Britain’s only Sailing Club of Jewish Affinity and Friendship cruised through its AGM and  20th Anniversary Laying Up Dinner  in great style last week with an attendance of 90 past and present members, including 3 of the original founders and a 4- week old baby! .

Coinciding with the end of her term as Commodore, Sandy Riegler was enraptured by the outstanding attendance and the array of club sailing memorabilia, which members had brought along.

Incoming Commodore, Stanley Saffer, made a fabulous entry to the dinner in full ocean-going wet suit and entertained the gathering with his slick, witty and most entertaining inaugural speech. He paid tribute to the outgoing Commodore and the worthy committee members who have served the club so well these past three years and, moreover, welcomed all of those loyal members back for a further term of office. Stanley presented Sandy with a beautiful miniature sextant and a bottle of excellent Whisky to ward of the cold of the winter seas! (Sure….she’s going sailing in mid-winter!!!! There’s the Chanukah sail isn’t there?)

A fabulous meal followed with the seafaring guests catching up with old friends and a happy and excited buzz of conversation and laughter filling the pleasant and beautifully laid out venue if the Apollonia Restaurant in Stanmore.

Dinner speakers included Dr Ron Shanson, and David Weisfeld, who along with Gill Woodbridge and Nigel Reese, were there from the off, when the late Michael Doctors hatched the plan way back in 1989. Nigel, who was otherwise detained at his brother’s pleasure,.. I mean wedding.. in Washington, USA, spoke to the gathering on the phone via the efficient PA system, sounding like he were only on the next door pontoon, not thousands of miles away!

Having partaken of a very tasty meal, all served piping hot and all tables at the same time by the ever-so-efficient and friendly staff, the assembly was treated to accounts of epic voyages to far off shores of the World, by Steve Moss, skipper of Yamma, and Frank Yantin of Shemesh, both of whom have been making passages of Odyssian proportions since 2004. 

Followed by Fastnet Phil who gave a short update about his expereinces having successfully completed this years Rolex  Fastnet Race as skipper, and in an admirable time!

Gill Woodbridge, by way of a little entertainment, introduced several of her all-lady crew members to join in a song with accompanying actions, in celebration of the HSSC’s nine all-lady entries into the annual Round the Island Race and five entries into the RSYC Two-handed Round the Island Race.

Diana Bader-Clynes, Rita Baumal, Uta Gosling, Jo Kurt, Louise du Bosky and  Michelle Honey were all up for joining in the fun and the Audience heartily joined in the Chorus lines to the tune of ‘What do you do with a Drunken Sailor?’

We are the High Seas Racing Ladies
Off to the Start Line bright and early
Waiting for the Big Bang to send us awa-ay
Earl-AYE in the morning

Hell for leather on the homeward Strai-aight
Onward to the madness of the finishing bu-oys
EXHILARATING Feelings as we BLAST the Finish Line
Earl-AYE in the EVENING

The HSSC Racing Ladies then took great pleasure in presenting their Rear Commodore Sandy Reigler with a bouquet in thanks for the wonderful way she has presided over the Club during the past three years.
There’s definitely promise there! Eurovision next?
 

Finally the awards.. that annual deliberation that gives Commodore and Committee great challenges to select the right man, or woman for each award! Well, this time was no easier than any other, in fact, in one or two of the categories, including Cruising Cup, there was even a contest for the winner. However, the final results of the sea-faring jury are:-

Most Promising Newcomer:-   Uri Flowers 

Crewman Of The Year  Richard Sotnik

Crewwoman Of The Year Janet Butchins                     

Yachtsperson Of The Year Louise Du Bosky 

Round The Island Cup  Robert Falk, Victor  Newton, Avi Riegler

Skipper Of The Year Philip Sugarman

Cruising Cup Steve Moss

Commodore’s Trophy Laurence Factor

Special Award For Completing the Odyssey To Israel

Frank Yantin, Carole Sinclair       

Hearty congratulations to all

to view all the photos click here