NSC Open Day 2013

Sat 25th May from 11.00 am

Nairn Harbour

Commodore's Address

Despite the barmy weather and heat stroke experienced during the craning-in at the end of March, the season started like last year with very cold northerly winds. Looking back at this inauspicious start it is hard to believe the club managed to fit in as many events and races as it did in the remainder of the season. There was even time for Charlie Robertson to make the headlines by rescuing a stranded canoeist off Nairn’s east beach.

The Open Day was a great success, helped by glorious sunshine and many hard working volunteers. The club took 185 people out on boat trips raising £168 in donations for Chernobyl Children Life Line. This allowed us to sponsor a child for the first time, something we intend doing again this year.As well as the sponsorship we also gave the children an evening sail followed by food at the club house. They always seem to experience choppy seas when they come but judging by the radio chatter between the boats, the children again really enjoyed their excursion out into the Moray Firth.

I was greatly impressed by all the recipients of the various prizes given out at our recent Dinghy Awards Night. The silverware table was groaning under the weight of cups and trophies won at local and national competitions; other clubs’ trophy cabinets must be looking rather bare! We must also congratulate Calum Cook in being selected for the Scottish Optimist squad. The dinghy section’s success is testament to the amazing progress made in the short space of a few years. Special thanks must be given to the parents and volunteers, without whom it would not be possible to run such a successful section.

On the cruiser front, there was a well-attended summer trip to the west coast and the cruiser racing was extremely competitive, the championship being decided on the last race and by 0.25 points! I’d like to thank the sterling efforts of Ferdie Maylin and Ken Kilham who for the last few years have done so much to organise and officiate the race programme. I also welcome Buchan Main as the new Vice Commodore and fully expect this year’s racing will be as keenly contested as ever.

One trophy that was not so keenly contested in 2012 was the Glass Boot. There were a number of good efforts strangely involving the common theme of rubber dinghies (getting into/out of, losing). However the committee felt no one individual had gone the extra mile and performed a cock-up worthy of this prestigious award. Someone less charitable may say members are not trying hard enough or that they lack commitment. Not me, but I will be looking for a marked improvement in this area in 2013.

I wish you all fair winds and calm seas for the coming year.

John Maher

CAUTION

Whilst we have prepared the website & handbook with care, certain errors may exist. The tidal predictions and navigational information should be treated with caution.

The Sailing Club and Committee accept no responsibility for errors or omissions.

The dates of events are subject to alteration, please check at the clubhouse on a Friday night.