Sailing Section

   Our Sailing Committee is working well, we now have all of the Boatpark winter fees collected for the dinghy winter storage. All dinghy owners must complete a request form and pay up front for summer storage/racing - Gerry Haughton / Peter Shearer are coordinating this drive. A work party tackled the boatpark on the Bank Holiday Monday, with the result that individual bays have been marked out for dinghies, ensuring that all owners can have access to their boats. Peter chaired a very well attended meeting of the Dinghy owners, where our new policies regarding racing, boatpark usage and payment etc were aired. It has been proposed to run dinghy racing on Saturdays at 3pm, starting this week - Saturday 19th May.

    Lift-in went well on Saturday 5th May, special thanks to Derek Stewart and his apprentice Mark Cloherty and our soup girls Jackie Breathnach and Lynn Stringer - even Barrysboat  (with stand in skipper Jim Vickers in the cockpit - see photo) made it in despite the sons nuptials.  

    Options for "Cruising Weekend June 2nd/4th" Sat HW 1300 DST.

1. Courtown & Arklow SC's have annual Kilmichael Regatta Sat 2nd 1st gun 1255 DST (3 races) - party afterwards in Arklow SC - racers note.

2. Cruise in company Poolbeg/Howth or Malahide (tides up, awkward)

3. Cruise in company to Cahore (Pollduff) & Arklow (tides favourable)

    As the tides favour going south, it might be attractive to take in the Regatta and enjoy a knees up with our neighbours afterwards.

   Our moorings sub-committee have done a wonderful job again and when the last bit of chain finally arrives, they will sort out the last few. New-ish faces taking up moorings in 2007 are Brian Miley "Rindun" and Roy Conway - a Panda 7.5m - welcome aboard.

   Henrik Heckmann and his team on the racing committee have done a fabulous job setting up the programme and kicking everything into gear with the first 3 races having been held in very strong winds. Wednesday racing starts this week - 16th May.  As ever, the weather reminds us of our vulnerability to North Easterlies and we were obliged to run for cover last Saturday, after just one week in the water. It is up to every boatowner to monitor the weather for possible North Easterlies - check our weather page for useful links.

   OOD Training/Refresher - Barry O Sullivan will conduct an in-house training session on Tues 12th June pm for Dinghy and Cruiser sailors - please be aware, every boat is expected to do their rota duty, so get your training now please.

   Man Overboard (MOB) training will be conducted for all WSC Cruiser Skippers on Sat 30th June - we hope to have 3 Training Skippers in 2 or 3 hands-on sessions starting 12pm. It will be mandatory for any skippers not already in possession of an ISA or RYA ICC or higher (YM Day/Coastal/Offshore) practical certificate. Each skipper will then in turn be expected to perform a number of drills on his/her own boat and a mandatory drill to be performed on Monday 6th August during the RNLI Pennant - in which our cruising skippers are encouraged to participate also (entry fee goes to the RNLI). Charlie and Henrik will co-ordinate - valid excuses only.

   A word of caution - as the crash boat (launch) is currently very stiff on a cold start, it would be prudent to have 2 persons when starting it.

  Junior Training will run throughout the month of August, final date for booking is 1st June 2007 - its always popular and the wise thing to do is book early. Check this link for more details. Powerboat Training L1&2 takes place Tues/Weds 29/30 May for 3 of our Junior sailors. We should have enough to run another course over the summer - please let Peter or Charlie know.

   Our Juniors have proposed to organise (with help from the adults) a Junior Regatta on Sat 25th August, to coincide with the end of Junior Training - do we have a generous member to sponsor €500 for publicity etc?

    Our Portmadoc trip has been changed to the mid weekend in July - owners will be looking for crew, if you can arrange the time off. For those who can afford the time, we also hope to incorporate a visit to our friends in the RWYC in Caernarfon, before continuing on down to Portmadoc.

  Our major event in 2007 is the South East Cruiser Regatta and all hands will be required to assist, where practical. Big news - a sponsor has come on board - see above right. Our Regatta Race Organising committee is holding a meeting next Tuesday 22nd May to start putting the nuts and bolts together.

  A number of people have enquired about what WSC might do for power boaters and jet ski enthusiasts - we are open to seeing new members joining and would like to encourage a Power section, if the demand exists.

"Cap"tion competition

    Put your thinking "caps" on and compose an appropriate caption for the above photograph - supplied by Michael Mulvihill. I'm sure a suitable prize can be found for the best entry - by e-mail or leave with Kerrie at the bar - the winner will be announced at our Midsummer party on June 23rd.

Tide Tables

  Tide Table booklets are now available for Wicklow Harbour and can be purchased at the bar for €2 each. For Wicklow daily tides and wind online, check out this Irish sailing site spinnakerweb.net - also helping to promote our South East Cruiser Regatta.

Galway confirmed as VOR 2008/09 Stopover!

  Yes, its true folks - Wicklow is being demoted - the Tribesmen are now truly the home (for 2009 anyway) of Offshore Racing in Ireland - how can an event with 8 or 10 boats generate €50m for Galway and our Round Ireland only manages to pump about €0.5m max. into our local economy? Food for thought - check out this link for the historic news - Volvo Ocean Race 2008/9

ISA News

   VIKING LONGSHIP SAILS AGAIN - We can look forward to welcoming a magnificent Viking longship to Dublin this summer. The " Havhingsten fra Glendalough " - Sea Stallion from Glendalough - is a reconstruction by the Danish Viking Museum of a thirty metre long Viking warship built in Dublin in 1042. The National Museum of Ireland is the principal host and the longship will form the centrepiece of a special exhibition in the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks from August 2007 to June 2008. http://www.sailing.ie/news/newsDetails.asp?id=1596

    11 SAILING CLUBS WIN THE LOTTERY - With the support of the ISA, this year a total of €283,500 was awarded to ISA Affiliated Clubs from the National Lottery-funded Sports Capital Programme. Will we get our act together one of these years? Can we as a Club not at least plan for a development, even if it fails to get off the ground? Any opinions or ideas - contact us, please.
http://www.sailing.ie/news/newsDetails.asp?id=1548

   JUSTIN SLATTERY - Speaks to us about his highlights so far & future plans... At the age of just 31, Justin Slattery became the first Irishman to win the most famous yacht race in the world - the gruelling Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006 (formally the Whitbread). This victory last summer, on the yacht ABN Amro One, was the third time he has sailed around the world in five years.
http://www.sailing.ie/news/newsDetails.asp?id=1552
 

   If you wish to check out current or old news items from the Irish Sailing Association, follow this link http://www.sailing.ie/inside/default.asp?pageId=50

     Currently, the ISA is engaged in a long running battle with the Dept of Transport (yes - not Marine) over Passenger Boat Regulations they are trying to apply to Training Vessels (Power and Sail) under the Cruising Scheme, which if implemented will shut down 50% of the ISA accredited schools and seriously compromise training and safety for the sailing public.

150 years of RNLI in Wicklow

  While Grace Darling might not have been here to set the ball rolling, dedicated seamen and townspeople have manned the station in Wicklow since 1857, giving assistance to seafarers in trouble when called upon, often putting themselves in great peril. Our present station is a modern complex, with 1 of only 2 remaining slipway launched boats and an Inshore D-Class (due for replacement in Feb).

     On the water, we would hope to run a 1 day event, possibly on the August Bank Holiday Monday incorporating a Man Overboard compulsory drill for all boats, to help gather more funds for the RNLI. As sailors, we are very aware of the importance of this very important voluntary service - David O Gormans family had need of them in 2006.  A prize will be generously sponsored by Sean Flood for this.

     The new D-Class, Sheringham Shantymen, arrived on station in February and will be officailly named later in 2007.

Toastmasters meet every 2nd Thursday (1,3,5?)

Madoc YC Finbar Shine Trophy to Wicklow - 26th May

Space Inside Arts night 8pm Weds 6th June?

Special Anniversary 16th June

Midsummer Party Sat 23rd in WSC

Shipman Association visit 29th June

Wicklow Regatta Festival - WSC events?

 South East Regatta 4th/5th Aug

Please play your part and be involved - can you run an event?

   Don't forget us if you have a celebration in your family, work or socially - let Gerry or Kerry know.

Madeleine Mc Cann

   If anyone is heading out to Portugal on holidays, you might download this photo and bring it with you - there is a strong Irish connection with the missing child. Check out the official website if you feel you can help. Thanks to Kathrina Shine.

Recent Club News

   The bow doors have gone AWOL - someone spotted El Presidente sneaking them up to Derek "the brush" Stewart for a revamp - they will make a triumphant return in due course no doubt. Also, for those who haven't yet seen our Round Ireland room, all the photos of past winners are resplendent on the bar wall and frame our beautiful view of Wicklow Head in a manner that truly befits our prime "asset". Well done Kevin and team and thanks to David Brannigan of Oceansport for his generous sponsorship. We hope to formally unveil them at the Midsummer party on June 23rd.

  Over the May Bank Holiday weekend, most of the Hoi Poloi of WSC were in Birmingham for the Nuptials of our former Instructor Donal O Sullivan  (having survived his floating stag party with Skipper/Dad Barry at the helm out of Kinsale) to Meg. We wish them well in their new voyage together.

  Our man from down under hit the headlines this weekend when his group, the Backlane Band, played only their second public gig ever in the Bridge Tavern on Thurs 17th May - well done Tim. Its a great sound and they play all their own stuff. We hope to book them for the South East Regatta - you have a treat in store.

  Your Officers go to great lengths to check up on the welfare of our members overseas - your correspondent, having just arrived in Buenos Aires, accidentally met with Joachim Pietch (WSC Laser sailor and crew on Sea Spirit) and his Wicklow based girlfriend, Anest Mason - who are currently travelling through South America.

  Due to pressures at work and home, Noel Sinnott has resigned from Committee and his place has been filled by 2 willing hands - Jim Vickers (Maintenance) and Michael Mulvihill (Moorings) - welcome aboard gentlemen. May - Sponsor announced for South East Regatta, doors are on the way back, midsummer party in June to launch Round Ireland wall and South East Regatta.

Americas Cup 2007

Finals Winner: first team to win five matches.

   Its definite - a New Zealand v Italy final sail off. Tune in from June 1st to watch the action live on Americas Cup - Louis Vitton Cup

2007 Memberships

   Memberships are well on the way to being fully paid and we would urge those that still have to pay to do so as soon as possible. Please be aware that you are not entitled to avail of Club facilities after the 1st April has past, if your sub has not been paid. This is your resource and it is important that we all pull together to keep the club available as a social gathering place both winter and summer - your contribution is always welcome and volunteers are never turned away - whatever your talent or interest, there should be a pigeon hole you can fit into. Just ask - Kerrie can direct you to the appropriate person. Anybody good with bookkeeping?

    Jimmy Kearon, at  88 years young (14th May) is an inspiration to us all and has his treasured Scarba back in the water, painted and antifouled, for another season afloat - Long Live Our Master Mariner. Are there any able bodied experienced sailors out there to help crew with him on an occasional basis? We helped him celebrate his birthday in WSC and he still refuses to go up on the deck - that new boatpark had better get moving soon! Good on ye Jimmy.

   Recent member, Ansis Dimiters, is currently on a return trip with  Celtic Spirit (72' ketch) after exploring the Antarctic and southern waters of South America. Check out their log for photos and details of various adventures experienced - http://www.arctic2antarctic.com . Check out the postcard - got to all the way from the Ukrainian Antarctic Base Station like that - nice one Ansis and Ukrainian P.O.!

  Your humble correspondent had the onerous task of joining them in their endeavours off the coast of South America for 3 weeks (Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil - Rio etc), to check out conditions for any possible future trips our members might want to undertake! Its a tough call but someone has to do the dirty work. Needless to say the weather was wonderful, the boat very comfortable, the crew very able and musically gifted and to cap it all, my one time student Ansis, graduated to take professional command of the boat in the owners absence - well done.

Our Junior Rugger Buggers

   What a season its been for our young u-16 Rugby heroes - winners of South-East Cup and League, Leinster League and to cap it all the All Ireland Cup - congratulations to a fine bunch of talented youngsters. We look forward to an equally active and competitive sailing season from them.

  Their Seniors also had success in winning the Provincial Towns Plate for the 1st time and the Seconds won their South East league.

Condolences

    We offer our sincere condolences to Sheila Jolley on the recent passing of her mother, Mrs Abbott.

   We pass on our sincere regrets to Christiana Norton (committee member) on the recent passing of her mother in Germany - May they rest in Peace.