in 2 minutes
. Given
my pre-existing heart condition
, I ended up being ambulanced to the nearest major hospital, 30 miles away at Bangor!
The chest pain was established
not to be heart-related from tests etc that evening
and
overnight
(
woken for blood tests at 3 in the morning
-
not for the first time in my life
!). Diagnosis was "
probably some (other) muscular problem
", so I was discharged the following morning. I even got
transported back to Pwllheli
, arriving just as the last race started - not that I should/would have sailed!!!
Brian Phipps
did the strong arm stuff to take down my mast so my boat and trailer was quickly ready to go.
When everyone came ashore I was awash with wellwishers
.
I found that 3 more good mates -
Gordon, Robert England and Keith Chidwick (again)
had taken down my tent and transported it and its contents to the Club, leaving me only to return my campsite key to reclaim my deposit.
Later Gordon gave me the card that so many at the Nationals Dinner had taken the time to sign with their wishes and hopes for my recovery - from something that could have been really serious. I was
caught for words
, so some time elapsed before I was able to express my surprise and appreciation. Gordon told me that had Nick noticed me at the prizegiving I would probably have been given it then. I would have been
terribly, publicly emotional
!!! The card is very
pink
, which I have taken as
your collective hope that I will be "in the pink" in future
.
The chest pain is now much reduced
. The nature of the reduction in pain leads me to believe there were eventually 2 causes of the chest pain - one being a recurrence of a problem I've had previously but did not recognise at the time, pain from which must have built up after the initial onset of the pain while afloat.
I'm even thinking about sailing at Queen Mary tomorrow evening......
Don't tell Shirley though....
So as well as my appreciation for all at Pwllheli SC, the paramedic ambulance crew, the doctors, nurses and all other staff at Ysbyty Gwynedd, I thank again everyone who so kindly expressed their wishes for my safe and rapid recovery.