HEBE JEBES
JUL/AUG 2022
u
REPORTS
Managing in the pandemic After a miserable couple of months earlier this year, the last two months have seen a welcome improvement in the access to and use of the Club. Nevertheless, in the light of the resurgence of the fifth wave, it is unlikely that there will be a further easing of restrictions. I was delighted to receive an unsolicited compliment from a member of ABC on how well the management and staff at the Club have managed the pandemic restrictions this year—well done to all. Some of you have spoken to me about the “pettiness” of some current restrictions. The rules are established by the HKSAR and have the force of law. Neither GenCom nor the management has any right to exercise discretion (as doing so would put the viability of the Club at risk). Our role is to administer the law as it applies to the Club and I ask that you respect both the rules and our staff who have the thankless task of administering the rules.
DON JOHNSTON Commodore
Updated Articles of Association The General Meeting of Members (GMM) will be held on 21 June 2022. Knowing that it will be over by the time that you read this, I do hope that the acquiescence and, indeed, acceptance so far is an indication that the new Articles of Association (AoA) will be approved. If so then the new AoA will take immediate effect and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in November will be held under the new rules. HKSAR 25th Anniversary Sailing Cup This event involves cooperation between the Home Affairs Bureau, the Hong Kong Sailing Federation (our national body), the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, Aberdeen Boat Club and Hebe Haven Yacht Club. This is a three-race event and is a tribute to the organising committee, chaired by Ambrose Lo, in which the Club was represented by Bridget Chan and Rob Allen. I quote from an email from Ambrose to his team and the three clubs: “We now have 132 boat entries for the HKSAR 25th Anniversary Sailing Cup … Heartfelt thanks to you, we exceeded our committed target on this spectacular celebration event for Hong Kong and sailing. Working as one single team, you have proven that collaborations between sailing clubs can blast sailors with fun and the city with joy. Not to mention promotion of our sport.” I was one of a number invited to watch Paul Chan, the Financial Secretary of Hong Kong, start the first race of the event at RHKYC. Whilst we were comfortably ensconced in the Chart Room overlooking the Start Line, it was a challenging wet and windy day for the sailors as they struggled to adapt to the changeable weather which ranged from calm to windy to gusts to squalls with limited visibility. Still, despite some misgivings and some damage they pressed onto a finish. The Club’s event was on Saturday 25 June 2022 with both a morning and an afternoon race. Open Dinghy Regatta This was the first big event after the easing of restrictions and it is a credit to the committees and the Sailing Centre that it came together in such a spectacular manner. There were four courses, 12 classes of dinghies, 150 dinghies, over 200 sailors, over 70 volunteers and great weather.
6
