Newsletter – Happy New Year -Jan 18th 2012

Hello Everybody,

I wish you all a very Happy Sailing New Year and have every hope that the Club will go from strength to strength in 2012 thanks to your support and efforts. Since we started in May last year we have laid the foundations for the Club: in our constitution and child safety policy; in negotiating insurance, tax exemption, ISA membership, and Revenue approved sports body status; in members completing child safety courses; and in taking a 5 year lease on our unit at GOSC. John Killeen and Johnny Murphy of the GOSC have been behind us all the way, as have been Eamonn Bradshaw CEO and Capts. Brian Sheridan, Kevin Walsh and Bob Ellis of the Harbour Company .

Sailing has been made possible for those without their own boats (most of us) thanks to NUIG Sailing Club and the loan of the Vanguards. The 24th Venture/ Sea Scouts, our neighbours in the next unit, have also been a great support and encouragement.

The enthusiasm and hard work of our young RIB Challenge teams and trainer Ciaran Oliver brought us the greatest boost when they won a Humber RIB and Mercury engine in the Yachtsman Euromarine sponsored competition organised by the ISA in October. This solved our safety boat problem and also gave them very valuable experience as powerboat handlers.

So far we have been a small group. Looking ahead we need to encourage more people to join us and to build up a fleet of dinghies both club owned and member owned. We applied for and have been given a grant from the Galway City Sports Council which is worth €1000. Sharing the cost and usage with the Sea Scouts we are purchasing six 420s from Schull Sailing Club which they no longer need. They are ten years old but will help to get more members and especially the youngsters out on the water. Vincent Jordan from GBSC and some members of Spiddal Sailing Club are helping with the transport of the 420s to Galway.

Galway Bay Sailing Club have generously offered us the use of a pontoon which we hope to tow across from Rinville in the near future. We are also working with the Harbour Board with the aim of constructing a secure dinghy park near to the beach in the near future , and are pursuing various ideas for sponsorship including advertising on club boat sails.

We hope to keep the cost of membership in the Club down at an affordable level – but this is dependent on our having enough members to cover the costs of rent, insurance, development costs etc. So if you are reading this and thinking of joining us, you will be very welcome whether as a prospective dinghy sailer, a safety boat crew, or as a on shore supporter who likes good company and helping to give youngsters an exciting and challenging activity. (Go to www.galwaysailsports.ie and click on Membership Information or on About – Membership to find how to join us.)

With the Volvo Ocean Race final coming to Galway in June/July it is our aim to have Lough Atalia, the Docks, the river, and the sea shore in the centre of Galway city alive with sailing activity then and throughout 2012. In the meantime a hardy few are sailing on Saturday mornings throughout the winter with the support of our safety boat crews.

Please Note: We are holding our AGM on Thursday 26th January in the Harbour Hotel at 7.30pm., all members should try to attend and if you are not a member but perhaps interested in joining us please come along and meet us.

Nancy Roe – Chairperson .