Henley Sailing Club prepares to get back on the water

The Kerr family carry off the silverware at Henley SC's presentation © Finn Kerr

After a winter of extreme weather there had been concerns at Henley Sailing Club about the start of the 2014 season being a washout. However, members have kept a close eye on the clubhouse and grounds over the winter (with one brave soul wading through the waist deep water in his wetsuit) and have already started planning the clear up operation. The Club's Bosun Tim Saunders said, "We've seen sustained flooding of the grounds over the winter but I've no doubt the members will attack any work that needs doing at the start of the season with their usual gusto so that we can kick off the Spring Series on time on the 23rd March."

Despite the floods the Commodore Peta Bowyer delivered a buoyant annual report to members at the club's AGM held on Saturday 1 February at the rather drier Castle Royal Golf Club. "Ignoring the conditions as I speak, the 2013 season was complete contrast to 2012 with a wonderful summer on the water with ample sunshine and a variety of wind conditions to suit all standards. The racing has been competitive, we've introduced new sailors to the river through our buddying tuition system and as ever we've enjoyed numerous barbecues, evening dinners and cream teas in good company," said Peta.

There were thanks for Duncan Mackay who was stepping down from his role on the committee as publicity officer after many years. "Duncan's journalistic talents have meant the Club's newsletters have always been an entertaining read and we wish him well in his future endeavours." James Cox, who joined the club last year when he moved to Twyford, was voted in by the members to take Duncan's place on the committee and Peta wished him good luck in his new role.

As usual, the highlight of the night was the presentations of the Club's gleaming collection of silverware to those who had distinguished themselves on the race course. This year, we had a whole family, the Kerr's, on the podium with Graham, Amelia, Roux and Pip all winning cups in their own right with Finn as chief photographer.

As we look forward, as well as the usual full programme of racing the 2014 season brings with it new innovations such as Wednesday afternoon sailing, designed to get even more members and their families on the water enjoying the beautiful setting of the Club. Like everyone else up and down the Thames Valley, members are keeping their fingers crossed for the weather.