Captains Report 2005

Captains Report 2008

Where have the last 12 months gone…………….???? It only seems like last week w= hen I put together last years report.

The highlights of the year started in April with the a= nnual dinner which was once again well attended by nearly 90 members & guests showing that the club had an enthusiastic interest both on and off the wate= r.

On the water the last 12 months have shown further progression of our young rowers, many of them have attended the “blades” rowing course at the channel view rowing centre, thus learning the very basics of rowing. The development of the junior section (which now musters some 32 juniors & young adults) is as a result of the countless hours spent by club members. My special thanks to Mike Lee for his tireless efforts in this regard, special mention also go to Nick Hall, Toby Cambray & Spencer Williams.

In May we held the first Webster Lee Trophy - Penarth = v Swansea race from Lavernock Point to the club line. The event consisted of 3 races - Novice, Mixed & Men’s cre= ws which led to nearly 4 hours of competitive racing which eventually led to a Penarth victory 2 - 1. The ev= ent took the place of the Barry / Penarth race which proved so successful for so many years, it is an event which we hope will remain in the diary for many years to come.

There have been various highlights for junior rowing o= ver the past 12 months, some of these include:

Various medals (Gold, Silver & Bronze) being won by Penarth Rowers at the Welsh National indoor rowing championships.

Novice rowers rowing at Ross Regatta & participating in Head of the River Races.

During the spring and summer regular rowing took place nearly 7 days a week,

as the club tried to re-structure it’s coaching = for the expanding junior & senior sections.

The whole year culminated with the Rowing Festival, wh= ich was held in September and received another good turnout, the event was well supported and enjoyed by all. As regatta secretary, I could always rely on the able assistance of Mike Lee, = Nick Hall, Dylan McPherson, Nick Hone, Rob Palfrey, Dave Briley with special tha= nks to Jackie Palfrey, Collette & Juliet Hone. Without the special efforts of all= these people including the continued support of the club and sailors, this event = just would not have taken place.

In November we unfortunately lost one of our members - Carlos Ferreira who sadly passed away.&nbs= p; Carlos was a valued member of the coaching team and assisted greatly= in developing rowers & rowing within Penarth over the past 2 years. Our thoughts and prayers are with = his family at this sad time and he will remembered fondly by us all.

In relation to development the club is currently very = prosperous. As a committee we must focus our efforts on maintaining the current club me= mbership for future years. Plans are in place to develop further financial stability for the club & as a commit= tee we continue to try and maximise our profit while maintaining further invest= ment in the future.

I would personally like to thank the support of my fel= low committee members, but also the general committee who have assisted us grea= tly in our steady progress.

It finally leaves me to say that it has been an honour= and a pleasure to serve as captain over the last 12 months. I wish all within the club a very = Happy Christmas & prosperous 2009, both on and off the water.

Richard A Laats - Rowing Captain