Hon Secretarys Report - 2022 AGM.

Hon Secretary’s Report for Ryde Rowing Club’s AGM, to be held on the 25th November 2022.

Hello Everyone

This is my report for this year, 2022.

The Club have recorded some good results in the Hants and Dorset ARA calendar.

The season started with a win at the Southampton Coastal Head for our Junior Senior Four. We had a novice win at Christchurch, J16 win at Woolston, Junior Four win at Worthing and we retained our Junior Senior South Coast Open Championship.  Club member Dale Buckett with his mainland club, Upper Thames, reached the semi final at Henley in the Wyfold Cup.  Last winter the Isle of Wight Rowing Forum ran some time trial races, which the Club competed in.  Several Club members have rowed for their respective universities. 

The Club purchased a new boat, due to be delivered shortly.  We obtained 5 sets of new scull blades with the help of a grant from Wightaid. 

Sadly, the Club’s regatta, due to be held on the 4th June, did not go ahead due to very strong winds.  Several attempts were made to put crews on the water but only two races were  completed.  Ironically, all the visiting clubs really enjoyed the day despite there being no rowing, as the event is one of the most popular regattas.  Everyone admires our catering, especially the BBQ and cakes!  Visiting clubs were taking photos of our selection of food and throughout the season we noticed they had taken onboard our ideas!

The Club has been hired for many functions again this year.  The Fish and Chip Suppers are being supported very well and have held some very interesting talks.  The Awards Night is being held tomorrow and the bar will be open for events running up to Christmas.  At the regatta we used the “Sum Up” machines for the first time, as cash is not being used so much these days.  They were a great success and more money was taken this way than by cash, so they have been a good investment.

We have been approached by two independent local organisations – Swim the Wight and Plant Aware.  Both groups were looking to use the Club’s facilities.  Swim the Wight is a club for fresh water swimmers that are looking to use the Clubhouse all year round.  Planet Aware is a club for children from approximately 7 years to 15 years old.  They educate them in relation to climate change and the affect this has on our oceans and beaches etc.  They will have activities on the beach and in the Clubhouse.

Ryde Harriers continue to hire the facilities for their weekly runs and road races etc. 

The Waterside Pool also uses the Clubhouse for their meetings.  In return, they assist us with the annual capsize drill.

Many improvements have been made to the Clubhouse. Ben Ade replaced the decking on the side balcony.  Pete Allsopp is changing the lighting in the Clubhouse to more economical LED lighting.  The Club is constantly looking for ways to run the building more efficiently.  Dave Redstone has obtained good energy deals etc.  Justin Corney continues to service the minibus and repair the trailer. Additional electrical sockets are to be added to the gym area. 

The Club continues to use the Folly site at East Cowes for their on water training.  Our thanks go to PC Securities for their assistance in this, as their security staff stay on for an extra few hours on a Saturday morning to enable us to row from there.

Very sadly, we lost longstanding club members Dave Wheeler, Marion Lennie and Janet Rabey this year.

Dave Wheeler’s son, Paul, donated the drawing of the draft plan for one of the boats he designed and built for the Club.  This now hangs in the back bar.  The scattering of his ashes was held in May, when Paul and other senior members rowed off Appley.  The spectators were rather worried the crew would make it back to shore in one piece!

Looking to next year, we have many new younger rowers and feel positive that we will have a successful 2023.

I would like to thank everyone who has supported the Club this year, in whatever way.  Without such support, it would be very difficult to continue to run this great club. A lot of hard work is done behind the scenes as well as on the water.

Darrell Reeve

Hon Secretary