The Commodore's address given on 27th March 2007

Introduction

Ladies and Gentlemen

Welcome to the start of our 46th season. I hope that you enjoy the sailing programme that Dick (sailing secretary) has arranged this year. Our social programme, as usual has some great events organised. Please support these as they are a very important part of club life.



Finance

The budget that was agreed at the AGM and was as follows:

  1. New club boat £3,000
  2. Plans and costing for building extension £500
  3. New hose pipes ad standpipe will cost £250
  4. A Gazebo and bunting for social events £100
  5. New safety boat engine which will cost approx. £3,000
  6. Re-newel of instructors first aid certificates / courses etc £250

The committee is still looking into the possibility of extending the toilets and changing areas. We will keep all members informed on progress.



Members

Membership remains constant. We have 113 paid up members and 4 in the pipeline. We have a total of 125 boat spaces. Available spaces left are 4 large and 6 small.

This year we have had new family memberships, I'm pleased as we need younger members in the club. Emily, our cadet representative, is keen to encourage new cadets.



Duty Crews

This is a very important task, it's the only obligation for members. There were 18 absences last year. Lets hope that there are not so many this year.

A list of member's telephone numbers has gone out again this year. Hopefully this will help with swops.

Enclosed in your new club sailing programme were white tags and cable ties. Please make sure these are attached to your trolleys. This is to help the beach duty crew at the end of sailing.

If you require a red rope on your trolley, so the tractor can pull your boat up the beach, please put your name on the list in the club.



Cruising

John O'Neil is still our cruise master. There are 12 cruises this year plus the Wednesday cruises. It's great fun with fantastic places to visit with many pubs and cafes. There are often spaces on boats so just ask. The over night is on Saturday August 11th. More information will be available at a later date.



Social

The coven has done an excellent job again this year in organising our social program.

To name a few events. Watch the notice board for all events. The bar has been a great success. Our thanks to Frank and Eric.



Security

Please remember to tie boats down properly and keep valuables out of sight. If you see or hear anything untoward please let the Rear Commodore or the Bosun know.



Sailing

Last year we had a fantastic season with good turnouts of boats for all racing. Hopefully this year will be the same or better. The programme will consist of approx. 89 races including 5 races for the frostbite series.

We would like to encourage more Ladies, novices and cadets to sail. It would be nice to see our more experienced helms and crews offering to help out where needed.

Let's have good turnouts for these events.

We now have a new engine for the safety boat no 1. Great care must be taken when leaving and returning to the shore line as the shingle banks have changed again this year.



Training

We will be running our usual RYA 1 & 2 courses this season. Helpers will be require for training week from Saturday 26th May to Saturday 2nd June.

Also any members willing to let us use their boats please let me or Dick know.

An RYA "Seamanship" course has been scheduled for late July. It will comprise of two theory sessions on Wednesday evenings plus four practical on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings. A minimum of four per course, with appropriate experience, will be needed for the course to run. We have one person "signed up" already. Further details from Carol.

And finally thanks very much for being so patient. If you want to discuss anything please come and see me or any other committee member.

Above all let's have an enjoyable sailing season. Happy sailing.

Tim Wadham - Commodore