Newsletter – November 22nd don’t forget social afternoon Harbour hotel Dec 8th 3.30pm onwards
Hello Members and Friends,
The storm on Tuesday proved that our new dinghy park provides good shelter. We checked up on the boats at the height of the wind and there was very little disturbance inside the park – the fence diffuses the wind, and the Discover Ireland banners help too – thank you Michael Fitzsimons and Discover Ireland West! And thanks again also to Veolia (Water) for their help in financing the fencing. We turned Paraic’s 420 and the new Wayfarer more into the wind just to make sure. However it is a good idea to strap your boats down to their trailers if they are on one. We should aim to have tie down points in the ground at intervals so that the lighter boats can be made more secure, (this is a requirement on some dinghy insurance policies) – any ideas? Or even better – volunteers?
Saturday December 8th is booked in the Harbour hotel for a sociable pre-Christmas afternoon from 3.30pm onwards – mulled wine and the Harbour’s fine finger food. Cost is €8.50 per adult and children welcome of course. Do come and join us and bring your friends. If you know you will be coming please let me know to give some idea of the numbers – roenancy9@gmail.com or text 0866670180. If you don’t know yet, just come along anyway. This was very successful last year and the hotel did us proud – plenty of mulled wine!
There is a committee meeting next Thursday 29th November – items on the agenda will include the progression of sailing sessions for youngsters in Lough Atalia in the near future. More on this as it develops – see below. If any member would like items included at committee meetings do let a committee member know.
Also we will be fixing the date of the AGM for early January and considering the makeup of next year’s committee. Please be considering whether you would like to be on the committee next year – not very onerous but potentially rewarding as the club grows. One of the items on the AGM agenda will be a motion to change the club’s name to Galway City Sailing Club as it is felt that Sailsports does not describe clearly enough what the club does. It will also help us to expand our membership to everybody who wishes to be involved in any form of sailing in the Galway City area.
Message from the Development group of the committee:
As part of a club development initiative, ‘Galway City Sailing Club’ aka Galway Sailsports Club will be embarking on a youth sailing initiative starting in January 2013.
We plan to offer sailing skills sessions on Saturdays, possibly in conjunction with team racing which has recently become very popular amongst schools in Galway.
The sessions will be instructor led and will take place in Lough Atalia.
Further details to follow.
If you have any questions please contact John Murphy 087 6183122.
The general club sailing sessions on Saturdays have gone into hibernation as the numbers turning up latterly as the weather got colder didn’t justify asking safety crews and race officers to turn up as well. We need to do some winter work on various projects including improving the slope down to the beach and replacing the marker buoys on the beach edge. It is hoped to have transit marks as well to aid the return to the beach. The 420 sails have been repaired/altered so will be ready for the spring. We will start the general sailing sessions early in the spring or earlier if there is a demand for them.
In the meantime we are hoping to offer Safety boat courses (Powerboat level 3) early in the New Year – we need 4 people at least to take this course – 2 days over a weekend – you must have Powerboat level 2 certs to take part. The advanced course will be specifically aimed at equipping you to aid dinghy sailors who need help and will greatly enhance the clubs ability to run and host dinghy events in the future. If you are interested in any powerboat course (level 2 or 3) please contact me roenancy9@gmail.com or 086 6670180. We can avail of a discount if you do them through the club.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the 8th. Remember everybody welcome!
Nancy Roe
Chairperson.