Fireball

East African Fireball Association Newsletter
May 2006

Dear All

The moment has finally come – it can’t be avoided any longer…Graham Alder has *finally* been allowed to step down as Commodore of Fireball Kenya.

Your new committee, elected at the AGM in a closely and bitterly fought battle, is as follows:

Commodore: Don White
Treasurer: Al Bush
Secretary: Gary McGurk
Measurer: Dennis White

Many thanks indeed to Graham, who has done a great job over the last ten years, not only organising the Kilifi Nationals event but also the inland events year in, year out. Graham also brought the 2003 Worlds to Kenya, which invigorated the fleet considerably, and kept us in touch with the Fireball fraternity around the world. We have all benefited enormously from the time and effort that Graham has put in over the years. Hopefully he will have more time to enjoy his sailing.

Looking forward, it would be good to get boats on the water again a little more frequently. Some sailors, who will go unnamed (JT) haven’t lifted their covers since last Kilifi…but there are plenty who we don’t see often enough on the water. In particular, it would be good to see the old boats more active.

Just in case you’ve forgotten you own a fireball, the following list is of the remaining fireballs which are, to my knowledge, in working condition. Not so long ago we had 12 boats competing at Kilifi; it would be great if that number could be repeated again this year. The dates are Thursday 27th to Saturday 29th July, and the event is generously sponsored by Fursys, a Korean furniture manufacturer. Please let me know if you are coming to Kilifi this year.

Subs

Subscriptions for 2006 are now due, and remain at the rate for last year i.e. 1500/- for boat + helm, shs. 1000/- per crew. Please make your cheques out to ‘East African Fireball Association’ and post them to me at P O Box 24414, Karen, 00502, Nairobi.’

Repairs

There is a great fundi in Naivasha who has been doing some repairs for me – his name is Francis Mburu and he can be contacted on 0722 160087. He can do all sorts of work and does a very professional job. Ideal for giving your boat some love and attention.

Red Letter Days

It would also help to get more emphasis on Red Letter Days. We’re just liaising with the NYC committee for suitable dates, and will try to put more focus on these days. I’m happy to help with any tuning things at any time as well, so if you want your boat tuned please let me know. The next red letter day is on 18th June for the Dickinson Cup/Monthly Mugs. Ideal for getting the boat ready for Kilifi – hope to see you on the water then, if not before.

Don 12/6/2006
Don.white@nvs.homegrown.co.ke