LOCHSIDE SAILING CLUB
APRIL NEWSLETTER

Andrew Riddell

Dear member,

Now that the holiday weekend is over, and hopefully milder weather is on the way, members can look forward to a new season.

Our opening regatta will be at 13:00hrs, 29th April. During the 'inactive' period over the winter, a few members have been making improvements to the changing facilities. These include a new male changing room at the end of the spar shed, enlarging the ladies room by knocking the wall down between the old changing rooms and most importantly installing a laadies shower. Additional work has included the arrival of a 32 foot portacabin for sailboard storage. Space has already been allocated to those members, who at the time of returning their subs, expressed interest. A separate tool and equipment shed was also delivered at the same time.

The committee would like to thank Jim Mc Kenna of the Sea Cadets in helping with these purchases. The portacabin has been specially sited at the end of clubhouse, after speaking to sail boarders as to where the most suitable location would be. This allows a rigging area beside the water and gives good access to the jetty immediately in front of the clubhouse. It is this jetty that sailboarders must use in future, for concern has been expressed as to the safety of sailboards and boats all using the same area, when leaving or approaching the right hand jetty. Just as important, it also gives the rescue boat better access to the water.

Similarly a separate car park has just been completed behind the clubhouse and portacabin for sailboard members, thereby eliminating any possible damage to members cars, by rigs being carried by the wind.

We trust these arrangements will meet with members approval, for with a little cooperation, the members are the beneficiaries.

The Club has been presented with a laser sailing dinghy, formerly owned by a local outdoor centre, run by the district council in Cumbernauld
(ED: Westerwood Golf Course bought the site of the centre and let it fall into ruin since this newsletter was produced)
for use by Club members, and we hope to take delivery shortly of a Beaufort Sailing Dinghy for use by local groups, including the disabled.

These boats will also hopefully encourage new members to the Club, enabling them to gain experience before buying their own boat.

This additional Laser brings the total to nine in the Club and if last seasons interest can be maintained the sailing should just be as enjoyable. An almost equal number of Mirror owners are also in the Club but we rarely see more than two or three, therefore we hope that more Mirror owners and their boats will attend the Club on a regular basis, together with all other members.

On the subject of members attending the Club, a considerable number of members using the Club are not signing the 'attendance book', some do not even bother to use the Clubhouse. Surely it is not too much to expect members to record their visit and check that the Clubhouse is secure and lighting and heating are switched off. This includes the general cleanliness of premises, showers, toilets etc.

It is in all our interests to see that the Club is left in a safe condition for the next member.
We think that covers all the administrative matters and hope you have 'read on' in order to gain details of the seasons activities afloat.

Once again our opening regatta will be t 13:00 hrs Sunday, 29th April. Thereafter the first Sunday in each month till October. The evening races and barbeques start at 19:30hrs Tuesday 1st May and continue each week.

Each year we mention races or regattas, however, we would be more correct to call them 'meetings afloat' for they are quite relaxed affairs and enjoyed by those attending, therefore we repeat our request for more members to come along.

Also under consideration is a 'Try-a-sail' on the 12/13th May for secondary school pupils in Cumbernauld, a twenty four hour event and extending an invitation to other sailing clubs. October sees the return of the Speed Trial event

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