Royal Southampton YC

The Committee consists of:

Robin Funnell (Chairman)
John Hughes
Rebecca Funnell
Chris Norris
Don Wark
Andrew Paterson
John Strudwick
Robert Jenkins (ex-officio)
Michael Elvis (ex-officio)
Ronald Cameron (ex-officio)

JOHN STRUDWICK is the latest to join the Committee and was welcomed at the September meeting. He brings on board a tremendous enthusiasm and passion for the club.

He was originally in the music business, initially playing in bands and later engineering and producing records throughout the late seventies and early eighties. He then designed recording studio consoles and eventually moved into software development in the early nineties, establishing his own company in 1998.

He sails a 29 foot Legend Selene and is a keen supporter of our cruising section. They recently supported the club at the Deauville Sea Horse Rally.

He began sailing in Merlin Rockets and was a regular on the open circuit. He was on the National Committee of their Association and also Sailing Secretary at Upper Thames Sailing Club.

His most notable successes were winning the Ranelagh Autumn Trophy (sponsored by the Royal Thames Yacht Club) and the coveted "Early Bird Trophy" for Merlins at Queen Mary Sailing Club

In 1984 he bought and lived on Whim a converted 1912 Humber Keel Barge - some 84' long, 13' wide and 11' high, and could often be seen on the River Thames at Bourne End. He gave up Merlins in 1991 and after a season in OKs, crewed for a season in an X99 as "Foredeck Monkey" winning the Warsash Spring Series and coming second in the Nationals.

After a break of around ten years, he took up sailing again, but this time only for cruising and after a season in a Hunter Medina 20 footer, he and Julia upgraded to Selene in October 2005

After trying several clubs and associations, they gravitated towards Gins Clubhouse, and after visiting as guests a number of times, joined the RSYC, and have never looked back! They enjoy all aspects of the Club including events at Ocean Village, Gins Clubhouse and those with the Cruising Section.