 Chairman's MessageThis season the Association clocks a new milestone in its history by celebrating 60 years of East Coast offshore racing. It’s encouraging to know that new clubs & new boats continue to join us to seek the experience & challenges that EAORA racing offers.
Much discussion and consultations with our member clubs has taken place over the winter, about the ORC category of safety regulations under which we race. With an objective of encouraging more boats to race with us, the committee are now reviewing the feedback with a view to introduce a working proposal for next season. I would like to thank the Work Party of Scott Kaczor, Tony Merewether, Ian Hart & Tim Cross & to everyone else who has written or voiced an opinion on this very emotive and important subject.
We embark on the start of one of EAORA’s most challenging decades with financial pressures affecting all boat owners, crews, clubs, industry & businesses. The EAORA Committee feel it is key that we try & encourage as many boats out, that we all pull together with sharing of crew & utilising the crew register on the web site, that we keep entry fees the same as last year & make sure the social arrangements are the best value.
The 2009 programme covers 8 weekends with a mix of the regular favourites and some great new ports to visit including a night race from Harwich to Ijmuiden. After this we’ll be heading East through the North Sea Canal to Amsterdam & the Markermeer for EAORA Week. Then from the Medway YC, a back-toback, in memory of Graham Wallis, up to St Katharine’s Yacht Haven where the 60th celebrations start in earnest at a fleet pontoon party. With a Bank Holiday the next day for the recovery cruise back, this is obviously a weekend not to miss.
Continuing to encourage the next generation of offshore racers, our Youth Team Challenge Series, sponsored by Insure & Go for the second year, has been expanded to cover all the 7 coastal offshore races. Information has been sent to member clubs & Danielle Southey has taken over the coordinating of the Programme. Should you wish to know more about our Youth Programme Danni’s details are available in the handbook & on the website.
EAORA welcomes new member club - Marconi Sailing Club - this year. The Club is situated on the River Blackwater where a number of cruisers are currently busy going through their safety preparations, including Peter Ward in his Highlander McGregor 111. More new boats planning to join us are Alan Page’s Beneteaus 44.7 Ko Ko Kai, Ned Phillips in his Nicholson 345, Saor. Past Chairman Paul Wood introduces his SJ35 Erotica Bear, Ian McGee, Trevor Bassett in their Prima 38’ Oz Privateer and Angus Bates in his J133, Assarain. EAORA stalwarts David & Annie Chatterton are making a very welcome return in their Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49DS Resting Goose. Alan Bartlett’s Humphreys 36 Inn Spirit has had a facelift and past EAORA champion Robbie & Pippa Stewart are busy fitting-out their latest Andrew Stewart designed boat (yet still to be named & suggestions on a postcard please) which we hope to see racing with us later in the season.
As ever my huge thanks go to the committee, in particular Chief Race Officer Brian Bolton and new secretary Catherine Shelton, for all the work they put into the association & to the clubs & race officers who give up their time to provide such excellent hospitality & race management.
Wishing you all a successful, exhilarating & safe racing season 2009.
Judy Payne-James
Chairman |
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