News

A.G.M. 2008 Results.

Chairman: Sean Botheras.

Vice Chairman: Mark Williams.

Secretary: Tim Barnes

Treasurer: Brian Sullens

Event safety officer: Ben Granata.

CJC Went To Cowes.

Answering a call for help from the RYA, several members of Cornwall Jetskier Club were chosen as RYA marshalls for the P1 Powerboat world championships in Cowes, Isle of wight, between August 24th & 26th. The RYA had contacted Bill Kircher of Solent Skiers to ask for a team of PWC riders to marshall the race circuit. Representing CJC were Sean Botheras, Mark Williams, Tim Barnes, Brian Sullens, Terry Jones & Scott Cheadle. Along with us for moral support was Richard Ford—Hayle Harbourmaster, although he was not on the water for this event. It was good to meet up with members of other clubs. If any of you are on the PWC forums, you will have come across Thumper. Normally found to be having his say about Cornwall, he was pleasantly surprised to find how the club has moved on in the last 2 years & has now changed his mind about us & thinks we’re the mutts nuts! Several members of other clubs are thinking of coming down in the early part of next year for a get-together. Should be fun. The weekend was a resounding success, with no major incidents to report apart from one. After the last race on the Sunday, one unpleasant Rib pilot decided not to listen to one of our members & proceeded to power up & motored straight over Scott & his ski. Thankfully Scott is not too badly injured, but his ski was quite badly damaged. The RYA and the authorities are carrying out a full investigation. We wish Scott a speedy recovery. Roll on next year!

The 2007 A.G.M. Results.

Chairperson: Sean Botheras. Vice Chairperson: Mark Williams. Treasurer: Brian Sullens. Secretary: Tim Barnes. Event safety officer: Ben Granata.

RYA Training.

As you may be aware, club rules state in article 11 that “All club members must hold a RYA certificate for PWC’s, and provide a photocopy of certificate with membership.” We decided at the AGM that those members who do not currently hold a RYA certificate should do so within 3 months. This timescale is drawing to a close, and as yet, we have not received any updated information from any member to state that they have completed their RYA. Certainly no certificates have been sent into the secretary. Please ensure that you get your RYA training completed as soon as possible and send a copy of your certificate to the address at the bottom of the page. Chris Bertish (CJC Events Co-Ordinator), who is based at Hayle, runs PWC Training UK Ltd & Nicola Wilkes at Adventure Sports UK Ltd, who is based at Carnkie, both offer PWC training & have offered discount to CJC members. They can be contacted on the following telephone numbers: Ben Granata: 07875413722 Nicola Wilkes: 01209 218962

Membership Cards.

We propose to issue membership cards to all members. However, although the application form requests a passport sized photo be submitted, this year, only 3 photographs actually arrived. To enable us to issue the membership cards, please supply either a passport photo (with your name on the back) or email a photo to cornwalljetski@dsl.pipex.com , which clearly shows your face. As soon as we receive your photo, we will issue your card. Don’t forget that GUL are offering CJC members 10% discount on purchases upon production of a membership card, so it is in your interests to get your photo’s to me as soon as possible. In the near future you will also need to produce your card at Hayle before launching as HHML have requested that members carry a club I.D. card.

Yellow / Red card system.

In the club rules, article 10 states that “ A yellow & Red card system will be used to ban persistent offenders, then rule 7 will apply”. (Rule 7 – “Anyone bringing the club into disrepute will be expelled & lose all use of exclusive launch sites”) The committee have reviewed this rule & have decided that a timescale needs to be applied to this rule. Therefore, any Yellow or red cards issued will be valid for 2 years. There has also been some confusion about the lack of warning before a yellow card is issued. The committee will contact the member in the first instance, the member then has the opportunity to respond to the allegation before the decision is made to issue a Yellow or Red card.

Memberships & Hold Harmless Agreement Forms

It's a new season, so please get your new memberships forms & hold harmless agreement to Cornwall Jetskier Club if you haven’t already done so.

Christmas Party.

As most of you are aware, we held our 1^st ever Christmas Party on December 16^th.  It was held at the Gwealdues Hotel in Helston. We had our own private bar (& barman), excellent buffet meal and disco (although we’ve decided not to drink when doing a disco again!). There was also the usual Raffle – Thanks to those of you who donated Raffle prizes – you know who you are! Attendance was good and it was great to meet up with so many of you. For those of you who didn’t make it, you missed a great night!

MARINE LIFE

As most of you are probably aware there has been a lot of adverse publicity recently based around unsubstantiated accusations of dolphin harassment by personal watercraft and powerboats owners in this part of the South West.

As chairperson of the Cornwall Jetskier Club Dave Pye has carried out several radio interviews on both Radio Cornwall and Pirate FM representing both the club and the point of view of personal watercraft users in general. A 25 metre exclusion zone around dolphins has been suggested by St Ives Council. Dave explained that this would not work as dolphins and other sea creatures are often attracted to the sound and bubbles made by the craft. It is a well-known fact that dolphins have followed and played along side all types of watercraft since man first set sail. Such an exclusion zone would simply be impossible to maintain or police. Dave also felt that there are several people who want to see a complete ban on personal watercraft and are using this as a way to get such a ban imposed.

While the club does not believe its members are involved in any such activity CJC would like to remind everyone that it is a criminal offence to harass any such sea mammal or bird. Being found guilty of such an offence can result in a prison term or fine. It can also mean expulsion from the club for bringing it into disrepute. The various harbour authorities can also exclude you from their water.

If dolphins or the like approach you, simply slow down and be careful. Do not forget that they are wild animals. . As well as being playful, they can also bite! Give them your respect and enjoy the moment.