FROM THE QUARTERDECK — A Report from the Rear Commodore, Tony Bullard
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Tony Bullard
Greetings and an early Christmas cheer to everyone. This is our last newsletter for the year – a year of many covid trials and the start of a new covid managed era. It’s been a tough year for many but things are opening up again and some semblance of normality is returning. The weather has been stunning and, if you haven’t been for a swim yet, try it — you’ll be surprised how warm and pleasant the sea is for swimming.
The big news this week is that the club rooms are reopening this Saturday. It’s been over 100 days since we closed our doors. But we’ve been looking after it in your absence already for your return – even making sure the pot plants are watered. When you come down, don’t forget your covid pass, wear your mask, enter by the back door and bring your own food and picnic to the best venue in the region with stunning views over the sea.
This weekend is also a big weekend for the sailors as we finally start our sailing programme. During Level 3 the club has not been allowed to run any race activities but under the Traffic Light system, we can. This Saturday’s race is the annual Peter Blake Memorial Race to Waiheke. We’ll be having a Christmas BBQ on the beach and another race back home again on Sunday.
The management team is always striving to improve our club offerings for our members. Earlier this year we surveyed members on their use of the club facilities and things we could improve. From this we found out from the 85 members who completed the survey:
Over 80% regularly use the clubhouse facilities – in particular, the bar and Friday night meals as well as the Thursday night Sea Talks and private functions.
Over 80% have visited the club for a Friday night meal over the last year.
95% are satisfied in full or part with their use of the club facilities.
And interestingly, about 90% either currently own a boat or have done so in the past.
Notwithstanding these pleasing results, there were many helpful suggestions on what we could do to improve our club offerings and the management committee will be working on addressing these in the new year.
As an aside, to the 10% who have never owned a boat, it is never too late! We have the best boat playground in the world right in our own backyard. Get in touch with a fellow club member with a boat and have fun and experience it for yourself. As Ratty said to Mole “…. there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats”.
Despite covid the club has had another highly successful haulage season with most boats now returned to their natural environment – the sea. This will of course free up car parking space in front of the club to make your journey to the club even more enjoyable! Our organised social activities have taken a back seat, understandably, but these will be restored once covid restrictions allow and can safely take place.
To all of you, I wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. I look forward to seeing your faces down at the club house again and at the various functions and activities we run. Stay safe and … don’t forget to have fun ….safely of course.