17 September 2002

Hi Andrew,

I visited your smooth sailing web site as I do from time to time and I came across the letter from Dave Claxton to the editor.

I think a little clarity is required as to what the objectives of the society are.

Firstly we are not a renegade out fit that are out to erode club level sailing, our main aim is to put fun back into our sport, to get the numbers up so that we one again have critical mass and an active bunch of enthusiastic sailors. Once we have achieved this then we can guide the bus in the right direction. A couple of active sprogs out on the horizon isn't likely to attract a whole bunch of new comers to the sport but 200 boats out on Sterkies followed by a party of note will get the response that we need. People are like animals they find safety in numbers , crowds attract more people. So we need to get this critical mass up to where it used to be back in the good old days. This may get back that generation that we lost to windsurfing back in the mid 80's.

We plan to hold not more than 6 events a year, Sterkfontein is the first. The Christmas regatta at the beach site may be the second ,perhaps RTIT and the 9 hour at Midmar may form part of the travelling circuit. This all depends on the out come of our inaugural regatta. The active sailors will decide where it's heading.

Could I ask that Dave rally with us and get his entry in as soon as possible, and bring with him every one he knows that has a vessel to sail on.

The response so far has been nothing but positive and if the promises are anything to go by we should have in excess of 200 boats on the water. This excludes the r/c boats, the kite boarders and windsurfers that have asked to be included.

I look forward to receiving your entry,

Regards
Gavin Davies