Woody Point Yacht Club

the official site

“Trying to assemble even a few of the founder members of WPYC in one place and time has proved impossible, so this anecdotal record is the result of various discussions with only some of the other original FOUNDER members in the area today. These are: Michael Waller, David Lahm, Arthur Spithill and  myself (Philip Bond).

As long ago as the very early 1980’s, Tim Shaw was restoring his ancient Putt-Putt “Pelican” at Barry Cozens boathouse at Woody Point. A small group of willing helpers, eight being the maximum, volunteered to come and assist on Sunday mornings, and this gradually developed into a social gathering. These included all of the above gentlemen as well as John Hebden, Bruce Lane, David Yardley (an airline pilot at the time so I am informed) and we remember Barry Cozens being present on some occasions. After putting in a few hours work, the BBQ was lit, and breakfast ensued. Subsequently, the “Pelican” became the secondary purpose of the gathering and breakfast, the priority. Rules of acceptance were adopted, these being “bring something to throw on the BBQ, preferably a fish caught on the way across, and a bottle of Champagne”. One late Sunday morning we decided that this gathering should become a very exclusive Club (of eight). This had been suggested earlier at ad hoc meetings at Church Point. At that time - none of us had a yacht, though we all seemed to have a wooden craft of some sort. So, with a quirky sense of humour, we called ourselves The Woody Point Yacht Club. Tim’s business was next door to an emblem maker and for fun had emblems made up. I still have one of the originals and so does my wife.

This is the recollection of all of us. Membership fee was $2 to cover the costs of supplies such as sauces and probably gas. A quorum consisted of one member and a bottle. Ladies joined later, including Christine Hebden, June Lahm, Annette Freeland and Trilby McIlveen.

The day of the re-launch of the “Pelican” was attended by some thirty people, and I believe that was the day that Arthur Spithill was renamed “Splithead” after he fell off the jetty. I personally returned to UK for five years, and during my absence I understand that in a conversation between David, Tim and Mick at Church Point it was mooted that the Club should apply for official “Registration” so as to enjoy certain ‘Club’ privileges, and David volunteered to investigate this. I returned in 1990 to find the original membership of eight had expanded to 100 and that some members actually had yachts, and raced them! So, Arthur and I sat down to record the events leading up to that time and hence the Charter evolved. A copy of the Charter is on this page.

The first Commodore in any remaining documents, and in the official WPYC Log, is listed as Tim Shaw until as late as 1987. The Club was not “Incorporate” until this was forced upon it by circumstances of Insurance in racing, registering a WPYC course and concerns of litigation, and John Hebden was instrumental in achieving this. The official “Club Log” lists the first Commodore as Tim Shaw in 1987 and the second as Tony Stackhouse, both unfortunately deceased. Bob Blackwood is the third listed Commodore. I was Commodore myself in 1993.

Tim Shaw is revered, and sometimes blamed, as the Founder of the Woody Point Yacht Club. Several trophies are attributed to Tim and are presented annually. He will always be remembered, and his spirit will always be carried on in the Club that he did indeed initiate. Barry Cozens is still listed as the Patron.”

Philip Bond 2010

Woody Point Yacht Club © 2011