June 27th 2023

June 27th Updates

General Updates:

Chris our Social Secretary has decided to stand down at the end of July because of health and other life pressures. We are incredibly grateful for all his work and also for his offer to help get someone else up to speed. This is an important role in the life of the club but need not be a huge burden. If you are interested in taking this on, please talk to Chris or myself.

Anyone heading out on the river please be aware of a "Multi-Agency Emergency Exercise" taking place on Saturday 1st July 2023 in the vicinity of the Woolwich Ferry Terminals. See the Notice To Mariners.

You will have noticed - and hopefully attended - one of the recent Tuesday evening talks. More are on the way - including 'Safe Navigation on the Thames' (see Cruiser section below) next Tuesday and two more by the Sustainability team in the following weeks. If you have an idea of a talk that might be of interest to members, Drop me a line

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Work Party last Saturday - great work done, photos in the Gallery.

You will notice that the catamaran has gone from the pontoon. Thank you to Jack, the yard team and other members of the club (notably Alf and Rod) who nudged and cajoled this along! It was a slightly difficult situation as the gap between selling the boat and it leaving the club risked getting drawn out - but ultimately a good outcome: the club managed to sell this boat to someone who wanted it rather than spend thousands having it removed and dumped in landfill. It is now safely up-river.

A few questions have come in for the members summer forum on 22nd July at 2.30pm. Please keep emailing them in. We aim to keep the meeting to 1.5 hours and will prioritise questions sent in advance and use remaining time for questions from the floor. .

Cruisers:

Members wishing to crew on yachts, please see the list published in TNA or speak to skippers.

Overnight visit to Thurrock Yacht Club Saturday and Sunday 1st - 2nd July More details Tickets for the Shanty Night have now sold out, but The Wharf and the Ship are both open and within a 10-minute walk from TYC. Bring your tender to head ashore!

GYC Cruiser Talk - in the Clubhouse Local knowledge: Safe Navigation on the Thames Tuesday, 4th July 1830 - 1930 A must for all skippers and helms

Bob Walker Cup - Cruiser Summer Series Race 5 Sunday, 16th July; briefing 1115 for a start at 1245 Notice of Race to follow.

Trot boat: If you want to helm the trot boat, please make sure you are on the list.

Dinghies:

Results from the Dinghy RNSA held on 18 June: Richard and Velika (Bosun) James (full rig laser)

The Bosun won by 47 seconds on corrected time. Thanks to Matt, Gavin, Andy and Paul for volunteering as safety boaters.

Next events:

• Saturday 1 July 10 am - Commodore Jubilee Trophy (we are in need of one more safety boat crew). Approved helms can book here
• Tuesday July 4th - talk scheduled in the clubhouse bar, covering local knowledge and safe navigation on the Thames. All safety boaters and approved helms should attend.
• Saturday 15 July 10 am: dinghy race
• Tuesday 25 July: Tuesday Night Cup, briefing time 5:30pm

Further to previous TNAs, Sunday 30 July briefing 09:30 will be the first beginner focussed event. Let Toby know by email if you can make it and in what capacity (safety duties / race officer / approved helm / beginner).

The dinghy section welcomes you to join us regardless of your sailing ability! All details are in the FAQ.

Rowing:

If you have missed your chance to join Sunday’s row to Olympic Park, get your name down for a future row by emailing Preeda.

Forthcoming events:

• Sunday 23rd July downriver to Erith (category - HARD)
• Sunday 30th July upriver to Chelsea (category - HARD)
• Sunday 6th August early evening row upriver to Bow Creek (category EASY with bonus wildlife)
• Sunday 13th August upriver to West India Quay and the tide-free waters of the Isle of Dogs (category - EASY but watch out for floating hot tubs which tend not to follow navigation rules).

Departure times will be announced soon, and all 2023 dates will appear on the GYC calendar when timings are finalised.

Any rowers who want to be trained to use the electric winch should also contact Preeda

Thank you to Roger for crafting a replacement footrest board with Preeda!

Training:

There are 6 places for the Dinghy L/2 weekend course which will run on 22nd/23rd July. If you passed your Dinghy L/1 last year and have been crewing regularly, you are ready for this next stage.

Social:

Sunday Painters - A small but select group took part in the painting event this weekend.

Open House, 9th/10th September - We need a club volunteer to help organise the Open House event as Chris will not be available.

Jazz and Jame Session, 8pm Thursday 21st September - Volunteer musicians coming forward including a 4th year student jazz trio from Trinity College. The event will be dedicated to fundraising for the RNLI. Volunteer needed to help with this.

Sports Day - Due to the magnitude of the event, it is propsed to postpone this to coincide with the Paris Olympics (Friday 26th July – Sunday 11th August 2024). Also proposing water-based events around the same time

Other suggestions and volunteers for Social Events are welcome so please get in touch.

Sustainability:

Draft GYC Environmental Guidance - We have written a proposed document which sets out advice to members on how to conduct their boating at the club in a way that is environmentally sustainable: download here and email comments and suggestions to Michael.

Recycling - Please use the recycling bins in the yard for appropriate waste. There are labels on the bins explaining what can go in them!

Hazardous Waste Disposal at GYC - Veolia will be sending a chemist to help dispose of hazardous waste on the 7th July. If you have hazardous waste, please reach out to Michael or the yard team on how to transfer your antifoul waste, antifreeze, empty aerosol cans, waste oil, paint cans and used rags, marine batteries and electric waste etc to the refuse store for Veolia to dispose of them before 7th July.

Volunteering:

Social Sec. Assistant - for various reasons Chris needs to par back his workload a bit and would appreciate a deputy to spread the load. Ideally would be someone interested in taking on this role in future - but if you just want to get involved for this Summer that is fine.

GMV Summer Fete organiser - the housing complex are organising a Summer Fete for July 15th - and it is proposed that GYC has a stall there, and possibly wheels up a dinghy to show off! We need a volunteer to help organise the GYC end of things: please email Richard (Bosun)