From the CEO

MAJOR PARTNERS

SUPPORTERS

MASTERCARD YOUTH TRAINING PROGRAMME SPONSORS

RNZYS PERFORMANCE PROGRAMME SPONSORS

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CORPORATE MEMBERS

As we move into the cooler months, activity at the club hasn’t slowed down. In the past few weeks we have seen sailing on every weekend, increased patronage within our facility and enthusiasm for what lies ahead.

The Three Kings offshore race has just been completed as part of our 150 year celebrations. Although we had to delay the initial date, which dropped entrants from 40 to 20, it can still be deemed as a success with the stories from competitors still working their way around the bar.

We have also recently completed the Barfoot and Thompson Women’s Keelboat Nationals; the Harken Secondary School Nationals, and the 36 Degrees Commodores Cup series continues. We also had the final race of our Doyle Sails Wednesday night series that saw close to 100 boats throughout the season and packed series prizegiving. Havana Club Rum racing on Friday afternoons continues to be a great way to start your weekend, so for the newer members please contact the Sailing Office, so they can link you up to get involved.

The RNZYS also ran the CBRE City of Sails Auckland Regatta in March that saw some very close racing across all divisions, despite the light summer conditions. It was great to see the Pied Pipers heavily involved in the weekend, not least of all at prizegiving! The future generations of sailors are the club’s future and I’m very glad to see us supporting “grass roots” sailing as well as our professional teams.

We have just sent out subscription notices for the ensuing year. Whilst we have not asked for a specific donation, we would very much appreciate those that can and are willing to assist. The club continues its sustainability programme with the reforestation and planting project at our magnificent facility on Kawau Island. Whilst on the subject of Kawau, we have a master plan (that began many years ago) of a new accommodation and training centre that will enable us to run regattas, training programmes, member accommodation and better utilise one of the jewels in the club’s crown.

The General Committee has had a busy few months and I thank each and every person involved for their support. There has been much debate, opinion, and feedback offered around the venue selection for the 37th America’s Cup.

Again the club has deliberately chosen not to get involved in much of the media noise. As you know, we have strict processes and structures for any significant decisions that impact the Squadron and you, our members. In this instance, the Squadron’s AC Committee has had discussions and meetings almost daily with Team New Zealand.

The General Committee (your Executive) have the final decision-making role in the Club, and voted 100% in favour for AC37 to be staged in Barcelona, having carefully considered all the facts and consequences that they were privy to. See separate article in Breeze with further detail.

We appreciate the support extended to your leadership and General Committee around this decision and, while we know it has not pleased everyone, we stand by our decision that it is the right one to make for our club, our team and the America’s Cup event. We now look forward to providing members unique benefits in Barcelona in 2024, which we have already begun investigating.

We are also continually looking at ideas around the Quarterdeck Restaurant and Members’ Bar with a view to having both dining options available at busier times. There is also much discussion around the Westhaven area itself with a lot of work planned and being discussed that will affect many of our members. The General Committee looks forward to a more “normal” year ahead, with a budget that looks more like a pre-Covid year, so let’s hope we see this occur. The Finance Committee with Donna Dicker and her team have put in a huge amount of work and thought into shaping the coming year into another successful period.

The club has plenty of social events planned with Annual Prizegiving on May 21, our unique 150th Gala evening on July 30 and numerous speaker events over the coming months. We look forward to your continued support of your great club both on and off the water. Although we have much to be proud of, be assured we won’t stand still, and will strive to achieve our vision of the world’s leading yacht cub. Enjoy the boating before winter – see you out there.

Aaron Young Commodore

As a result of a big sales year, we continually require new listings. Our sales team has a great record of success and is standing by to provide professional and attentive service in marketing your vessel. Ask about the RNZYS member discount.