DHSC Newsletter August 2015

Welcome to the August 2015 Newsletter.

Contents:

Junior Sailing Course.

Junior summer camp.

Instructors Ball.

Pontoon.

2015 Sailing Season.

Helvick Head Branch of the RNLI.

Junior Sailing Courses:

It has been another successful year for the DHSC's programme of ISA certified training courses for young sailors.

Over six weeks in July and August almost one hundred students of various levels have participated in the three sets of courses ranging from a taste of sailing to level 4 standard.

At the recent presentation of certificates the Commodore stated that the students should understand that it is not a case of pass or fail in any level but more a progression to the level of skill that each student must attain before moving on to the next level.

Ms Sandra Wynne, Junior Organiser was presented with a bouquet of flowers on the night by the course instructors, without the level of commitment that Sandra put into the sail training programme over the winter and summer months it would not be the success that it is.

Similar must be said for Austin Flynn, Tommy Power and Marry Power for all the running repairs they made to the boats and sails during the course. On this note boat owners should realise that a lot of the equipment is getting worn and needs replacement over the winter

Well done to John Geogheghan, Senior Instructor for 2015, and his team of instructors and assistants who ran a very efficient show this year.

Mr Austin Flynn (ISA Training Centre Principal), Ms. Sandra Wynne and Mr. John Geoghegan presented a good account of the club and its activities during a recent inspection by Ms. Sarah-Louise Rossiter area representative of the ISA.

DHSC finished in the top four centres in the ISA competiton for the top ISA training centre for 2014.

DHSC is going to enter the competition again this year so best of luck to everyone.

Junior Summer Camp:

A trial summer camp was run in the second week of August for some of the students who participated in the sailing courses. It proved to be a successful venture of fun activities where participants also practiced what they learned during the summer courses. it is hoped that the club will run more summer camps before and after the training courses next year.

The Instructors Annual Ball:

The Instructors annual ball was held in the clubhouse on Friday the 14th of August, it was a livery night of music and dance enjoyed by the instructors and adults alike. Many thanks to Ms. Mary power who once again provided the excellent catering.

The Pontoon:

The pontoon was well used this year by members and visitors alike despite a summer of poor weather dictated by the jet stream not going far enough north keeping the lows off the west coast of Ireland and the highs over the most of Europe.

The sections of the pontoons have been divided into three areas for efficient usage as follows:

1. A pick up/ set down area, maximum stay 10 minutes ( the first two sections of pontoon on approach from sea).
2. A members berthing area, maximum stay 6 nights with Friday nights free of charge (all sections in between the pick up /set down and visitors areas).
3. A visitors berthing area, maximum stay 6 nights ( the last two sections of pontoon nearest the bridge).

Members and visitors are expected to demonstrate a modicum of pontoon etiquette when using the pontoon as follows:

• Please respect the time limit and area designated as pick up and set down.  Remember other sailors may want to embark/disembark family members too and these are the easiest sections to access.
• Visitors shall berth in the visitors area and shall raft up and leave members areas free for members.
• Members are asked to berth without leaving large spaces between the boats in front of and behind them.
• Everyone likes to be alongside the pontoon but if there is no room please raft up, if rafted up please respect the privacy of others and cross at the forward sections of boats.

Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.

2015 sailing Season:

The 2015 sailing season hasn't been the best for the cruising sailors of the club but there is probably six weeks left before a skippers mind goes into de-rigging mode for the winter lift out. So if the weather is good go for it.

Helvick Head RNLI Station:

The Helvick Head Branch of the RNLI have entered an RNLI competition namely "Pride of Place".

The judges attended the Helvick Head station recently and they were afforded a very professional presentation followed by light refreshments, DHSC wishes them luck in the competition.

The RNLI sponsored swim took place on the 9th of August and despite Waterford playing against Kilkenny for a place in the all Ireland final a large crowd turned out to support the lifeboat and swimmers.

Weather conditions were favourable again this year which makes it a pleasant day out.

Many thanks to the members of DHSC who volunteered to help on the day.

Believe it or not another year has gone by and next months newsletter will be the last before there is a change of the guard after the AGM in early October.