Hello all,

This Weekend we begin at 13h00, an hour earlier than on the sailing program, to allow members, friends and family an opportunity to pay their respects to Nancy Norton at Redhouse Yacht Club - a club that Nancy loved being a part of and supported all her life.

The program for this weekend is as follows:-

• Sunday 13 September - 13h00 - Happy Redhouse memories of Nancy Norton
• Sunday 13 September - 13h30 - Sailpast in honour of Nancy Norton
• Sunday 13 September - 14h00 - Race 1 Hurricane Series
• Sunday 13 September - TBA - Race 2 Hurricane Series

The sailpast in honour of Nancy Norton will take the following route / timetable:-

• The fleet will launch at 13h30 and proceed down river towards Toft’s Corner and assemble in front of the Norton house taking station behind the rescue boat.
• At a sound signal from the rescue boat or bridge (three long sounds), the rescue boat will lead the fleet in line past the Club in a salute to honour Nancy.
• The bridge ladies will lay a wreath on the river as the fleet passes the Club.
• The fleet will then assemble upstream of the start line and prepare to race at 14h00.

All sailors (members and visiting sailors) are asked to please ensure that they and their boats are ready to sail before the 13h00 program start on Sunday so as not to delay the sailpast. The club gates will be open from early morning for easy access.

Nancy Norton's Funeral will take place at St. Nicholas Church, Redhouse, Monday 14 September at 3.00pm and thence to the Village Hall next door for tea. All RYC members and friends have been invited by the Norton family to attend.

The Opening of The Season Regatta last weekend was a phenomenal success with thirty three entries competing for the first trophy of the season in very twitchy winds.

That the new season has started with nearly 20% more sailing members than when we ended the previous season bodes well for a fantastic year ahead and once again demonstrates that Redhouse Yacht Club is the sailing club of choice in Port Elizabeth.

The final verified results are posted on the club web site at www.ryc.co.za/results.html.

A big thank you to everyone, both on and off the water, for making last weekend such a success and a very warm welcome to all our new sailors.

Sailing School this weekend has been cancelled due to the change in the published program. There will however be sailing school for existing senior and junior members on both Saturday and Sunday next weekend in preparation for the E.Cape Provincial regatta.

Steve Arnold, our official SASA and SAS approved club coach, has drafted a questionnaire that all members requiring any form of sail tuition (practical, theory or both) must please complete. There are paper copies in the clubhouse as well as an online version at www.ryc.co.za/sailschool.html

Steve has worked hard at compiling a program that will benefit all members irrespective of their experience and ability and needs the requested information to plan ahead for individual needs. Please complete the questionnaire - even if you believe that you do not require any coaching.

The Eastern Cape Provincial Regatta is once again in Mossel Bay and being hosted by MBYC over three days starting Friday 25 September.

The NOR is posted on the Club notice board and anyone intending to enter should please contact me so that assistance with boat transport and accommodation may be arranged where required. All RYC members are encouraged to participate in this event at a venue that last year proved itself to be both superb and safe.

The regatta organisers are also appealing for the loan of VHF handheld radios to be used during the event. If you have a VHF radio that you are prepared to loan them for that weekend please contact Rob Holden on 083 32 6362 as soon as possible. I will personally guarantee its safe return to you after the regatta.

More information and online entry for the E.Cape Provincial championship regatta is posted at www.onlines.co.za/ecchamps/

The Galley is appealing for volunteers willing and able to assist with catering / serving of teas during Club events. This is an ideal opportunity for members to get their non-sailing spouses involved in our friendly Club and should entail them helping for just a few hours no more than once a month. Volunteers must please make themselves know to either myself or Rhona Clark as soon as possible.

I am confident that this weekend will be exactly what Nancy would have wished for and look forward to you joining us on the water to sail in the honour and memory of an exceptional person who may be absent but will never be forgotten.

Yours in sailing

PAUL PETTITT
Commodore
041 581-5394

This newsletter is dedicated to the honour and memory of Nancy Norton - her friendship and contagious happiness will be missed by all. May she rest in peace.