Hello all,

Redhouse Yacht Club has enjoyed a fantastic resurgence in interest from both old and new members during the first half of the 2008/9 sailing season.

From just a handful of boats participating in races the previous year the RYC now has a regular fleet of at least fifteen craft racing in the Club races every Sunday.

The Club’s decision to alter the sailing program to have both 11h00 and 14h00 race day start times has also proven to be a good one. Nearly everyone stays behind for the lunchtime braai on the early start race days and this has been fantastic for building Club spirit and getting more members involved in the Club.

Our junior sailing school under the guidance of Andrew Butler has enjoyed very good support from both parents and students who demonstrate their enthusiasm for the sport with great zeal every Sunday morning.

The parents of junior sailing school students, under the guidance of our senior coach Dave Oldham, have also contributed to the increased fleet of boats participating in our regular Sunday races. The RYC was built on family participation and interest in the sport of sailing and it is most encouraging that this still continues today.

The 2009 season is being looked forward to by all and the year ahead is set for a good and busy start. Key dates for early 2009 that should please be diarised now are:-

• Start of 2009 season special / tune-up race 11h00 04 January
• Summer Series Trophy races 1 & 2 starting 11h00 11 January
• Summer Series Trophy races 3 & 4 starting 11h00 18 January
• The second regional Interclub Regatta over the weekend of 24 & 25 January
• The annual Inter Schools Regatta over the weekend of 21 & 22 March

Without our sailors, the loyal support of the bridge crew, sailing coaches, rescue boat skippers, our galley workers and their families the Club would not exist and I express not only mine but every member of our Club’s sincere thanks to all for a job really well done both on and off the water.

I wish all our sailors, their families and Club supporters a safe, happy, blessed Christmas and a really fantastic 2009.

Yours in sailing

PAUL PETTITT
Commodore