Virtual Regatta Inshore has been a way for the majority of sailors to get their sailing fix throughout lockdown. The regatta simulator steers towards short courses, with races being between 5-10 minutes long.
Virtual Regatta Inshore is a great way to stay entertained and although sailing takes place online, the rules still apply. Weather conditions and vessel responses are realistic and need to be taken into account while racing. These factors make it a perfect tool for staying sharp while still having fun! As with all sports, there are rules to be followed. The Virtual Racing Rules of Sailing are based off of the standard World Sailing Racing Rules of Sailing. Have a look here. For those interested in having a sneak peek beforehand, give this video a watch: VIRTUAL SAILING REGATTA - eSailing Walk Through & Top Tips Let’s go (virtual) sailing! Virtual Regatta Inshore can be found online here. Or on your phone in the App Store. We’d love to hear from members already online and racing!
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Members will be saddened to learn of the recent passing of our Member Number One, Mr Redvers Haines known to many as simply “Red”.
Just short of his 100th year Red was the oldest and most longstanding continuous member of the Club who, for many years, held the coveted Seniority Number of One in our membership register having joined the Club in 1950 when he became known as the “resident DJ” in charge of playing records at the many member’s social functions and dances hosted at the old clubhouse in Fenton Lane. As a longstanding member of the Club with a keen interest in club matters Red was a regular attendee at the Annual General Meeting. Outside of club life Red was a keen adventurer and outdoors man, together with his wife they spent many months travelling and exploring Southern Africa in their camper van. On behalf of Members we extend our sincere condolences to Red’s family and although we are currently still locked down and unable to fly the Ensign at half-mast as is customary, we are at least able to fly the signal flags CG1, which as you will have read in last week’s newsletter is entirely appropriate and means “I will stand by to assist you” a variation of the usual signal flags “A” over “I” meaning “I will not abandon you” flown when sprinkling ashes at sea. This afternoon provided the first opportunity for the Flag Officers to meet formally face to face at the Clubhouse following several weeks of the Club being locked down, and for the first time in 162 years we have been unable to fly our flags from the Club mast. Unprecedented times indeed. While we share Member’s frustration in not being able to visit the Clubhouse the Flag Officers are pleased to report that Junior has done an absolutely magnificent job in not only securing the premises but also maintaining them with the generous assistance of several Club Members and we are grateful to Gail Dickerson for providing Junior with a lawn mower in order to “while away his time” and maintain the Club’s Ndongeni Lawns in the manner to which members have come to expect. Without the added wear and tear from the usual traffic the lawns are indeed looking splendid, and we are also able to report that the Club cat, affectionately known as Shed, is in good health looking fairly rotund and clearly keeping a good handle on the local rodent population. While the Flag Officers spent a great deal of time on developing a plan on how to navigate the Club through these difficult times we are at least now beginning to feel more comfortable that there is “light at the end of the tunnel” as the country begins to move towards level 3, notwithstanding the difficult times which lie ahead. We recognise that we are in unchartered waters and it is only likely that our normal operations and recreational sailing activities are only likely to commence again when the country eventually reaches lockdown level 1. In the meantime the Flag Officers are exploring every opportunity in order to make the Club’s facilities available to Members in line with the prevailing regulations and while ensuring the safety of our members and staff. Members will appreciate that this National Disaster has placed the Club in a most difficult situation, perhaps not seen since the 1940’s. The Club was in poor financial shape going into the national lockdown and regrettably we have been forced to furlough all our staff. This is indeed a most dreadful state of affairs as it has left all our loyal and longstanding staff and their families without a source of income. We appeal to Members to help us to ease the financial pain being felt by our staff by paying your accounts and membership subscriptions timeously so that we can retain our staff. Although the Club has benefited from the Unemployment Insurance Fund TERS scheme it has only provided about 14 days relief for some of our staff, a far cry from the 70 days of lost income to date. Members wishing to contribute to the Staff Welfare Fund are urged to donate generously and any funds deposited to the Club’s bank account with the reference “Staff Welfare” will be distributed to the staff in lieu of their usual earnings. While the regulations remain unclear we are certain that we will not be able to enjoy large social gatherings, sporting events and alcohol or food sales for the foreseeable future. In the interim the Flag Officers are exploring the possibility of making the Clubhouse and its facilities available to Members for the purpose of hosting business meetings especially as many small businesses have been forced to give up their business premises and offices. More details of this initiative will be provided by the General Committee in due course. Members will have read elsewhere that the Sailing Committee and Rear Commodore have been liaising with their compatriots at the Point Yacht Club with a view to forming a single committee to organise sailing events as soon as we are permitted back on the water. This initiative is to be embraced and we look forward to developing closer relations and cooperation with our friends at the Point Yacht Club as was the case during both the First and Second World Wars. There is no doubt that the current circumstances will require us to reinvent the way we live, work and play. It is perhaps again no better time and highly appropriate for us to quote, and indeed reflect on the remarks of the President of the International Council of Yacht Clubs (ICoYC), Andy Anderson past Commodore RNZYS, at the opening of the ICoYCWorld Forum hosted by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in 2015: “Clubs must evolve to maintain their relevance and position to keep pace with a constantly changing world. In a time of changing demographics, a changing regulatory environment and a more competitive arena for pastime activities, Clubs need to find creative ways to change as well, while preserving and leveraging tradition and recognising the historical lineage of each club. That need will require clubs to embrace change and create an environment relevant to new generations by seeking innovative ways of effecting evolution…. The challenge is on to look at how we do things and ask ourselves ‘is this the best way’?” While we all face our own personal challenges during these difficult times it is always comforting in times of need to be part of a larger family and the Royal Natal Yacht Club is privileged to be a founding member of the International Council of Yacht Clubs. Recently fellow member club, the San Francisco Yacht Club and Rear Commodore Christopher Lacey, no relation to our longstanding member, launched a worthy initiative and along with the Royal Cape Yacht Club we are proud to be part of the CG1 program which we believe underlines the Corinthian Spirit of our Club. Herewith the message from SFYC Rear Commodore Lacey: “Greetings from the San Francisco Yacht Club. I hope this email finds you all safe and healthy. Although the attached story was recently posted on the ICOYC website, I thought it might help to send directly to all of the member clubs to expedite this subtle but powerful message of Corinthian Spirit. Please join us in displaying “C” “G” over 1, which means “I will stand by to assist you”. During these very difficult times a sign of unity and strength offering help to our members and community at large can be delivered in the simplest of ways yet speak volumes to those in need. Currently, we are aware of 17 yacht clubs on 3 continents sharing this message to their members and communities. Below is a link to Sailing Illustrated’s TFE-Live Show #295. Our story starts around 22:45 and lasts until about 60:00. https://www.facebook.com/SailingIllustratedBlog/videos/694371554653791/ Stay healthy and safe and should you display CHARLIE – GOLF - ONE, please send us a photograph so we can recognize and thank you here in California!! Fair Winds and Following Seas,” For those members wondering the significance of CG1 you might be interested in the story: San Francisco Yacht Club to the Community: I Will Not Abandon You Accordingly the Flag Officers of the Royal Natal Yacht Club this afternoon hoisted CG1 from our ceremonial flag pole overlooking the Ndongeni Lawns and the Club, while in distress herself, remains on standby to assist during these difficult times.
Stay Safe Commodore Durban 27th May 2020 Year End Functions
We have had a number of function inquiries for year end functions. Book now to avoid disappointment! Contact Sithembile on [email protected] The much anticipated and high-spirited annual sanbank cricket match against Point Yacht Club was initially scheduled for a Saturday in April. Due to a number of external factors, the date of the match has been postponed. We are in communication with PYC and will announce the selected date for the match once a suitable date has been agreed upon.
WILDOCEANS is a division of WILDTRUST TM dedicated to the conservation and protection of our oceans.
It is estimated that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. It is evident that because of our impact, marine ecosystems are drowning in trash, noise, oil, and carbon emissions. What we seem to forget is that covering more than 70 percent of the earth, our oceans are among the earth’s most valuable natural resources. They govern the weather, clean the air, help feed the world, and provide a living for millions. Because of overfishing, populations of marine species are either becoming depleted or very under populated in certain parts of the ocean. If we want future generations to enjoy the benefits our oceans provide, the time to act is now. It is against this background that WILDOCEANS was born in the context of accelerated plans for development in the Southern African marine sector and the sustainable development goals of the Blue Economy. Blue Crew The Blue Crew, a team of local female entrepreneurs; hope to address both the environmental and social challenges linked to waste accumulating along our coastline. These ambassadors for the blue economy clean up our coast daily and inspire others to do the same. The Blue Crew also barter the waste they collect with the WILDTRUST (who then recycle it) in exchange for cash, and thus generate livelihood support for themselves whilst cleaning up critical ecosystems. RNYC Property clean up & WILDOCEANS partnership We are very lucky to host a ‘Blue Crew’ of WILDOCEANS contract cleaners who clean up our property, shoreline and, tide permitting, the sandbank. Those of you frequenting the club will have noticed the crew in their blue overalls collecting from Mondays to Fridays. The WILDOCEANS team has a host of sponsors behind them which enables teams to be placed in different areas – from the mangrove swamps, via RNYC to the beachfront. Wendy is in charge of the team at RNYC so please stop to chat to her about WILDOCEANS when you next see her. For more information, visit their website at: http://wildtrust.co.za/wildoceans/ BEHIND THE SCENES
SGM results For those who did not attend the SGM last Monday night, herewith the results of the ballot for Sailing Committee: Leo Kroone (Rear Commodore); Roy Cook, Graham Els, Patricia Kilburn, Chris Coxen, Rowan Price, Michael Boorman and Shaun Hamblin. Thank you to all the volunteers who put their hands up. As Commodore Graham Rose noted, RNYC is run by members for the benefit of members and we are grateful to all who offer to assist. Phone lines interim solution Telkom is having a problem with their lines nationally and this is affecting our switchboard. Countless businesses, including banks, are affecting by this problem and we hope that the matter will be resolved soon. If you are unable to get through to our switchboard on 031 301 5425, please send us a WhatsApp on 065 131 0104 or email [email protected] Music on the lawns Our Sunday afternoon live music sessions on the lawns is on hiatus. Going forward we will look at a different format for live music. Perhaps Friday sundowner sessions? Or concerts at the water’s edge at night? Or switch the radio over from LM Radio to funky blues or jazz on certain days? Please let us know your suggestions. Upcoming events – the annual Cricket Match against PYC RNYC is currently the proud holder of the Ashes Cup. We will be issuing a challenge to PYC to play the annual match on the sandbank at spring low tide to see if we can retain this, one of the oldest trophies in our cabinet. The proposed date is 21 March 2020. More details to follow and also keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram pages for more information on this challenge (@RNYCDurban) RNYC membership New RNYC membership applications will be subject to the screening and probationary process that had been in place before. Temporary membership cards will be issued until the probationary period is complete. Only then will the new membership card be issued. Members parking Reminder that the gate code has been changed. Please stop past the front office to exchange your remote. ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS!
Your Club is in desperate need of funds, and we are therefore embarking on a fund-raising exercise. However, instead of imposing a levy on members we are embarking on a lucky draw with the fantastic prize of the Club L26 B2G2, complete with her road trailer. B2G2 is acknowledged as one of the best L26 yachts in the country. She was optimized for the Lipton Cup Challenge, which she won sailing for your Club in 2013. However, with the recent change of the Lipton Challenge to the Cape 31 class, B2G2 has become superfluous to Club requirements, so we have decided to release her into the Durban yachting fraternity to continue to build on her illustrious pedigree. She comes complete with a full set of racing sails, as well as state of the art equipment for a yacht of her class, and is fully class compliant. It is our intention to sell lucky draw tickets to members in good standing at a cost of R1000 per ticket. Should a second ticket be bought, club members will receive a third ticket free of charge. Ticket sales will be restricted to 600 tickets. Ticket sales will start on the 2nd March 2020, and for the first month will be available to RNYC members only. If we have not achieved our target of 600 tickets by the end of March, then we intend to open up the ticket sales up to members of our sister clubs PYC, BYC, ISC and HMYC. We will also entertain enquiries for tickets from members of other yacht clubs around the country. It is our intention to hold the lucky draw for the winning tickets at RNYC at 18h00 on the Friday 29th May 2020. This is a fantastic prize worth an estimated R80000, and you stand a 1 in 600 chance of winning for the purchase of a R1000 ticket. We acknowledge that not everyone who supports this fund-raising draw by buying tickets may want to own an L26. To cater for that segment of the participants the Club intend to offer a platform for the lucky winner to auction the prize live at the lucky ticket draw on the 29th May. SUPPORT YOUR CLUB AND BUY A TICKET – Contact Sarah or Shaneé at RNYC on 031 3015425 or [email protected] |
AuthorThe Royal Natal Yacht Club is the oldest yacht and sports Club in Africa and the oldest yacht club in the southern hemisphere. Read our Newsletter to find out more! Archives
February 2020
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