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GHYC August Newsletter
From the Commodore
The busiest weeks of the season are now behind us. These past few weeks, the Club has been tested once again to the limit of its capacity, whether in terms of dinghy space on the pier, places on the Junior Sailing Courses or places at the Summer Annual Party.
 Our Junior Sailors excelled themselves at the Marconi Cup in Baltimore by bringing home the Sportsmanship Award and Relay Award. See article below for more details.
It’s wonderful to see the fruits of the work of our dedicated team of instructors. The dinghy sailors were also out in force for the hotly contested July Series and the Gordon Cup.
 Over 220 juniors passed through the six weeks of ISA Sailing School Courses which ended last Friday with the prize giving (results below) and an exam!
Our fleets of Dragons and Squibs have also been enjoying close racing in their respective events and have another three weekends of racing to look forward to.
 Many thanks to all the volunteer helms of the GHYC power boat fleet which turned out to support the biggest swim yet to raise over €5000 for the RNLI.
I am delighted to let you know that the social events we have all enjoyed during the past month have raised over €10,000 for the Development Fund. A huge thank you to all involved, especially The Dream Team.
And finally, thank you to all our willing volunteers and instructors who make all possible.
John Wyles
Commodore
Save the Date
GHYC Annual Summer Party
 Sunday, August 4th saw the highlight of the GHYC social season - the GHYC Summer Party.
Despite the greatly-missed culinary skills of Chef Conor Sheridan and his team at the Glandore Bistro, the GHYC Dream Team once again organised a fantastic night in our very own Summer Pavilion (Winter storage yard!) which was utterly transformed with lights, flowers, beautifully dressed tables (and people!) and the pop-up bar of course.
 102 happy people were well dined and wined; great dance moves followed to the tunes of DJ Paul and the craic was mighty!
Some exciting raffle prizes donated by kind supporters, and a beautiful moonlight painting donated by artist Deirdre Brennan for a silent auction, saw members dig deep into their pockets, raising €5235 for the GHYC Development Fund.
 And the next day, our pop-up party venue was turned back into a sailing school (by a fabulous team of elves!). Pure Magic!
Mighty thanks to the GHYC Dream Team (pictured left) and all who worked so hard to pull off another very successful night for GHYC.
The fleets continued their regular weekly racing with the Summer Leagues finishing on August 10th due to busy Saturdays for the remainder of the month. Pongo took the honours in the Dragon Series, closely followed by Phyloong. Trojan came out on top for the Squibs with Kingfisher in second spot. The Wednesday League racing continues until the end of August.
Squib Summer Cup
The Squib Summer Cup took place from August 6th to 9th. The weather forecast looked somewhat ominous, gusting 25, but in fact on the first day it was breezy but fine, good racing weather. Six turned out, a little disappointing seeing so many in the harbour, but it was during the working week!
Kingfisher, Trojan and Too Dee dominated the first day with all three on equal points at the end.
The Wednesday weather was a bit easier and we had eight boats out. Trojan stepped up the pace with two firsts leaving Kingfisher and Too Dee with a second and a fourth each, Sinner having also moved up with two thirds.
Thursday was supposed to be the light weather day, but turned into another strong gusty one. Too Dee then stepped up with two firsts, and Sinner posted two seconds! With six races done, there were two discards, and Too Dee came out top by one point over Trojan, with Kingfisher third and Sinner fourth. Although Squib numbers were a little low, it was great to see a new Squib out racing for the first time, Darren Hobbs on Capricorn!
Minutes of the Gentlemen's Jolly 2019
 This year’s Gentleman’s Jolly which took place on August 8th was deemed to have been a great success by all involved. The twenty attending Gentlemen braved the extremely inclement weather and the anxieties of their separation from loved ones to ensure that this sojourn would reach the high watermark of the previous three outings.
The Gentlemen commenced their odyssey with a tour of the newly established distillery in Clonakilty. Here the Gentlemen added to their already extensive knowledge of their native drink and sampled some of the delightful produce that this establishment has to offer. The gentlemen were most impressed by the micro gin distillers on display and all agreed that these would make a wonderful Mother’s Day present or a Valentine's Day present for the bachelors among us.
Following the tour, the gentlemen adjourned to the Whales Tail restaurant for a collation of the delights that this region of West Cork has to offer. While the food was outstanding, it paled into insignificance when compared to the wit and conversation between the courses.
Apré aliments and in the face of a deluge of biblical proportions, the gentlemen retreated to a local hostelry in need of the calming effect of malted juices. The location of this manger where the gentlemen took sanctuary must remain anonymous by agreement with the proprietor due to his fear of a ‘Da Vinci Code’ affect upon his concern. The proprietor ensured that the Gentlemen were furnished with all that his cellar had to proffer.
At night's end and while anticipating the long return journey to our loved ones, all Gentlemen were in agreement that such a day spent in such pleasing company is indisputably better than a day spent toiling!
Marconi Cup 2019
 The Marconi Cup marks a highlight for all this summer. On Sunday, July 28th, we brought two full teams down to Baltimore in style with a team bus! Hopes were high after weeks of training, with a palpable feeling that with the junior sailing talent currently available to us, that 2019 would finally be our year.
The mill-pond conditions presenting on arrival left the event in doubt, but as a gentle westerly breeze filled the sails, the fleet/relay element was run off successfully with GHYC dominating the event which carries 50% of the points. GHYC support boats and the teams on the pontoon were jubilant and in great voice, urging the team on. All looked set for victory, but alas, it was not to be, as the team racing talent available to some of the other clubs immediately told in the team event with GHYC slipping from the lead. Our hopes began to fade with the breeze as the event was eventually curtailed due to the windless conditions.
Crookhaven’s dominance in the Team Event led them to victory in the quest for the overall Marconi Cup. GHYC had the consolation of lifting two of the four trophies on offer; the Fleet/Relay Trophy and the spirit of the team was recognised as GHYC were awarded the Sportsmanship Trophy - testimony to the attitude and spirit of the young sailors in the Club at this event and in Glandore throughout the summer season .The team returned unbowed and discussion immediately turned to what we need to do to win this in 2020, as GHYC again host the event.
Gordon Cup
 The Gordon Cup is in a league of its own seeing almost 40 boats on the starting line this year, a great turnout in good conditions – great sailing was had by all. The Laser Radial class was particularly competitive this year with much of the youth battling it out for top spots. We were also joined by oldies but goodies for a separate over 18’s award to the highest scoring adult! The adults certainly had the youth looking very worried!
After three great races, Tiarnan Brown managed to shake everyone off to win 1st place this year and was awarded the Gordon Cup! Tim Zimmerman closely followed and was awarded the Over 18’s Cup which was kindly dedicated to the event by the Lynch family. Cormac Doolan received 2nd place in the Under 18’s Cup followed by Natasha Zimmermann in 3rd. Well done to all!
Junior Weekly League and Mixed Dinghy Regatta
The busy season is winding down with most of the major events behind us – each one has been fantastic in their own way.
The weekly Tuesday and Thursday mixed-dinghy racing leagues have been ongoing all summer. July saw fourteen races with many different competitors ranging over the weeks. The man that stole the show was Joseph Barrett who scored 1st place overall after lots of great consistent sailing. He was closely followed by Scott Fuller in 2nd and Max Tubb in 3rd place.
The August League completed this past week and the prize-giving will be hosted at the same time as the Glandore Mixed Dinghy Regatta on Monday, August 19th.
The Glandore Mixed Dinghy Regatta is the last Dinghy event of the summer and we encourage you all to come out and get some racing in! We have a class for Topaz, Lasers, RS (Feva, Vision, 420 and more), and a Keelboat class also! The NORs will be published shortly on the GHYC Race Information page online and information will be also be available on the Club Notice Board. Save the 19th of August and keep an eye out for any more info. Hopefully we will see a great turnout to make up for cancelled race days due to bad weather during the season.
All racing results are published online at https://glandoreyc.com/racing/ if you want to have a look!
Junior Sailing Prize Giving
The prize-giving took place on the last Friday of the sailing courses. Ruairi thanked many members and volunteers of the Club such as Sinead Barrett who organizes all the shore duty and Anne Trindle who fed all of the instructors and helpers who were working each week.
The Club could not run without people like these and many more people like them.
 The 2019 Junior Sailor of the Year was won by the fabulous Joseph and Emma Barrett. Their sailing has improved immensely and both their names were always on the top of our results sheet! #
 The Rossa Lordon Trophy for the most enthusiastic and improved of the season went to brother and sister, Max and Jess Tubb. Their attitude and energy around the Club has been inspiring. Chris Lordan, father of Rossa Lordan was there to present the trophy.
All in all, this summer has been fabulous, thanks to all the instructors and a few main names being Kevin Percy (Junior Organiser), Anne O'Mahoney (Centre Principal ) and our fabulous Senior Instructors, Ruairi Brown and Eoin Quinn.
Clanathlon
 The annual GHYC Clanathlon went ahead on Sunday, August 11th, having been postponed from the previous day due to inclement weather. As a result the attendance was small but it didn’t take from some exciting finishes and competitive teams, with Frances Lynch and Fiachra Goulding battling desperately for 4th place.
There was also excitement for first place as three teams rounded the pier before the finish with 1st place going to the Barrett family; Joseph swimming and Emma and Mark kayaking.
 Una Doyle once again graciously sponsored the event and many thanks to her and all who helped on the day, in particular to David Beery for the safety talk and start.
The event took on a new format this year with a swim and two kayak legs. We are looking at a format for next year which is fun and safe for all the family. There were fun prizes and food in the Club Pavilion afterwards - thanks to all who attended.
We're looking forward to next year already!
ISA Courses
We have had another fantastic year in the Sailing School putting over 200 young people through ISA courses in our aging equipment. The instructors have done a fantastic job once again. Thanks Ruairi, Quinny and team!
There are Powerboat Level 1 2 courses available until the end of August. We will run a Safety Boat Course for those who have already earned the Powerboat Levels 1 and 2, if we can get the numbers.
While our instructors are still around we can also run workshops in basic navigation, buoyage, meteorology etc. for members.
Contact training@glandoreyc.com if you have an interest in any of the above.
Clarification/Correction
The San Remo Appeal notification sent on Friday included an incorrect spelling of McNicholas Construction.
Get to know your Committee Members
Hal Andrews - Sailing Secretary
 Where were you born?
Pointe a Pierre, Trinidad and Tobago, British West Indies (as it was then).
Tell us a bit about yourself
I grew up in Trinidad next to an oil refinery in a kind of tropical paradise! I was schooled there until I was sent to boarding school in England. I then moved to London after university.
Apart from a short stint in the Netherlands, I lived in London until my retirement. I started out in management accounting and I ended up working in a university as a clinic manager!
I got married late to Kyria who was originally from Bantry and I found myself going to Ballylickey, West Cork twice a year. After two Cork Weeks and a Calves Week, I realised that there were sailing possibilities here, but that west of Kinsale, only Glandore had well organised regular One-Design racing.
Retirement loomed, so I bought a Squib and we came over!
When did you first sail?
I started sailing too young to remember, on an old gaff rigger ex-ship's boat. On to Sandpipers, Oppies and then Prout Catamarans, all in the Gulf of Paria between Trinidad and Venezuela. Once I was sent to England, I didn't do much sailing until I became crew on a Squib in the 1980's. I sailed in the Solent from the Hamble River SC, and occasional Cowes Weeks etc.
I bought a cruising catamaran, a Wharram, with a friend and sailed over to Caribbean to see more of it. My parents retired in the north Caribbean and bought a yacht, perfect holidays !
What’s your fondest sailing memory?
Tricky...fondest?? For my fathers 80th birthday , we cruised the BVI with him, my brothers and our wives. It was his last real cruise and he loved it!
When did you become a member of GHYC?
When I moved permanently to Ireland in 2016. I came with a Squib and joined immediately.
What’s your favourite aspect of the Club?
Leaving aside the sheer beauty of Glandore, which never seems to lessen, the friendly welcoming attitude of the other sailors was and is still wonderful, especially for a newbie! Oh, and the competitive racing attitude of the other Squib sailors.
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