ESSC Newsletter – August 2010
Commodore
Hello fellow members! Thank you so much for the kind well-wishes and
congratulations that I have received since July’s newsletter. As your newly installed
OIC and Commodore, may I say what an honour and a privilege it is to have been
asked by Jonathan to take over at the helm of such a wonderful Club. As I am sure
most of you are aware, I am not the best sailor at the club by a long chalk, but I hope
that you will have noticed that I am committed, enthusiastic and willing to learn,
which are attributes that I am sure will help me advance the best interests of ESSC
and its members during the next 12 months.
Only half way through the summer and we have already seen a number of key
members leave who have given much to the club during their time in Cyprus, but, as is
always the case, we must continue to look forward. I am looking to all members to
take the opportunity of the summer influx of new families and faces to ensure that
we find suitable replacements and increase the number of “entitled” membership. So,
start pushing the benefits and fun to be had from joining this excellent club to your
new work colleagues and friends – this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most
families and we should get that message out whenever we get the chance. On the
point of membership, the Fiscal Officer is currently looking at a number of options
including removal of clubs’ duty free status in order to solve the issues associated
with “non-entitled” membership. As soon as I or any of the Executive Committee
hears anything, we will make sure it is passed onto you as quickly as possible.
The Club was particularly busy during July and I must thank Rob, Rik and all of the
instructors, assistant instructors, safety boat crews, and volunteers in and out of the
water for your unstinting efforts in support of the Youth Sailing Courses. I am sure
I speak for all of the parents of the children when I say that they thoroughly
enjoyed their time at the Club. We have already seen in the short space of time
since the courses were completed an increased number of kids on the water – this can
only be good for ESSC and the sport! You never know, there could be a budding
Olympic Medallist or two within the Club’s membership!!
We must not forget the Powerboating side of the house, which continues to train
BFC's population in the basics of powerboating. Brian and his team completed
another PBL2 course, which is their 5th this year, a phenomenal feat of endurance and
commitment for which we should all be grateful. It is these courses that provide the
majority of the income that allows the Club to continue.
Just one final bit of business, I attended the Watersports Safety Committee
meeting in my capacity as OIC this week. At the meeting it was confirmed that
before any Club boats or equipment were used on the water, a safety boat with a
suitably qualified crew must be on the water. Unfortunately, this means that the
Club cannot allow any further “Buddy Buddy” sailing. Apologies for the inconvenience
that this might cause some members, but the rule is there to ensure the safety of all.
This rule is being incorporated in the revised version of SOP 225A (Watersports
Safety in the SBA), which should be issued in the next month or so.
Emma, Emily, Caitlin and I are off on our summer holidays 14 Aug – 1 Sep, so we will
not be around much this month. If you are off on your travels have a restful and
enjoyable break, for those that are staying enjoy your sailing and powerboating. See
you next month!
Keeeeeeeeeeeeep Sailing!
Mick
Farewell to all from your outgoing Commodore
Dear fellow ESSC members, this will really be my last contribution to this newsletter
as from Sunday 1st August you will be in the very capable hands of Mick Hine. I wish
him all the very best as he takes over the reins; all he needs is endless patience, a
thick skin and a degree in cat herding....!!! Seriously though, I have been honoured
and privileged to be your OiC for the best part of three years and your Commodore
these last 11 months. I have received tremendous support throughout that time from
all committee and general members and for that I thank you. You have a club of
which to be very proud, and I know that if you had 6 members and three boats you
would be a sailing club, just like if you had 200 members and fifty boats. What I
mean by that is I believe everybody who does things for ESSC is important. There is
room for all sorts of talent at the club and it is amazing the way things happen after
slow starts – no one at ESSC wants to see a project fail and with an attitude like that
your future is secure. Of course there may be changes ahead regarding membership
categories and the like, but none of that will be at the whim of your committee. I
hope that everyone who has ESSC’s best interests at heart will be able to stay at the
club and continue that good work.
Enough of the serious stuff!! I would like to close by thanking you all for allowing Kim
and me to take an active role in ESSC these past three years. We have had a ball and
I have enjoyed the best sailing of my life, without the slightest shadow of a doubt. I
have thoroughly enjoyed the regattas at Dhekelia and Akrotiri and was especially
proud to visit other clubs as your Commodore. We wish you all the very best of luck,
we wish you fair winds and following seas and most of all we wish you the best sailing
of your lives as well, because Cyprus is the place to find it!!
Yours Aye
Jonathan & Kim
Vice Commodore
Hi Everyone,
I am now firmly in post after completing a very thorough handover from Gary and my
first “Order of Business” is to thank Gary for his hard work during his tenure as VC,
yes I now know what “VC” means! His attention to detail, thorough records, not to
mention the refurbishment and new build projects that he has completed, are clear
evidence of the litres of midnight oil burned on behalf of the club and I only hope
that I can be half as successful.
Unfortunately, it looks like I am going to hit the ground running due to the internal
showers in the men’s changing room being as effective as a child’s water pistol whilst
conversely the outside shower soaks anyone that’s not actually stood under it, that
said it is very pretty as it resembles a modern art water feature that's been taken
straight from the halls of Tate Gallery.
Now for a couple of additional thanks:
For those that voted for me; cheers, you can stop laughing now!
Tony; thank you for sorting out the drains, AGAIN!
Finally, thank you to those that have helped out over the last 12 months for the
numerous clean ups and repair days during Gary’s tenure. However, an even bigger
thanks must go to all you unsung heroes that fix faults when they have found them
and I look forward to your continued support in the future.
Many thanks,
Doug Adesile
News from the Rear
Pirates, Pirates and more Pirates the club was over run with them. Where was the
Royal Navy when we needed them? They had jumped ship and joined the pirate fleet!
Well done to Chris and Margot for planning a great event and thank you to the
supporting cast of admirals ( safety boat crew) Rogue Pirates (Drascombe and Bosun
crew) and Galley Rats(bar staff). Having just completed two Youth courses back to
back we had a strong contingent of young pirates to crew the Pico armed with water
pistols and buckets. With expert boat handling skills they took on the opposing fleets
and rogue pirates all day. Passing youth stage two and three was no problem for these
young sailors! Well done to all the students on both courses on gaining their
certificates and thank you to all the instructors, safety crew and helpers in
supporting a successful course. With the calendar in mind don’t forget to sign up for
the Swallows and Amazons event that will join up with our next Melanda Sailaway over
the late August bank holiday. The Notice to Race for the Dhekalia Regatta, 10 - 12
September, is now on the notice board. If you intend to go please sign up on the
notice board. The summer departures are well under way with the Henderson Trophy
race being run on two occasions with our departing Vice Commodore and Commodore
winning their respective races. On to Fleet matters and there are some changes to
the way we manage repairs to our boats. Dave Dunbar will continue to be the Club
Bosun with Chris Whitehorn and Tony Franklin looking after the Vision Fleet, Colin
Humphries the Laser fleet, Dave Dunbar and myself looking after the Pico Fleet. We
are looking for a willing volunteer to look after the Laser 2000 Fleet. Should you
come across any damage to a boat, sails or ancillary equipment please enter the
details in the repair book kept on the top of the plastic trays next to the signing out
desk in the club house. Place any damaged kit in the workshop and if you get the
chance notify Dave or the relevant fleet Bosun.
Good Sailing
Rob
Membership Matters – August 2010
A very warm welcome is extended to the following new members:
Rob Cowell
Chris Collett and Family
Ian Dowdeswell and Family
Ben Harper
Simon Hughes
Tyler Priestley
Chris Thurgood
Paul Tingey and Family
Jon Whitehill and Family
I would ask all Members to get to know the these people and please make them
welcome when you see the new faces in the Club House. Please keep the Applications
rolling in and I will do the rest.
As from 1st June 2010 our declared Membership Numbers include Spouses of Couple
and Family Members plus Juniors with RYA Qualifications. This now equates 127
Members. The spread of these Members over the various categories has been posted
on the Club Notice Board.
Members Contact List and Qualifications 2010
The latest list of Members Telephone Numbers, e-mail addresses and Qualifications
etc, is shown on the Membership Notice Board and OOD desk in the Club House. As
there have been many changes over the last few months will you please check that
the details for you are correct? If not, please amend so that I can keep our Data
Base up to date. Thank you.
Finally as I will be in the UK from 31st July to 11th August our Treasurer Keith Mc
Quillin has agreed to look after any Membership Matters until I return.
Mike Sanders
Membership Secretary
(e-mail address: esscmembers@gmail.com)
ESSC Social Scene
We have had to say goodbye to a few members this months. On Saturday 17 July
there was a Self Help BBQ with a difference as we were saying goodbye to Gary and
Wendy Carlin. After the barbeque we had a games evening with the Wii bowling game.
We split the competitors into two teams (Gary’s team) Life Buoys and (Wendy’s team)
Sea Gulls, it was a fun evening resulting in each team winning three games so
the results were declared as a draw. On Saturday 31 July we had a day of
Pirate activities, including water battles, treasure hunt and we even had
somebody walking the plank. In the evening there was a Pirate and Shipwreck Party
which was also a leaving party for Jonathan and Kim who flew back to UK the
following day.
July and August events are planned around the children (young and old) and adults are
definitely encouraged to join in the fun.
Swallows and Amazons Camping Adventure
29th –31st August
For all those with an adventurous spirit this is for you!
We plan to sail from the club to Lemmings on the afternoon of 29th August
(depending on the wind). There will be a ‘bring your own’ BBQ and camp at the
Lemmings Campsite. (Loos and showers provided!). The next day after breakfast we
will meet up with the Sail Away to Melanda (maybe setting off a bit earlier as we may
be a slower fleet). After lunch we will sail back with the sail away fleet but land at
Lemmings and stay a second night. The next day we will spend on the beach and sail if
there is a safety crew and depart in the afternoon returning to the club.
There is no pressure to camp if this is not your idea of fun but you can come and sail
and enjoy the evening and return to your comfortable bed and then come back the
next day. If there are those who don’t want to sail then they can meet us at
Lemmings. This is not a children only event but for all those who would like to do
something different and have a bit of adventure.
There will be a very small charge for the camp site and I will let you know what that
will be later. For those who would like to camp but don’t have a tent we may be able
to get one for you. More details will be on the notice board at the club. Any queries
contact Fiona on fifair@aol.com
If you are interested please put your name and e mail address below and more details
will follow.
JIB-BOOMS AND BOBSTAYS!!
Saturday Self Help BBQ
When there is no special organised event, there is self-help BBQ on Saturday
evenings after sailing throughout July, August and September, so if you are at a loose
end and want to join in just bring your own food. There will be charcoal at the club
and all you pay for is the charcoal. This usually works out about 50 cents a person if
there are six or more people.
Carole Pharoah
One of the Social Committee