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GHYC Newsletter No.1 - 2021
Message from the Sailing Secretary
 There appears to be some hopeful indications that sailing activities may be fully allowed for the start of the season!
The ISA are making the case that sailing is a non-contact, low-risk sport, like golf and tennis which are allowed from April 26th.
From Mr. Harris this week:
“I do think the evidence around outdoor activities, and how they can be done safely, perhaps gives hope that we can do a little bit more in the outdoor space. I think there might be the potential to do a bit more in May.”
With that in mind, we are preparing to start the season with a main keelboat launching day on May 8th and hopefully the dinghy racing and the first Dragon series can start as per the calendar in May. Additionally, the At Home Regatta is scheduled for 5-6 June.
It is also planned to hold the Dragon South Coast Championship Regatta on 11-13 June, and we are calling for volunteers for step in to take on the many tasks that need to be done to run this regatta. We have a list of roles that need to be filled including: mark-laying team, ferry boat drivers, shore/pier manager, race office team, committee boat assistant, publicity person. Please contact myself or Kieran who will be trying to get the list filled in.
Regarding Club sailing, we are setting up online entry forms which will be accessible on the GHYC website under Racing in the usual race events documents table.
So here’s hoping for a full sailing season and return to life as it was pre-Covid!
Hal Andrews
Sailing Secretary
Summer courses
 We are currently taking bookings for the Summer courses. We are also eagerly awaiting news from Sport Ireland and Irish Sailing regarding restrictions and the pandemic. Answers to questions regarding the current state of play can be viewed on the Irish Sailing Website.
Updates regarding training will be posted here: Training - GHYC
GHYC currently offers three courses this summer:
- National Powerboat Certificate
- Beginners Supported Sailing - one week of 5 half days
- Supported Sailing - one week of 5 half days
 There will be greater emphasis on delivering the ISA syllabus, restrictions allowing.
The National Powerboat Certificate is the course to do if you want to drive a powerboat. Start here by filling out this form: National Powerboat Certificate
You can purchase membership and courses by clicking this link: https://pay.easypaymentsplus.com.
Instructor Courses
There will hopefully, be a return to relative normality as the year progresses. We plan to hold a DI (Dinghy Instructor) pre-entry in August, to prepare people for a DI course at Hallowe’en.
There will be an Advanced Instructor course in June if possible. Instructors and helpers can apply here: GHYC application form 2021
Demo Boats
From June, we will be in the privileged position of having four demo boats on site:
- 2 RS Quests
- 1 Rs Zest
- 1 RS Aero with 3 rigs
If any members are interested in test driving these boats, let us know by registering your interest here: RS Demo boats
These boats are supplied by Irish Marine Services.
Primary Schools Sailing Programme
It is hoped that the Primary Schools Programme will return in June in line with current regulations. If any instructors/helpers are willing to volunteer a few days during the first three weeks of June, contact Tim Forde at: vicecommodore@glandoreyc.com.
Dinghy Sailing
Marconi Cup Team, 2021
 The GHYC Marconi Cup Team 2021 will begin training for the event in late June/early July. This year, the event will be taking place in Glandore on Sunday 25th July.
The Senior Instructor, as well as a number of Advanced and Dinghy instructors, will be managing the practice evenings. The Sailing School asks that those with an interest in the training evenings and/or the event to make known their interest as soon as possible to aid in planning and preparation for the same. Click the link to register your interest here: Marconi Cup Practice.
Spring League Racing
This League cannot start as planned under present restrictions but will commence on May 9th (following a further announcement from the government). Whether or not we can race, we will get out training from that date onwards in pods of 15 (including trainers and support crews).
If we are able to race, the League will run for four Sundays (9th, 16th 23rd and 30th May). Sailing may be restricted to under 18s only. Updates will be posted to the Sunday Racing WhatsApp group. If you would like to be added to this, please message the Dinghy Captain at 087 6508664.
New June “Exam” League
In order to maximise our racing opportunities, this year we have planned a further Sunday Racing League for June. This will involve three weeks (6th, 13th and 27th June) with no racing on the 20th when the Rowing Regatta is scheduled. Again, if racing is not permitted at this stage, these sessions will be used for training (including for the Marconi). Updates will be posted to the Sunday Racing WhatsApp group. If you would like to be added to this, please message the Dinghy Captain at 087 6508664.
Summer Dinghy League Racing
As last year, sailing courses this year will run in either the mornings or afternoons. This means that dinghy racing cannot be scheduled in the evenings, although there will be some Marconi training. For this season, dinghy racing will continue on Sundays with a 2pm start. There will be a three week July All-In League (4th, 11th and 18th July).
Dragon Fleet
 Thankfully we appear to be coming to the end, or at least the relaxation of the lockdown restrictions. Our launch date is scheduled for May 8th. This gives the fleet less than three weeks to get ready and shipshape.
This year we expect an increase in the Dragon fleet and we welcome Titan, a 1962 vintage wooden boat from the Rui Ferreira stable. Rui has completed a fabulous restoration on this beautiful boat. This should introduce a bit of competition for Don Street's 1933 vintage, Gypsy.
There are also unconfirmed reports that Diarmuid O Sullivan's Sonata is dehydrated after a number of seasons in dry dock! It is expected to be rehydrated this season with an enthusiastic ladies crew. Cormac and Francis are rumoured to be coming out of their short-term retirement and arranging for Phoenix to rise again. There has not been any official sighting of Arthur Mehigan, but now that the 5km limit is lifted, we will hopefully see the reemergence of Taranaki.
Glandore Dragon fleet will have 16 boats afloat and active this year. This is the largest fleet in the country and our Sailing Secretary, Hal Andrews, has a busy calendar of events organised for us.
 The At Home Regatta is scheduled for 5-6 June The South Coast Dragon Championships is scheduled for the 11-13 June. And we look forward to welcoming our friends from Wales on the first weekend in July for the Celtic Challenge.
Throughout the season we have the Golden Sail, Rose Bowl, Dragon Derby, Kowloon Bridge race, Castletownshend race and numerous others lined up.
Over the past year, the fleet has graduated from the bulk of the races being held in-harbour to starts and finishes outside the harbour. This has proved successful and gives the helms and crews more experience of offshore conditions which they have to contend with at regatta events.
Our new Class captain for this year is Kieran O'Donoghue (this job is not permanent or pensionable and canvassing for the job will disqualify you!). Kieran was responsible for introducing Dragons to Glandore in 1977.
All fleets are looking for crews. The Dragon fleet and owners would welcome any enthusiastic members - men women or children who would be interested in crewing. Contact the boat owners or our Class Captain, Kieran at 087 8219543.
If you are interested in becoming a Dragon owner, we can direct you to where there are boats for sale. Glandore harbour is an ideal location for sailing Dragons and even for viewing the racing from outside the local pub and restaurants.
Come and join us and enjoy the fun and competition!
Social
 The Social Committee has optimistically booked two very important dates for the GHYC Summer Programme.
The Ladies Lunch (remember those??) is booked for the Liss Ard Estate on Thursday, July 22nd and the Club Supper is booked for The Dock Wall in Union Hall for Saturday, August 7th.
It would be fantastic if we can have these get-togethers which are so important from a social point of view, as well as for much-needed fundraising. So we dare to hope and we really look forward to seeing you all in Glandore very soon.
Club Funding
 A gentle reminder to members who have not paid their annual subscription to do so on EPP: https://pay.easypaymentsplus.com
And for anyone looking to reduce their income tax exposure this year, the GHYC Revenue Approved Scheme is open for business!
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