AT THE HELM WITH OUR GM

FROM THE HELM

What a great time of the year this is as we enter the summer season and some warmer weather. The marker of this was certainly laid at our recent Opening Day event with some ‘perfect’ sail past conditions contributing to the 900+ members and guests who booked in to attend on the day. A big thank you to our Flag Officers and staff for delivering a well organised event with plenty of activity around both marinas. The outdoor food station proved very popular with the Chef’s paella, garfish and fresh oysters all selling out by the end of the afternoon. One exciting moment of the day was getting to see the Elliott fleet in full flight leading the sail past. Our YSF Head Coach, Dale, did a great job organising junior crew from many off the beach clubs as well as CYC members children and grandchildren. The smiles were prevalent throughout the entire sail past and feedback from the VIPs was that the whole event was very impressive. The Youth Sailing Foundation is now up and running. We have the first programs running and spots are filling for the Christmas holiday squads and Australian Sailing keel boating courses. We are also experiencing some success in terms of booking corporate events that encompass both basic learn to sail initiatives along with a hospitality offering. By the time you read this we will have completed our first CYCSA member ‘sprint series’ where our own members have the opportunity to enter a four-person crew on an Elliott to compete in a onedesign short course sprint race. Our fleet were also used in the Port for the inaugural South Australian leg of the National Sailing League, winners of which qualified for the Asia Pacific finals in Newcastle in 2022. At the time of Groundswell going to print five of the six Elliott’s have sponsors and I would like to introduce them to you. The five major sponsors are Footers Property & Investment, Musto, Northrop Grumman, State Swim and the Rinaldi Family incorporating Greenhill Finance Brokers and Rinaldi Property & Construct along with supporting sponsors Adelaide Boat Sales and Orthopaedics SA. I am delighted to welcome these sponsors and look forward to growing our relationship with all our supporters over the next few years. We also welcome Porsche Centre Adelaide as our current Members Draw Sponsors with CYCSA member Rafal Staporski bringing in an array of models every couple of weeks to display in the patio area for members to ‘sit in’ and get a Porsche experience. The incredible George Family Koonowla wines and the additional Porsche door prize giveaways continue to be very popular with those in attendance. Other updates to bring to Member’s attention • A new laundry facility has been built in the Kinnaird

Room located directly to the left before the ladies’ bathrooms. Both a washer and dryer have been installed for use with your own or the Club’s provided detergent. • Building is well under way at Port Vincent with completion of the club house extension with indoor kitchenette, BBQ’s, decking and sail shades expected in early December. • The dredging maintenance program is also underway with an expected completion date in February. This program will also focus on some identified areas throughout both basins and leading into the public boat ramp. • Ongoing investigative work continues with the Club’s slipping infrastructure and a new wedge is due shortly. It was sad to hear of the recent passing of two very wellknown past members of the Club since our last edition of Groundswell. Reye Wright was a member for 21 years and resigned in 2008 and Peter French who resigned in 2017 was a member for 13 years. Both gentlemen were involved in the Cruising Association with Peter French holding the position of Chair for many years. Our condolences and deepest sympathies go out to both families. I would like to congratulate John Collett on his CYCSA Volunteer of the Year award. It was thoroughly deserved as John has been the long serving champion for everything to do with the racing assistance vessel CYC2. Our racing fraternity would be very used to seeing John out with the CYC2 crew on the water but that only scratches the surface of John’s overall contribution. He spends many hours through the week troubleshooting any current issues with the boat, sourcing quotes and liaising with contractors presenting the bestinformed solutions to management for consideration. John treats the boat like it’s his own and must be commended for his efforts. Another truly deserving volunteer award presented at Opening Day was to acknowledge the above and beyond services of Rod Hunter. Rod was recognised as the Australian Sailing South Australian Volunteer of the Year which is a huge honour. As many of you are aware Rod has been a contracted Marine Academy Instructor for many years but this award was for his generous personal contribution to the Club. Rod volunteers to take out Southern Investigator during the summer twilight series in a non-racing ‘follow the fleet’ experience which has been pivotal in giving a natural, friendly and well-structured experience to current or graduated Marine Academy students, those new to the idea of sailing, both current and potential Corporate Sponsors and families with children coming through the YSF. Rod’s contribution is often evident when looking at a new senior membership application as he regularly appears as a proposer or seconder. In Rod’s case this is usually due to his personable mentoring approach to new members, boat owners and those beginning their journey into a nautical lifestyle. He is always happy to assist in passing on his knowledge that a lifetime of sailing and 35 years of CYCSA membership has given him. Congratulations Rod, very well deserved. Wishing everyone a warm and safe boating experience over the festive period and a very Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year!

Adam Hays General Manager