Hello everyone

Following the ZVYC Committee Meeting on 19 July 2022, there will be a weekly newsletter done to keep members informed and up to date on happenings at the club.  We will be introducing a member of the newly elected committee each week.  This week, starting with the office manager, Carolyn Matschke.

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself, I started working at the Club in the office during February, I have met some of you over the past 5 months that I have been at the club, but not everyone as yet.  I moved to Cape Town from Alberton, Gauteng almost 2 years ago after my retirement.  My introduction to ZVYC was doing the 4 week Ladies Sailing Course held last year in April.  I decided that retirement was not yet for me and needed to find something to keep me busy.  I was fortunate enough to meet Karen and Barbi and with their help, got offered my current position at the club.  I am  getting to know the systems in place at the club and putting names to faces.

Hopefully I will get the chance to meet more of you when the sailing/rowing season starts again. We have been advised by FBNR & FoZR that the weir will be closed at the end of July, so hopefully by end of August it will be all systems go.

From Mike Scott – Rear Commodore – Rowing
As we move into the latter end of winter and the vlei fills up, Alfred rowers are excited about getting back on the water again. Rowers have kept fit this winter season via the Wednesday evening club erg sessions, the coastal regatta and at this coming weekends 27km Long Row down the Berg River to Veldrift.

Alfred Members have been active in many different parts of the world including Brian Christie rowing on the Yarra in Melbourne, Tessa Preen on the Nile, Iris Henkel in Germany, Peter Baird in the USA, Mike Scott on the Wanganui and Marc Maureal at Lucerne.  Rowers around the world love enjoy the opportunity to host visitors and it is always are thrill to experience new clubs and row on their waters.  Next year it is our turn, as masters rowers from around the globe descend on South Africa for the World Masters rowing Regatta at Roodeplaat Dam north of Pretoria.  We can anticipate many of those rowers including a trip to the Cape on either side of the regatta so we will be excited to get out on the water with them where new friendships often result in reciprocal visits.

We are looking forward to seeing you all back on the water in the coming weeks as the vlei refills following the end of drawdown and the closing of the weir next week.

From Rear Commodore – Sailing Lara Dugas

We are looking forward to a busy and fun sailing season starting in September.  The sailing/rowing calendar will be published next week once it is finalised.  There many exciting things planned.   Keep an eye on the website too for information.

Events

Outside Functions

Liz Day requested this to be included in the newsletter.

The moment you have all been waiting for!!! Reed clearing on Sunday 24 July – 9.30 to 12.30.   It’s our last chance to open the gap for the new season, before the vlei fills.   So – if you don’t want to get stuck in the reeds coming home this season … meet you 9.30 at the end of Island Road. Bring garden forks; wellies; old clothes and a sense of humour.

Let’s get our vlei ready for a wonderful season!

Have a great weekend everyone – until next week, stay safe and take care.