A few words from the new International 14 class chairman

Firstly I'd like to say a big thanks to our outgoing Chairman Dan Holman for all of his work over the past two years, it's a difficult job and with his team including the outgoing Sam Pascoe they have done a great job of keeping the class moving.

So, it's been a big few weeks for the class. A new chairman and PoW week in Abersoch giving us all a serious test of boat-handling and liver function, overall a great week was had by all at a spectacular venue, (I could do with finishing a PoW race though, I'm 0 for 4 now and it's beginning to grate on me!!). Congratulations to Glen Truswell and Sam Pascoe for another stunning performance in their new David Hollom designed Scrumpet.

One thing that stood out was the standard across the fleet, the racing was superb to the extent that a bad tack was costing numerous places, and fantastic racing right through the fleet, great to see. However, for me the best thing was the emergence of the girls, 4 female crews in the 26 boat fleet (and even a sneaky trip on the helm to create an all girls crew for Immi Smith) was truly great to see, it just goes to prove you don't need to be a gorilla to sail these things!

So for those of you who don't know me I suppose an overview is in order of who I am and what I intend to do...

I'm actually on my second attempt in the 14 fleet after a few years with a Howlett 1b in the early-ish 90s I then went off 18 foot skiffing followed by 8 years in the Musto Skiff class, 4 of which as their first class chairman. After another 18 tour it was time for a change and a 14 seemed the way forward. Andy (Peake, my helm) and I both found ourselves in similar positions, wife and small child, so wanted something to sail close to home and not have to put too much energy into, but wouldn't make us fall asleep or have to hike!

So we bought a Beiker 4 to sail at Wilsonian SC in Kent (very similar to sailing at Itchenor but with a wider launching area!). After deciding not to take it too seriously... new foils, new sails & new deck gear (D'oh!) we decided that we might as well up the ante and left ourselves open to a world of mocking by buying Crumpet, Glen's dominant steed after it returned from the worlds in Oz... Leave it with us, we're still learning!

Anyway, I'm honoured to be asked to be the UK class chairman, and for me it's at a point in the UK class that is the most exciting for years, loads of new boats on the water/in build/on order, new young crews to mock my aches and pains as an older crew and an influx of female crews, pretty rare that we get all of those in one go, so now it's time to take advantage of that (not in that way... the wife would kill me!) Below are a few things that are on the list for the committee:

More media. The intention is to utilise our videos & photos more effectively. Be prepared to be interviewed and asked to carry a camera on board...

Better utilisation of Facebook & prepare for Twitter

Better and more tight opens, changes to the calendar to attract new people to the class and entertain the current group

Up the ante on socials, we have a new social secretary... no pressure Luke!

Keep the SWAGs happy (Sailing Wives And Girlfriends), social calendar to get them more involved and actually want to come to the events!

New venues/multi class events, time to debunk from the south coast to see what the glories of north of the M27 look like

Tighter running of events, solid procedures on race formats, membership payments made easier, new race formats, easier measurement processes

These are just a few of the ideas in the pot, there will be many more.

...and here's the new committee:

Graeme Oliver - Class Chairman
Tom Watkins - Class Secretary
Andy Penman - Treasurer
Chris Watson - Sailing Secretary/Events
Luke Boughton - Social Secretary
Izzy Hartland - Media Manager
Peter Crockford - Chief Measurer

Please help the team out as much as possible, it's not an easy job and none of us are getting paid for the pleasure, but I assure you we will do a great job and push you all to the brink of exhaustion both on and off the water!

Here's to the new regime:-)
Graeme.