Newsletter 5 February 2015

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Happy New Year!

Hasn't it been a smashing summer? One has to cast their mind a long way back to find such a luxuriously warm January - and great to start the new month with a bit of much-needed rain too.  Hope you've had an enjoyable break and managed to squeeze a bit of boating and fishing in.  Water temperature was ideal for swimming but finding edible sized snapper was a real mission.  (Well, it was for us).  Lots of stingrays about too.

If you've got any news you'd like to share from the past six weeks, we'd love to hear from you.

Whilst some of us were holidaying, others were busy keeping SYC operations going.  Thanks Jenny (in the office) for holding the fort, fielding all manner of calls and keeping everyone informed and up-to-date.  Alan Boniface and his handful of helpers kept an eye on car movements, floating pontoon users and generally on security around the yard.  Disappointing to learn that someone's trailer was pinched during the past few weeks but because of the alertness and constant surveillience, fortunately, this was all that was taken.  Members took advantage of the parking offered around the SYC yard (quiet at that time of year) and the parking at 8 Brick Bay Drive which both proved helpful for members at this busy time.

SYC Wharf Usage

Members were advised in an email 28 January that because of this, the Marina Society had made the first arm of the completed marina berths available to members for loading and unloading, boat maintenance/repairs etc.  Members are requested to contact Marina Superintendent Graeme Maker before using a marina berth by phoning him at home on 425 7331 or mobile 021 279 8117021 279 8117.  Graeme will direct you into the appropriate berth and in this way, can keep control of the many boats wishing to use this facility.  At no time should there be a vessel of any description using these facilities unless prior approval has been given by Graeme.  Whilst you may fill with water here, there is to be NO refuelling whatsoever on marina berths or at the wharf.  This is a critical risk management component.

Haulout Matters

Haulout Manager Michael Blank and Property Manager, Neville Noyer did a bit of a clean-up around the yard over the Christmas period and were surprised at the amount of 'rubbish' they managed to pile-up.  There was an assortment of materials that had been 'left-over' after boats had been relaunched.  Please, before you re-launch, have a good look around to ensure that you've put away all the wooden blocks you've used by returning them to shed from which you took them.  Clean up the tins and paintbrushes and pieces of sandpaper.  Carefully hose down the area of all the dust and flakes, to leave the place spotless.  Standards in tidiness of operators around the yard have slipped recently and we hope that by reminding everyone, things will quickly improve.

Just a reminder whilst we're at it... we've had complaints about dinghies and cars which have suffered the effects of water blasting over-spray even though they were positioned a respectable distance from those working on their boats.  Please, be respectful of other boats, and the cars and dinghies close by and hose them down if needed.  Consider putting up protective sheets to prevent any likelihood of over-spray that might occur. 

The haul-out yard is relatively empty just at the moment but is expected to get busy again soon with post-holiday problems needing to be sorted.   If you're looking to haul-out, best you book in ahead of time by phoning Michael on 425 5564 or 021 826 862021 826 862.  Or email m.blank@xtra.co.nz.

Busy Times with Centreboard Division

SYC Thursday Evenings

Throughout January, the bar was open on Thursday evenings thanks to a handful of dedicated volunteer bar staff.  These evenings proved to be popular and well patronised.  So it's business as usual; bar open Thursday evenings 4.30pm-7pm.  Two-dollars dropped into the bucket on the bar will enable you to enjoy chips and nibbles as you rehydrate with your buddies.  As always, ladies welcome along too.

SYC Friday evening Dinners

The good news is that we're talking with some likely caterers which will allow us to resume our Friday evening meals.  Problem is, they probably won't be able to start with us until later in the month - and we hope this will be Friday 20th February (not 13th as earlier anticipated). We'll keep you posted.

Take A Kid Fishing - Sunday 8 March

The Warkworth Lions Club are once again on the hunt for boaties needed for the 15th annual Take a Kid Fishing Day.   Boats leave the Sandspit main Wharf at 9am with prize-giving at SYC at 12.30pm.   Participants bring their own gear, lunch and life-jackets.  Please contact Lions Club President Angela Taylor on 425 0595 or 027 268 4992 if you think you'd like to help.027 268 4992

Fishing is something most of us take for granted, and particularly those of us who do have boats from which to fish.  Take a moment to think of children in your neighbourhood who rarely get the opportunity to do something such as this.  Tear out the back page of Feb 4 issue of Mahurangi Matters which gives full details and suggest they go and get registered.

Thank you in anticipation of the continued excellent support shown over the years by our Club.

NZSFC Nationals - Sat 21-Sat 28 February

Run by the NZ Sports Fishing Council this national tournament provides fun for anglers of all ages and abilities.  Prior registration is the key factor at this point in time.  Just $25 per angler and bound to have a good number of WWGFC entrants.  Contact Brett Rathe on 422 7949 or 021 449 842021 449 842 to find out more.

Sailing Division

The SYC sailing and cruising programme has continued through the summer with some beautiful days out on the water, close racing and interesting handicap results.  Jeremy Noakes, Phil van der Mespel and Conway Stewart keep all sailors well informed and psyched to perform with constant emails.  There's a Friday evening race tomorrow (Waitangi Day), with Feb and March being very busy months on the SYC racing calendar. Keep up with the play by checking into our website www.sandspit.org.nz.   I

Volvo Ocean Race - in Auckland late Feb

The Volvo Ocean Race is an exceptional test of sailing prowess and human endeavour which has been built on the spirit of great seafarers - fearless men who sailed the world’s oceans aboard square rigged clipper ships more than a century ago.

The route take in 10 cities in nine countries – Spain, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, China, New Zealand, United States, Portugal, France and Sweden – and will require the teams to cover 39,895 nautical miles – equivalent to 45,910 miles or 73,886 kilometers.  

There are 16 nationalities among the seven teams with sailors from Australia, Belgium, China, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, UK and USA.  Sweden's Team SCA is a gutsy all-female crew.)

After finishing narrow runners-up to Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (GBR) and Team Brunel (NED) respectively in Legs 1 and 2, Dongfeng  Race Team (China) led the 4,670-nautical mile stage from Abu Dhabi to China making it into their home town Sanya in China, in the early hours of 27 January after 24 days at sea.

The boats are expected into Auckland between 27 Feb-3 March and leave on Leg 5 for Brazil on 15 March.  The Auckland Viaduct Village comes alive so be sure to head down and see the boats and check out the action while these magnificent boats are in town. 

Thanks from Kawau Coastguard

Kawau Coastguard volunteers have just completed a 2 month raffle selling round with the Coastguard Lottery, their major fundraising campaign for the year.  As Coastguard receive only around 15% of its funding from government, fundraising plays a vital role in keeping the boat and equipment serviced and on the water. 

We've had massive support this year from our locals, including local businesses who allow us to set up and/or sell on their premises.  Many of the individuals who bought tickets were members of SYC so we'd just like to say a BIG thanks once again, for your support.  The lottery is drawn 18 February - so fingers crossed!

Regards

Glenys Milne

Publicity Officer