It’s been a long time in the making, and finally – just in time – the Wardroom was ready for the members and our 139th Seasons Opening Day.
Heaps of volunteer hours and Jason’s, Chris’ and Marcia’s time were spent over the last weeks to hurry up the tradies, put furniture back in, shine up the trophies, stock the bar and clean, clean, clean. Thanks again to all of you for your support 🙏.
We had stunning weather for the short Opening Ceremony held on the deck. Commodore Dave Roberts in his speech thanked the Wardroom Project Steering Committee (Andrew Dinsdale, Hamish Lobb and Phillip Gaunt) as well as Jason Reid for their help and hard work. He also thanked the three key supporters without whom we couldn’t have undertaken the project: Lion Foundation, Four Winds Foundation, and Wellington City Council Built Heritage Incentive Fund.
Now that we have the Wardroom, he encouraged each to help the Club in the following ways:
- Hold your meeting, workshop, or function at the Club- as a member you get a discount on the room hire.
- Be a member of the club you sail at and ask your non-member crew to join as well.
We’re introducing a member-get-member reward scheme – sign up a senior member and get a $100 bar tab, sign up a general member and get a $50 bar tab (* conditions apply and more info will follow soon). - Get vaccinated!
Dave referred to our comprehensive sailing programme with the Port Nic Regatta and the Central Triangle, and the Easter Cruise to the Sounds. Ashore, we are building a programme of educational and social, and maybe both at once, evenings at the club. Please do join us back at the club house, whether it’s the Wardroom or the Board Room, after sailing – members are welcome to bring guests.
He then welcomed our guest, Deputy Mayor Sarah Free, to break the burgee, which happened without a hitch and followed by a gunshot salute fired by Race Officer Jim Gordon.
The race started without a hitch, and an impressive fleet. Just the breeze didn’t want to play along, so the race got shortened – oh well. Check out the photos taken by Mel Zytecka: https://www.latitude41south.com/Sailing/RPNYC-Open-Day-2021/
Back in the Wardroom our volunteers took position to deal with the COVID requirement, the hungry and thirsty crew and their unusual jobs. It was a first, having the Wardroom open during Level 2, and we were all a bit nervous to find out how it would work. We had to make sure everyone was wearing their masks, crews sat at their tables appropriately-socially-distanced and got served with drinks and complementary food platters. Thanks all for behaving well 🙂
Vesna and Tony Wells took the Opening Day as the opportunity to present the Volunteer of the year award to Ash Owers for his contribution over the past seasons in the Regatta Director role. Thank you!
We’ve also finally welcomed Kim McMorran as a honorary life member to the Club – Congrats Kim!
As often with Interclub racing, last minute entries and boats from different clubs all sailing together, the results took a while to be sorted. But the trophies got awarded to After Midnight for winning on Club handicap and to Bullistic for winning on line. Well done, teams! Never give up 😉
All in all it was a fabulous day, really great to be back in the now secure and strengthened Wardroom and see you all back socialising and having fun together. Let’s hope we can move to level 1 before our ‘official’ Wardroom Re-Opening party at the end of the month 🤞 Either way, see you all back in the Club soon – and thanks for your support!