The clubhouse has several facilities making it attractive to sailors and social members alike, including safe parking for vehicles and boats within close proximity to the water, a reasonably-priced restaurant and bar, and adequate cloakrooms. Many regattas have been run from the beach site over the years, including world championships for GP 14s, national championships for Hobie catamarans, and countless provincial and club championships. The beach site is also available for hire for social functions, providing a spectacular view of Durban’s beachfront and the northern beaches. It is truly a spot that holds many special memories for sailors from Durban and elsewhere. BEACHSITE ANNUAL REPORT - 2010 The Vetch’s beachsite continues to be severely under-utilised, both for sailing and for general recreation, a situation which is baffling. The facilities are in reasonable shape (although the shower geysers need urgent attention), and food and drink are available over weekends. The beach and sea still offer the same attractions they always have, and having a quiet beach in a city the size of Durban is unheard of elsewhere. There will always be moans about the facilities on offer, but there is no doubt that the beachsite was most used when the facilities were minimal. Have we become so spoiled that we want more than the beachsite offers? In order to diversify what is on offer, efforts have been made to accommodate and attract surfski members, including the provision of secure storage racks and after-hours access to the clubhouse. While not perfect, these steps acknowledge the changing demands in watersports – just as a grassy patch was created for windsurfers in the heyday of that sport. All the while, the Hobies keep a presence there – although they are at a very low ebb currently. Time for some new blood! A couple of sailing highlights during the year were the Easter regatta at which a mixed fleet of close on 40 boats participated, an inaugural Richards Bay to Durban longhaul for cats, and the KZN Hobie provincials which saw the Hobie 16s make class. The beach cats also participated in several of the regular events on the cat calendar, including the Stray Cat regatta, the Zululand Cat Regatta, the Malawi Marathon, as well as some of the mixed events such as the Jonsson Cup, the 9-hour regatta, the Bar Anniversary mug and the Simply Sailing (Durban Boat Show) regatta. The proposed small craft harbour development at Vetch’s received the go ahead from the provincial authorities, but this decision has been taken on review, requested by an association of concerned users of the Vetch’s area. The uncertainty about the final nature of the development of this area is therefore likely to persist for some time. Sean Fennessy CHAIRMAN BEACHSITE COMMITTEE August 2010 | 
