At our AGM earlier this year, I announced one of our short-term development aims for 2019/2020 was to fundraise for new single-handed dinghies.

Our Committee gave approval to fundraise for four boats and a sub-group was formed for this aim. The sub-group approached a number of local trusts and sailing trusts and applied for grants.

A number of cadets and adult members tested a variety of dinghies at Port Edgar and their preferred choice of boat was the RS Zest.

I am delighted to say now that we have been successful. North Berwick Trust provided a 100% grant to purchase four RS Zests including four launching trolleys, four jib packs and four mast socks.  In addition the North Berwick Rotary Club have also provided us with funds to purchase equipment to help support the operation of these boats.

We are also fortunate in that we were able to buy the boats from stock and take delivery without any further delay.  As a result the 4 Zests are now with us!  The plan is build them up and get them ready for their first test sail with our young instructor team on Friday 28th July.  Look out for further news on this in the next few days!

The Zests will soon be joining our current fleet of club boats and will be available for hire for all our sailing activities and sail training courses.  

This is great news for our club. We can continue to build on previous years successes, encouraging and developing our members, cadets, young adults and adults so they can progress from "can sail" to "can race", and improve the sailing opportunities we can offer to our members.  I am hopeful we will also welcome a new class of boat to Saturday and Wednesday racing, the RS Zest!

I would also like to say a huge thank you to all the members, both on and off the Committee that have helped with all the work involved on this initiative.  

John Wilcox

Commodore ELYC