Another delightful weekend spent in the friendly company of S&S enthusiasts from around the world.
The S&S Association held its Annual International Meeting over the weekend of June 14-16th in the delightful old harbour town of Enkhuizen in the Netherlands. We last met in Enkhuizen in 2008 where we celebrated the 100th anniversary of Olin Stephen’s birth and we had another great weekend this time, with around 70 members and guests from 10 countries and 18 beautiful boats welcoming visitors aboard.
The meeting was based around the Royal Netherlands Yacht Club at Enkhuizen Buyshaven, just outside the barrage separating the Dutch inland seas of the Markermeer and the IJsselmeer. The organisers Jan Schiereck, Margriet Kroes, Pauline Arnold and Roland van Loenen drew up a full programme of activities, starting with a wonderful Indonesian supper in the Kombuys building offering veranda views across the marina.
Saturday started with a meeting to review plans for the day.
Sadly the weather turned against us and the plans for the Annual Meeting Race had to be abandoned but, not disheartened, we took the opportunity to exercise our curiosity about the wonderful selection of S&S designs on hand – from 7.8 metre Happy to 23.4 metre Tigris.
Our hosts also offered a range of sightseeing options around the town – a guided tour of the historic Snouck van Loosen Park, a trip to the Zuiderzee Museum, or the Sow to Grow Agricultural Museum, or the Ship in a Bottle Museum, or a self-guided walking tour of this beautiful old town. Many of us headed out to see what we could find.
The evening brought us together for dinner at the Snouck van Loosen Hotel outside the harbour. Our Chairman welcomed us all. Then he, together with last and this years’ meeting hosts, raised the Founders’ Cup in the traditional toast to Olin Stephens. Before tucking into a wonderful meal we were treated to a fabulous short performance of traditional fiddle music from Tigris’ Skipper Maggie Adamson, a native of the Shetland Isles and an internationally acclaimed violinist.
Dinner followed and after much chat on subjects nautical and other, most of us finally retired at midnight.
Sunday dawned with more promising weather and we convened at the stunning Drommedaris Tower, part of the 16th century fortifications of Enkhuizen, for the formal Annual General Meeting of the Association.
Full minutes will follow but highlights included the award of the S&S Association Global Challenge Trophy to Azzurro, skippered by Jack Kliner of Queensland, Australia. Azzurro was a previous winner with her past owner Shane Kearns so it was good to congratulate her once more. Jack couldn’t be with us so his award was received by his fellow countryman George Fisscher of Boambillee.
Presentations of specially designed Dutch tiles were also made to Harri and Anne Marie Eronen on Salty Dog for the boat travelling the furthest to attend the AGM – corrected for waterline length – and to Marjan Kramer for sailing two long days single handed on Morning Jade to attend the meeting.
Positive reports were provided by the membership, racing, yearbook and regional secretaries and the meeting closed with a discussion of the plans for meeting in Flensburg in 2025 and presentations of the Enkhuizen Almanac and wine to the organising committee.
After a visit to the roof top to admire the views and a jolly lunch in the tower, we bade sad farewells to each other with promises to meet again soon.
The AGM minutes of meeting can be found in the members area or via the link below: