Sailing Operations Manager Simon Turpin
Well as we are all aware, the start of our new sailing season on May 1 has been one that we will all remember in history for the global Pandemic of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Firstly, I would like to thank all our members who expressed their sincerity and thoughts when our teams were all stood down in March due to having to close our Yacht Club temporarily. I also wish to sincerely thank our Board for applying and taking up the Jobkeeper subsidy from the Australian Government. This decision by our Board has ensured the well-being of our teams during these uncertain times and will allow us to reopen with the support of our teams once again. For our, Board to also support our employees who did not qualify for the Jobkeeper subsidy has demonstrated true leadership and dedication to our people. These are true testaments to the wonderful culture our Yacht Club continues to reinforce and are part of the many reasons why I am so proud and honoured to be part of Southport Yacht Club.
By the time this edition of inSYnC is published, we will have confirmed our new Sailing Season Calendar, which in this point of time is set to start on Saturday, July 11 2020. Our winter series across all Divisions will be a little shorter this season, however, rest assured that the Sailing Calendar will once again be filled with awesome scheduled racing across all five of our Sailing Divisions. We are also currently assessing and working on our health and safety plan for Covid-19, which will affect our Sailors in many ways with new compliance and social distancing laws having to be abided by. Whilst we are in fluid times, rest assured that we will be doing everything we can to make our Sailing safe, fun and enjoyable once again. Please keep an eye out on our website and in your e-news for future announcements. Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) is scheduled for Monday, July 20 and I would like to encourage all of our Sailors who are Gold Members to come along and show your support in being actively involved. Shortly after the AGM, we will then be holding our Divisional Meetings for the elections of our new Sailing Committee for 2020/2021. I would like to thank all of our current Sailing Committee
Representatives for all of their tireless efforts and dedicated hours throughout our 2019/2020 Season. The new “ORC Club” rating system by Australian Sailing has already been taken up by many of our Skippers with their new rating certificates being issued. As previously advised, this new rating system is cost-effective and objective, based on science and complete boat measurements. There is no guessing or any subjective element for Skipper and or crew performance. Our Off, The Beach Dinghies and Catamarans, have been racing under a similar system with “Yardsticks” for many years and brings a level of performance measurement for the Skippers and crews to compare their performance. “IORC Club” has been adopted for our Keelboats in our Offshore Division Series and Inshore Division Series and their relevant SYC Special Events. We will still also continue to run the current PHS System for scoring as well in the 2020/2021 Season. I am pleased to confirm that the 2020 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht race will now take place on Saturday, October 3. The CYCA is anticipating record numbers this year due to the lack of Sailing since March for their members, so our preparations are currently underway. While I know, we have all been affected by this recent pandemic in one way or another. I am confident that we will all make our 2020/2021 Sailing Season bigger and better than ever before with your continued support. Until then, please keep safe and well and I look forward to getting back out on the water with you soon.
Simon Turpin Sailing Operations Manager
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iNSYnC - Winter edition 2020
