Busy season celebrated at George Lakes Yacht Club

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GEORGE NEWS - The George Lakes Yacht Club (GLYC) hosted its annual prizegiving on Sunday 29 June, marking the close of a successful sailing season.

The club saw a significant increase in interest over the past year, particularly from families relocating to George and seeking coaching opportunities for their children.

This growing demand, along with consistent participation in regional and national regattas, proves the club’s vital role in developing the local sailing community.

Throughout the season, the GLYC was actively involved in three interclub regattas with Knysna and Mossel Bay, and took a strong youth contingent to the Youth Nationals at Wriggleswade near East London in December. The club also had the honour of hosting the GP14 Nationals during its New Year Regatta.

Unfortunately, the popular interschools regatta was cancelled in March due to a severe algae bloom at Island Lake, which led to the lake’s closure. It reopened in early June.

Despite this setback, the GLYC continued its tradition of regular Sunday afternoon sailing and welcomed numerous newcomers into its training programmes.

One of the highlights of the year was the enthusiastic participation from the Pacaltsdorp Primary School learners.

Nine young sailors earned certificates after learning essential sailing and swimming skills.

The newly formed Optimist group, consisting of 12 novice sailors, has shown great promise and enthusiasm. Guided by experienced youth sailors Cameron Simpson and Owen Conradie, the group has progressed to mastering racing techniques. Cameron’s outstanding contribution earned him the best optimist trophy.

In the U19 youth division, 25 new sailors received instruction from a fresh team of young coaches. New coaching graduates Josh Eichbauer, Claire Bishop, Louis de Kock and Daniel Kruger now hold powerboat licences and level 1 coaching certifications, while Ingrid Buys achieved her level 2 qualification. Many of these young sailors also obtained their keelboat qualifications under the guidance of JP Buys.

A highlight of the season was the participation of Kruger and De Kock in the prestigious International Mirror Worlds Championship, held offshore from Durban.

Facing high winds and heavy seas, they not only completed the event, but also formed lasting friendships with sailors from around the globe. For this achievement, they were jointly awarded the M & G Crew Cup and the York Cup for dedication and commitment to sailing.

Ingrid Buys, chairperson of Eden Sailing, awarded Eden sailing colours to Jean-Paul Buys, Cameron Simpson (both U19) and Georgou Divaris (senior), recognising their outstanding contributions.

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Evelyn Osborne (second from left) with Cameron Simpson and JP and Ingrid Buys, who received their Eden Colours.

Evelyn Onsborne with Daniel Kruger, JP Buys and Louis de Kock.Senior trophy highlights

• Brass Monkey: Daniel Kruger
• Coconut Monkey: Cameron Simpson
• Langvlei Trophy: Martin Rostek
• Israelson Trophy: David Laing
• Millennium Trophy: Georgou Divaris
• Ma Wyatt Trophy: Henry Paine
• Kim Cup: Paul Thompson
• Chris Thomas Trophy: Jean-Paul Buys
• Commodore’s Cup: Georgou Divaris
• President’s Trophy: Paul Thomson
• Clark Trophy (GP14): M de Villiers & C du Toit
• Laser Trophy: Henry Paine
• Finn Cup: Paul Thomson
• Dabchick Trophy: Joshua Eichbauer
• Parkes Trophy: Malcolm Osborne
• Sedgefield ARP&P Trophy (Over 50): Henry Paine
• Peter Grant Trophy (Member of the Year): Lesley Rostek
• President Cannons: Brian Musto
• Angus Hay Award: Martin Rostek
• Parthenon Trophy: Henry Paine
• Sotheby’s Trophy: Paul Thomson
• Realty/Homenet Trophy: Henry Paine
• Toppies Trophy - Best Optimist: Cameron Simpson
• M & G Crew Cup: Louis de Kock
• York Cup: Daniel Kruger and Louis de Kock.