Clifden's Public Relations Officer's Report

If you really want to keep upto date with what's going on in our club
I recommend you Check in here regularily

Report 9th December 2009
The end of season "Laying-Up Supper" with a "X-mas Theme" is now scheduled for Saturday the 19th December 2009. That's Saturday week.
Tickets: €10 available from Donal at 'An Siopa Deas', Market Street, or at the door on the night.
Venue: CBC Clubhouse. Time: Gathering from 8pm, food from 9pm.
A raffle will be held on the night.
The prize-giving for the club's 'Summer Series' and 'Autumn League' of club yacht racing will also be held on the night.

Report 24th November 2009
We have again postponed our 'Laying-Up Supper' ... until further notice this time.
It will not be this Friday 27th Nov. Watch this space for a new date.

Report 17th November 2009
Hi Folks,
The end of season "Laying-Up Supper" has been postponed to Friday 27th Nov 2009. That's Friday week.
Tickets: €10 available from Donal at 'An Siopa Deas', Market Street, or at the door on the night.
Venue: CBC Clubhouse. Time: Gathering from 8pm, food from 9pm.
A raffle will be held on the night.
The prize-giving for the club's 'Summer Series' and 'Autumn League' of club yacht racing will also be held on the night.

Report 7th Octobber 2009
At a meeting on Monday 5th it was decided to change the date for our 'Laying-Up Supper'.
The new date is Friday 20th November.
Tickets will be available from Donal at 'An Siopa Deas' as well as at the door on the night.

Report 29th September 2009
West of Ireland Offshore Racing Association
Notice of Annual General Meeting
Onesails McWilliam West Coast Super League 2009 Prize Giving
Foynes Yacht Club Laying Up Supper (Tickets €15.00)
Venue - Foynes Yacht Club, Foynes Co. Limerick
Date - Saturday 14th November 2009
Times - WIORA AGM ~ 1800hrs
Super League Prize Giving ~ 1930hrs
Laying Up Supper ~ 2030hrs
ALL ARE VERY WELCOME

Report 22nd September 2009
The 'RNLI Autumn League' finished with the last two races being held last Sunday 20th.
Full Results are on the menu on the left.

Report 2nd September 2009
New Editorial just gone to press on Clifden Regatta 2009:

After hosting the 'West Coast Championships' for two consecutive years, Clifden boat Club were well prepared for their 2009 local regatta on the 8th and 9th of August. The organising team worked hard in the months coming up to the event, to ensure that this somewhat smaller event was still run with the same precision and high standard that they had set for themselves. Even in times of financial difficulty, there was great support for this event from the businesses of Clifden town, and for this, both the Clifden Boat Club and the event's competitors are truly greatfull.

Galway Bay Sailing Club was well represented, with twelve of the fleet of twenty two yachts racing in Clifden Bay for the weekend. Crews also travelled from Mayo, Foynes and Kilrush to take part in this exciting event. The fleet was split into two classes and were scheduled to compete in four races over the two days. With Galway Bay Sailing Clubs Dave Vinnell heading the Race Committee, racing commenced on scheduled and we managed to get in our four races with winds varying from very light breeze and sunshine on Saturday to rather heavy winds on Sunday which made for an interesting coastal race, which saw the fleets racing around the picturesque Crough Island and High Island.

Winds were high but so were spirits, as the final prize giving kicked off in the Clifden Boat Club House. Galway Bay Sailing Clubs' 'Optique' triumphed overall in Echo, taking home the Perpetual 'Kingstown Cup' and Clifdens own 'Hallmark', skippered by Jackie Ward and his crew came out on top, winning the overall on IRC and leaving with the infamous 'Clifden cup'. Well done to all that took part in the event. Detailed results can be found at www.clifdenboatclub.com

Clifden Boat Club are already looking forward to the 2010 sailing season, and hope to see more getting involved in this exciting sport.
Bobbi O Regan Clifden Boat Club Hon. Secretary

Jackie Ward & Crew of 'Hallmark' - Overall Winner of Clifden Regatta '09
Pictured left to right: Tom Davis, Ian Shanahan, Damian Ward, Jackie Ward, Barry Ward and Mike Coohill. Not pictured is Mike Davis.

Hallmark, courtesy of yacht 'Battle' of Foynes Yacht Club.

Report 21st August 2009
New Jetty for Clifden Beach area:
This has been talked about for quite a while and truth be know today's actual plan started in 2002. The reality of it happening is almost here. I personally hoped to see it in place by the end of this season but some extra delays have come upon us ... read on:

The project is to replace the temporary jetty currently in place for the summer with a permanent fixed gangway going out to a floating landing which rises and falls with the tide on two concrete piles.
The project is headed jointly by CBC and the Clifden Chamber of Commerce.
The project has been approved by Forum.
Forum have granted us 50% grant-aid.
We are appealing this descision and still hope to get the max grant-aid of 75%.
This appeal will not affect the already alotted 50% just delay the process a little.
Louis Keating Marine Engineers have agreed to keep the price fixed until April 2010, are on standy by (so to speak), and can get the job done, in a relativily short time, once the go-ahead is given.

This is just the first phase of a larger plan ... click here to see a rough sketch of where and how it will be.

We are always working away in the background and will continue to do so but we really need your membership subscriptions EVERY YEAR to keep going.

A club is a club ... the more you put in the more you get out (not just financially).

Report 20th August 2009
The RNLI League started yesterday and we have the results here for the first race.
The Overalls can be found on the left hand menu, as usual.
Race 1 IRC and Race 1 ECHO

Report 13th August 2009
The Lifeboat Sea Safety Roadshow will be in Clifden this Sunday 16th August.
It will be located at the square.
If you have a lifejacket (or lifejackets) why not bring it (or them) along.
They offer a free condition check of any lifejacket and will demonstrate how to check it yourself. They will also be doing some talks and demonstrations on Sea Safety equipment.

Report 10th August 2009
Clifden Regatta 2009 is over ...
and it was a great success with 22 yachts racing in two classes ... and
The Overall Winners are Clifden's own 'Hallmark' in IRC
and 'Optique', of Galway, in ECHO.

The full results can be found on the left hand menu or just below here now.
Class 1 IRC Overall, Class 1 ECHO Overall,
Class 2 IRC Overall, Class 2 ECHO Overall.

Report 7th August 2009
Clifden Regatta 2009, the 4th event of Superleague 2009, is upon us.
Most details can be found on the left hand menu.
There are 16 yacht entered so far, but 20 are in the bay ready to race, the late arrivals will enter in the morning.
The only changes to the run of this is listed in the Ammendments ... click here also available on the left hand menu.
At the end of tomorrow's racing we hope to have results posted here for the first day's racing.

Report 5th August 2009
We now have the 'Sailing Instructions', for Clifden Regatta 2009, in the dedicated section of our club site. They can be found on the left-hand menu on this page or click here to go straight to them.

Report 29th July 2009
We now have the full results for our Summer Series of yacht racing, in both IRC and ECHO. Both can be found on the left hand menu bar, or just below here:
Overall IRC ... and ... Overall ECHO

Report 29th July 2009
I have just read a report and provisional results of the "Superleague 2009" so far.
It is on the 'Afloat' website ... can be linked here.
The also have a link to the full results for the "Superleague 2009" but it links you to this page.
So if you want to see the provisional results click here to go to the proper page.
In my opinion the articler is a little missleading, some of the yachts listed haven't qualified yet.
To qualify for the Superleague a yacht MUST compete in the WIORA and at least 2 other events. A yachts results are the best 3 of the 6. There are still 3 events left so they MAY yet qualify.

Report 18th July 2009
With 3 weeks now left to the start of Clifden Regatta 2009 it's time for Skippers to get their yachts entered.
We have a dedicated section within our club site with all the info you need ... Click here.
Also the various bits will be linked from the left hand menu on this page as they are available.

Report 16th July 2009
For anyone not used to coming to this page:
The "Summer Series" of yacht racing in Clifden Bay has started, and is underway, and the Sailing Instructions and Results, and other stuff, are all avaiulable on the left hand side of this page.

Report 15th July 2009
Hi Folks,
There was talk of a couple of boats going to Bofin this weekend. At a meeting Monday evening it was discussed and agreed to make it an official weekend outing ... but not this weekend as it clashes with Roundstone regatta.
So, it was decided to go to Bofin the following weekend instead, Saturday 25th July.
All are welcome, get talking to your usual skippers, yachts or powerboats, or just get the ferry and we'll see you there.

Report 10th July 2009
The Summer Series has started. It got underway on Wednesday last (8th July).
Here are the Sailing Instructions ... click here to download.

Report 30th June 2009
Our scheduled 'Summer Series' start for today, for Tues and Thurs evenings has been postponed til further notice.I don't know much more than that, at the moment.

This years 'Race Officer' has planed something, and I quote:
"Racing league starting this wed eve. gun at 7'30 sailing inst and entry at 6'30".
That's all I have on that for now too. Hopefully more news on that to follow.

Report 16th June 2009
Busy Weekend ahead - Mid Summer Party ... and more!!!

Hi Folks, Our 'Mid Summer Party' is upon us, this Sunday the 21st June.
There is planned; A cold buffet inside the Clubhouse and weather permitting a BBQ outside. This is open to all, 8pm, cost 10 euro payable at the door.

With this we have local boats volunteering to bring anyone who is interested in short trips around the bay. We hope to have yachts and powerboats available from 4pm onwards.
This is free to all!!!

Also, our 'Sea Angling Competition', scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed to Sunday, to coincide with this 'Mid Summer Party'.
Please spread the word about change in date.
We have booked John Ryan's Charter Fishing Vessel, The Celtic Queen, for the afternoon, pending entries.
The cost of entering the competition is 25 euro, per person, including all fishing equipment supplied by John.
This competition is also open to private boats and their anglers. If you want to participate and bring extra anglers with you please contact me ASAP to discuss reduced entry fee options.
Briefing and registration is planned for 3pm. Competition starts 4pm. Weigh-in 7.30pm. Prize-giving 8pm.
As we have had to book John's Charter Fishing Vessel for the day I need interested parties to contact me ASAP.
There is a max limit of 12 persons on this vessel. Only first entries paid up can be confirmed.

This looks like it should be a fun afternoon and evening ... and possibly a late night.
I hope to see you all there.
Regards,
Damian Ward.
Mobile: 087-241 85 69.
Public Relations Officer
Clifden Boat Club

Report 21st May 2009
Click here to read a newsletter sent out to all clubs from the commodore of WIORA.

Report 12th May 2009
After a meeting held last night it was decided that the "Launch Party" is cancelled due to clashing dates in the near future. It will now be replaced with a "Mid Summer Party" scheduled for the weekend of 20th/21st June, coinciding with our scheduled Sea Angling Competition.

Also, the "Bofin Cruise" scheduled for this weekend, 15th May, is going ahead.
There is a change to the usual formatt. We won't be organising a group dinner so feel free to make your own plans for dining on the island.
Contact the skippers of any of the yachts or powerboats to make plans.

Report 8th April 2009
The "Spring Series", of yacht racing in Clifden Bay, scheduled to start tomorrow (9th April), has been postponed until further notice.

Report 6th April 2009
The registration form for this years sailing courses can be downloaded here now.
It should also be on the relevant page of the website soon.

Report 26th March 2009
"Yacht Owners/Skippers,
Hi All. I have been asked to make sure you know that moorings/berths are fast becoming scarce. If you intend on bringing your boat to the GBSC Regatta or visiting Galway Bay during the Volvo Stop-Over you must reserve a berth/mooring now.
Galway have put out 120 new visitor moorings and 110 are already booked.
Click here for the booking form which must be sent to the Harbour Master in Galway asap. Regards, Damian."

Report 19th March 2009
A note from W.I.O.R.A.:
" Hi,
As a reminder the reduced entry fee date of the 31st March 2009 is fast approaching,
for entry to the ICRA National Cruiser Championship
& WIORA West Coast Championship.

NATIONALS, WESTCOAST (INCL WHITESAILS), COMBINED
ON/PRIOR 31st MARCH 2009 €125 €125 €175
ON/AFTER 01st APRIL 2009 €175 €175 €225

‘Online Entry’ is available
Irish Cruiser Racing Association ‘National Cruiser Championships’ 11th – 13th June 2009 West of Ireland Offshore Racing Association ‘West Coast Championships’ 10th – 12th June 2009
Tralee Bay Sailing Club, Fenit, Co. Kerry.
For more information and the Online Entry Form – available at www.traleebaysailingclub.com

Regards, Simon."

Report 15th February 2009
We're now planing our entry in the Blue Cup Regatta 2009, in Greece, in November.
Please click here to read a report on our first entry in Nov 2008.
And click here to read a projection for the 2009 event.
If you are interested you should contact Werner asap. We need to book the yachts now.
You can go straight to their own site for more info ... it's on the right hand side here.
I'm also working on a dedicated page which will be linked from the left hand menu.

Report 12th February 2009
A note from Galway Bay Sailing Club ...
" Hello all,
As you may be aware the G.B.S.C. calendar will be published in the next couple of weeks.
You may wish to know that as well as our established events we will (as a new initiative) be running a Spring League this season on four consecutive Sundays from 26th April to 17th May
The format will be two races a day, windward leeward or with a triangle,Committee boat start and finish, approx 50-60 min per races with first gun at 11.00hrs.
This is being run as a build-up to GB '09, the Volvo Stopover and WIORA/IRC Nationals in Fenit.
It is also being run, in part, due to the success of our October League and also to facilitate visiting boats from the west coast who may wish to in get some racing prior to the bigger events.
We would be particularly pleased to have visiting boats participate and I ask please that you might inform members of your club of this event so that they may have time to consider this option to their season plan.
Yours in sailing,Martin Breen."

Report 6th February 2009
A note from WIORA ...
"Online Entry is now available for both the
Irish Cruiser Racing Association ‘National Cruiser Championships’ 11th – 13th June ‘09 West of Ireland Offshore Racing Association ‘West Coast Championships’ 10th – 12th June ‘09.
Tralee Bay Sailing Club, Feint, Co. Kerry.
For more information and the Online Entry Form – check out www.traleebaysailingclub.com "

Report 13th January 2009
We're in to a new year and prepping for the next sailing season.
At a recent committee meeting it was confirmed that our club memberships are valid for the calendar year, Jan to Dec ... this means your membership is now due.
Click here to download the 2009 memberships form, print it, attach a cheque and post to Donal, please.

The Volvo Ocean Race is due to leave Singapore this Sunday 18th Jan ... a 2,500 mile leg to China. You can follow it by clicking on the link in the right hand menu.

Report 16th December 2008
Our local yacht CERYS has crossed the finish line in St. Lucia. They were racing in the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) with 214 yachts from Canaries. They came 133rd in 21 days (I think). Well done Ruaidhri and Ursula.

Report 12th December 2008
OK folks ... the VOR is back on ... the boys have all had time to make repairs and rest.
10am tomorrow, Saturday, sees the start line in Cochin, India ... destination Singapore.
I may be back here later on tonight to give you the high-lights on the lead up to tomorrow.
Actually I won't be here ... I'll be reporting on my VOR page ... link found on the right.

Report 20th November 2008
Well, our year is over ... we've had our AGM, in the form of an EGM this year to change the anual date.
We have a new committee for the 2009 season.
We had our "Laying-Up Supper" too ... that concludes our sheduled calendar .
We now have a new webmaster too. Bobbi will be posting the updated site soon.

In the meantime the Volvo Ocean Race is well under way.
Click on the link in the right-hand menu.

Report 11th November
Our end of year "Laying-Up Supper" is this Friday, the 14th Nov.
Tickets are available from Donal, in the Siopa Deas, for 15 euro each.
Tickets can also be reserved, by emailing me with your intended numbers,
then collected and paid for at the door on the night.
Numbers can be changed later but we need some idea for now to plan the night.
Your help with this is appreciated.
Email me now ... warddamian@hotmail.com

Report 29th October
Kilrush October Series is over. Hallmark wins Class 3.
And that is the end of the "Dubarry West Coast Superleague 2008" ...
Class 3 and Overall Winner 2008 is our own HALLMARK.

Damian Ward … Clifden's Public Relations Officer.