Please note: All events/activities are open only to members and their guests unless stated otherwise.
BYC News on Facebook
Check out the BYC Facebook Group for more club news:
– Tom Driscoll features in the Spectator after becoming an Irish Under 16s sailing champion
– The RYA Awards where Charlie Winton and Jessica Mackey gave a keynote speech, and Stephen Glasgow and David Nelson took home awards!
– Photos from the hugely successful Family Quiz organised by Junior Committee 21st April 2023
Junior Committee
Alongside our Committee, BYC have recently established a Junior Committee. There are seven members each with their own position.
The members are:
- Annika Hunter as Junior Commodore
- Charlie O’Malley as Vice Junior Commodore
- Niamh Pyper as Honorary Secretary
- Eva McDonough as Treasurer
- Hannah Archer as Water Sports Representative
- Effie Lappin and Chloe Whyte as Shore Representatives
Irish Sailing Awards 2022
Success for Ballyholme Yacht Club at the Irish Sailing Associations Awards in Dun Laoghaire on Saturday, 25th of March 2023.
Winners & nominees in two categories.
Possibly the Fastest AGM on record?
The 103rd AGM of the BYC was over in just half an hour with agreement on all issues raised which included:
- adoption of the minutes from the 102nd AGM, the annual report, statement of accounts and appointment of the auditor
- an membership fee increase of 5% to help offset the increase in energy and general bills
- a change to the rules allowing temporary associate membership for those living within the previous 30 mile limit
- election of the officers, including a welcome to our new Commodore Rob Milligan, and Rear-Commodore (Sailing) – Jonny Henry.
We also heard an update on the ANDBC’s Coastal Masterplan from David McMullan with an invitation for those with any queries to email office clubmanager@ballyholme.com or BuildingBYC@ballyholme.com
Click to view the AGM Agenda and Annual Reports.
Outgoing Commodore Doug Rennie reads out highlights from the annual report (top left), welcoming in the new Commodore Rob Milligan with an exchange of ties and burgees (top right), Alex Ward (Treasurer), Charlie Winton (Hon Sec outgoing), new Rear-Commodore (Sailing) – Jonny Henry, new Commodore Rob Milligan, and Rear-Commodore (Shore) – Jessica Mackey
Vote for Ballyholme Yacht Club
Water Quality in Ballyholme Bay
We have had some correspondence back from DAERA and NI Water in relation to water quality in Ballyholme Bay, please click on this link for more information.
BYC Tree Planting Day
Glas-na-Bradan Wood
Saturday, 11th March 2023 at 11am
After our very successful Tree Planting day last year we are once again aiming to carbon off-set our 2023 events with a local tree planting day with the Woodland Trust.
So join us at Glas-na-Bradan Wood in the Belfast Hills to plant some trees.
Aidan Pounder – RYA Lifetime Commitment Award 2022
Aidan has been a key player in Ballyholme Yacht Club’s success for many years. A member since childhood, he has served as Powerboat Instructor, RYA Principal, Rescue Convenor, Rear Commodore Sailing and most recently, as an outstanding Commodore. As Commodore through the pandemic lockdowns, he set up a working group to maintain close liaison with RYANI and co-ordinate volunteers, preparing plans and risk assessments and ensuring that guidance and regulations were complied with. He was instrumental in increasing the membership of the club, encouraging the relatively new sport of paddle boarding, and sea swimming. He led the way as one of its first qualified SUP instructors. He has championed both the cadet programme and the successful training programme for disadvantaged children, demonstrating that sailing and water sports are for everyone. Aidan has been very supportive of volunteers and meticulous in crediting those who have given their time. He is now a qualified National Race Officer and remains an integral part of Ballyholme Yacht Club.
Reducing BYC Bills – we need your help
Some of you will have noticed little plastic covers to the light switch in toilets and changing rooms. The down position for these lights are ‘auto’, the lights come on as you enter the room and will go off automatically. The covers are to prevent accidentally moving the switch from ‘auto’.
We are looking at other measures to reduce our utility cost and seek your support to keep all our fees lower particularly with the use of the hose (switch it off as soon as you can) and length of showers, particularly kids! BYC is on a water meter so every bit counts!
Thanks for your support.
Sporting events showing in the Members’ Lounge
Pilates with Lisa Tomalin
Friday, Jubilee Room
9.30am – 10.30am
To book your place contact Lisa on 07975701682
Price for 6 weeks:
£36 – Members, £42 – Non-members
Pay as you go: £8.50 (Please contact Lisa to book your space)
Please note: there will be no Pilates on Friday, 19th of May.
Yoga at BYC
Specializing in Hatha yoga, Kundalini yoga, meditation and pranayama, Tribal offers a variety of expertly designed classes that support overall wellbeing and respond to a range of different needs – whether that is to energize, destress, calm the mind, or refocus during the day.
Wednesday 6.30-7.30pm – Tribal Revive
Wednesday 7.30-8.30pm – Tribal Restore
Please make your bookings on Tribal website.
Bar Opening Hours
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 19:00-21:00
Wednesday: CLOSED
Thursday: CLOSED
Friday: 16:00-24:00
Saturday: 15.00-24:00
Sunday: 14.00-20:00*
Under Northern Ireland licensing laws bar staff will stop serving an hour before the closing times indicated. All members and their guests MUST be off the premises at the closing time.
*(If there are groups of people wanting to stay on and use the bar after this time it will remain open until 21:00)
Snow Patrol ‘Prinks’ at the Club- Wednesday, 31st August
We will have the Members Lounge open on Wednesday 31st August before the Snow Patrol concert in Bangor.
It is expected that as well as the 5000 people attending the concert, the bars around town will be busy with other people who just want to see and hear what’s going on.
Our plan is to open at 3pm and stay open until 7pm when concertgoers can dander round Seacliff Road and enjoy the gig!!
Members can of course bring guests but please ensure they are signed in as normal in the Visitors Book.
BYC at the Feva World Championship 2022
Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy, England, 21-27th July 2022, by Glynis Ridout
Feva Frenzy abounds as BYC’s double-handed fleet of RS Fevas dramatically increase over 2022. Four of our sailors, Matt & Peter Ridout, Emily & Annabel Ridout and one Beachmaster, Glynis Ridout, took part in the UK RS Feva Nationals in May and more recently the RS Feva World Championships in July. Both events were held at the Olympic venue of Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy in England. The buzz was tangible at the World’s as 370 sailors came together to compete.
Our BYC teams commented on the super vibe and the friendliness of the class both on and off the water and how much their skills have improved from the experience provided by sailing in large fleets. The sail tell-tales were clinging on for dear life during the first 3 days of sailing and our own BYC sailors have plenty of stories of wipe-outs to share! Next year the UK Nationals will be held in Pwllheli Sailing Club, Wales and the World’s in Italy.
Optimist Irish Nationals 2022
11th – 14th August 2022, Royal St George Yacht Club
A fleet of over 120 boats, including a strong contingent from GB, was racing over 4 days in fabulous but challenging conditions.
BYC’s Matthew Holden won 2nd in Senior Silver Fleet with an overall position of 18th and he was 10th Irish boat. As a result Matthew’s now been upgraded to Gold fleet.
A fantastic result for his first year in Senior fleet!