The main area of discussion at this month's WIORA AGM, revolved around rejuvenating the fleet numbers at the annual West Coast Championships and on the west coast in general.
WIORA numbers have been falling in recent years and the Pandemic made things worse.
As Afloat reported previously, 24 members from Counties Kerry, Limerick, Clare and Galway attended the first face to face AGM of the association in two years at the Inn at Dromoland on Thursday, March 3rd.
the outgoing Commodore, Gary Fort reviewing his three-year tenure, stated that it is now very challenging to maintain vibrant numbers at the annual West Coast Championships and to this end a number of measurers had been put in place over the last three years to encourage sailors, particularly young sailors to participate.
These included a €1,000 grant, to help support a U25 team attending the West Coast championships. This is payable in two €500 instalments over two years, collectable at the event.
Host clubs are to get €500 towards craning costs (or other one-off costs associated with running the event) and any U25 team entering and competing in the Championships will get their entry paid in full.
These measures, it is hoped will help bring younger sailors into the sailing scene and add some youth and vibrancy to the West Coast Championships. WIORA’s funds are by no means substantial, but this was seen by the Commodore and Committee as an essential measure for the next couple of years.
Gary Fort wished the incoming Commodore Raymond McGibney, a well known and respected sailor on the west coast, the best with his term as Commodore in the future.
The West Coast Championships will be hosted by Kilrush in 2022 and take place in the Aran Islands in 2023.