I have a few messages/ updates for you all.

SPRINT REGATTA
After much discussion the IRC committee have decided NOT to run the summer Sprint regatta on 15th August as scheduled on the SR competition calendar. Over the last few years, the number of clubs attending has reduced and it has proved difficult for the club not to make a loss. The reduced number of clubs entering the event has resulted in many IRC members having to race in several events to give competition to those that do travel to race on the canal, which in turn means that it is really difficult for us to find enough people to run the event safely and efficiently. The autumn and winter head races will continue as planned.

IRC CLUB REGATTA & SOCIAL EVENINGS
We propose to replace the Sprint regatta with 2 or 3 internal Club regattas to be held on Friday evenings. The proposed dates are 10th July and 14th August with the possibility of a 3rd date in September. The intention is to combine a series of scratch races with an evening social gathering ? a BBQ. All members, young and old, relative beginners to experienced competitors to come along and enjoy themselves. Further details will follow.

CLUB HOUSE DOORS
Recently the club house doors were inadvertently left unsecured overnight. It is absolutely essential that the last people leaving the club ensure that both doors are bolted (the upper bolts) and that the lower bolts are dropped into position. Make sure that you don’t assume that someone else has bolted the doors. The back door should then be locked using both locks. Please make sure that all equipment is back in the boat house and that no oars have been left on the pontoons and the lights have been switched off.

IRC Development
IRC has registered for SR Grow2Row initiative. This is SR’s club accreditation scheme and will enable us to develop a plan for future club development and identify and build on our strengths and address our weaknesses. We are also continuing to look at the way we operate the club and will be looking to get as many of you as possible involved. More details will follow next month.

Portable Cabin
We have now purchased a portable cabin which is now in position adjacent to the back (south) door of the boat house. This will need some further cleaning and internal reorganisation but should provide us with somewhere out of the wind and rain to sit and discuss outings over the months to come.

Scottish Championships
Please note that many club members and a large number of our boats will be away over the weekend of 13th/14th June. Boat loading is likely to take place on Thursday 11th June. Hazel Smith has already written to you all about this and no entries will be made if you have not paid your membership fee for 2015/16 and settled any outstanding racing fees. Any recent new comers to the club hoping to come along over this weekend will need to make sure that they have made contact with me or another more experienced club member to see if we can meet up and get out on the water.

In the meantime let us hope that summer will arrive soon and we can all meet up at IRC at weekends, summer evenings and on 10th July for the first Club regatta evening.

With best wishes
Rosie- IRC Secretary