Chairman's Report Sa Sailing Western Cape

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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT SA SAILING WESTERN CAPE

2020- 2021 SEASON

AGM – 07 June 2021, ZOOM

This season has been one of a difference with a global pandemic affecting the way we interact on and off the water also how the Western Cape sailing was run, I would like to thank the committee for their support and giving of their time, as quoted ‘’the first one should say to volunteers is, Thank You ‘’. The committee consisted of Siya Vato [Transformation], Mike Kavanagh [Dinghies & Treasurer], Patrick Holloway [Keel Boats], John Ryall [Multi Hulls], Kuba Miszewski [Overberg], Russell Vollmer [ Metro] and Andrew Finn [ Eden].

The committee has assumed the same role as its previous years, in a steering role. With the formation of the districts, Eden, chaired by Andrew Finn, Overberg, chaired by Kuba Miszewski and the Cape Metro chaired by Russell Vollmer. The day-to-day activities of the region are now under the responsibility of the District Committees. The Districts now receive their funding directly from DCAS, they also report their spend to DCAS. SA Sailing WC receive minimum funding from DCAS. What does this mean for Clubs? That any funding or grants will need to be taken up with the District Chairs and they will then take it forward to DCAS. The Cape Metro district lost impetus this year. Without guidance from the Chair, it has fallen apart. The Metro clubs need to rally to get this District operational again. It is vital that the remaining two Districts still to be formed are completed; this will enable the Districts to tap into DCAS funding. The outstanding Districts to be formed are Winelands and West Coast.

As we have not released any funding this year to the region, we are in a position to support programs that will benefit the growth of sailing, these need to be raised through the necessary District Chair. The base of our sport needs to be increased across our region; with an increased base this will enable the sport to grow. The funding to be released will be monitored on the following deliverables, Girls 30%, Transformation/Disadvantaged 50%, Youth 75% (working on youth up to Under 19) and school’s engagement of min 2.

The DCAS High Performance Academy with the Covid restriction effecting international sport did not gain traction this season. We need to ensure that it has a dedicated portfolio Chairperson to ensure that they are well prepared for their international events from a fitness perspective. The DCAS Academy provides two training sessions a week at the Sport Science Institute where they are monitored; it allows the athlete to gain access to the dietitian, bio kinetics and sports phycologist.

The SA Sailing WC Dinghy Championships are held each year in April, preferably over Easter. The committee has been rotating the event between the three districts. As it was offered to Hermanus last season, we gave them first refusal, they took up the challenge. They had started planning for the event but due to the Covid second wave and the restrictions in place, it was decided not to have a multi class provincial championships. The classes were allowed to organise their own events. From the feedback received, it is noted that if the restrictions are lifted members would prefer a multi class event.

The SA Sailing WC Keelboat Championship Incorporating Inshore & Offshore is held over the season incorporating various events throughout the region, we would like to thank all clubs for organising the events at their clubs and making this circuit a success. We would also like to thank Patrick Holloway for his tireless work on this. He has also been instrumental in resurrecting the SA Sailing WC Double Cape event this year, we would like to thank the clubs involved for their assistance in making the event possible.

The SA Sailing Youth Nationals this year 2021, will be hosted by the Overberg District held at Hermanus Yacht Club from the 16 December to the 22 December 2021. Hermanus will need all the support possible from the clubs and classes so they can run a successful event, Thanks also to the incoming Commodore of Hermanus Yacht Club and the organising committee for taking on this event.

This year due to the effects of the COVID restrictions there have not been any nomination for Western Province colours by the clubs or classes, we remind everyone that it is the responsibility of the clubs and classes to nominate candidates.

It should also be Noted that the Western Cape colour criteria runs from January to December of that calendar year.

Dinghy Sailing in the Western Cape 2020/21

Following the relaxation of the Covid lockdown regulations in September, the dinghy sailing scene in the Western Cape sprung back to life and there certainly seemed to be a pent-up demand for sailing after house arrest.

Stefan Falcon and the 420 class led the way with a well-organized National Championship organized by ZVYC that was sailed at MAC following the closure of ZVYC water. It was great to see the clubs working together to make sailing happen.

The Optimist class followed the example set by the 420’s and put together a 34-boat fleet for the Western Cape Champs at Saldanha Bay Yacht Club. The intention from the event organizers was to simulate an IODA Continental Championship. By all accounts, this objective was successfully achieved. The B fleet had 17 entries providing a healthy base for the class.

The Tour de Vlei proved to be a popular event with an excellent turnout. Great fun was had by all, conditions were excellent with a moderate SE wind that became light towards the end of the day.

In early December Theewater Sport Club ran a successful Classic event. Sadly, the ZVYC Classic usually scheduled in September was missed due to lockdown restrictions at the time and the Hermanus Classic in February had to be cancelled due to the 2nd wave.

Hermanus was scheduled to host the 2020 WC Dinghy Champs in April 2020. Lockdown took care of that one. The club did the prep for the 2021 WC Dinghy Champs, but again prudence suggested that it was not the time for a large multiclass event in April 2021. Hermanus is scheduled to host Youth Nationals in December 2021, definitely an event to look forward to.

Although the multiclass Youth Nationals was cancelled to prevent a super spreader event, there was still sailing in December. An Optimist high performance training camp took place at Saldanha Bay Yacht Club with a great coach from Poland. Laser Nationals at Vaal Dam was well supported by Cape sailors and the Dabchick class got in a National Champs at George Lakes just as the New Year lockdown came into place.

With confirmation that the second wave had passed, the sailing community sprang into action again in March and April. The Finn class ran a warmup regatta in Knysna followed by Nationals in George in late March. The Optimist and Dabchick classes sailed their provincials at ZVYC over Easter weekend, while the Lasers were busy with Provincials in Hermanus. In mid-April there was a well-attended RS Tera provincial in Mossel Bay and thereafter a strong Cape contingent did the trek to Richards Bay for the RS Tera Nationals at the end of April.

Team sailing resumed and its popularity is growing. The TSL boats are based at MAC for the next 3 years. If you have never tried team sailing, look out for the next event and come and have a go. It is great fun!

Pleasingly club sailing is active and there are healthy feeder programs producing the next generation of sailors.

MAC has now been accredited as SA Sailing Recognized Training Centre.

Thank you to all the volunteers and sponsors that made the 2020/21 sailing season a success and well done to all the competitors and winners.

We are blessed with wonderful year-round weather in the Western Cape. I would like to encourage all sailors to keep sailing in the winter. It is a great time to develop your light air skills for the next trip to Vaal Dam. Speaking of which, please diaries December 2022 for the 75th Anniversary of formalized sailing in South Africa. A massive festival of sailing is planned for Vaaldam.

Western Cape Keelboat Championship Circuit 2020 – 21

1. The keelboat racing season was changed, as of January 2021, to run from January to December, rather than July to June.

2. The Western Cape ORC Inshore Championships. Due to the COVID Pandemic, no regattas were sailed in the second half of 2020 and accordingly there is nothing to report.

3. The Western Cape ORC Inshore Championships The Novamarine West Coast Offshore Race 2020 was the only offshore event concluded and was sailed in November 2020.

The results were:

Class A:

1st – Hollard Jacana – Patrick Holloway

2nd – CuA16 – Lance Burger

3rd – Raymarine Regardless – William Brooks.

Class B:

1st Seaport Supply Shadowfax – Bernard Farmer

2nd Jackal – Jimmy Jacka

3rd Scarlet Sun – Luke Scott/ Daniel Skriker

Class C:

1st Sizwe – Thinus Groenewald

2nd Indaba – John Levin

Multi-hull:

1st Banjo – Kevin Webb

4. Provincial Colours No applications for colours awards were received.

As neither an inshore nor an offshore circuit was concluded, no provincial colours are to be awarded in respect of those events.

Here’s wishing our WC members an exciting 2021-2022 Season.

Bruce Keytel

Chairperson SA SAILING WESTERN CAPE