| Yes folks, it has finally happened. A moment
in history, up there with the storming of the Winter Palace.
The fledgling Irish Topaz Association has been formed (created)
(born?) in Portlaoise on November 9th last.
Like all potential revolutions it had a very humble exploratory
meeting, with only four members of two sailing clubs in attendance.
Obviously the whiff of committee posts was in the air and
"Rome" was on BBC 2! Anyway you can all relax as
they are filled, at least provisionally, for the time being.
In attendance were Paul Doran and Peter Harrington, Courtown
SC and Bob Sugrue and Peter Cunning, Malahide YC.
Apologies from many others, including Peter Murphy of Baltimore
who only got as far as the Fermoy bottleneck before retreating
on an unfavorable tide.
None of us four have a vested interest in the success of
Topaz, per se. What brought us together, and so far from the
sea, was our collective sense that the Topaz was the principal
factor in the resurrection or rise of dinghy sailing in both
our clubs. They may lack the street cred of the Topper Optimist
or Laser or the incredible pedigree of the Mirror. But all
agreed that in terms of stability, simplicity of rigging,
maintenance (ie lack of same) and price (particularly for
families with more than one sailor) they were hard to beat,
particularly as a Level 1-4 boat. Indeed there are already
a number of clubs (and sailing schools) with 10-20 active
Topaz sailors and interest is increasing all the time. So
if Topaz is the people's champion, why shouldn't it develop
a pedigree of its own capable of producing excellent sailors?
But for that to happen, neighboring clubs need to start racing
against their each other.
After plenty of discussion the following was agreed:
* The decision was made to proceed with establishment of
the class, probably The Topaz Class Association of Ireland.
* The Topaz Uno Plus (two-piece mast with main and jib) is
the proposed boat type to be promoted, at least for the moment.
* Racing for both the single-handed Uno and double handed
Uno Plus to be included.
* Two Peters and one Bob were (delirious?) to put their names
forward as provisional officers-elect of the Association (details
below). No doubt these places will be hotly contested during
our inaugural national meeting.
* The Association will be officially formed at an inaugural
National Regatta on Saturday May 13th 2006.
Our thanks go to Malahide YC for agreeing to be our first
host club. Malahide was selected as being a central location
and very commutable for a one day regatta. It is critical
that as many interested clubs as possible make the commute
with both sailors and adults willing to foster the Association
in their local clubs. The main aim of the regatta will be
to put a large fleet of Topaz sailors on the water but we
will put a little time aside to formally initiate the Association,
adopt a constitution and elect officers. Ideally the eventual
committee should include at least one representative from
each of other participating clubs.
* The Eastern Regional Topaz Regatta will take place on Sunday
July 2nd 2006 at Courtown SC. No dates have been decided as
yet for Southern, Western or Northern Regional Regattas but
that is up to the rest of you! If the Association is to thrive,
we need clubs in each region willing to host regional events.
This may simply involve creating a Topaz class within an existing
club regatta and catering for visiting local (and maybe even
not so local) visitors. The Committee would appreciate any
declarations of interest, particularly bearing in mind the
planning of club calendars for 2006 is well under way.
So that's about as far as we've got. The Committee sincerely
hopes that as many as possible attend May's Inaugural National
Topaz Regatta and that in time we will have a thriving competitive
class to rival Topper, Mirror or Laser. But that is up to
all you Topaz sailors, and your sponsors, chauffeurs, mentors
etc.
The Committee would appreciate your views on whether we may
have a viable Association or whether Topaz will remain a strictly
club and training based dinghy. We would also like to get
some idea from ISA members of which clubs feature or promote
the Topaz dinghy, even in small amounts. It would be helpful
to compile a database of such clubs for mailing and contact
purposes. We are particularly unaware of fleets north of the
border. Information on clubs in Northern Ireland with Topaz
sailors would be appreciated.
That's all for now, please let us know your thoughts and
ideas.
Provisional Chairman [Elect] Peter Harrington, Courtown SC,
Secretary [Elect] Peter Cunning
Treasurer [Elect] Bob Sugrue, both Malahide YC.
Contact Details:
Peter Harrington 086-8310865. [email protected]
Peter Cunning 086-8051783. [email protected]
Bob Sugrue 086-8048048. [email protected]
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