Yachting Season Opens With A Bang Which All Of Pittwater Could Hear……

by Nicole Amos, RPAYC on 14 Sep 2003 Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club held its 136th Yachting Season Opening Day on Saturday 13th September.

The official opening was conducted by Commodore Ross Scoble, along with invited guests Mary Ann Maxwell and Marcus Blackmore.

The traditional ceremony of striking the club ensign flag and firing the cannon was a highlight, as Marcus Blackmore a popular, prominate member generously donated a replica cannon from the ‘Barque Endeavour’ which will be housed in the club for all members and visitors to see.

Marcus explained that he enthusiastically aquired the cannon at an auction and found the most appropriate place for it was the Alfred’s.

Other invited guests of honour were the Honourable Bronwyn Bishop, and Mayor of Pittwater Patrica Giles.

Mary Ann Maxwell dontated a new inflatable boat to the club in honour of her late husband Gary McPike an avid and dedicated sailor who passed away on Sydney Harbour in July of last year.

Gary was an exceptional race umpire who put a lot of time into the sport of sailing. After the sale of his yacht Mary Ann generously donated the proceeds to purchase inflatable boats to support the Alfred’s youth development team.

Also generously donated were six new spinnaker sails for the club's fleet of Elliot 5.9 yachts used by the renowned youth development children and fellow youth members in a number of national and international regattas throughout the year.

Members and guests followed with the singing of the National Anthem, led by the Commodore, and all this marked the opening of the Alfreds’ 2003/2004 yachting season.

What was meant to be a day with black skies, turned out to be a bright fresh Saturday with winds gusting up to 10 knots. The 43 boats participating in a spirited handicapped race started from the club house and headed up Pittwater and back, in time for the afternoon’s celebrations of minature model yacht racing, food, fun and a joyous prize giving.