LOCHSIDE SAILING CLUB
SPRING NEWSLETTER 2004

Happy New Season to all, let's look forward to another great sailing year.

News
Pre-season work is proceeding at the Clubhouse. Alan McCall has repaired the floor in the gents' changing room, good job Alan. Still other jobs to do, like painting floors and walls - please help if you can. A list of jobs is on the notice board. Colin Scott and Gordon Friel have got the rescue boat fitted out with a proper driving seat with controls. We should all learn to operate the rib, for safety reasons. Have a go - but avoid shallow areas in the loch! A current list of members and members' boats will be posted in the clubhouse. Telephone numbers will be omitted, you can add your own if you wish. The committee has agreed to discussions with RYA Scotland on a possible scheme to use LSC premises as a centre for local schools' sail training. RYA supply equipment and training; we supply the water. There could be benefits for the Club, in addition to promoting sailing as a sport.

Security
The additional padlock on the main gate at the Club has been a great success in blocking access for keyholders whose membership had lapsed. The number issued to members last year will change this year - on 18th April -, and will be given to members on receipt of fees. Do not divulge the number to non-members.

Dates for your diary

Opening Regatta - 18th April
May regatta - 9th May
June regatta - 6th June
July regatta - 4th July
August regatta - 1st August
Whisky regatta - 22nd August
September regatta - 5th Sept
October regatta - 3d October
Closing regatta - 17th October

The list includes a second October regatta on 17th October to extend the Club Championship, like last year when we really needed the extra date to catch up on previously cancelled races. The Whisky Regatta on 22nd August has become a popular fixture – not part of the Championship but well worth taking part, with prizes for all!
These dates are all Sundays, let’s aim for a 1:30pm start time.
The format for the regattas is of two races on each regatta day. Each helm’s best nine results over the season are counted, the winner being the boat with the fewest points.

Last year's results are on the club website, our virtual noticeboard on the Internet. Taking part in even a few races will give you a place in the running. Midweek sailing will be on Wednesday evenings, as that seems to suit most helms.

Holiday weekends this year will follow the usual format. Interested parties will arrange camping, or a caravan hire on the west coast. Last year’s venue on the Isle of Luing at the May holiday weekend was very sucessful . Other venues have been Tayvallich, Loch Creran and Lochgilphead. At Creran last September we took the rescue boat along as safety cover, and sailed Lasers (very reassuring). New venue ideas welcome. Dates this year will be30th April-3nd May,
l6th-19th July and 24th-27th September.

Windsurfers

This year we have racing, freestyle and speed competitions. For details get an information sheet at the clubhouse.

There are useful prizes such as harness lines, and a prize for best slamdunk of the year. Could you win this? The boardshed is being tidied. Does anyone own the Strato funline in bay 4, the Rat 325 in bay 19, or the Tiga swift in bay 20? Contact Chris Campbell to claim ownership. See you on the water!

Committee

Members of the committee this year;
Malcolm Riley(Chair)
Jim Conley(Vice-Chair)
Neil McVicar (Secretary)
Ian Waugh(Treasurer)
Chris Campbell
Janice Fuller
Joe Sweirczek
Gordon Friel

Fees remain unchanged again this year - what value for money!. Family Sub. £55, Single Sub, £50, Students £30, Boat Berths £10, Entry Fee for new members £20.

The website for the club at www.lochside.orggets better and better, thanks to Colin Scott. Our webmail account is
lochside_sailing_club@hotmail.com
the password to access the content is on your posted newsletter.