Appointed just weeks ago, Cowes Sailability Club’s new Commodore is already busy working with other committee members and volunteers to plan activities for the 2019 sailing season.
At Cowes Sailability Club’s Annual General Meeting on 28 January 2019, Paul Wilks was voted in as the charity’s new Commodore. Paul brings lots of experience to the position, having previously fulfilled the roles of Commodore and Vice-Commodore for Cowes Sailability Club during the last six years. Along with the club’s trustees and other committee members, he will set the charity’s course for the year ahead.
“My first weeks back in the role of Commodore have been really busy ones!” says Paul. “Working with other members of the Cowes Sailability Club management committee, I have been organising volunteer training and putting a host of plans in place for the start of the new sailing season.”
“Having been involved with the club for a long time, I already have a lot of experience of working with volunteers and supporting people with a range of disabilities,” he adds. “I’m looking forward to welcoming everyone back to the club when sailing recommences in May, meeting new people and setting sail on the Solent again.”
Paul has taken over the position of Commodore from Patrick de Peyer, who fulfilled this role for three years and was a founding member of the club. Patrick will continue to support Cowes Sailability Club in the role of Admiral. “I wish Paul and the new committee members all the best and hope they gain as much pleasure from their involvement in Cowes Sailability Club as I have always done,” Patrick says. “I plan to continue volunteering with the club and will be helping to organise events including boating trips during Cowes Week and day sailing opportunities for members.”
Paul is a retired solicitor and conveyancer, who has lived on the Isle of Wight for most of his life. He started sailing at the age of nine and was a junior member of Royal Victoria Yacht Club in Fishbourne as a teenager.