Opening Day (5 May) saw a number of fast and slow handicap dinghies enjoying the good weather.  Fast handicap was won by Ryan Charteris (runner up Charlie Edgar in his new Laser Redial).  Slow handicap was won by Steve & Daniel Nelson (again!) with Jacob Kennedy as runner up.

Jacob Kennedy, Shirley McCrum

Ryan Charteris , Shirley McCrum

Daniel Nelson, Shirley McCrum

Sara Parkinson, Lucy Burrows, Shirley McCrum & Claire Ogg

Charlie Edgar, Shirley McCrum

Fraser Menzies, Shirley McCrum

Shirley McCrum, Jimmie McKee

Fraser Menzies, Shirley McCrum, Paul Kennedy

Robson Ogg, Shirley McCrum & James Ogg

A trip to the Copeland Islands the following day helped clear the heads after a very enjoyable Opening Night (greatly assisted by the Happy Hour, good food and music).

Daniel's first visit to the Island

'Ahoy there'

Paradise on our doorstep…thank you to Alvin, Derek, Laura & Ryan for ferrying us all across. Watch out for more social sailing dates to come…..

Rotas

Safety Boat

Battery

Although the turnout was disappointing, the members and guests who came along to The Night at the Races on Friday 30th March had a very enjoyable and fun filled evening.  8 races were run with prizes for the winning owners.  Supper was served after race 4 – Kyle’s ‘blooming onions’ went down a treat, then the last 4 races were run.  Mr Heaney did particularly well with several wins over a number of races.

A big thank you to Stuart and Kyle for organising this event – it is hoped to run another event later in the year with hopefully a few more members attending.

"Blooming Onions"

"The Winning Owners"

Members and friends got together to celebrate Burns Night on Friday 27th January – The haggis was addressed by Fraser Menzies, he was joined this year by Rab C Nesbitt (aka John Townson).
A traditional Burns Night supper of haggis neeps and tatties was then enjoyed by all, along with a little Scottish music.
Thanks to Ian and Shirley McCrum for manning the bar and to Laura, Katie J, Ross, Ian and Kyle for preparing and serving supper.
Some photos below:

[Show as slideshow]

Some photos from club events held over Christmas and New Year

Turkey Trot – 27th December 2011

[Show as slideshow]

Rugby Trip to Ravenhill – Wednesday 28th December

[Show as slideshow]

New Years Eve Party

[Show as slideshow]

TOURNOIS DE PETANQUE
The annual Tournois de Petanque took place on Boxing Day with a total of five teams (two players each) and a number of more or less impartial supporters.
Santa appeared to have responded positively and a number of brand new sets of Boules de Loisirs were much in evidence, with Willie in particular exerting even more than his usual magnetic personality on the proceedings.
The teams were Tigers (Tony and Thomas), Exiles (Frazer and George), Outlaws (Mark Keddie and Dave Allen – both sons-in-law to John T). Millislers (Willie and Ken Walsh)) and Grumps (Noel and John – who else??)
Mercifully the strong winds which had curtailed sailing were effectively buffered by the stout walls of the Boathouse and the event took place on the Club Boulodrome at the rear entrance. The format was a round robin of five ends against each other team to determine the finalists.
After some close encounters, the final was between Millislers and Grumps. Originally scheduled for the normal 13 point game, it was mutually agreed, due to bad light, cold and an urgent need for liquid refreshment, to reduce it to 10 points with the Grumps prevailing by 10 – 4.
Everyone appeared to enjoy the event and it is hoped that it may be possible to begin a modest Petanque session during the sailing season.

"I didn't realise it was that that cold!!"

Members young and not so young, in various disguises all enjoyed Friday night’s Halloween Party – our junior members got involved in the traditional ‘apple dunking’ and ‘mummy wrapping’ and also produced some very impressive carved pumpkins.

It was good to see some of our newer family members in attendance – hope you all enjoyed yourselves and will come along to our next family event – a Beetle Drive – good fun for all the family to be held on Friday 25th November – 7.30pm start.

Happy 40th Birthday DSC!!

Saturday 14th May saw the official ‘Opening Day’ start of the 2011 sailing season.

The day got off to a breezy start along with a few showers, however the weather failed to dampen the spirits of the sailors on the water.
2 races were held – 1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon with close racing in both handicap classes. Full results will follow.
Food was served at 7.30pm and it was great to see a good crowd in the clubhouse enjoying the hospitality. Thank you to gail Skeats and all the ladies who assisted with the preparation and serving of the meal.
The prize giving was held after the meal with Oisin McClelland winning the fast handicap class and Lucy Burrows winning the slow handicap.
The birthday party then got underway with live music by ‘Code Blue’, who were enjoyed by members and friends. The candles on the birthday cake were then lit and ‘Happy Birthday’ sung to the club – Happy 40th Birthday Donaghadee Sailing Club – hope there will be many more years of sailing and partying in the future.

Thanks you to all of those involved in the organisation of the day, both on and off the water.

Congratulations to Ruth McNamara, Donna Parkinson and all the ladies who organised and helped at the recent “Ladies Glam Evening” Fundraiser.

The evening held on Thursday 14th April raised the grand total of £850 towards the purchase of a new engine for one of the club’s safety boats.

Thank you ladies for all your hard work.