WSC Newsletter 6.09

updated 4/11/09

Is it Lift Out or Laying Up?

   Our wise Trustee, John Headley, has suggested we rename our Lift-In and Lift-Out as our Launching and Laying Up days. The current phrases can be misleading and confusing - do we lift-in/out to the sea/boat park or vice versa. Any opinions? Semantics aside, David O Gorman reports that all went very smoothly on Sat 17th Oct and would like to thank all owners and crew for their co-operation. Any outstanding fees should be paid asap.

  Adult dinghy training is ongoing and has been a huge success - well done to all concerned. Hopefully, any new members recruited will make for a more vibrant younger adult membership in the Club. Still with our Dinghy section, the Annual Prizegiving will take place on Sat 7th November in WSC and a SPECIAL GUEST from the world of Irish Sailing will be present, we are informed.

Gerry Haughton wins the wine     Commodores Burgee - thanks to Fred Drew

Photos from Fred Drew

  The final race of the season was the Commodores Cup, with 11 entries on a beautiful day for sailing. Batileur, under the helm of Gerry Haughton, took the honours just ahead of Bilbo and Calypso. President Fred Drew assisted the Commodore on board Stravaiger in finishing boats. Keeness to get exact finishes, almost led to a collision, but all was well in the end.

Round Ireland 2010

Theo Phelan, Dennis Noonan, John Hughes, Lynn Stringer and Jacky Breathnach

    Following a long consultation process and suggestions on sponsor friendly requirements, the 2010 Race will start officially on Sun 20th June, hopefully making it easier for a lot more spectators to get to our venue. To date, the hunt for a sponsor has drawn a blank and we would hope that our members continue to furnish leads for us. The Club will launch the 2010 Race on Thur 3rd Dec in Wicklow Gaol (as WSC will be booked out to the film production company making "The Guard", starring Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle).

   After our visit to the Town Hall in June, Mayor Irene Winters organised a meeting by the Town Forum on Mon 2nd November in WSC which was well attended by local groups such as Wicklow Town Council, Wicklow Chamber, 2009 Leinster Fleadh, Wicklow Tourism, ISA and other bodies. Maria Moynihan Lee of Lets Do It Galway gave a very well delivered presentation on how Galway managed the Volvo RTW Stopover in 2009 and generated a lot of interest from the floor. A few people put their names forward to help put a Festival in place and its fingers crossed for further positive progress in relation to same.

   Regardless, we should be looking to celebrate 30 years of this Ocean Classic and ideas on what we should do, would be most welcome - don't forget to factor in costings/revenue - ideas to info@wicklowsailinclub.com Wicklow Tourism have come on board as our PR partner for the 2010 Round Ireland.

   There is a debate currently on www.afloat.ie forums about the possibility of Mini Transats taking part in the Round Ireland. Has our 2 handed innovation started a revolution? Maybe we could look at race starts over 2 days - Saturday for 2 handers, Sunday for fully crewed boats - any ideas?

New Designs at 60 and 30

   Our Club Logo has stood us in good stead for a long number of years. Do any members with an artistic leaning think they can come up with a new image for our 60th Anniversary in 2010. If it is adopted by your Committee, it will become the focus of our correspondence, image and website for many more years to come - get doodling and let us see your ideas. How would the idea of a one-off Burgee for the 60th appeal to our members?

  Also, we have never had a dedicated Round Ireland Logo to stamp our ownership on our flagship event - with 30 years of this event in 2010, we would love to see ideas of what you would like as our new Race Logo - suggestions to be submitted by Monday 5th Oct to info@wicklowsailingclub.com. This one was designed by Ivan Alcorn and so far has been chosen from several other options.

  60.30.2010 - Have members got any suggestions on what sort of celebrations we should be looking at for our double anniversaries? Suggestions to info@wicklowsailingclub.com - some ideas - series of fun nights to mark each decade - 50's, 60's, 70's etc, Black Tie Ball, history of WSC and Round Ireland, a one off WSC 60th Burgee, 60th clothing range - keep 'em coming.

Adult Dinghy Training

   Following on the success of our Junior Training programme, a new course for adult dinghy trainees is now up and running with c.12 signed up for the training. This follows on from a suggestion at our Think Tank last January, along with the Open Day and Waterfront Users Group, which were followed up on. Keep the ideas coming - WSC is a better place for your input.  Details here.

Navigation Night Classes

  For those with an eye on improving their sailing skills with a view to possibly achieving some form of qualification - ICC, Day Skipper, Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore - or just for background information, a YM Coastal course started on Tues 13th Oct in Wicklow SC this winter - 10% discount to WSC Members. Let me know if you are interested - Charlie - sailsoutheast@eircom.net

  SRC (VHF) courses are available also if there are any takers - can be held over 3 nights with a separate Dept. of Marine exam. Also, anyone needing an Emergency Care Certificate (1st Aid), a course can be arranged - 2 days or 4 nights. Both courses need a minimum of 4 to start.

ISA RIB Challenge

   At short notice, WSC sent a team to partake in the ISA RIB skills challenge in Courtown and acquitted themselves well against 4 other local teams. Wexford won and return home to defend their title, won in 2008. Well done to all for flying the flag in difficult conditions and hopefully, the experience will stand us in good stead for 2010.

David Wilding RIP

Ocean Phoenix anchored off Caernarfon for sail past  David in his Kingdom  Davids friend Charles, his wife Lindsey and daughter  Royal Welsh Yacht Club in spendid form

  Following the death in May this year of our former member, David Wilding, his own club, the Royal Welsh Yacht Club, organised a celebration weekend of his life involving his family and friends on Sat/Sun 12/13 Sep 09. WSC had 4 boats over, Zuga, Summerwind, Spellbound and Stravaiger as well as Sadie Phelan, Paul Brennan and chauffer, Ray Mc Keon to pay their respects and toast this wonderful mans' life. A sail past his boat, Ocean Phoenix, with  his widow, Lindsey, and her extended family on board  took place on Saturday by up to 30 boats of various sizes, was followed by a reception in the RWYC and next morning a prayer service was conducted by his friend, the Rev. Russell. Commodore Charlie Kavanagh said a few words about our late friend/member and his regular visits on his yacht to Wicklow.

  Joe Long, the Hon. Sec. would like to see a joint "Trophy" (only for cruising boats) incorporated between the 2 clubs and suggestions on how it might be used or awarded would be greatly appreciated - send to info@wicklowsailingclub.com

 

Upcoming Events

Any ideas for Social Events in 2009 welcome

Open Meeting re Club Survey Fri 2nd October

Lift Out Sat 17th October & Dinner?

Dinghy  Prizegiving Sat 7th November

Ireland v Australia 3pm Sun 15th November

Annual Club Dinner & Cruiser Prizegiving Fri 20th November

Table Quiz in aid St Catherines School Sat 21st Nov

Annual General Meeting Fri 27th November

Ireland v South Africa 2.30pm Sat 28th November

Round Ireland 2010 Launch in Wicklow Gaol Thur 3rd Dec

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

Specially commissioned birthday cakes a speciality!

   Don't forget us if you have a celebration in your family, work or socially - let Gerry or Kerrie know. Book early to avoid disappointment.

2009 Annual General Meeting

  Wicklow Sailing Club will hold its AGM on Fri 27th November, starting at 8.30pm. The Motions and Nominations have now been received and are up on the Club Notice Board, where they can be read.

  "In view of the unprecedented number of motions proposed for the forthcoming AGM, I feel it is IMPERATIVE that ALL members of WSC make an effort to attend the meeting"
Fred Drew
President

Club Survey - Open Meeting

Peter Shearer assists Bernadette Fox   

  A reasonable turnout of members came down to the Open Meeting chaired by Bernadette Fox, Communications and Development Officer of the ISA on Fri pm 2nd October. She presented a resume of the members replies to the topics covered in the Club Survey, which 70 members (c.35% of the adult membership) participated in.

  Ideas that came up for discussion were the Club Management structure, future developments, ideas for activities and more involvement, sailing issues, house issues, new members, atmosphere in the club, communications and more. Afterwards, there was an interactive session where all present had an opportunity to select key topics to be included in the Club Development Plan, which is proposed to be adopted at the AGM on Nov 27th. All present agreed that it was a very useful exercise for the members and it is hoped that positive developments will follow in years to come.

Get Well

   We are glad to report that President Fred Drew is back home and slowly getting his feet on the ground again. Tony Dunphy has also come through after a torrid time and our fingers are crossed he is on the road to recovery. We also extend our thoughts to his sailing buddy, Mike Fisher, who has a little battle on his hands. Recently, popular social member, Eamon Cleary, took ill and all our thoughts go out to him and Mary.

WSC as a Wedding Venue

   In the month of September 2009, your Club has broken new ground on the double. Thanks to the much debated renovations,  young brides have seen fit to hold their wedding receptions in the new look Club premises, following on our very welcome Bridge and Toastmaster tenants, all of whom are fast helping to pay off our investment. Alan Murphy (son of Frank), his bride Karen? and Brian Desmond (nephew of Kevin), his bride Anahi, both chose our club to entertain their families and friends, making a substantial boost to our finances in the process. Feedback from both families was very positive and an endorsement of your Clubs efforts to constantly improve our facilities.

   The word should go out to our members that we now have a multi-purpose venue for weddings, parties, meetings etc and we would appreciate being given an opportunity to quote for your event - contact Gerry Nolan 0404 68620.

Junior Dinghy Regatta

  With a solid fleet of dinghy sailors regularly racing in WSC, our Sailing Section organised a Junior Regatta on Sat Aug 29th to encourage competitive sailing and we are happy to report that 30 dinghies took part. It was another success for our re-energised Dinghy and Sailing sections, showing that if you put in the hard work, your efforts will be rewarded - well done to all concerned.

Condolences

   We extend our sincere condolences to Tommy and Aileen Mc Gauley on the recent death of their daughter in law, Lynn Mc Gauley, from cancer in Auckland, New Zealand. She accompanied her husband Alan on a visit to Ireland this time last year and spent sometime visiting in Wicklow Sailing Club. Our thoughts go out to her husband and family. May she rest in peace.

   Next WSC Committee meeting:-

Friday 16th October 2009 8.30pm

  After some ups and downs, our final meeting of the year ended on a positive note - Sailing was a huge success both for Dinghies and Cruisers, our Finances are back on track, we have a new Health and Safety policy, our Club Survey has led to the formulation of a new Club Development Plan, our House renovations are almost complete, our tenants are happy and the Round Ireland is moving ahead. This Committee has worked hard to make all facets of WSC function well and hopefully the momentum will carry into 2010, our 60th anniverary year, in a positive vein.

 ISA News

   RTE DROPS AFTERNOON SEA AREA FORECAST WITHOUT NOTICE:
   The ISA has learnt that as of today (Monday 9th September) RTE will be dropping the 1650 Sea Area Forecast. This has been done without any prior warning or consultation with ISA.
http://www.sailing.ie/clubs/newsDetails.asp?id=2988

  CLIPPER RACE: ONE WEEK UNTIL RACE START AS CORK ARRIVES IN HULL:

  Cork, one of ten stripped-down 68 foot ocean racing yachts sailed past The Deep, the iconic 'submarium' visitor attraction in Hull, North Yorkshire, UK, in readiness for the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race. http://www.sailing.ie/news/newsDetails.asp?id=2990

   ISA NEWSLETTER

   You can sign up for a weekly hit of sailing and boating news. It will take 30 seconds, click on this link: http://www.sailing.ie/news/newsletter_register.asp

   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 

WSC Website is sponsored by

www.sailsoutheast.com

  

A potted History of WSC <- click here

Click below for previous Newsletters

2006 NL.01 NL.02  NL.03 NL.04 NL.05 NL.06

2007 NL.01 NL.02 NL.03 NL.04 NL.05 NL.06

2008 NL.01 NL.02 NL.03 NL.04 NL05 NL06 NL07

2009 NL.01 NL.02 NL.03 NL.04 NL.05 NL.06 NL.07

Opinions expressed in the newsletter on the WSC website do not necessarily reflect those of Wicklow Sailing Club

This is your means to keep in touch with the notable events happening in the Club. If you have any newsworthy / funny items or photos you would like to share with the club, please send them to info@wicklowsailingclub.com We will try to get as much relevant information as possible up, but there are space restrictions and editorial issues to consider. 

You can keep an eye on events in Madoc YC by clicking here

Hit Counter (from 5/1/09)