For those of you who have been wondering about the retraction and nomination of a substitute acting Rear Commodore there was nothing sinister about the change in fact I had written the bulletin on the Sunday evening in anticipation of a decision at Monday evenings meeting. As circumstances panned out Rob Samways left the meeting early and the committee was unable to confirm my original nomination without his approval so we decided on Warren Clark and I forgot to change my bulletin before publication. If any offence was taken, my apologies.

By all reports the first of the three 150th Anniversary Regattas to be held by the Club was a great success. Rob Bell our race officer was able to set out good racing over the three days, with some nail biting concerns about the weather, and whether it would behave, but as things turned out everybody played their part and a successful Regatta was held. A special vote of thanks to Gail Dickerson and her girls who managed to extract some fantastic prizes from her sponsors. A special word of thanks also to our Major Sponsor SAB who made the "happy hour" sessions such a success.

It was very encouraging for those of us who motivated the support of Sail Africa to see three L26s all sailed by students of Sail Africa competing together with Craig Millar waving anxious farewells every morning as they set sail for the first time offshore. All three teams acquitted themselves very well over the three days and had some very keen competition amongst themselves. For the first time in many months it was a pleasure to see young people on the podium receiving prizes. Well done Sail Africa and may you go from strength to strength.

For the record congratulations to Gavin Smith on Donna Mia for winning Division A and to Ron Pett and his young men on Container World for winning Division B. The first Sail Africa L26 overall was Bournemouth. In the Hobies Wayne Smith walked away with the prizes.

After all the dreamy sunrises and sunset cruises, for some of us, it's back to the serious stuff of working for a living and at the end of the coming week we host the first half of a Dinghy mini regatta on the Saturday 10th with the second half on Saturday 23rd May. Unfortunately the second half clashes with the Laser Masters but nevertheless I expect the Flying Fifteens will show up.

Summer has gone.
But remember
Keep sailing
Rear Commodore