It has been a busy year for the Irish Optimist Fleet, the largest and youngest class in the country, and its class association, the International Optimist Dinghy Association of Ireland (IODAI), held its AGM on Tuesday, the 28th of November, 2023, via Zoom.
In his report, the President of the Association, Paddy Ryan, outlined the commitments that the Committee had made for 2023 and the work undertaken by the Committee to achieve those goals throughout the year.
A survey was undertaken at the start of 2022 to see what the sailors and parents wanted and to ensure that the Association was in step with its membership. The overall successes of this engagement were evident in the significantly increased fleet numbers and the very successful national training week held at the Royal Court Yacht Club over the Halloween break, not to mention the numerous smiling faces seen at Optimist events throughout the year.
The financial position was presented by the Honorary Treasurer, Dominic Byrne. He relayed a clear picture of the income and expenditure over the 2022 calendar year. The increased costs associated with the running of events and the support given to teams, as well as the national training week, were underpinned.
Steve O’Sullivan (RCYC), the Teams Manager, gave a run-through of the four international teams that represented Ireland in competitions in Spain, Greece, France, and the UK during the summer. With new structures put in place and a strong coaching and supporting team, Irish Oppie sailors performed well overall, benefiting significantly from some of their first exposures to international competition.
The domestic growth of the fleet in 2023 was particularly evident, as Neil Spain (HYC), Events Officer, explained with references to the various events across the country.
Neil also unveiled the much-anticipated calendar for 2024, which will see the fleet travel from East Antrim to Crosshaven throughout the year. The National Championships and Team Racing Championships will be held in Howth in August.
The President acknowledged the invaluable commitment of retiring Committee Members Ross Gorman, Jill Doig, Brendan Foley and Darragh Brady. He welcomed the new Committee Members, Nick Smith (RstGYC), who will be in charge of training; Laura Greer (RstGYC), who has taken up the role of Communications Officer; Cian Baynes (GBSC), who will support events; and Angela Duane (LRYC) who will assist with the association's Finances.
Finally, it was noted that the Children’s Officer, Emer O’Donnell, was stepping down from her position and that Jill Doig (EABC) would be taking up this critical role.
