40 Thieves descend on Wicklow SC

   Ali Baba (aka Chris Norton) has hitched a lift on a Turkish Carpet (Kilim) and is scheduled to arrive in WSC on Sat 16th May with 40 thieves in tow. Anyone wishing to get some of their booty at knock down prices should dress up and get down to South Quay - beautiful belly dancers are known to follow this crowd. Read here for more details........

Club Open Day

   WSC, like many of our fellow sporting clubs, will suffer from this recession and with this in mind, we hope to encourage new members to join us on our Open Day, Sun 3rd May. Cruiser and Dinghy owners are asked to help out by making their boat available to take out interested persons (by prior arrangement). We will also need some people on shore to meet and greet interested members of the public who might like to find out a little bit about our club. We are talking to our other waterfront clubs/organisations on Thur 9th Apr and hopefully most of them will also try to attract new members on the day, making it a busy day around the harbour, weather permitting.

Pat and Olivia Murphy return

   Following on their very entertaining talk in WSC a number of years ago, Pat and Olivia have agreed to come down and give a talk on the 2nd half of their epic 9 year voyage around the world on Fri 24th April at 8.30pm. They had many very interesting and exciting experiences which make for a riveting talk, well delivered in a friendly and interactive way, using slides to illustrate the highlights. Voluntary contributions are encouraged to help them offset expenses back in the real world. Pass the word around - its a night you will enjoy thoroughly. Read more here....

  Whales and Dolphins Talk

  Richard Nairn  arranged with Faith Wilson of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group to give an illustrated talk in WSC on Fri 3rd April at 8.30pm, cost to Over 18's €5.00, younger free. We had a full house, with people turned away and Faith gave a very well illustrated talk on all of whale/dolphin species found in Irish waters, along with some photos from a recent trip to Mexico. It was very encouraging to see our younger folk taking such a keen interest in our sea cousins - lots of potential whale watchers growing up.

WSC Entertainment Activity   

  Wham bam, Grand Slam! It was a long time coming for this team, but after many close calls over the last few years, Declan Kidney finally found the magic formula to bring home the bacon - and what a climax. WSC never had such a large and rowdy crowd on board and every nerve tingling minute was enjoyed and endured by those lucky enough to experience it. Wales (our Celtic neighbours) gave their all  to retain their Championship, forcing BOD's warriors to scrap for every inch gained - to see it all come down to an injury time kick to decide the spoils - heart attack territory, but Stephen Jones missed to the delight of all of Ireland. A wait of 61 years finally delivered, lets hope the next one doesn't take so long.

  Still on matters Rugby, our local U18's are in the All Ireland semis, with 5 or 6 of our young men in tow - lets wish them well as they attempt to win a 3rd title in a row.

  Our stalwart members keep coming up trumps when the Club puts out the call - Sheila Jolley, Orlagh Phelan & Catherine O Sullivan,  Phil Mc Devitt and Sadie Phelan have yet again put their shoulders to the wheel on our behalf (see below). All members should try to emulate the example given by these ladies and other members, by putting your hand up to do something to help your club in its time of need.

  Orlagh Phelan, Catherine O Sullivan, Sheila Jolley and friends putt their various talents together to create a Romantic atmosphere in the Clubhouse for our members and friends on Sat. 14th, Valentines Night, with a 3 course candle-light dinner raising over €800 for our finances.

  Phils Phamous Table Quiz was held on Saturday 21st February and raised c.€400 for club coffers. Phil Mc Devitt tells us that she has been running these on and off for 32 years - now thats a dedicated club member - well done Phil and your family supporters.

  Sadie held her very popular Cheese and Wine evening on Sat 7th March with a good turnout of members in these tough times. She hopes to have made c.€1200 for her efforts on behalf of WSC - another sterling effort by another long time contributor to club activities.

  Ivan Alcorn has a wealth of knowledge about all things astronomical and gave a talk on the 400th Anniversary of Gallileo's Telescope and its modern descendants on Fri 27th Feb. A small turnout were treated to a wonderfully entertaining history of the telescope and some fantastic images of our universe. Unfortunately, clouds spoiled the opportunity to catch Comet Lulin, now moving back out into outer space.

  The Ireland Rugby matches are always popular, Space Inside, Paddies Day and Mothers Day are also other good options - members have a wide choice of events, so a good showing would be welcome at events of your choice - please support your club.

Boaters get set for the New Sailing Season

  Summer must be just over the horizon when our various boating sections start gathering in the clubhouse.

 

  The Cruiser Boatowners met on Fri 30th Jan at 8.30pm to map out the 2009 Season. A draft Racing and Cruising programme was set out, with lift in fixed for Sat 25th April. Moorings are almost full with silting problems for the spare spaces and Iain Fisher is to follow up plans for drying moorings on the beach close to the Anchorage. It was agreed to create a working group to manage the new August Bank Holiday event and hopefully our newly nominated Rear Commodore Sail, David O Gorman, will make this his major priority in 2009. A very good turnout gave all issues relating to the Cruiser section a fair hearing and the next meeting is scheduled for Fri 10th April.

  The Dinghy and Junior Training sections held a joint meeting on Fri 6th Feb at 8pm to discuss how best to move forward and manage both areas for the benefit of the sailors and WSC. David Ryan set out his plans for the new season, with the hope for more activity on the water. Fees for use of the boatpark were notified (€120 Seniors/€80 Juniors). He is keen to have a PRO to help publicise racing and other activity. Sean Flood is actively trying to track down a Senior Instructor and is looking at a 6 week option for Junior Training. Charlie Kavanagh said that WSC had made a considerable investment over the last few years (c.€40K) - new surface on the boatpark and 2 new rescue boats and a new engine on the way, apart from all the wear and tear experienced. Owners and parents are being encouraged to think laterally to help raise funds to offset some of this expenditure (partly subsidised by Cruisers and WSC). A number of those in attendence also expressed the desire to have Adult training on dinghies also. Olivia Flahive can organise Powerboat courses for those who need it.