Hon Secretary’s Report for Ryde Rowing Club’s AGM, to be held on the 26th March 2021 via Zoom.
/Hon Secretary’s Report for Ryde Rowing Club’s AGM, to be held on the 26th March 2021 via Zoom.
The Annual General Meeting, due to take place in October 2020, was cancelled due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Unfortunately, due to Covid, the 2020 rowing season was effectively cancelled. Ryde attended one event, which was the BTC River Head on the 14th March. There was a win for the Junior Pair, a second place for the Novice Four and a third place in the J16 Four, for our J14 Boys.
The Isle of Wight Rowing Forum ran an event for the junior rowers in October half term. This went well, our J15 Boys recording the fastest time of the day. Further events were planned but did not go ahead due to the restrictions.
During the first Lockdown ergos were lent out to enable rowers to carry on land training at home. In the summer, when restrictions were eased, land training was held outside of the Clubhouse and on the water at The Folly. The guidelines were followed to ensure training was held in a safe environment. I would like to thank the coaches for all their hard work in keeping the training going and making sure everyone was safe.
Much to everyone’s disappointment, the Club Regatta had to be cancelled. The weather on the day was ideal and I am sure it would have been a great event.
Currently it is unclear which regattas will take place this year. A decision will be made at the upcoming Hants and Dorset AGM, and clubs will be notified at the end of March/beginning of April.
No functions were held last year due to the Pandemic. This included the Club’s Fish and Chip Suppers and hiring out the facilities for functions such as weddings and birthdays.
If any members have been past the Clubhouse recently, they will have noticed the emergency sewer works that are taking place in the area surrounding the Clubhouse. Access to the Clubhouse will be very limited, even when restrictions are eased, and Southern Water have not confirmed when this work will be concluded.
On a positive note, the Club is in a good financial position. The boat mould, owned by Club members, has had two other boats built from it, with the possibility of two more in the pipeline. The Club earns commission on each boat built.
I would like to thank the Officers, Committee Members and Club members for their support in what has been a most challenging year. I hope that some form of Hants and Dorset season will go ahead this year.
Darrell Reeve
Hon Secretary.
