General Manager’s Message

General Manager Mark Bovaird

總經理布馬克 Kung Hei Fat Choi, Happy Chinese New Year of the Rabbit! We are looking firmly towards a more positive and normal future now that most of the anti-epidemic measures are behind us. Let’s hope that mask wearing, particularly in outdoor settings, will soon be a thing of the past too. With less restrictions, we all hope to see much more of you both on the water enjoying yourselves and of course gathering back at the Club – especially now that prizegivings after races and regattas are back in full swing!

On the social side, we start the month with the Vanguardist Wine Dinner on Thursday 9 February and thanks to easier international travel, we welcome Michael Corbett, Vanguard’s Chief Winemaker to tell you the story of how Vanguard was born of humble beginnings when launched in South Australia in 2014 and to share wines with you which are already establishing a fabulous reputation.

The special celebration this month is of course Valentine’s Day and we have a slew of events to help you celebrate with your loved ones. On Saturday 11 February we bring you a Valentine's Jazz Night on the Main Lawn, then on Sunday 12 February its Valentine's Movie Night with Pretty Woman which is followed on Monday 13 February by another one of our Paint and Wine sessions which have been gaining in popularity and, for the big day itself, Tuesday 14 February we have a Make Your Valentine a Cocktail event on the Main Lawn as well as a very special Valentine's Day Dinner in the Compass Room. There are a lot of ways to spoil your partner and you could even go all out and attend all of them! Details on page 41.

For the younger members we have two events on Saturday 18 February, the first is a Kids Bubble Pop Art session on the Annex Rooftop and that evening we'll be showing a classic Kids Movie – The Lady and the Tramp.

We have a Delos Movie Showing plus Q&A on the Main Lawn on Friday 17 February. Sailing SV Delos is a YouTube channel that chronicles the travels and adventures of a family of video bloggers aboard a 53-foot long Amel Super Maramu sailing vessel, Delos. A remote Q&A session is being arranged with them in advance so please take the opportunity now to submit any questions when you register. See page 40.

We’re thrilled to be having our first ever Silent Disco on the Rooftop on Friday 24 February. Dance the night away with the beautiful Hong Kong Skyline as your backdrop. Just grab a set of headphones and you’re all set. Three hours free flow is included. Come in your best party outfits and dance all night long!

Launching this month is an Oyster Programme. Join us for a talk on the importance of Oyster Reefs and their invaluable contribution to biodiversity, followed by a workshop on fabricating oyster shell strings which you will then be able to deploy at the pontoon to help the biodiversity of the Causeway Bay Typhoon shelter.

There certainly is a lot going on which I hope you will enjoy in the next few weeks.

In closing, and on behalf of all of the Club’s staff, I would just like to say a huge thank you to all members who contributed to the CNY Gratuity fund which was distributed equally to all staff in time for the CNY holiday. Your generosity and support is always hugely appreciated.

Kung Hei Fat Choi!