AT THE HELM WITH OUR GM

Once again we find ourselves well into a new year within the blink of an eye as it only seems like the Christmas decorations have been packed away. As I write this it is great to see a hive of activity around the Club with Adelaide to Lincoln preparations and those making the most of the remaining great weather. Much has happened in the past quarter and having been at the helm for a year now it is great to draw a line through a few initiatives, continuing the momentum of others and start planning some new ones. There will be a new crane arriving in early July. This process has proved to be a very frustrating one as we tirelessly workshopped how to fit a new crane to a traditional bolt pattern so as not to compromise the wharf. A new Marine Academy training vessel will no doubt be gracing the cover of the next edition of Groundswell. We are all very excited about this acquisition and the opportunities and potential to further enhance prospective members’ pathways into the CYCSA sailing community. We have implemented further security measures around the slipway and hardstand to deter non-members from accessing these potentially dangerous areas. To complement this opening times for the front gate during evening hours have been reduced to coincide with our bistro opening hours to limit public access afterhours. This means the gates will shut at 8.15pm at the latest each evening of service. Naturally access outside these times will always still be available for members with visitors having to alert staff for entry whilst being recorded by our security cameras. As an attendee at the regular Masterplan Committee meetings I can also inform members that momentum is gaining regarding the long-term building and infrastructure future of the Club. David Murray and his team are leaving no stone unturned and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the key stakeholders and indeed the general membership base who have given input. The Masterplan Committee will be presenting this feedback to Nelsons Architects in the very near future. After many years of excellent service it was a sad day to see our long-term Administration and Operations Manager, Jenny Krogdahl, leave to take up another position. Personally I have much to thank Jenny for in terms of my introduction to the CYCSA and for her assistance with all things Club related that only sixteen years of experience can provide. Jenny will be sorely missed and we wish her the very best for the future. My very first experience at the CYCSA was a ‘think tank’ session held in December 2018, an initiative I attended five weeks prior to starting my role as General Manager. A few of the identified items to come out of this evening were ‘bringing in the boats’, ‘ageing membership base’, ‘facilities improvements’, ‘membership growth’ and ‘junior program’. With my background in golf club management I had experienced very similar circumstances. Many of the items faced were greatly assisted by the promotion of the Junior Program. By focusing on youth engagement we are also forging relationships with parents, grand-parents and entire families thereby exposing the Club to potential members and creating long-serving members. Alignment with the community by way of school and university sailing programs may develop future berth and boat owning members. The Club hopes to embark on a CYCSA Youth Sailing Foundation journey with an aim to secure ourselves as the premium yacht club in South Australia and to be prominent on a national scale. I ask all members to support this initiative wholeheartedly and assist us in creating a legacy for the Club. I would like to congratulate all CYCSA participants in the 2019 Sydney to Hobart. Notables were Silas Nolan aboard Comanche which claimed Line Honours and James Paterson aboard IRC winner, Ichi Ban. A special mention goes to the CYCSA representative, Sintara, with skipper Derek Morrison and crew enduring a very memorable race. I’d like to congratulate all other CYCSA participants who crewed during the Sydney to Hobart. Another notable CYCSA achievement must go to Club member David Snoad who with Robbie Duessen, won the Australian International 505 Championships and were second in the Open series to American duo Mike Holt and Rob Woelfel. First Australian boat, well done! A week after this Geoff Boettcher and the team on Secret Men’s Business had back to back wins at the Geelong Yacht Clubs Festival of Sails Regatta. It’s great to see CYCSA members achieving these types of results, certainly something a Youth Foundation can feed into in the future. Thank you for taking the time to read this report and I hope you enjoy the rest of this season.

Adam Hays General Manager

David Snoad and Robin Duessen - 2020 Australian 505 Championship presentation, Royal Brighton Yacht Club, Melbourne