Forgive me as I indulge myself on MyPE after a long battle with the TNPA – my ‘friend ‘AT’ is probably squirming with delight at our misfortune but the outpouring of messages of support will, I think, vindicate the yacht club. We may have lost the battle but the hearts have shown the love that, for now, make this all worthwhile.
Obviously the news is devastating to many members who have put their heart and soul into the club. It will be a huge wrench to hand over the club buildings and land reclaimed that was paid for by member subscriptions over 60 years. We still appear in front of the Port Regulator on 20 March 2018 where our original complaint from 2009 will be heard. We are expecting TNPA to fight tooth and nail to prevent a successful hearing as, if ABYC win, that will place all tenants on TNPA land across South Africa in a strong position.
We will remember the incredible regattas that ABYC was legend for hosting, our many members who rose to greatness and sailed for South Africa, our many members who unselfishly assisted international yachtsmen and seaman in their time of need, the many sea miles covered by members up and down the coast – racing and cruising.
We will always cherish the incredible people who form part of the club and will continue to do so – a club is not a building but people sharing a common interest and love of a sport.
Our Exco and members have always worn their hearts on their sleeves and put in the hard work that makes a club the incredible nation building institution that it is. Make no mistake there will be not a dry eye in the club on Wednesday evening.
In 2014 when the new Exco committe came in we focused on trying to mend the fractured relationship and combative stance between ABYC and TNPA that had been festering for more years than anyone felt comfortable with. To their everlasting credit Exco tackled the negotiations with renewed vigour and respect towards the TNPA that I found enormously admirable. What everyone forgets is that the Exco of the club are all volunteers that give up of their time and effort to ‘foster sailing’ – often using their personal and business assets and time in service of the Club, the Port and the City.
ABYC Exco: President – Sean Wiseman, Commodore – Alan Straton, Sailing Commodore – Mark Dawson, Rear Commodore House – Frank Atkinson, Rear Commodore Hard Standing – Chris Dickson, Rear Commodore Special Projects – Russel Morgan, Honorary Treasurer – Roger Lucas and Honorary Secretary – Rodney Idris.
The number of members who have given unselfishly to the club and the ongoing promotion of our sport has been incredible – we have hosted many successful international regattas – in this century alone we have hosted the J22 World, Hobie 16 Worlds, Optimist African Champs, Mirror Worlds and the 5O5 World Championships. Countless other national and regional sailing events have also been hosted bringing in much needed revenue from outside the city from sailors staying for at least a week at a time in our Friendly City.
We have been refused the ability by TNPA to bid for the Volvo Ocean Race stopover and Extreme Sailing – both with the potential to add over R500 Million rand to the economic well being of our city.
On a more personal note I must note my admiration of the TNPA for their ruthless attention to detail and deep pockets (thank you taxpayers) to fight this fight and evict us.
Personally this year is an emotionally draining one for me as this eviction is the first of two body blows that I will receive.
As a long standing member I remember a time when there was no marina and we had to row out to our yachts, I remember my Late Father-in-Law being one of four members who put up the money to build the first clubhouse which rose from the ashes of what was essentially a double garage.
Every time we have an Exco meeting and I look at the inner wall of the Wardroom which was one of the walls of the original ‘double garage’ I think of those first days when the club started in this forgotten part of the Port of Port Elizabeth – essentially on forgotten land.
I was married in the club, my children grew up in the club and I fully expected my family to play the Elvis song, Return to Sender, at my wake at the club.
I remember the delighted shrieks of young children being introduced to sailing for the first time.
I remember being naughty and challenging a young LoveLife impintshi to jump into the water in his lifejacket in the middle of the harbour and, after he did, he told me that he couldn’t swim but trusted me – he was hired straight away and went on to become one of our best coaches.
ABYC has provided safe haven for countless youngsters seeking to learn how to sail – a lifetime sport which sees many sailors still competing well into their eighties. Sailing teaches young people so many things – discipline, responsibility, consequences of actions, love of nature along with being credited as helping with maths and science as sailing is essentially ‘chess on the water’.
We will miss our staff who become part of the family in a friendly environment.
We will miss the roar of Manganese Ore being loaded. We will miss the security staff at the gate and, yes, we will miss the people of the TNPA who are only acting out on the dictates of their masters.
If I may pervert the words of an Irish Blessing:
May the waves lie down in your path.
May the wind always be at your stern.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your yacht.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Regards
ALAN W. STRATON
HUMAN AND PROUD
Alan Straton
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