I would like to welcome all the new members and hope that you would support the club as much as possible and that if there is anything you would like to know or if you have any concerns that you will feel free to ask any of the committee members or the people at the office. Please take note that if you have any complaints that it should be done in writing and given to any one of the committee members within 7days to be dealt with.
We have a lot of events and functions happening during the year and every Friday Night is members’ night. We have a lucky draw, snacks and sometimes give away prizes or have auctions just to keep the spirit alive at the club, but you are welcome any day!
I am aware that times are difficult and that people can’t necessarily always be here to support the club but we ask that you will assist as often as you can, as the club is a non profit organization and we solemnly rely on member cooperation so that we can uphold it. We are trying to keep the fees and expenses low and affordable but will have to increase it as the club are not getting enough collaboration and support from the other members, and are currently only being upheld by approximately 50-couples.
Your support and outlook can help us make the facilities, club and functions better for everyone. A special thanks to those who came forward and assisted us in moving the storeroom to the garage area on the working members’ day, thus allowing us to start the building of the children’s room. I would like to thank Karen Reddering for her encouragement and I am eager to hear her ideas for the children’s room. I would like to thank Don Hauxwell who has taken the responsibility upon himself and is currently busy with the building of the children’s room that will give your children a safe and fun environment to play in and on Friday Nights when the members get snacks the children will also receive their own platter of snacks. I would also like to thank Gary Burke who is busy repairing the floors in the bathrooms and in the Main hall.
Thus we are trying to accommodate everyone by making the club as pleasing and satisfying as possible for the members and their children.
We have also decided after various quotes that Johan Ruster will be granted the task of redoing and revamping our jetties. According to our present funds only two would probably be done now, unless we receive further funds seeing as the cost is R20 000 a Jetty.
During the year we have had a lot of functions and activities and also held a Bingo Evening, the Mid Year dance and a Spitbraai where we gave away a week all inclusive trip for two to Mauritius. We still have the Potjiekos Competition that will be taking place on the 1st of November 2008 and our New Year Bash on the 31st of December 2008.
I would like to thank Steve Barclay who obtained sponsorship and prizes from Coca Cola for the Potjiekos Competition and for the New Years Party 2007 I would like to thank Doepie for his sponsorship and would like to know if there is anyone willing to sponsor this years New Years Dance, as we are looking for a band or disco for the evening.
Hobbie Expedition
The club is exceedingly very proud of Jaco Smith and Marc Warmerdam who at their own esteem and sponsorship went to Zanzibar to represent the Yacht Club in the Hobbie division.
We would also like to give our regards and speedy recovery to Werner Kotze who was injured in a motorbike accident last Saturday and was taken up by the N1 Hospital. We are glad to inform you that he has made progress and has been released from ICU and are in recovery. For those who do not know Werner he is the gentleman that sponsored most of the new bar area.
We want to give our condolences to all the families and Yacht Club members who have lost someone close to them this year. It has been a difficult year emotionally with the explosion at Saldanha Steel and the loss of a great number of good members and friends.
We are furthermore in the process of establishing a memorial tombstone/ remembrance rock at the club. If a member has passed away or their ashes are spread here their name can be placed on the rock. The name plates will all be the same size at a minimum fee for the name plate and will be controlled by the club on a standard basis.
I also want to sincerely apologize to everyone and especially to Oom Jannie Uys, our Club President, for canceling the Opening Cruise, by pass of the boats, but unfortunately the weather did not permit it this year.
We would really much appreciate it if you could support the club and the rest of the functions for the year.
We would also like to thank all those who have supported the club, all the sponsors, and all the financial support that we have received.
The fishing season has officially begun as the Stump-noses and Cob are starting to bite and Anton has even pulled out 4 White Steen-brasses, unfortunately under size, but the fishing has been going good at “Vals Kiel”, “Sproeiwalle” and behind the Island for this month of October.
Allan also brought it to our Vice Commodore, Andre Kruger’s attention that the Langebaan Yacht Club has once again been voted the best Yacht Club in the country for 2008 by the Boating and Sailing Magazine. We were voted the best due to our wide range of activities and participation. We will be publishing the article as soon as we receive it.
We hope to see everyone at the club this holiday season as the winter has been so long that I have picked up a tennis elbow (not gout) from the bar counter.
The fish are starting to bite, the sun has come out and the festivities will now begin, so come and join us.
Yours truly,
Alfie Smit
LYC Commodore