25 August

Hello all,

Well here we are again at the event horizon of a new and exciting season, a lot has happened during our short sabbatical with regards to results, awards, maintenance and a huge amount of water under the Swartkops bridge.

Congratulations

First up is the fantastic results that I have been getting from Andrew Ward at the Lipton Cup Regatta on a daily basis as he and the crew of “ RYC Challenger Orion” reflect the accomplishments and traumas of the day’s sailing, propped up against the gunwale of the MBYBC’s pub.

The first two days the guys were getting used to the local conditions and boat with a respectable 10th and 8th place, on Tuesday with torrential rain and very little visibility they led the fleet most of the race only to be pipped on the last leg and relegated to 4th , they could now taste that bullet and the hunt was on. Wednesday started well and although light winds were predicted a comfortable breeze of 8-15 knots come though propelling our boys into the lead from the start and they never looked back. Rob, Rob, Andrew, Andrew, Bevin and Justin had their bullet, the golden kettle was theirs. First place in a Lipton Cup regatta race for Redhouse for the first time since the 1960’s WELL DONE , BRAVO ZULU!

After today’s racing RYC Challenger Orion finished 6th in very light winds and unpredictable shifts. They are now lying 5th overall with everything coming down to the last day of racing( Friday) , only 3 points separate 1st and 2nd place and only 2 points separate 3rd 4th and 5th . The race is on and we are all holding thumbs for a podium finish for the team. This is exciting tiller biting stuff and I will keep all informed as I get the results in.

Not to be overshadowed is Josh who was awarded his KZN provincial colours for his sailing, so a very hearty congratulations to him on his accomplishments. Eben and Johan Vivier have done so well in their short stint on the 420 that they have been chosen to represent South Africa at the all African Games in Mozambique next month, they fly out this Sunday and will only return on the 12th. Fair winds and azure seas to you both.

At the very successful Tera Nationals on Swartvlei in June we had four boats on the water from Redhouse. Sophie and Mathew did admirably for their first national regatta and even walked away with some prizes, Patrick finished in the middle of the fleet and Tarryn managed to come in as third girl overall.

Young Emma Clark ( Granddaughter of Rhona ) made the Oppie team that went to the British Nationals along with Jesse Martin of ABYC and also did their country proud.

The Tera Worlds were held in Denmark this year and although Redhouse had no sailors there this year a lot of the kids who attend our inter-schools regatta ever year did attend and did very well. Nathan Page come in 2nd and James Hellstrom 3rd overall, both hail from George Lakes Yacht Club, well done to you all, in fact of the seven sailors that went over, all finished in the top 17 with 4 in the top 10 out of 45 boats.

Sydney Pettitt although now living in the UK sailed under the RSA flag in the Pro fleet and finished a very good 10th place overall and even got a bullet ( 1st place) in race 3. All proof that the river is not such a bad place to learn how to sail!!

Condolences

Our condolences to the family and friends of Tiger Tinley who was a long standing member of the club and the Commodore in 1974.

Doug Rist. A gentleman who was very well known in the sailing fraternity in the region and a member of ZYC and later ABYC and was instrumental in their sailing development program. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Peter, Sue, Luke and Holley.

Website

James Lawrence when not building braai’s to very strict dimensions for his wife, has been updating our website and shall from this day forward be known as “ Webmaster”.

The kids of the club have started an RYC face-book page, so if anyone needs any information about anything just ask your child as they now know more than I do. Any comments or suggestions just give us a ‘poke’.

House and Grounds

A lot has been happening at the club and a lot has not been happening at the club since the flood. What is not happening is the drying out of the building and the ground, due to the water table now being so high every time it rains it saturates the ground and turns to mud for days, this creates two problems:

1. The mud continues to leach back into the boatsheds and,

2. The paving can hardly hold itself up never mind a motor vehicle ,so I plead with you all not to come into the club grounds through the usual gate but rather use the old gate next to the rowing sheds in front of the ZRC, and keep off all grassed areas as your car will sink in a foot before you know it and just make a mess.

What has happened is that the sheds and club were all cleaned up and the paving and concrete areas as well, although you may not find your boat where you left it !

The kitchen has been gutted and a new design has been passed by Admiral Rhona as well as all new appliances chosen. We have power, we have an alarm system although the codes may have changed and the ablution facilities are functional. One obstacle for us boat owners is the washing of our craft after sailing ,the use of the hose is still a contentious issue so we have decided to put in a large water tank in the near future and run a high pressure cleaner of it, now for the request; We are asking some one or a company to donate or sponsor a high pressure unit to the club, it needs to be robust and we are looking at the units in the R3000 - R 5000 range.

Club Regalia

Thanks so much to Andrew and Michelle for all the organising of the shirts and caps, these are now available for those who have settled the account and will be brought to the club on the 4th for collection.

I know this is a bit early but I would like to remind all about our annual interschool brochure advertising, Michelle has agreed very kindly to co-ordinate this for us, do give her a call on 041 5038669 or email on michelleharth@southcity.co.za

Tune up and Work Party

Sunday the 4th is advertised as a tune up race, this has now been down graded to a work party because when the sheds were cleaned the boats were not put back into the sheds from which they came , only boat owners with the direction of Di can rectify this parking dilemma. Sailing is still definitely encouraged but no formal racing is planned. This will be a good time to blow off all the cobwebs and dust the bright work in order to prepare yourselves for the dangers of the Benardie’s with their new addition to the family, a beautiful new Sonnet, Linda on her new Laser and the Lawrence’s who have rigged their Miracle with a spinnaker large enough for low level flight, which now turns them into a giggling and screaming weapon of mass destruction on our confined river.

Due to Rhona’s galley being unavailable next Sunday please bring your own cutlery and crockery for the bring and braai.

Nautical Terms

"Bear down" to sail down rapidly towards another ship or landmark. ( Pray the Miracle does not ‘Bear down’ on you !!)

Sailing Quote of the Week

"For will anyone dare to tell me that business is more entertaining than fooling amongst boats ? He must have never seen a boat, or never seen an office, who says so" - Robert Louis Stevenson

That’s all for know Friends and Family, see you at the River

Kindest regards

Andrew Butler
Commodore