Thanks to All

The 2015 Irish National Open Optimists run in our Club during 13th to 16th August was one of our most sucessful events to date.

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190 optimists from 6 different countries competed in 22 races over 4 days.   The logistics involved parades,  yard clearing, wall demolishion/rebuilding, registration, measurement, boat and trailer storage, launching, recovery, rescue, race management, recording, feeding, tea/coffees, race office, protest hearings, etc. etc.

And all this happened smoothly…… very smoothly.   Because so many members helped in so many many ways.  What ever your role – take a well deserved bow.  Well done and thank you for your contribution to this great even.  Thanks also to members who took their boats out of the yard and gave up their sailing.

In particular thanks and well done to Olive Parker for her hard work and dedication over the past two years to make the event a reality.

Now back to club sailing.  This wednesday August 26th is the last of our evening sailing.   Remember 1st gun is 19.00 for cruisers with dinghies starting at 19.15.  Fresh SW F4/6 winds should make for an exciting evening.  Burgers will be available post sailing.

Skerries Regatta 2015

Our annual Regatta went off successfullylast weekend (July 18th/19th July)  Thanks to the support of very many members all races were run to schedule.  The weekend started with 5 brave Skerries Cruisers battling their way to Howth for the M Davis Cup (Sapphire series) in winds over F6.  Sean Davis won in a two hour race by less than a minute on corrected time from Declan Higgins.  They were closely followed by Jim Boylan, Aidan Boylan and Paul Harrison.  Well done to all.

The traditional Howth to Skerries race commenced proceedings on Saturday with 14 boats taking part.  With a strong southerly winds the leading competitors reached Sherries just after 13.00 hrs.  Howth boats took all hours with Peter Dunlop of Mojito collecting the Rockabill Cup.  Dinghies completed two races in continuing strong winds.  Fortunately Sunday saw lighter winds.

Congratulations to the following winners:

Cruiser Regatta     

1st                                            Peter Dunlop of Mojito HYC

2nd                                           Sean Davis of Symi

 3rd                                          Jim Boylan of Shockwave

Crystal Prize                     Sean Davis of Symi

 Mermaids Regatta

1st        (Brown Cow)       Sam Shiels

2nd                                           Enda Weldon of RSC

3rd                                            Paddy Dillon of RSC

Red Island Cup                Sam Shiels

 Lasers

1st                                            Daragh Kelleher

2nd                                           Tom Fox of RSC

Sundry Class

1st                                            Liam O’Callaghan

 

Sailing …. at last

 

Finally the 2015 season got underway with two dinghy cup races on Sunday morning May 3rd.  After poor weather on the both the previous Wednesday, for the practice race, and on Saturday forced cancellation of sailing on both days, it was with some relief that lighter airs (F4 SW) allowed Liam, Micheline and Helen, our ROs, do some catch on the Sunday morning by running the Paddy Hand Trophy and the McGowan races consecutively. 7 boats took the challenge of these early races. Congratulations to Niall McGrotty for winning the Paddy Hand Trophy and to John Fitzgerald for winning the McGowan Cup. As is traditional the Paddy Hand Trophy was presented in the clubhouse after racing.

Wednesday May 6th, weather permitting, will be the start of the points competitions for cruisers and dinghies. Remember Cruiser warning signal will be at 19.30 hrs while dinghies warning signal will be at 19.45 hrs.

St Patrick’s Day Parade  – Skerries Sailing Club

Optimist boat being towedThe theme of SSC’s entry in this year’s parade was ‘Come Sail with Us’.  We even had a new banner made by Image Depot especially for the parade which we will see on the balcony soon.  To highlight our theme we showcased two boats that are sailed frequently in the club, an Optimist representing the Junior members and a Mermaid for the Senior’s.

We had a great turnout from our Junior members who came down in their club hoodies and sailing gear with plenty of green on their heads and faces.  The floats were a colourful affair and they had plenty of fun waving and distributing the lollipops to the crowd.

The Optimist was towed by a Leaseplan Jeep to signify their sponsorship of the upcoming Leaseplan Optimist National & Open Championships 2015 which the club is hosting in Mid-August. We expect over 180 young optimist sailors, all under the age of 15 from Ireland, UK, Europe and other nationalities such as India and Bermuda. It is a prestigious event and we hope the club and the town of Skerries will benefit from this 5 daylong event and help us to welcome over 150 families to Skerries. It is a really exciting time for Junior sailing in Skerries and we are looking forward to a great summer on the water.

Mermaid sailing boat Sam Shiels very kindly provided his Mermaid ‘Azeezy’ to be part of the float and we packed the Juniors into this. I would like to thank Aidan Boylan for the use of his trailer, Sam Shiels for providing his very glossy mermaid,  George O’Connor (Snr & Jnr), Garrett Walsh, Tom Adams, Andrew Frazer, Tom Connell, Claire Arnold, Duncan O’Reilly, Stephen Crowley and of course to all the Junior members who came out in support of the club. A great day was had by all and we retired to the Club afterwards to continue the festivities.

Racing Tactics talk this Tuesday 10th March

Paul Hicks has gathered together a group of experienced  racers to guide the rest of us around the course.

Colman Grimes – The start
Ross Galbraith – Upwind
Sam Shiels – Downwind
Robbie Keys – Leeward Mark

There will also be contributions from Stan Shepherd & Sean Waddilove.

Everyone welcome, skippers, crew, beginners, experts.

Cruiser Prize Giving and Laying Up Supper

The 2014 annual Cruiser Prize giving and Laying up Supper was held in the club last Saturday night, February 28th 2015.

Over 70 cruiser folks and guests and friends enjoyed a pleasent meal of smoked salmon, roast beef and crumble for desert.  Kathryn Collins, the new Cruiser Class Captain, oversaw the presentation of the Sapphire Cups as:

  • The Carlingford and Boland Cups to Sean Davis,
  • The Matt Davis and Challenge Cups to Paul Hick / Bernie Alcock,
  • The Wicklow Trophy to Declan Higgins / Bernie Lynam and
  • The Poolbeg Cup to Morris Creegan.
  • Sean Davis won the overall Sapphire prize.

A raffle was run, generously supported by a number of sponsors, which collected over €400 towards a weather station which hopefuly will be installed before the next season start.