News CRYC is launched!
The Clipper Race Yacht Club was officially launched at St Katherine Docks, London on 24th April 2009 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, who is President of the club. The CRYC has three Vice Presidents, Sir Keith Mills (Ariel 98), Gordon Whiteley (Chrysolite 96) and Jim Dick (Hull & Humber 07-08).
Membership of the CRYC is open to anyone who has competed in any part of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, or has been employed by Clipper Ventures on any of the Clipper races.
The aim is to create an association of Clipper alumni to the mutual advantage of all parties – and for the purpose of having fun.
Our activities
The crux of the CRYC is this password-protected members' website which will be developed further as the club progresses. This, along with e-newsletters, will drive all the various activities.
Most of the club's initiatives will come from members. Some will be social and others adventurous, such as weekends at sea or elsewhere. The activities will grow as the club matures – there will be no limits other than members' imaginations.
No subs for three years
For the initial period until April 2012 there will be a joining fee of £20 and no annual subscription – what a deal!
How to join
Click 'Join' and either :
a) Use the simple online joining form
b) Download the form as a Word document, fill it in and email as indicated
c) download it as a PDF, print it, fill it in and post it
Alternatively, you can join when passing the Clipper office in Gosport – see Janice Beesley.
You can pay your joining fee:
a) By mail to the address on the joining form
b) By credit or debit card using the PayPal link on the 'Join' page
The Commodore’s notes
“The CRYC will be as strong and successful as its members wish it to be”
Colin de Mowbray, Commodore, CRYC
I have been immensely lucky to have been involved with all the Clipper Races and relish playing a major part in developing the Clipper Race Yacht Club. I have always been conscious of the many active groups of ex-crew members and the continuing friendships that stem from taking part in the race. I believe nothing could be more logical than to have some type of informal framework to join everyone together and hence the CRYC.
We have had a tremendous start to the club and now have more than 400 members. The initial targets have been smashed and we had great support for the Official Launch last April. From now on it is onwards and upwards! To achieve this I need you all to chase up your own race contacts and crack a gentle whip to get others to sign up. This is especially important for the early races where the Clipper office records are less accurate.
The CRYC will be as strong and successful as its members wish it to be and to move ahead we need enthusiastic volunteers. So far the reaction has been great and the Club framework is taking shape well. Please get in touch with your ideas and suggestions.
Now that we have a strong and growing membership the next task is to continue to develop the CRYC website and secure database. Members now have passwords and I hope are beginning to find it useful and productive. We are working on areas such as branded clothing and we now have a modest programme of events in place which will gradually be expanded.
So that’s where we have got to ... so far.