Its nearly time to go sailing again thats if you didn't sail through the winter like some of the members. There hasn't been much cold weather so far this winter but we have had plenty of rain to fill the loch back up. The loch is now about the fullest its been in the last few years, lets hope it stays that way for most of the season.

The opening regatta this year is on Sunday 19th April with the rest of the regatta dates as follows,

May regatta	lOth May,
June regatta	7th June
July regatta	5th July
August regatta	2nd August
September regatta	6th September
October regatta	4th October

The club championship was won by Mark McGuigan and Janice Fuller last year who I am sure will be trying hard to retain the accolade this year. Lets not make it too easy for them, the more boats that take part the more fun it is for everyone.

Midweek racing was quite well attended last year although there was no official competition. The midweek sailing will again be on a Wednesday this season as this seemed to suit most of the members involved. Please come along and sail on these nights especially some of the board sailors and give everyone a bit more competition.

There are a couple of changes this year to the programme o(events for the rest of the season. Firstly it was suggested by a member of the commitee that we try and organise an inter club challenge weekend between us and Monklands sailing club at Hillend Loch. A suggested date for this was the weekend of the 20th and 21st of June. This was proposed as an alternative to the funweekend in August. The fun weekend has not been very well attended for the past two years and it is hoped that this earlier event may be more attractive to members. We will keep members posted ,as to the oragnisation of this event.

Neil McVicar has received a lsit of courses which the RYA are running for sailors keen to learn more. A list of these courses will be posted on the club notice board for anyone who is interested.

There are a number of members who have been on offshore courses in the past few years. There is now quite a lot of experience at the club in offshore sailing so if anyone is thinking of venturing out in something a bit bigger then I am sure plenty of advice is available. Sailing off the West of Scotland is not quite as exciting as Fannyside but makes a change all the same.

If anyone has any experiences they would like to share with the club members then pass it on to the committee and we can add it to the next newsletter.

Last years weekends away were on the whole very successful and well attended. The fIrst weekend was in May to Arisaig, the second to Tayvalloch and the third to Loch Creran. Most people seemed to enjoy Tayvalloch and it is our intention to return there again for the Glasgow fair weekend this year (July 17th-2Oth). Some members have expressed an interest in going for the whole week in July, anyone else who is interested please let a member of the committee know. The venues for to be decided, if you are intending to attend either of these weekends and have a suggestion of a venue then please contact a member of the committee as soon as possible.

Can we also take this opportunity to remind members that this years subscriptions are due now and if not paid before the opening regatta then a rejoining fee will be payable. A form is enclosed for members to use.