It is now nearly 8 months since I fully retired having been elected as your Commodore just a week earlier, it has been non -stop ever since with the club as busy as ever both on and off the water. We have hosted seven championships and open meetings, Barts Bash, The Triangle Race and as always played a major role in the running of Torbay Week. My thanks to the club staff and the many volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure the success of these events.
During the year we have taken positive steps to increase membership with participation in the RYA Push the Boat Out Day, developing closer links with MDL and their bertholders and initiatives to encourage new members from the Town Dock and Inner Harbour. The drive to continue building our membership will continue next year.
Junior sailing continues to flourish and grow. The introduction of a Tera fleet has been an outstanding success and has provided new opportunities for our younger sailors. Junior members have represented the club with distinction at championships all over the world during the last year and both they and their parents are to be congratulated on their achievements.
The social life of the club has seen changes during recent months with the introduction of Happy Hour on Friday evenings, a weekly draw and a new energy attracting increasing numbers and making the club bar the place to be seen on a Friday night. The Wednesday night quizzes during the winter months are as popular as ever and fiercely contested. Thank you to David and Debbie for setting and asking the questions.
After more than three successful years Linda and Sue stood down as caterers, as many of you will be aware to task of replacing them was not as easy one. However we are pleased to have secured the services of Angie Harrison as our new caterer. Angie has only been with us for barely three months and has already earned a reputation for top quality cuisine and we are looking forward to more gastronomic excellence during the coming year.
Whilst continuing to keep tight control of our finances the club has been able to make some improvements to club facilities. These include the restaurant decoration and curtains, bar and Corinthian Room Junior Corner. This has been largely possible thanks to generous sponsorship.
The last Sunday saw the club at its best with a hugely successful Christmas party and over 180 members enjoying the festive gathering. The annual Christmas draw was as popular as ever and by thanks go to the social committee for staging the event and especially to Tim, Marcia, Lisa and Sarah.
2015 will be a busy year with La Solitaire Du Figaro coming to Torbay from June 17th to 21st in addition to a number of other championships.
2015 also sees a significant change in the format of sailing during August. The club will once again be running racing as part of the Torbay Royal Regatta with three courses for all classes which include IRC yachts, Unrated cruisers, Sportsboats, Asymmetric and Non Asymmetric Dinghies and Junior Dinghies.
We are keen to build on our reputation as a venue for major sailing championships and in 2015 will be exhibiting at the RYA Dinghy Show to attract future championships, attract visitors to La Solitaire Du Figaro and to promote and attract entries to the Torbay Royal Regatta
Finally thank you to all members who have worked hard during this last year in so many different ways to ensure the ongoing growth and success of the club.
May I also thank personally my fellow Flag Officers Tim Whitehead, Joie Woods and Phil Rumbelow for their unstinting support and hard work.
A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your families
Bob Penfold
Commodore