Newsletter - September 04

End of Summer ! What summer?? The summer sailing season has flown by!  Nigels last weekday dinghy session before he heads away to Glenans with Cearbhall on a Hobie Cat course is next Wednesday the 25th. Peter Houlihan will be attending for the dinghy session on the Mondays of 23rd and 30th. Weeknight Ruffian sessions will also probably finish at the end of August. Unless there is a remarkable improvement in the weather or members wish to start earlier e.g. 5pm the end of August will probably be the last weeknight session as the evening are closing in.  

Weekend sessions : Due to popular demand weekend dinghy sessions will move to Saturday beginning on the 28th August. (There will be no more Sunday dinghy session).  We will try to organise Saturday Ruffian sessions in September as well as the Sunday session. Volunteers for captains (for one or more Saturdays), Vice Captains and organisers please!

Ruffian training :  Dave O'Brien (Glenans Instructor) has kindly agreed to do some training for us. Dave will be available to take four people out next Wednesday 25th of August.  Dave may also be available on subsequent Wednesdays or weekends if there is enough demand.  Contact Carina Myles for more information. 

Dinghy Weekend away:

A lot of you have emailed Carina the SID Sailing organiser with your interest in taking up training / further courses in order to develop those sailing skills before the year is out!!  Now you have the opportunity to enhance your skills......for those who may be interested in taking a trip to Glenans in Collanmore for some dinghy sailing Carina is organising a trip on the weekend of 1-3rd of October. No need to worry about sailing gear or experience as neither is a requirement for this weekends sailing trip. There are at least four definites from the regular dinghy group going so far so anybody interested please let Carina know.  If you are a Ruffian sailor this is a great opportunity to experience the excitement of dinghy sailing before buying your own wetsuit.

Maintenance : Georgina the SID Maintenance officer wishes to thank all who carried out a lot of maintenance on the dinghies last Sunday week. To further help Georgina requests that a) 1. when filling out the maintenance book, people write in block capitals, (it is hard to read some writing) and also date the entry, so we know whether it is a recent entry or not. and b.) when spares have been purchased or maintenance carried out that it is noted in the book. (There were a few things listed but people weren't sure whether they had been carried out or not).  Attention all Ruffian sailors : The Ruffian trailer needs to be cleaned and painted before the end of September. Volunteers please contact Georgina.

Fundraiser for the RNLI : In past years SID used to organise a fundraiser for the RNLI.  It would be great if something could be organised this year as well.  As it may this may be the 21st year of SID existence it might be a good year to try and organise a reunion of past members.  If anyone has any good ideas for an event or a venue and/or wishes to help with the organisation please contact me.  It will only be possible if people are willing to help organise and take part!!!

Meet other SID Membes : Glenans members meet in Doheny and Nesbitts on Baggot Street (usually upstairs)  on the last Wednesday of each month.  Why not come along and join me and other SID members for a pint next Wednesday 25th. (no excuses from Wednesday sailors as it will be dark at 9pm.!)

www.sidclub.tk : Check out our website  which is updated with pictures and new links

Regards,

Damien