Top notch on-water season planned for 2014 at the Royal Southern YC

Royal Southern Yacht Club's Race Management Committee (l to r) back: Stuart Childerley NRO, Trevor Pountain Club RO, Peter Bateson IRO, John Ramseyer Club CRO, front: Natalie Gray, Sailing Secretary, Philip Gage IJ & Chairman, Colin Hall, Club Mark Layer © RSrnYC

The Hamble-based Royal Southern Yacht Club reversed the general decline across the Solent in race entry numbers again this season despite high winds causing event cancellations during May and early June.

When asked how this had been achieved, Chairman of Race Management, Philip Gage IJ NRO, commented:

"We worked hard to provide greater variety of courses matched to the preferences of boat owners. We also marketed our events more professionally both in pre-race advertising and in post-race press reports and photography."

The 2013 Sailing Committee Chairman, Colin Hall, added:

"Our colleagues running the shore side worked hard to create really enjoyable event parties with great atmosphere, open to all entrants, whether members or not. We've seen lots more young people staying on after sailing and It all adds up to a package that people want to be part of. It's another reason why the Club's membership has grown by 9% this year."

Next year promises to be even busier at the Royal Southern.

"With all our Monthly Regattas having been fixed in the SCRA Calendar last April and a jump in the number of top fleets choosing to base their major events at the Southern, we're looking for a third year of growth in 2014," observes the Royal Southern's newly elected Sailing Committee Chairman, Graham Nixon.

In addition to the Club's Summer Series Regattas including title sponsorship from Mount Gay Rum, Champagne Joseph Perrier and AVEVA, other notable events already scheduled include:

• Inter-Club Youth Championship - 29 March
• David Thomas Designs Rally - 10 - 11 May
• 6 Metre Southern Six Trophy - 7 - 8 June
• ISAF Grade 2 Match Racing event - the first in the UK for 6 years - 12 -15 June
• J-Cup 23 -26 July
• The new Fast 40 Class is planning two 3-day events in May and September

"Thanks to the start of the Figaro this year and immense help from the Mayor of Deauville and Deauville Yacht Club, the inner basin is being dredged and a new marina built over this winter. We will be the first event to be hosted in their new facilities. 2014 is definitely the year to add the Cowes-Deauville to your 'To Do' list."

When asked what attracted top competitors to race at the Royal Southern Yacht Club, National Race Officer, Stuart Childerley, emphasised that, first and foremost it's the quality of race management, supported by the generous welcome the competitors experience both afloat and ashore.

"The Club's schedule creates a huge workload for the race management teams who are all volunteers. We are currently working with our colleagues at Hamble River and Warsash, on a training and development programme for all race officers, to increase our capacity and ensure that the Royal Southern continues to provide the best race management in the Solent," explained Childerley.

Immediately post the Club's recent AGM, Rear Commodore Sailing, Karen Henderson-Williams, said:

"We had a real buzz around our events this past season and that's what we're building on. The Royal Southern Yacht Club is already signed up to accept Spinlock IRC Limited Validity TCCs at our events in 2014. For great racing and the best bar banter afterwards, the only place to be is at the Southern."

The Club's 2014 Sailing Programme has just been published, in print and online. www.royal-southern.co.uk/Events. As introduced last year, there are early bird discounts for early entrants.

www.royal-southern.co.uk