A security date watermark will be printed across all valid Spinlock IRC certificates issued from 19 May 2016. This will make it quick and easy to identify a valid certificate (or copy certificate) issued by RORC or UNCL.
Current, valid certificates issued before 19 May 2016 are still valid and will not be reprinted.
Trial certificates will not include the watermark.
The RORC Rating Office and the RYA have recenly completed a countrywide tour of yacht clubs and marinas where the discussion has been based around getting more people into our sport. All of us see marinas full of boats of which only a handful can be seen on the water in evening races and weekend events throughout the year. A large number of these boats rarely seem to leave the marinas, and many don’t join the local yacht club or use their facilities, simply finding a good local pub, or bar attached to the marina office instead. Many have also never given racing a try. So the purpose of the seminars has been to try and understand where these potential fellow competitors are, and why they aren’t coming out to play.
I read with interest the editors piece in the copy of Seahorse that was the first piece of post through the front door in January. I sense the frustration in Andrew’s keyboard, and have both sympathy and some agreement. However, I think that is one of the biggest issues; no one seems to agree on the best event for that great trophy. We all have ideas, and all think they are the best solution, but they all vary. I agree with Andrew that you can’t create an event worthy of the Admiral’s Cup of old, it has to evolve. But where from? That is the area we all have different views on, and any event started with the intention of becoming the Admiral’s Cup in a few years is doomed from the start in my opinion. I believe that the event has to present itself as the obvious choice over time, not be created for that purpose.