Reflection on the Sailing Season by Hugh Maguire, Sailing Master

Prize-giving Opening Speech on Saturday May 27 at Devonport Yacht Club.

Guest of honour Martin Foster spoke about his long association with the club and sailing escapades

Ladies and gentlemen, sponsors, flag officers, esteemed guest and in particular, my sister-in-law Rita, all the way from Ireland, welcome to the 2023 DYC Annual Prize-Giving evening.

The DYC, as the name suggests, is first and foremost a yacht club. It is the yachties and those with an interest in sailing who make up the heart of this club. Year in, year out, we see friends and colleagues, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, mums and dads trying to get away from their sons and daughters, husbands and wives, and husbands who fell out with their wives, and wives who want to lose their husbands even while on the same boat,  joining in the sailing activities. You will all appreciate that there is a very special camaraderie which can only be experienced when attending a sailing social event such as our BBQs on the beach…when we can find a beach, or the club-based functions Emma and her team put so much effort into organising.

And none of this would be possible without you, our skippers and crew, who take part week in and week out to make the events as successful as they are…despite the weather.

Hugh Maguire holding court at a beach prize-giving

I have often said to people that while I am Sailing Master, I am no master of sailing…just look at our results! But to run a successful sailing calendar at the DYC takes considerable effort from a number of people. From Paul who manages the food, even if it is running around Auckland on Easter Sunday to find last minute supplies for a hasty organised BBQ at the club, to Mike who ably transports the BBQ to each location around the Gulf. Those who assist with the BBQ, the start team, start and finish boats, Emma and the Social Committee, and the Sailing Committee themselves. There are also Paula and Geoff who update the results and post the race comms out to all and sundry.

But I would like to make a special shoutout to one particular individual…Mark Clough. While Mark holds no official post in the club apart from General Committee Member, he sits "quietly" in the background providing guidance and support, not only to me but many of the other committee members in the club. Mark embodies the spirit of a true DYC club member. And for that Mark, I thank you greatly.

And so, a few highlights of the season:

We were also lucky enough that this year the Start Team had a few new volunteers, so a big thank you to Cameron, Leslee and Ashton who joined the team under Bill’s ongoing if not grumpy (his words not mine) stewardship. And as always, a massive thanks to Bill and Marge. A shoutout has to go to Marge… I don't know how many of you have been here for a race start but her talent for seeing a sail number at 2 nautical miles has to be seen to be believed!

Unfortunately, Sue and Alan who became our resident finish boat cannot be with us this evening but a massive thank you from the team for their support.

The weather, did I mention the weather……!!!! I can honestly say I have been traumatised by the bloody weather. I spent the last six months glued to PredictWind and nearly cancelled this evening out of habit due to the forecast for this weekend.

The first few races were impacted by a number of regulars missing including Lambretta, Kudos, Zeppo, and Hautere but it was great to see them join us as the season progressed. We also welcomed a couple of new competitors to our group including Indulgence, French Kiss and Celeste. To you guys we hope you enjoyed the season with us and hope to see you again next year. But I think we all know, where last year it was Lambretta that took the limelight, this year's top boats are U Choose and Heartlight.

ladybird

This year Ladybird got off to a flyer winning the first two races in what was, to say the least, an exhilarating breeze. And our Home to Devonport Mark Foy format race, as part of the Sir Peter Blake weekend, was again, another success with all boats finishing within 15 minutes of each other.

The Duder Cup Regatta finally got to take place after a number of postponements, sadly it was not well supported for a number of reasons, not all sailing…God bless Mother’s Day. John Duder even took part in the Duder Cup itself forsaking his hold on the Col Wilde trophy. Living with the fact that a lady family member beat him to winning the Cup has obviously played on his mind all season, sadly he will have to wait yet another year. And how fitting it would be if it was next year. Next year is the 100th year of the Duder Cup — it won't be the 100th race due to a bit of a war interrupting proceedings way back when — but be sure we will mark the occasion.

So, all I ask is that you enjoy the evening, many thanks for your participation in our events and keep supporting sailing at the DYC. Sailing is the lifeblood of this amazing club, and we look forward to seeing you next season.