Hello all,

The RYC Christmas Race Series begins this Sunday with a 14h00 start.   With a good 12 knot southerly and loads of sunshine forecast this race day is going to be perfect both on and off the water.

With just two race days left this year it will be great to see everyone, including those members who tend to sail only the major trophy races, on the water and competing for the Christmas Trophy. As Club handicaps apply for this series every sailor has an equal chance of winning so no excuses please!

Sailing School - There will a full session of sailing school for both junior and senior sailors this Sunday morning. The national Optimist coach, Rudi McNeill, will also be in attendance at Redhouse making this one training session not to be missed.

Optimist Sailor Training - OCRA and Rudy McNeill, the national Optimist coach, will be conducting an intensive training session in Port Elizabeth this whole weekend.

The program is as follows:-

• 18h00 Friday 5th Dec. Rudy arrives. Registration. Rules session followed by a bring 'n braai (for both parents and sailors) at ABYC.
• 09h00 Saturday 6th Dec. Whole day sailing training at ABYC.
• 09h00 Sunday 7th Dec. Morning sailing training followed by an afternoon regatta and debriefing at Redhouse.

There are still a few places left for any junior sailor wanting to participate. To book your place please telephone Glynis Baer on 0828937905.

The RYC Junior Sailors had a lesson in democracy last week when they elected Josh Woollard as the 2008 Junior Sailing Captain. Congratulations go to Josh who amongst other is now responsible for keeping order in the new junior sailing club room and ensuring that it is kept neat and tidy.

Shortly after the 2009 season begins the juniors will once again go to the polls and vote for a full junior committee consisting of a sailing captain, a club room captain, an entertainment captain and a chairperson who will be the liaison / spokesperson between the juniors and RYC executive. Other than the chairperson each of those elected will be required to form a sub-committee ensuring that every junior has an active role to play.

With the fantastic increase in junior sailing members the time is ripe for these young RYC members to become more involved in the Club and sailing. I sincerely hope that they will embrace the positions their fellow sailors elect them to and, as the future leaders of the Club, use this opportunity to begin gaining the experience they will one day need to lead the Club forward.

Lucas Groenewaldt spent the first day of his holiday toiling on hands and knees at the Club so the juniors now have a more secure and freshly varnished deck - thank you very much Lucas. Thanks also go to Frans Loots for donating the juniors a pristine dartboard for their new club room.

RYC Junior Triathlon - A special fun triathlon is planned for the juniors on 16 December. More about this in next weeks newsletter but if you can't wait till then speak to Aunty Rhona who if asked nicely may be tempted to divulge what is planned for you.

The Weather at Redhouse is never the same as in town. Many members, myself included, often contemplate missing a race day because it is too windy, raining or there is no wind at all in town. Even though just around the corner for some reason the weather at Redhouse is usually very different resulting in some members missing out on a fantastic day of sailing.

If you are ever uncertain if the weather is good for sailing please first telephone Rhona on 082 576 0239 or me on 082 225 1407 for an update on what the weather is doing at Redhouse before you decide to stay at home.

Have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to you joining us on the water for the racing this Sunday.

Yours in sailing

PAUL PETTITT
Commodore
041 581-5394