MESSAGE FROM THE FLAG OFFICERS
Your Club has been busy as the summer weather, particularly when the sun shines, allows members to fully enjoy our facilities on our grassed lawns. It is wonderful to see our grassed lawns being so well used.

As we wind down to Christmas and then New Year's Eve, it is appropriate to give our members some insight into the Club and its activities. Under the Rear Commodore our sailing events have seen an increase in numbers, especially on Wednesday evenings. What is most gratifying is that there are always new people being introduced to our events, while last Sunday's special event for keelers saw the fleet survive a tough beat back from La Lucia in winds gusting 40 knots. It is these tough conditions that while unpleasant at the time, make better and more experienced sailors.

This Wednesday's race (23 December) is the last of the year. The Club hopes to make it the biggest fleet of the year, so if you have not competed in one of these races so far this year, please make a concerted effort to be on the start line. It would be good to see a record fleet close out the year.

Sailing events do not just happen. Race Officers and rescue personnel are required every time a race is scheduled. Plus the boats need on-going maintenance and refuelling, and rescue equipment to be checked and re-checked.
Our sincere thanks to all members who have so selflessly given of their time manning these services.

There is a great buzz in the Club on sailing days, so even if you don't sail much, come down and share in the excitement and war-stories too!

Sail Africa, run by club members Craig and Taryn Millar, continue to take that organisation from strength to strength. They now have the backing of the Hurter family and have acquired some new training boats for the dinghy side of the operation. Craig ensures that he works closely with our Club. At the Sail Africa prize-giving in early December one of our members was awarded the ‘Development Sailor of the Year' trophy. Well done Nqoba Mswazi.

From a Club management perspective, a lot of hard work by John Banfield has seen the new accounting system introduced at the beginning of the new financial year begin to make its mark. Our accounts are being sent by e-mail which is so much more efficient, and the new reports we can generate have provided information which assist in making better management decisions.

Members will be interested to know that we are very close to agreement with the PYC to merge the two rescue fleets and operate as one. Not only is this close co-operation between our Club and the PYC good for our sport, but it makes economical and operational sense too. The lifeblood of our Club is our staff. Our heads of department meet every week and decisions implemented thereafter. We also have plans for additional staff training in the new year. I am sure that all members join us in thanking our staff for their loyalty and dedication to the club and its members.

Members will notice that we have acquired some new outside benches, as seating during peak periods is sometimes at a premium. These have been donated by the following Club members:
Angel Mittlefehldt - in memory of Brian
Marion Langois
Leo Kroone
Stuart Ritchie
Liz Tocknell - in memory of Brian and Neil

Many members have given of their time or made a contribution of equipment, goods and services to the Club this year. It is members like these who make our Club a better place - and whom I am sure all members thank.

Gail Dickerson in particular has been wonderful in obtaining prizes for events, plus she was responsible for having our staff quarters re-furbished and re-equipped. Well done and thanks Gail.

Members will also notice that we now have a new computer for members' Internet use. This is a wi-fi setup which permits those with laptops to use them freely when at the Club, while those without can log in on the computer provided.

Members will have noticed that the yacht mole is being widened. Our Club is well represented on the Yacht Basin Precinct Committee (YBPC) where all stakeholders in the area have input. Our Commodore, Chris Frost, is the Vice Chairman, while John Banfield and Warren Clark also represent us.

The marina is looking good and every time one takes a walk along its fingers something new has happened. Leo Kroone is the Marina chairman and Warren Clark our other representative on the Marina Board. All these people, and many more too, devote an immense amount of time to these and other committees - and they do it on behalf of our Club and its members. Our sincere thanks to them too.

In closing, a club relies on its members to volunteer their skills at times, so if you have a skill the Club may benefit from, please contact Liezel, the Club Secretary (031-301 5425 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and she will pass on your particulars to the correct person.

On behalf of the Flag Officers, General and Sailing Committees, we wish you fair winds, following seas and a peaceful Christmas and prosperous new year.
Chris Frost - Commodore
Richard Crockett - Vice Commodore
Gregg Dobson - Rear Commodore

CLUB DRAW WINNERS
There was an unusually good turnout for this draw. A great time was had by all. If you did not win a prize this time, come down on Friday 29 January and try your luck then.
Non Attendance Prizes
R2000 M Braddick
R1500 R Beresford
R1000 H Smith

Attendance Prizes
R400 M McFayden
Leg of Lamb B Townsend
Bottles J Banfield; P Harris; S Peetz

SALT ON THE SAILS
Looking for the Perfect Christmas Gift
The absolutely magnificent book ‘Salt on the Sails' which was written and researched by Dr Sally Frost for the club's 150 anniversary, is available th at the club. It will certainly make an ideal Christmas gift - and even a great corporate gift for those tired of giving the normal booze and cigars.
‘Salt on the Sails' is a coffee table book on the history of the RNYC. It covers the early history of Durban, and sailing throughout the club's existence. The book also highlights many personalities, and is lavishly illustrated with pictures (over 1 000 - yes, one thousand) in full colour and black & white. The book is full of interesting stories and anecdotes, and follows the rich history of the club, the people that make it tick and the role it has played in the development of Durban.
Standard Edition - R495.00
* 532 page coffee table book
* Over 1000 illustrations
* Full colour
* Hard Cover
Collector's Edition - R3 000.00
In addition to the standard Edition specifications, the Collector's Edition is:
* Limited to 150 copies only
* Leather bound cover with gold stamping and satin ribbon bookmark
* Each Collector's Edition contains an individually numbered Collector's Certificate, signed by the author and the Commodore, and personally inscribed with the name of the purchaser.
Contact Liezel ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 031-301 5425) and get your copy now.

Wi-Fi
Your Club now has new wireless (Wi-Fi) internet facilities available in the Lower Deck. There is a computer and printer available for those who don't travel with their own.

NEED YOUR WINCHES SERVICED?
The B2G2 crew have finished their exams and are ready to service whinges - sorry winches! For more details or to have them work on your boat please contact Gail 083 549 1940.

CLUB CLOTHING
Liezel has received new regalia fleece jackets & bomber jackets in sizes from M - XXL at R240 each. The golf shirts have a new look and are R148 each in sizes S - XXL. Do some Christmas shopping now at the Club. Get yours now - while stocks last!!!