Just a reminder to please indicate if you will be sailing on sunday - entry list current stands at one,Tequila Sunrise........

With big events like the Inhaca Race,Vasco,Royal Yacht Squadron Series and the Trio Interclub Challenge coming up, its time to start practicing in earnest. Will you have your boat handling up to scratch to match the likes of Skitzo ( current holder of the Vasco Trophy ) ,Cabriolle,Progidy iv and v, Donna Mia,Bandit and the rest? If not, Sunday is a good time to start 'salting' your crew.

Provisional Results as of 19:30 on February 17, 2010

In response to the article about Durban's model yacht pond (The Mercury, February 12) we wish to point out:

By Chris Sutton
The Wind In The Willows is not just a story about a rodent who is handy with a pair of oars. It is about knowing the difference between right and wrong, loyalty to your mates, strength of character and fighting for what is worth fighting for. The 'good vs evil' battle to recover Toad Hall from the invading stoats is the theme of many a confrontation; and is currently being played out on many fronts in Durban.

Many thanks to Eric Atherstone and Team Donna Mia for running last nights racing. I counted 40 boats from my office window and see fron the results that 37 finished. If there is an average of 4 people per boat this means that 160 people were out there having a great time.

Report from Kevin Bingham

There was a limited turnout at last weekend's ISC Dinghy Revival regatta with 20 boats on the water on Saturday afternoon, but thanks must go to Paul Ridsdale and his Team for their effort in the promotion of dinghy sailing.

Report from Chris Sutton on last Wednesday evening racing

Many thanks to 'Team Dusky' ( Terry Flynn, Dave Cuthbert, Mike Surgeson, Yolande Vermeulen, Hans Van Der Velden, Mike ) for running last Wednesday’s race. Race Officer Terry Flynn set a South Easterly course. Please remember that a south easterly course is set clockwise with marks being left to starboard. By way of a reminder the sailing instructions are attached.

A 2010 calendar of sailing events is now available

This years Vasco race will be starting from Maputo on Wednesday 28 April 2010.. The Notice of Race and Entry Form are available HERE.

Despite numerous objections from the citizens of Durban over a six year period, in August 2009 the KZN Department of Environmental Affairs authorized The Durban Point Development Company (DPDC) to construct a small craft harbour (SCH) in the Vetch’s Pier area on the Point.  In essence, what this means, is that this popular beach will be buried under a pile of steel and concrete, robbing the man in the street of this truly family beach environment and turning it into a playground only for the super rich.  We believe that this will not only forever change the lives of those who enjoy this natural watersports playground through the various clubs, but of all the people of Durban who use this area extensively for numerous recreational activities.  The fact that our municipality is a 50% shareholder of DPDC makes this an even more bitter pill for the ratepayers to swallow. As this development is also funded by ratepayers’ money, it basically means that not only do we lose our beach, but pay to lose it too! Can we just sit back and allow our City Council to do that to us?

The Durban International Boat & Lifestyle Show 2010 is already booking up fast - so if you have not completed your Stand Booking Request form (attached to our previous email), please do so now so that you do not miss out. Please note that I cannot hold space for you if you have not submitted your form.

Report from Chris Sutton on last Sunday’s racing

Despite only 6 boats indicating that they would enter the race, 14 started.

The 'beasterly easterly' appeared exactly as forecasted. Despite the forecast skippers that attended the briefing voted unanimously to sail. This was heartening as the only way that we can prepare ourselves and boats for heavy weather is to get out there and 'do the time'. What was even more encouraging was the number of youth on the water. Ashley Nel sailing an L26 took the conditions in her stride.

By Rudy McNeill

PYC was abuzz from 3-8 January with the SAS Coach the Coaches Clinic (Youth Lasers and 420's), led by Polish National coach Tomasz Chamera. By all accounts it was a resounding success!!! Rudy McNeill attended the clinic and gave the following review:

Report from Kevin Bingham

The Christmas/ New Year period has been a busy one for PYC's Youth Sailors. The Youth Nationals held at Midmar from 13-18 December saw 157 sailors competing in 7 classes. The weather was at times like mid-winter and the fog lay so thick on the water that one race had to be abandoned. There were good winds throughout the regatta resulting in the completion of the 15 races one day early. There were particularly good performances from PYC's Euan Hurter finishing 8th in the Dabchick Class (30 boats); Matthew McCaul finished 3rd in the Laser 4.7 Class (10 boats). PYC were well represented in the Optimist Class as well as in the newly formed KZN 420 fleet.

By Chris Sutton - obo the PYC Keeler Committee

A) Many thanks to 'Team Dusky' ( Terry Flynn, Dave Cuthbert, Mike Surgeson, Yolande Vermeulen, Hans Van Der Velden, Mike ) for running lasts nights race. Race Officer Terry Flynn set a South Easterly course. Please remember that a south easterly course is set clockwise with marks being left to starboard. By way of a reminder the sailing instructions are downloadable from HERE.