Hello all,
This Sunday at Redhouse we have loads of action for the whole family including the RYC End Of Season Closing Cruise.
Following the gales this past weekend the RYC end of season closing cruise incorporating the Bailey Southwell Trophy race will be sailed this Sunday at 14h00.
The Bailey Southwell Trophy race is to the Motherwell bridge, around the islands and back again. This race has a pursuit start affording every sailor and class of sailing dinghy an equal chance of winning while spectators enjoy an exciting finish as the faster craft race to catch and pass the slower craft ahead of the finish line.
Besides the closing cruise at RYC there will also be the Zwartkops Trust 40th anniversary cycle and canoe races during the morning bringing a hive activity for the whole family to Redhouse.
The program of events this Sunday 24 May are as follows:-
- 08h30 - Bluewater Canoe Club 12 & 20km canoe marathon
- 08h30 - Fat Tracks 35km Scott Ayton Memorial Mountain Bike Adventure
- 14h00 - RYC Closing Cruise / Bailey Southwell Trophy Race
For the family there will be braai packs, wors rolls, refreshments, boat cruises and loads of other activity the whole day long at Redhouse.
The weather forecast predicts a fantastic sunny day that combined with a good high tide and just the right amount of wind guarantees a fantastic race / closing cruise and a superb day out for the whole family.
Please be aware that will be a lot more traffic than usual at Redhouse on Sunday and that you should make allowance for this if you plan on arriving just in time for the sailing.
The Club Breakfast last Sunday morning was a phenomenal success with every seat taken by RYC members who were treated to a gourmet breakfast of note.
A big Redhouse thank you goes to Gail Badenhuizen and all her helpers who toiled long and hard to ensure we were treated to a really scrumptious breakfast.
An Extra Big Thank You belongs to Gail who not only led the organisation of the Club breakfast but silently donated the entire proceeds thereof (amounting to over R1,100) to Redhouse Yacht Club. Thank you very much Gail, your generosity and the effort you put into the breakfast is really very, very much appreciated by all.
The Frostbite Regatta this past weekend was well supported and despite the gale force winds we managed to get in two races.
On Saturday afternoon after much debating it was decided to risk the winds and race. Well, I think too many people prayed for the winds to ease and the God's complied by switching the wind off completely minutes into the start!
Despite this just over half the fleet managed to finish their course with the remainder choosing to abandon the race and walk their boats back to the Club.
On Sunday morning, having a full house of sailors at the Club breakfast, it was announced that we would brave the gusting wind and squeeze in one race. Well, revenge was sweet for the wind God's who minutes into the start opened the floodgates with gusting winds often exceeding 40 knots.
Only two boats, a Gypsey and an Optimist, managed to complete their course with nearly every remaining entry being towed back to the Club.
Congratulations go to all sailors who braved the winds and especially Sydney Pettitt who was the only skipper to complete both races. The official results, as well as the Autumn Series results, may be viewed by clicking here.
The Redhouse Yacht Club AGM & Prizegiving date will be announced later this week. With this Sunday being our closing cruise, and the last time most of us will have the opportunity to chat amongst our fellow members prior to the AGM, please take advantage of this weekend to exchange thoughts and ideas for the 2009/10 sailing season that can be included on the AGM agenda.
Have a fantastic week, remember to keep Sunday free to sail and to bring the whole family out to Redhouse to enjoy both the sailing and the Zwartkops Trust 40th anniversary celebrations.
Yours in sailing
PAUL PETTITT
Commodore
041 581-5394