COMMODORES REPORT

This year has flown by with sailing and events. It has been a year of steady sailing and a simplified approach to club management.

We began the year by being given a year of financial pause with our affiliation to Yachting New Zealand. This enabled us to lower our membership price and ensure access to all our community that wanted to get out on the water.

With new members to the committee, we took a few months to find our groove and come together as a team but from then on, the committee has performed well and efficiently. Bringing all the committee’s strengths to the foreground, we have been able to divide and conquer different aspects of club management.

Fiscally, we have turned a corner. A couple of years ago, we were close to liquidation, but with some excellent treasurer work and the club tightening it’s belt we have managed to become stable with money to help us through the coming years and continue our growth.

Membership has climbed to 119, with 61 of these being family members, making a the total number of members over 250.

In October we kicked off our sail season with over 30 attendees, with all of our boats out on the water, and the age ranging from 4 – let’s say wise, it was great to see. The BBQ was pumping, and the day was a huge success.

January saw the cardboard boat race return but with a twist. This was a collaboration between the boat club and Onetahua Waka Ama club. This was a good fundraiser for both clubs and another community event getting more people out on the water.

This season we have hosted 20 Sunday sail days, with over 280+ sailors getting out on the water. We have had an increase in returning volunteers to assist and an increase of adults coming down to learn to sail.

We have had 3 primary schools return with their year 5 and 6’s to enjoy and “have a go” days. These were successful days with over 100 students out on the water. Many of these students returned for our Sunday sailing.

The end of January saw a successful fishing competition, which remains the greatest fundraiser for our club. Even though the weather for the first day was poor conditions, the second day turned beautiful and allowed full fishing access to the golden bay waters. With over 70 entrants raising over $2000 for the club and the fish auction raising $1600 for the Nelson/Marlborough Rescue Helicopter and the Nelson Coastguard.

Grant writing for funds has been happening quietly in the background, with the RSC donating money to allow us to buy VHF radios and other safety equipment to update our support boats. COGS and Rata grants are currently being processed.

All in all, another positive year. None of this could happen without the amazing volunteers on our committee and sail days. A huge thank you to all.

Of course the club ceases to be a club without our members, so another huge thank you to you.

Next year we will continue to focus on developing our sailing, but with an added focus on other boating activities. We will continue to host our regular events and push club hire, as this seems to be the simplest way to raise funds. This winter will see more courses to allow members the chance to upskill. Hears to another year!

Your sincerely,

Tom Lake

Pohara Boat Club Commodore