Oban Sailing Club AGM
A positive season for Oban Sailing Club (OSC) on and off the water was reported by commodore Iain Campbell at the club’s annual general meeting.
Recognising notable highlights, Iain said the success of the year was down to many members working extremely hard to ensure the club is active and providing opportunities for members of all ages to get involved in sailing, be it socially, competitively or through training.
He also stressed there were some areas of the club’s development that have not been progressed and the new committee for the 2019 season would look at building on these.
Andy McPherson took over the role of RYA Principal from Ian Gibson earlier in the year and a RYA inspection was approved in May. Thanks were accorded to Andy who has updated all the club policies and procedures, together with his role as membership secretary and club secretary.
Jamie Rodgers has been instrumental in planning and implementing a training plan, on shore and on the water, including dinghy courses, a powerboat refresher, safety boat courses, power boat refresher and the popular Monday Mayhem Fun dinghy sessions.
In May 2018 the club received approval to run RYA VHF courses and this will be looked at for 2019. As well as instructors carrying out training, Iain thanked Derek Grier and his sub-group for the maintenance of the safety boats.
Keelboats
The keelboat season at club level was mixed with boat availability much reduced to maintain the full evening and weekend programme. The Town Regatta reverted to a single white sail class to reflect numbers and crew availability. However the Round Mull Race and West Highland Yachting Week (WHYW) continued to be popular.
OSC member Ross Wilson has joined Colin Crawford and James Hardie as OSC representatives on the WHYW committee.
Dinghies
The dinghy programme experienced a fairly ‘patchy’ year with early season Thursdays well supported as well as the dinghy regatta and the revamped ‘wee peaks’ race format under direction from Chris Dowd. The addition of Fun Sailing Monday evenings provided a fantastic opportunity to encourage youngsters and their parents to get on the water, build confidence and skills together, playing games, orienteering and having fun.
A programme of winter Monday Mayhem activities is already under way to ensure continuity and retention until the start of the new 2019 sailing season.
The University of the Highlands and Islands Wind and Wave Club (UHIWWC) continues to prosper with core training early and late season reflecting the academic year.
The series of winter talks including Richard Turnbull’s circumnavigation of Iceland to Ollie Cotterel’s adventures as skipper in the 2013/14 Round the World clipper race were well attended and the launch curry supper and quiz was popular.
OSC continues to work in close partnership with Argyll College with the clubhouse used to help deliver maritime courses while the Argyll College RIBs are made available from time to time to support dinghy and training activities throughout the year. The club also remains an active part of Oban and Lorn sports community hub.
The OSC open day in May saw more than 100 participants enjoy a variety of keelboat, dinghy, powerboat and skiff rowing. The Oban Sea Cadets who attended the open day are keen to work more closely with the club and this will be progressed.
Prizewinners
On the water it was Billy Forteith’s Shadowfax that took the first of the season’s honours in the fast aggregate series. Eric and Irena Chapman’s Amber Haze won the second Tuesday aggregate. Andrew and Leonie Mead’s Seal lifted the silverware in both the slow Tuesday aggregate series, whilst Colin Crawford won the third Saturday aggregate for fast keelboats with Hot Toddy winning the slow section. Trophies were awarded at the annual prizegiving dinner dance in the Royal Hotel, Oban.
Shadowfax also won the Round Kerrera Race taking the Minots Light Trophy and the Round Creags Race for the OSC Challenge Cup. Ben Miller, helming Shadowfax, lifted the Crews Cup. Amber Haze won the Victoria Cup and the Elis Tankard with Graham Anderson taking home the Billmeir Trophy for the Round Shuna feeder race in Lucky Ned Pepper.
The Donald Sutherland Trophy, sailed as the best OSC boat performance for Oban to Craobh and return as part of WHYW, was awarded to Shadowfax.
John Forbes was to the fore in the club’s dinghy section winning the Icicle Shield and the Alex Stewart Quaich for the spring series and the Frostbite Series Shield for fast dinghies.
Liam Orr won the Icicle Shield for the spring slow handicap dinghies.
The summer series for the Airdenny Cup was awarded to Andrew Chapman for fast dinghies while young Calum Warnock picked up the Mirror Class Shield in the slow handicap section. The Frostbite Shield for slow handicap dinghies went to Andrew Petrie. Calum Warnock won the Port Beag Cup with Liam Campbell the Port Beag Plate with John Forbes taking the Senior Plate.
Calum also won the Best Topper/Pico performance lifting the Forteith Refrigeration Trophy with John Forbes winning the ScotWest Windows Trophy. Fergus Taylor was judged to be the most improved novice. The Willie Buchanan Trophy for Powerboating was awarded to Jamie Rodgers. Jamie, as training officer, has given exceptional assistance to helping and promoting junior sailing. Andrew and Lisa Petrie were also recognised for their dedication, time and effort to ensure the vitality of the club. The Skrat Trophy was won by Eric Chapman this year..