Club of the Year
Star club
“It has not been easy,” Cathy admits, “but the committee have done a great job in maximising the activities within the restrictions and this has paid off with our membership numbers now being the highest that they have ever been.” When asked what other clubs could take from PDSC’s success, Cathy says: “It’s very important for clubs to listen to their members to identify their needs and put a development plan in place that is achievable. “Actively question what you are doing and don’t be afraid to try things out. We have had to change the way we do things over the pandemic – some have worked really well and may be adopted for the long term, others have not been so successful – but the committee meets every month and so everything we do is under constant review.” She also cites attendance at events such as the RYA’s Club Affiliates
Pro-active approach
The win was testament to a proactive club that is founded on an ethos of participation and enjoyment and which, on top of that, had really come together to overcome the challenges of covid, achieving an impressive 58 per cent rise in participation despite the pandemic.
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FEBRUARY 2022 Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting
ABOVE LEFT The purpose-built clubhouse, slipway and boat parking for 100 dinghies ABOVE RIGHT New Years Day racing on the Menai Straits actually held on 1 May due to covid BELOW PDSC sailors at the RS Tera Nationals, where Jac Bailey took the title
Conference, National Training Conference and Race Management Conference, as important opportunities to exchange ideas with other clubs and the RYA. Volunteers make much of the club’s activities possible, including one member Ken Newing, who has served on the committee for 40 years; while Ian Whitehouse together with the Bailey/Powell family were recently honoured with RYA volunteer awards. As a dinghy-focussed club, PDSC offers both racing and cruising, as well as being an RYA Recognised Training Centre. It is also a focal point within the community, being closely involved with local festivals and the annual Menai Straits Regatta. But with such events on hold in 2020, the club had to think of other ways to maintain a community presence. Making their clubhouse windows available to display a local art exhibition – alongside the Club of the Year Trophy - was just one solution. Meanwhile, for members, e-sailing, online training and model building helped maintain momentum during lockdowns. As restrictions then eased, the club worked hard within national and RYA guidance to re-start on the water activities as soon as possible; appointing a Covid safety officer,
PHOTOS IWAN REES-JONES; C/O PDSC
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itting on the shore of the Menai Straits in north Wales, Port Dinorwic Sailing Club/ Clwb Hwylio Y Felinheli draws its 300-strong membership largely from within its small village surrounds. So when the Club was not only recognised for its role at the ‘Heart of the Community’ but also voted as the overall winner of the 2021 RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year Award, both the club and the community were ecstatic. The Award recognises the outstanding achievement of clubs across the UK and PDSC saw off stiff competition, ultimately being selected by the Award Panel as one of 10 national finalists, then emerging top in the public vote. Current commodore Cathy Goodwin says: “We were delighted! We were really surprised that such a small club could win.”
What makes a sailing club award-winning? To find out, we turn the spotlight on Port Dinorwic Sailing Club, current RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year