Notes from a NECRA Meeting held at Sunderland YC

9th Nov 04

1. Introduction

A welcome and introduction was given by Peter Stenner

2. Apologies

Apologies were received from Harold Usherwood.

3. Attendees

4. Current Status

PS made the following points

• There has been a small but steady increase in the number of boats participating in NECRA events.
• There is a trend to smaller trailable boats which often go to larger regattas at the expense of NECRA
• Larger regattas have a higher standard of social activities
• We need to review how best to go about interclub racing.

5. Views from Clubs

CYC

There has been a decline in the number of boats racing in CYC with a number of bigger boats moving to the West Coast CYC is geographically out on a limb resulting in a lot of lost time delivering boats and consequently missing club races People don't want to travel therefore they will 'cherry pick' events and disregard series. Younger people prefer quick races and do not want to tie up whole weekend Should consider more centrally based regattas e.g. all at Sunderland Classes 28&4 perceived as poor relations. Unhappy with NERR

WBA

Happy with NECRA it gives opportunity for passage racing - Need to be more inclusive i.e. cater more for cruisers and improve social side to encourage more boats to travel, use a PY system for cruising type boats. - Modify Bass Rock W/E to include e.g. Eyemouth or round Fams for smaller boats, consider ending at Amble - Problem with packing too many events into June.

SYC

Need to be more cruise oriented to cater for White Sail Group this would encourage more - participation. - Must have good social activities - Need to consider how to integrate NECRA and Club Regattas (commenion boats not registering for Roker)

THYC

Lack of communication and publicity has been a problem this year. - Programme not imaginative - too many Olympic courses, not enough coastal races, not enough time on water at regattas. - Modify NECRA constitution to allow marina boats to participate on an ad hock basis. - Socials should provide food and some kind of event that will bring people together but not bands that inhibit conversation.

WYC

Club now much stronger with a core of boats prepared to travel - Moorings must be available for visiting boats or boats will not travel. Must have safe and secure moorings if boats are going to be left for a week (four boats did not go to Roker due to lack of moorings) - Programme is OK, like Olympic courses for amount of activity - Communications disappointing both from NECRA and NERR. - What about Royal Quays as a venue, also should use Hartlepool Marina more.

Scarborough YC -

Very active club therefore no space in programme for NECRA - Geographic location is a problem, no enthusiasm for going further North than Hartlepool - Communication is a problem, there is a lack of understanding of NECRA in SYC

RYA

Would like to see NECRA encompass Cruising

6. Event Structure?

NECRA unable to influence Regatta races, current NECRA Mgt not involved in the well being of clubs.
Roker and Biyth were good examples of regattas this year, should try similar at Hartlepool and Whitby.
North Sea Race 8th July, what about a feeder race?
Consider changing Bass Rock with Hartlepool to Fams to Sunderland as alternative. Do not increase size of programme already full enough, more would detract from club events.

7. Social

Need more emphasis on social side with food, and some form of event but must be able to talk and interact socially.

8. Communications

Poor this year, must try harder
Should encompass new technology and make more use of email and a web site.
Need more publicity e.g. newsletters, posters in clubs etc.

9. NERR

The current rating system is a barrier to some boats competing
Scarborough would like to use IRC however it was accepted that NERR has the advantage of being free.

10 AGM

Should management structure be reviewed to include Club representatives?
Hold on 30 Nov at THYC at 20.00, buffet to be provided and bar to be open.
Encourage skippers to bring crew.
Extend mailing list to past members.