AGM 2017 - Minutes

Held at WPNSA, Weymouth on 1st April 2017

23 people signed the attendance sheet, representing 28 membership votes.

Welcome and thanks to all for attending from Bob Ingram – meeting opened 19.45

Committee Apologies: James Palin, Rodney Davis, Alastair Campbell, Peter Davis, Nigel Treacy

1. Approval of theMinutes of the previous AGM:

The AGM Minutes from 2016 were Approved and signed.
Proposed: John Pete Seconded: Ken Proffitt.
Floor Vote: Approved - None against, no abstentions.
Copy signed for filing.

Matters arising from the Previous Minutes (not covered in the Agenda Items)

• Race Commentary for spectators – this will be added to the volunteers list on the web site but currently no one has expressed a willingness to do this
• Incentive for international RSX sailors to attend events as role model – to be discussed with the RSX class chair. To date there has been no feedback from the RSX class.

Chairman’s Report (Bob Ingram):

• Start with some thank-you
• Thanks to everyone for supporting the UKWA during 2016. As I said last year The committee is always concerned about the popularity of windsurfing and 2016 has again been a difficult year for the windsurfing trade. Fortunately 2016 saw numbers plateau for course racing and for slalom some growth which was good news indeed. Just perhaps windsurfing is on the up.
• Thanks to our safety crews and race officers and admin crews. My personal thanks to Brian and Ann who turn up early and leave late at every event to help set up and break down the kit. Additionally thanks to john and sue.
• Thanks to all out volunteers, Support boat crew, committee boat crews, admin crew all everyone else who helped out in 2016
• Thanks to Alastair for the web site there have been continuing changes mainly behind the scenes which has upgraded the web, this takes a lot of Alastair’s personal time .
• Thanks to the committee for all their hard work especially the sub committees and regions organizing their National and local events
• Thanks to Thomas Westcott for preparing the accounts and a special thanks to Paul who took over as treasurer 6 years ago and administrator 18 months ago and his report will demonstrate his dedication is putting the association in a much better place than it has been for many a long year. This enabled the association to purchase another new engine and other accessories which I am sure Paul will discuss.
• Thanks to Rod for all his hard work all the UKWA sponsors for supporting the association, without which the slalom and probably the wave series would be impossible. Unfortunately despite leads which were followed up no lead sponsor could be found in 2016 However the committee has worked hard to put a policy document in place published on the web to attract potential sponsors in the future. Any leads are welcome, it helps us all keeping costs down
• Thanks to Nigel Treacey for his continued success with the BWA, Nigel remains as chair of wave but has handed over the event organization to Geoff Houtman,and thanks to Pete Davies for maintaining the high profile which speed deserves.
• Thanks to James Palin, Resources. The committee decided to continue to retain all 4 ribs for 2016 and due to James hard work we are in a so much better position than we have been for years. Additional thanks to Kevin Profit for all his assistance with the maintenance of the fleet.
• Finally thanks to my wife Sue and Tessa for their hard work and support.

2016

• In general 2016 was a good year for events UKWA, and as I said previously numbers held steady and in slalom increased and I would be surprized if they did not surpass course racing in 2017.

Slalom

• Thanks to Fanatic North k66, Starboard Tushingham Severn , Gaastra Tabou, quiver windsurfing goya , The OTC, Puravida, Farrel at O’shea, NWF Events (Allan Cross), Neil Pryde, and to RRD,. We ran a program of 7 events. The BSA branding has been a fantastic success with growing support from both competitors the brands and magazines etc. 37 pros, 55 Amateurs & 11 Masterblasters total 103 down 9 on 2015. The guaranteed income negotiated with the sponsors has helped with planning and has been a really positive development for the association. We took 3 boats to events which helped substantially with running better quality racing. The 2015 season saw a new financial arrangements so that no individual sponsor looses out financially. There was shared risk and indeed shared profit. With an option to hand this profit to the UKWA all but one did. Moving forward to 2017 NWF withdrew but 4boards joined therefore things remained as previously.

Wave

• Wave continues to operate with great success under the BWA banner. During 2016 four events were held making up the British Championships, in Wales, Cornwall, Avon Beach and the highlight in Tiree. Tiree had a junior element which is most welcome and especially good for the future of wavesailing.

Freestyle

• Unfortunately we have been unable to deliver any events in 2016 despite our best efforts but never say never and we will continue to talk to anyone with the required skills to run such events. I did make an approach to Andy Bubble Chambers for his assistance but to date he is unable to help.

Speed

• Speedsailing in the UK is still going strong with over 80 UKWA entrants for Weymouth Speed Week
• GPS speed sailing is also still going strong with riders from all over the UK posting their fastest times.
• 2017 will see new titles
• Weymouth Speed Week
  UKWA National Speed Sailing Champion (The winner of The UKWA National Speed
  Sailing Championships)
  
  Speed Ladder
  British Speed Sailing Champion (The fastest person in any given year)
  
  Both titles are only open to UKWA members which should encourage new members.

Racing

• 2015 saw 6 cup events
• There were also 3 inland events
• There was 1 additional event
• The highlight was surely the new concept of The Champions Cup with the Junior Youth and Masters run by the UKWA and supported by the RYA with 200+ boards on the water, a great success both event wise and financially. We had extra emphasis on the juniors with lots of inflatables and free drinks & sweets etc. Once again Rutland proved to be an exceptional venue. 2017 sees us going back to Grafham and we are working right now to iron out the obvious problems there in 2015, so it should be a great evet.
• Formula numbers continued to be disappointing with 18 (down 2), raceboard 31 (Up 6), RS:X 27 (Down 7), and Techno 68 (Up 1). However you can make these numbers say almost anything given the number of events versus overall series entries actual number of entries went up.
• 2017 season will see 6 cup event, 4 inland events plus the big event with RYA at end of season.
• There will be a review at the end of the season and your feedback is welcomed at any time (except right now)
• I have had continued meetings with the RYA mainly in discussion with regard to the pathway classes; these remain confusing and lacking structure. Moving forward we have further meetings planned to resolve the outstanding issues. It has been acknowledged that the changes made to Team 15 did not work and a U turn almost back to the previous template with improvements will it is hoped see numbers grow again. The biggest development are the new Techno & RS:X class committees and we should thank them for their hard work supporting the pathway classes.
• I should like to thank Helen Bennett for her work as Techno Class chair as she stands down and welcome Graham Walker who will undoubtedly take over this roll
• Graham has already shown great enthusiasm and along with Nigel’s drive the pathway classes will hopefully become stronger and I would encourage them to work closer with the UKWA
• Rob Kent has continued his work of the RYA Council and there may now be a window of opportunity to have our voice heard at last to thanks to him and please shout very loud.
• Ali Masters has been replaced with Sam Ross

• General
• Windsurfer of the year was awarded to Max Rowe and the Windsurfing Hall of Fame continues to grow with 2 proposals in progress
• The UKWA supported NWF for the last time in Hayling before it moves to Rutland in 2017 without our support. I should like to minute thanks to Brian for his dedication to this and to all the crews and volunteers who assisted over the ten years this has been extremely hard work, probably the biggest effort we have had to produce and a good income stream over the years which has now come to an end and may have knock on effects to the finances of the UKWA in general.
• It is however clear to the committee that we need new young blood on board with fresh ideas and we also need much more assistance on and off the water with new crew, further information will be posted on web very soon, sorry ran out of time.

• Rob Kent was appointed to the RYA council representing the UKWA, Rob can you briefly update us on proceedings.
  Rob has had early discussions and is now seeking to link the Executive to those responsible for racing( Tim Hall) to ensure that the RYA policy of excellence but as importantly participation and inclusivity is being actioned at grass roots level. The latter two elements are currently not being well supported.

4. Finance Reportandto receive the Financial Statements and Accounts for the year to 31 December 2016 – Paul Robinson

Introduction

The accounts for 2016 are presented for membership approval

• The UKWA is a private Company Limited by Guarantee. Each of the members is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the assets of the association in the event of liquidation. The UKWA principal activity is the promotion of competitive windsurfing across the UK
• Welcome and thank you for attending the AGM.
• This year the UKWA has moved fully to online banking and bacs payment using a double Director Payment authorisation online system. This has sped up the payment process and made management of the finances more efficient. The online membership and event entry system created and maintained by Alastair Campbell has proved to be well favoured by the members with no paper pre entries received in 2016.Following the agreed proposal tabled at the last AGM, all memberships are now sent by email in pdf form saving time and administration costs. Please remember to update any email or address changes on the online system.
• John Ellis has formally retired from independent accounting practice partly influenced by the legally required transition to Financial Reporting Standard 102. Our new accountants who have prepared these accounts are Thomas Westcott.
• The UKWA operate a virtual volunteer structure to manage the promotion and activity of competitive windsurfing across the assorted disciplines. In essence our Administration and accounting are the key elements that are outsourced. We operate in a very lean team and in perhaps it is too lean and we need members to help and volunteer if the administration of competitive racing is to continue in its current form. It is time for those who have benefited to give back.

2016

• 2016 equipment wise, saw the purchase of a lower leg for the Buska engine purchased in 2013 in preference to a rebuild of the gearbox system which was not guaranteed to resolve the gear selection issues. A decision was also made to replace the aging Rescue 1 engine in 2017 before its condition resulted in expensive failures and while there remained some financial asset £700 ( note the engine was fully depreciated – fully depreciated over 5 years)). Thank you to Kevin Proffit for the foresight and for obtaining the engine status report
• 2016 also saw the financial support to a UKWA youth team, in association with the LWA, for the Raceboard Europeans at Brest event and the use of one of UKWA’s ribs as a coach boat. This type of event support should be a keypart of our role.
• Event entries in 2016 were 5% above 2015. Increases in insurance included the event trailer and its contents. The gross or operating profit was running at 19.2% and with the administrative overhead’s included, the end profit was 1.5% .
• With the amount of capital equipment secured over my tenure the depreciation costs are substantial especially give our relatively steep depreciation rates. 20% for marine equipment,25% for tow vehicle. However we have now replaced all of our rib engines ( Rescue 1 due 2017) and purchased a towing vehicle. With the support of James Palin we have moved from the hugely expensive hand to mouth amateur temporary repairs of engines to a pre-emptive servicing of up-to-date equipment and now operate in a much more financial efficient manner. Our issue is now manpower to run the equipment.

ACCOUNTS TO 31 DECEMBER 2016

• We can see on page 3, that the entries show a encouraging increasing trend, despite not being able to run a freestyle competition. This is a disappointment following getwindsurfings involvement the previous year.

• Page 7 statement of Comprehensive Income shows the turnover of income versus cost giving a gross profit of £ 18,132. The increase of the administrative costs include the one off Brest event promotion of £993, a small increase in Bank charges and a increase of accountancy fees ( john Ellis). This gives a final yearly profit of £1401

• A more detailed breakdown of income statement is on page 19. This details the breakdown of turnover and cost of sales for 2016 and is compared against 2015

• Page 8 - Balance sheet as a statement of financial position on page 8 shows our tangible and current assists at £42,816. (Tangible assets are shown on page 16 with the corresponding depreciations of £15574 for marine equipment, £2167 for the towing vehicle and £36 for office equipment.) Capital and reserves are satisfactory at £38,814 showing our current level of solvency.

• We remain very much in a year by year evenly balanced financial situation. A reduction in entries will have a immediate adverse impact on the financial viability of the Association but the Directors feel that the current situation and forecast is such that there is no current recommendation for the increase in event or membership fees for 2017 but having said that, it will be a big challenge for this coming year,2017, for the Association to show a profit especially given the agreed purchase of a replacement engine for Rescue 1. Increases maybe inevitable for 2018

• These accounts are presented to the members present for approval

• Thank you once again for all your support – are there any questions?

• No questions received

PROPOSED that the 2016 Accounts are agreed and signed by the Directors: Rob Kent
SECONDED: Mike Dempsey
FLOOR: All in favour, none against, no abstentions.

2 copies signed for forwarding to Thomas Westcott/Companies House; plus one for filing

5. Resources Report – by Paul Robinson in absence of James Palin, Director of Resources

• Major capital purchasing during the year was limited to a replacement gearbox for 2013 Buska outboard
• Two trailer failures required roadside assistance. A single maintenance company has been targeted to ensure standardisation of service
• Navarra has been worked hard through the year launching ukwa ribs, support boats and also rya ribs. Additional rib launching can challenge the timing of getting the full crew on the water ready for the start of racing. Navarra has had clutch, wheel bearings and suspension replacement.
• It was agreed that for 2017 the outboard engine on Rescue 1 be replaced while the existing engine retained some monetary value.(£700)

There was a urgent need for more volunteers both to tow and crew the ribs but also to assist with the launching and recovery of the boats.

6. Election of Directors

The following elected Directors have all stood down and agreed to stand for 2016:

Chairman: Bob Ingram
Finance: Paul Robinson
Administration: Brian Tilbury
Communication: Alastair Campbell
Marketing and Publicity: Rod Davis
Resources: James Palin

THE EXISTING DIRECTORS WILL BE RE-ELECTED EN BLOC UNLESS SOMEONE ELSE WANTS TO NOMINATE THEMSELVES OR SOMEONE ELSE: None from floor

ABOVE DIRECTORS VOTED EN BLOC:

Proposed …Kevin Proffitt
Seconded … Tom Naylor
Vote - All in favour, none against, no abstentions.

Existing Committee’s - Co-opted Directors will be:
Head of Racing: Bob Ingram
Head of Slalom: Bob Ingram (to be replaced asap)
Head of Speed: Pete Davis
Head of Freestyle: Situation Vacant
Head of Wave: Nigel Treacy

Possibility of additional nominated Director to understudy Head of Racing and Administration and be able to step up in case of emergency interested parties to advise

7. AOB of the Association

• The development of Foil racing – how ready and proactive is the UKWA – Mike Dempsey

Bob advised that he has been in communication with IWA ( Ceri Williams) regarding the current progress and potential classes and whilst it is very early days the situation is being kept under a close review. There was consideration being given to a demonstration at the last Slalom event of the year ( James Dinsmore) and this may develop through the year into a separate foil racing class. RSX foiling is also on the cards possibly racing with the formula class. Sam Ross is also a good point of contact.

So whilst the pathway is unclear so far the UKWA is keeping abreast of any new developments.

Thanks to the Chairman was expressed by the Floor

Meeting Closed: 20.35 pm
Many thanks to all those who attended

BRIEF NOTES FROM THE SAILORS MEETING

Continued after the close of the AGM 2017, Start: 20.45

Sue Ingram - Can the veteran title be changed to Grand master as complaints have been received from some older slalom sailors now falling into that category. A long discussion resulted. Some proposals included master, grandmaster and great grandmaster. There are numerous discrepancies with age and titles with the international classes. Changes would also need to actioned on the paper and online entry system

There was the possibility of just changing for slalom but this would likely cause severe confusion and difficulty for the online entry system. Chairman to consider and advise any changes.

Colin MaCann- Re convertible RSX class - it is not currently possible to get comprehensive insurance but 3rd party is ok, any thoughts? . The UKWA policy insures 3rd party for any board including sups but comprehensive insurance is down to individuals.

Connor Bainbridge -, foiling no more dangerous than a normal board and the perception that it is is incorrect in his view. By having a foiling event, this could attract French entrants who are keen to progress this style. Safety rescue of splitting board and rig should work well. Foils becoming more available and as time progresses second hand market created.

Ali Masters – currently about 10 foils in Weymouth and a further 5 on order. Majority of sailors would transfer from other fleets but could also attract others. Agreed that first event 2018 or last event 2017 would be feasible for a fleet.

Mark Kay – Courses are very predictable and a variation with reaching legs would make racing more challenging and interesting, notwithstanding the issues of timing and resources to make this happen.

Connor Bainbridge - Stated that if courses do not comply to the international standards then the RYA will not support the UKWA events for selection process.

Colin MaCann – A slalom section in a racecourse could mimic the end section of the RSX courses if it is not possible to link in at the end.

Paul Robinson - The UKWA is a organisation supporting competitive racing for all sailors. Only some are seeking RYA support selection for international events.

Bob Ingram – Courses at Weymouth are now unable to race out of one harbour entrance and back through another

Ali Masters – Techno international courses include a long distance race so course variation is applicable to this fleet’s international aspirations.

Fleet representatives to advise their class wishes for alternative courses and these will considered by the Executive for inclusion in the Sis.

Connor Bainbridge – There are no RSX or Techno sailors at the AGM and their views should be considered. Rob Kent offered to attend their briefing meeting to seek views.

Meeting closed 21.30