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LONDON WINDSURFING ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
SATURDAY 8th FEBRUARY 2008
Present:
Chairman: Paul Robinson
Treasurer: Dave Gilchrist
Publicity Officer: Rod Davis
Events Organiser/Secretary: Janet Pain
Committee Members: Alan Jackson & Sandra Jackson
Those in attendance:
Jon Wilson, Pippa Wilson, Charlie Wilson, Catherine Wells, Andrew Watkinson, Brian Tilbury, Colin Flint, Annette Kent, Rob Kent, Richard Baker, Bill Keeling, Nick Kidd, Graham Horsley, Christopher Gibson
Apologies:
John Ellis, Gill Humble
Minutes of the last meeting:
The minutes of the last meeting were circulated and agreed.
Proposed: Rod Davis
Seconded: Brian Tilbury
Passed: Nem con
Matters arising:
The Chairman reviewed various points from last year:
Car stickers are still available LWA taster days – Following investigations on how these days could be run it was finally agreed that the risks were too high especially from an insurance issue. Prizes – This is an area still open for discussion Articles in Windsurf Magazines – Rod Davis will reinvestigate this with Mike Simpson
Chairman’s report for 2007:
I am pleased to report that 2007 has again been a successful year for the association in many ways. I would like to thank the team of the LWA Committee for all the hard work and commitment they have shown in achieving and running a most enjoyable summer and icebreaker series and showing that we as an organisation can run a successful national event in somewhat difficult and trying conditions which needed a swiftness of reaction to catch a rather whimsical wind goddess. It was also very gratifying to have some very positive feedback from the participating sailors who reported that their enjoyment – that does make it all worthwhile and is of course very pleasing to hear. WE are however also very pleased to have all ranges of feedback as our aim is always to improve and make the racing and events even better and more rewarding for those who take the time and trouble and expense to support us – thank you all.
We have had an interesting season – the long board revival is continuing with the Exocet boards being demoed at Bough Beech in the early part of the year and having some success on the National circuit. The Starboard Phantom did not make the projected launch timescales of mid summer but its presence felt in the worlds in Argentina where it scored a notable first worlds title win. The race board illegal Serenity almost had a national race win at Marazion in the hands of one of our stalwart members showing why the lechner shape was such a devastating board in light winds. The Team15/techno/RSX revolution continues a pace with many enthusiastic young sailors joining the racing scene which makes us content, whilst not complacent, that the racing format will continue The big plus of 2007 for me personally has been two fold:-
1) The return of some familiar faces on a regular basis which has pushed our average attendance up from 2006. We have had some 15 to 38 sailors with the highest attendance being on our return to King George V Sailing Club where we were make extremely welcome.
2) The regular involvement of our junior racers – some 10 over the year – who sailed extremely well in a variety of conditions (41 entries in our summer series) I thank both their parents for getting them to and fro and for the members of the Association for their encouragement and pearls of wisdom which I know the juniors value. I hope they will spread the word that racing with the LWA is fun as well as exciting and not so scary. A really big thank you needs to go to Rob Kent and the IMCO association whose generosity has allowed the sailing fees to be subsidised, allowing the juniors to sail free. Well done and we look forward to seeing the younger sailors of the fleet improve and develop further.
The Icebreaker was a great success in terms of numbers and we had some 51 sailors taking part with 41 sailors at the Bewl event – thank you all-also well done to the Farmoor Flyers and the Queen Mary juniors the overall winners.
Whilst the overall entry numbers have in this last year increased, in addition to the pleasing increase of the junior entries, we have held a reduced standard entry costs and encouraged junior entry by a no fee approach. This has results in this year deficit and the challenge financially for 2008 is to maintain/increase numbers whilst stabilising our yearly finances.
We have unfortunately been delayed in the organisation of the 2008 calendar due to delays in the publication of the national calendar but we are at a point to publicise this now. Thank you wholeheartedly for your support in 2007 and look forward to seeing all of you and your friends in 2008.
Treasurer’s Report:
DG circulated the LWA accounts for year end January 2008. As for the reasons already mentioned by the Chairman there is a deficit this year, which is £543.52. Whilst we can occasionally sustain a deficit, it would not be sensible for this to happen every year. The aim of the LWA is to breakeven at the end of each year. Whilst sponsorship from IMCO will again be given, youths and juniors will pay a subsidised fee. This however will be monitored.
The Savings Account seems to be working well and will remain in situ.
There being no further questions from the floor the members were asked to accept these accounts:
Proposed by: Rob Kent
Seconded by: Alan Jackson
Passed: Nem con
The Chairman advised that DG was standing down as Treasurer as he was moving to France. He thanked DG for all his hard work and support over the last two years and wished him and Jean well in their new life.
Election of Officers:
The Chairman advised that all Committee members with the exception of Dave Gilchrist were prepared to restand for the coming year.
Proposed by Nick Kidd
Seconded by Brian Tilbury
Passed: Nem con
The Chairman advised that Andy Watkinson has offered to join the Committee in the role of Junior Liaison Officer.
Proposed by Paul Robinson
Seconded by Dave Gilchrist.
Passed: Nem con
The Chairman advised that there was currently a vacancy for Treasurer and as no nominations had been received he had agreed to take on the role of Acting Treasurer supported by the Events organiser/Secretary. If at some point in the future anyone would like to be considered for this position then they should contact him.
All proposals were agreed unanimously from the floor.
Proposals/Motions:
None had been received.
Any other business:
RD advised that in line with the UKWA and Internationally we would be moving to a "5,4,1,go" sequence fo starting races. However we would continue to use last year's Raceboard Flag which is red with a yellow cross.
The Chairman advised that entry fees would be:
£10 Adults
£5 Youths & Juniors (which will be monitored)
The LWA committee had received notification from Burghfield that they no longer wished to hold windsurfing events. This is due to the drop off in windsurfing members and their general involvement with windsurfing.
Brogborough – Despite the previous concerns over safety Brogborough was now back as a venue. A parent who owns a rib and has the appropriate qualifications has agreed to bring his rib to Brogborough to assist with safety. Expenses will be refunded.
The Chairman advised that there may be a Techno training event associated with one of our one day events.
RD reported that there were now pages up on the website for each of the young windsurfers of the year. Posters showing Charlie Wilson and Alex Trickle have been designed which give the event dates for 2008. These will be circulated to all clubs and for display in campervans or cars at events.
Chris Gibson raised the question of raising the entry fee and also on giving prizes at each event. In previous years due to the different sailing fees requested by Clubs the entry fee had varied according to the sailing fee. However it was felt by the Committee to continue to have one fee for all events. It was still felt that giving a prize, even though the person may have won something previously, is appropriate, as this gives people something still to aim for.
It was asked if two boards would still be allowed in Unlimited. Various discussions took place on Formula and Raceboard and it was agreed that there would be no change to the classes. It was felt that in another couple of years Unlimited would probably fade out in any case and we should be encouraging people to sail.
BT advised everyone that Internationally it had not been agreed to increase the number of sails for Raceboard from 2 to 3 due to the problems of transporting gear to international events. However this proposal has been agreed by the UKWA and would be formalised at the AGM.
On behalf of the floor, Rob Kent thanked the Committee for all their hard work.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 3.30pm.
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