Event Sponsors 2009

The WOKC is really lucky to be supported again by two key sponsors from WOKC 2008, and who have been extremely supportive throughout.

We look forward to working with them during WOKC 2009 and on this page you can find out a little bit more about them and their role in the event.

As an integral part of the community and business network, Coffin Mew LLP has a heritage that stretches back over a century. During this time it has been the legal partner for many locally and nationally based organisations and individuals – with strong links to the marine industry.

Dubarry was established on the west coast of Ireland in 1937 as a footwear manufacturer. Since 1930s we have developed a heritage and expertise, which combined the generations of skilled craftsmanship with the best of modern developments in footwear technology.

A passion for sailing combined with our proximity to the unforgiving elements of Ireland's Atlantic coast made the transition into the production of performance marine footwear, a logical progression for the company. The world of sailing was also a perfect fit with Dubarry's core competencies as a footwear manufacturer. Today we are proud to claim that we are the world's only dedicated provider of performance marine footwear producing top class products for the most demanding environments.

The Outdoor Lifestyle World:

The Dubarry Outdoor Footwear Collection evolved out of a demand from many of our watersports enthusiasts to have a more rugged product for their other outdoor pursuits and activities. This collection features a unique range of country/lifestyle boots suitable for a variety of different uses from equestrian, hunting, shooting, fishing, gardening to stylish and functional apres skiwear. Dubarry is now the boot of choice at other prestigious international events.

Dubarry has extended its range to include a premium lifestyle collection of leather luggage, leather and sporting goods and a selection of gift items. This range provides the perfect accompaniment to our boot collection with design features and leather combinations carried through from the footwear. These are the perfect gift item to the many thousands of proud Dubarry boot wears.

Technical Innovation:

The assignment tasked them to come up with the best non-slip rubber outsole for use on deck. An inspired sense of lateral thinking aimed at identifying other usage environments with a similar set of requirements ultimately led to the car tyre, where rubber is also often in direct contact with wet surfaces. This resulted in today's distinctive Dubarry outsole design. It consists of a series of interconnecting channels designed to allow water to be dispersed away from the point of impact in several different directions simultaneously, thereby preventing aquaplaning or slippage as it is more commonly know. The more the traditional razor cut sole cannot possibly offer the same level of grip as this patented design.

Leather is another of the crucial components in Dubarry footwear. Key characteristics of our performance leathers include water resistance, low water absorption and Dry Fast-Dry Soft™performance. Repeated wetting and drying out causes leather to harden and crack with its unique water repellent properties, our leathers will dry quickly and retain its shape and softness time after time. A unique range of footwear care products has also been developed by Dubarry to help you to maintain your boots and shoes.

St. James’s Place Wealth Management has recently been voted Best Wealth Manager for IHT & Succession Planning and Best Wealth Manager for Investments by readers of the Financial Times and Investors Chronicle as well as Wealth Manager of the Year in both 2008 and 2009, which is quite an accolade.

With over £15.3 billion of funds under management, it is acknowledged as one of the UK’s leading wealth management organisations and is placed in the FTSE 250.

Bob Clitherow is an Associate Partner of the St. James’s Place Partnership which is the sole advisory channel for St. James’s Place Wealth Management. The Partnership brings together some of the most experienced, able and highly-regarded professionals working in financial services today. Through the Partnership, Bob can provide you with a complete wealth management service to help preserve and build on your capital through sound investment, pension and Inheritance Tax planning. If you want to know more about him, what he does and how he can help you, please visit www.bobclitherow.co.uk

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Bob is proud to be able to sponsor the “Frocks & Flip Flops Party” at WOKC 2009 and is a great supporter of the organisers. He is an avid sailor and, in particular, navigator. Apart from innumerable Solent based events, he has competed in several Fastnet campaigns and other RORC events, including Round Great Britain & Ireland in 2006. He is most often seen on Aria, a J109, “trimming the computer”. Although he is based in London, he is frequently looking for excuses to be down on the coast!