Army Sailing Association Annual Member’s Meeting
Held at the Army Inshore Sail Training Centre, Thorney Island
Wednesday 18th March 2015
Summary of Discussions and Decisions
Attendees
Maj Gen J I Bashall CBEASA Commodore
Maj Gen C Elliott CBE CVODASCB
Brig P JepsonGwennili Trust
Cdr P MelsonCommodore HSSC
Col N JoslingASA Webmaster
Col N Nottingham OBEASA RC (O)
Lt Col J BunceR Signals YC Representative
Lt Col M CannonASA NI RC
Lt Col OveyInfantry SA Representative
Lt Col D HinsleyASA Windsurfing RC
Lt Col P NicholasASA Treasurer
Lt Col MacroRAC YC Representative
Lt Col M MorganRA YC Secretary
Lt Col D PealinAMS YC Commodore
Maj M BarhamJSASTC Representative
Maj C AdamsHawley Lake STC Representative
Maj BurgessAAC YC Representative
Maj J MateerNI Representative and Admiral’s Nominee
Maj W NaylorASA RC (OR) Representative
Maj M SargentChairman AISTC (S)/ASA RC (D)
Maj C TaylorAMS YC Representative
Maj N WebberRA YC Representative
Maj R WendoverASA Kitesurfing RC
Capt P BrownASA (C1 Offshore)
Capt C HaugvikREME Sailing Club Representative
Capt R PearceASA Colours Nominee
Capt J TurnerAMS YC (Dinghies)
Lt Cdr J MelsonWife of Commodore HSSC
WO2 S MyersASA Colours Nominee
WO2 A SmithR Signals Bosun
WO2 J WestRE YC Sailing Team – ASA Colours Nominee
WO1 D CattleASA Colours Nominee
SSgt G MillerASA Colours Nominee
Sgt B Delaney2IC AOSC
Cpl C HerbertAOSC Staff
Cpl I ThorntonAOSC Staff
LCpl G CopleyASA Colours Nominee
LCpl Howell-Williams24 Commando Engr Regt
LCpl G Main24 Commando Engr Regt
LCpl Steele24 Commando Engr Regt
LCpl Duane StevensHDSA Representative
LCpl Walker24 Commando Engr Regt
Bdr N Barnes32RA Representative
Pte R TempletonAOSC Staff
Mrs E AlderTISC Ex Commodore
Mr J GreatorexJSASTC Representative
Mr J MetcalfeASA Windsurfing and Kitesurfing Manager
Mr T NeweyMCGA Speaker
Mr J StevensASA Trustee
Mr L TaylorAMM Speaker
Lt Col A Flavell MBEASA Secretary
Plus 21 ASA Members.
The total numbers attending the 2015 AMM were 72.
Apologies
Lt Gen A Gregory CBASA Admiral
Brig A JacksonASA Vice Commodore
Brig J OgdenRAC YC Commodore
Brig M Wade CBEASA Trustee
Col C ThackwayRE YC Commodore
Cdr N TrundleJSASTC OIC
Cdr D BainesTISC Commodore
Lt Col N RhodesASA Dinghies RC
Lt Col S WhitticaseASA BA(G) RC
Lt Col T Hill MBE ScotsASA RC Offshore Racing
Maj J CunninghamAISTC (S) Centre Manager
Maj C D’apiceHDSA Commodore
Maj T FairsAGC SA Secretary
Capt P CaswellBritish Soldier Skipper
Mr C GrantASA Regional Coach
Mr M LanghorneAISTC (S)
ITEM 1
ITEM 2
ITEM 3
ITEM 4
ITEM 5
ITEM 6
ITEM 7
ITEM 8
ITEM 9
ITEM 10
ITEM 11
ITEM 12
ITEM 13
ITEM 14
ITEM 15
ITEM 16
ITEM 17
ITEM 18 / Opening Remarks
1.1 The Commodore opened the meeting and thanked all for making the effort to attend, he also welcomed the members to this excellent building that was only opened in Oct 14. He noted 72 members were at the meeting, excellent attendance.
1.2 We have a great agenda and you will hear of the excellent successes from the 2014 season and see what is in store for next year.
1.3 The Commodore said he is proud and privileged to be involved with such a vibrant, exciting and well managed organisation. There are many people who work tirelessly to make sailing in the Army happen and I thank them on all your behalf.
1.4 The Commodore’s message is to help everyone in the Army to understand how to get involved in sailing. We must have all ranks involvement and grow our sport from the bottom up. Everyone should be encouraged to participate; there are some fantastic opportunities and some real challenges. This in turn will remove some of the officer only sport perception, develop everyone in a sport that builds confidence, leadership, decision making, all the good stuff we need on operations. It will also keep our soldiers interested and engaged in Army business. I ask you all to make a great effort to get the troops out on the water.
1.5 The Commodore stressed best safe practice. We recently have had an Army Kitesurfer killed in an off duty accident and a soldier killed in Cyprus in a water based activity. Doing stuff safely should be top of our planning and decision making process.
1.6 We have some great plans for 2015, Gallipoli is well underway, Transglobe, Fastnet year, Dinghy, Windsurfing, Kitesurfing and power boat courses are all on the ASA website. There is plenty on offer and if your soldiers cannot get what they wantthen let me know via the Secretary.
Review of March 2014 AMM Minutes
2.1 The Secretary on behalf of the Commodore reviewed the 2014 AMM minutes, points were:
(a)Item 2.1; There remains a need to train more Cruising Instructors (C1). The C1 AOSC should be able to run C1 courses later this year. In the mean time he is able to organise courses through JSASTC if there are enough candidates.
(b)Item 4.5; It remains all Inshore Instructor courses will be free to the students.
(c)Item 7.2; The BDSTC has now closed,kit has been or will shortly be redistributed.
(d)Item 7.4; BKYC/KTC will now close in late 2016.
(e)Item 11.8; Col Mike Brown’s suggestions is now transferred to 2016. RC(O) will investigate.
2.2 There was one point from the members. Lt Col Bunce mentioned item 12.6, a. It was a J80, not a J20 that they purchased.
2.3 The minutes were agreed as a true record.
Main Points from Council Meeting
3.1 The Commodore said it is clear from the Council Meeting that the ASA is in a good financial position. We have recently made huge investment, with the significant help of welfare funds, in this building. We are also planning some 150k investment into developing the slipway at Thorney Island. This centre of excellence for inshore sailing will have to serve us for a long time and we must ensure it is fit for purpose. We have made really good progress with the BKYC yachts returning to the UK in 2016, the fleet will remain in Army ownership. The ASA and R & C YC all have a great desire to increase participation, particularly from the ground up. The ASA is a well resourced, big business sport and we must make sure we deliver the goods at all levels. One area that needs greater communication is the AT courses that isavailable. He asked everyone to make it their business to ensure AT courses and dates are passed down and ensure our troops can make use of them. The Commodore said the ASA really values the partnership we have with ASA TISC.
AISTC (S) Thorney Island
4.1 The Secretary briefed on the current plan to develop the slipway at Thorney Island. AISTC, ASA TISC are currently stabilising the slipway that has a number of voids along its length. ASA TISC has an excellent engineering solution to widen the last 100m of the slipway (currently is 3 metres wide). Once finished it will be 5 metres wide with a smooth surface and an improved end of slipway into the deep water channel. The regulations and licences/planning are a minefield, we do have an excellent team working on this including an ASA employed ecologist. We cannot drive the piles that will start the project until Oct 15 at the earliest. With a fair wind it could be completed in early 2016.
4.2 The Chairman AISTC spoke about the accommodation and facilities building. Superb facility, great accommodation which is being fully utilised. The facilities for instruction are excellent with modern IT and Internet available. The outside ground works will be sorted this Spring. The building is proving cheap to run and manage.
4.3 The AISTC course programme is on the ASA website, from the website it is easy to book and pay for courses. We have a tremendous fleet of inshore craft. We have a well-established staff and can always find space for incremental staff. All please note, send a soldier (a non-sailor) here for a season, we will train them as a multi discipline instructor and return them to you as a confident, great asset.
4.4 The Commodore mentioned with this being on the RA doorstep, there is always a danger RA become the main user. We must ensure a fair spread across the Army is managed.
Rear Commodore Offshore Racing Report
5.1 Maj Will Naylor representing RC(OR) reported a fantastic 2014. 2nd in the RORC series out of an international fleet of 274 yachts. Won all the on water trophies in the 3 peaks race, coming 2nd only to a team of professional fell runners. We also did well in the Scottish Peaks race and in the various RORC IRC races.
5.2 The 2015 programme is focusing on the RORC series and the Fastnet race. The aim is to get first in class in the RORC series in 2015.
5.3 Sponsorship is going really well with Fujitsu, we have 2 corporate days planned in 2015.
5.4 The JIII is proving to be a really tough yacht. Far more maintenance required this year. A welfare bid has been submitted to replace the main sail.
5.5 TITW will wrap up this year. This will release talent to the Army Offshore Racing.
5.6 The Commodore thanked Maj Naylor, congratulated the Management and team of BS. Said it is an expensive yacht to run but has huge returns for the Army in the public eye, not least that nearly 100 troops sailed her last season and the results speak for themselves.
Rear Commodore Dinghy Report
6.1 Maj Sargent represented RC(D), his points were:
(a) The Dinghy strategy is to:
(i) Encourage novices
(ii) Develop all levels of sailors
(iii) Satisfy the expert’s aspirations
(b) 2014 overseas dinghy tour to Lake Garda, Italy. Excellent location, very predictable winds, light am, windy, force 5 plus in the afternoon. On the tour were 5 OR novices, 1 x coach, 1 x expert. Massive success and inspirational training.
(c) He wished to emphasise the transferable skills between inshore and offshore; inshore dinghy racers usually make really good offshore helms, tacticians and trimmers.
(d) The Lagos Trophy (Corps level team racing) was won by the R Signals with a team consisting mainly of young soldiers.
(e) The Army won the Victory Trophy (IS and Civil service) for only the 2nd time ever.
(f) The focus for 2015 is team racing.
(g) The Gold Cup/Asymmetric Inter Service Weekend has great opportunities for young children to sail with their parents; last year was a resounding success.
(h) We achieved really good results at National Level; Cpl Simon Horsfield came 2nd in the Laser 2000 Nationals, Capt Emma Hivey 1st (as crew) in the RS200 Nationals.
(i) Capt Hivey will be the Army Dinghy team captain this season and beyond.
(j) There are 3 areas of Regional development; Rutland Water, Carrickfergus, Catterick. We may in the future have to find somewhere in Scotland. These can all be helped by kit and funds returning from BA(G).
6.2 The Chairman wished to thank the DASCB for all his support. He finished by saying that as troops return from Germany and the training centres become more busy instructors and manpower will have to grow.
Windsurfing Report
7.1 RC(W) who has been away in Sierra Leone during most of the 2014 season, made the following points:
(a) Not a brilliant year of results for Army Windsurfing at Inter Services level. Many of the top level Windsurfers have left the Army and we are in the development phase.
(b) We aim for maximum participation at all events; we usually have a large development squad who work separately from the racers. Thorney Island is our main base, most of the competitions are held at Hayling Island, about 30 minutes’ drive from Thorney.
(c) We are busy planning a sports tour to Brazil later this year. Jericoacoara Beach reported to be the windiest beach on the planet!
(d) To get into windsurfing is easy, advise your soldiers to visit the ASA Website for courses and contact details. We will supply all the instruction and equipment for you to progress from novice to expert.
7.2 RC (W) wished to thank Jon Metcalfe and Capt Colin Jurgens for getting out there and making it happen. He also thanked Steve Myers for half a life time dedicated to Army Windsurfing, he wished Steve well and the best of luck for the future as he leaves the Army.
Kitesurfing Report
8.1 RC (KS) made the following points:
(a) KS is a rapidly emerging sport that really attracts the youth. It can be very dangerous if not properly trained. At Thorney Island we are a registered British Kitesurfing School (BKSA), the only one in the services. It’s a great achievement, very professionally run and we can offer excellent instruction and equipment.
(b) RC (KS) wanted to emphasise KS without the proper instruction and supervision is very dangerous. LCpl Sands who recently died in a KS off duty accident was an experienced KS. A full report will be published after the investigation.
(c) We cannot meet the demand for courses. We, through ASA funding, contract in additional instructors, it’s an intensive course and there will always be a need for further supervision to gain the experience to KS by themselves, we do this at every event.
(d) RC KS spoke about the start, this year, of KS kit applications for Welfare funds from the Corps. He has developed a policy that should keep the kit and personnel safe. The Corps will have to comply with this policy due to the risks involved with the sport.
(e) KS are planning a number of tours this season; visit the website to become involved.
(f) In 2014 we trained 83 Army KS. As stated all courses are oversubscribed. In 2015 we aim to train 80+ novices and continue an intensive development programme at all the events. We are running 2 Instructor Courses in June 15.
(g) Our key 2015 outputs are:
(i) Novice training and tours
(ii) Army Championships
(iii) IS Competition (the biggest KS competition in the country)
(iv) In 2015 run a charity KS event, RC (KS) is looking at options for this
8.2 To get into the Kitesurfing visit the ASA website.
ASA Northern Ireland Report
9.1 Vice Commodore ASA NI said the last 2 years have been difficult, sorting out 2 neglected yachts and relocating from N Down Yacht Club to Carrickfergus. After some difficult decision making and hard work ASA NI are now in a good place, but have limited funding.
9.2 They have 2 coded yachts (The Dufar 35 will be sold once the HR 342 arrives in Apr/May this year) NI offer challenges to those who have not experienced these waters. The beautiful W Coast of Scotland is accessible to suitably qualified skippers. Cheap charter at only £80.00 per day.
9.3 In 2015 we are running 3 DS/CC courses and a YM Coastal 4 – 12 Oct 15.
9.4 Inshore we have Dinghy, Windsurfing and Powerboat Courses, 22 courses in total. We have an SI and 5 Instructors and a dedicated Chief Instructor. The Stand Up Paddle boards (SUPs) are very popular. We also run a significant number of multi discipline taster days.
9.5 Links to all courses and activities via the ASA website, you can book and pay online.
JSASTC
10.1 Major Mike Barham spoke for OC JSASTC, his points were:
(a) Army is the JSASTC’s biggest customer; it takes up 65% of JSASTC capacity. JSASTC delivers AT courses, loans equipment and runs type 3 AT exercises.
(b) They always have a shortfall of instructors and welcome help from all 3 services; also skippers who can lead V34 experience weeks, JSASTC will supply the boat and food free of charge.
(c) We also need Nic 55 and challenge skippers, both trained and those who wished to be trained.
(d) A big thank you to the Army for their professional approach to both Transglobe and Gallipoli. Effort from the 2 project leaders has been outstanding.
(e) JSASTC are looking forward to the AOR and SOR, we are also running after Easter the first ever UOTC week, hoping to encourage future AT officers.
(f) JSASTC will shortly be advertising for new staff, if interested contact JSASTC for details.
Offshore Report
11.1 RC(O) briefed on Army offshore, his points were:
(a) AOR 2015, 11 – 15 May 15, same model as last year. The 2 social evenings will be at the British Legion and the RYS. The DIN has been published; the crews for both the V34’s and IRC yacht should have the majority of the crew from the Army OR’s. This was questioned by Lt Col Bunce as no other Army sport has the criteria. The Commodore said it’s a blunt tool, but has to be done to remove the perception offshore sailing is an officer sport. It was agreed the AOR is the right place to do this.
(b) SOR, 29 June – 4 July. Army lead this year. Maj Naylor will select the Army teams from known sailors and from the AOR. There will be pre SOR training for the Army teams. Maj Sargent will be coaching. Tim Hill and Will Naylor will be sweeping up the training between the AOR and SOR.
(c) RC (O) gave huge credits to both Lt Col Frank Cannon, Transglobe and Maj Rob Duke, Gallipoli for their great organisation and hard work on both of these projects. He said you can follow the Gallipoli exercise blogs, just Google Exercise Gallipoli, it’s a great read.
(d) To update the BKYC yachts returning to UK. Plans are now firming up. 2 of the 2010 fleet that have not been sold will be sailed back to UK over Easter. 1 x HR342 will be based in Gosport, the other will go to N Ireland. The new fleet will run on until Sept 16. There will be a closing ceremony. Subject to a number of agreements the yachts will then be sailed back to UK and be based in JSASTC , these yachts will be used by all 3 services. The Army’s UK SOTR for offshore will increase as troops return to UK. The BKYC fleet will cover the shortfall. 3 Army PIDS will also come from BKYC to JSASTC. The yachts will become public assets.