Twilight sailing kicked off last week with a big cold southerly. For those who participated it was a great opportunity to practice boat handling in a strong breeze and tactics in shifty conditions. Tonight will be the first instalment of this season’s Brett Beyer Twilight Program. Everyone is welcome, including visitors from other clubs. See you for a 5pm splash.
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Up Next at DBSC
Wednesday, 9 October, 5pm Splash – Twilight SailingSaturday, 12 October, 2pm Start – Sprints (due to Oceania and Coasts)Sunday, 13 October, 2pm Start – Big Boat RaceWednesday, 16 October, 5pm Splash – Twilight SailingSaturday, 19 October, 9am – Learn to RaceSaturday, 19 October, 2pm Start – Club Championship, Heats 3 & 4 AND Spring Pointscore, Heats 5 & 6. Followed by a BBQ
Last Chance for Brett Beyer Twilight Program
During Twilights this spring we’d like to run another instalment of the Brett Beyer Twilight Program (BBTP). However, to make this a reality we need 10 people to sign up and pay for the program before 5pm this Saturday. Right now we only have 5 members registered to participate. So, if you’re interested in receiving direct on-water coaching from Brett during the Twilights, and access to ask follow-up questions during the week, you need to sign up ASAP. This program is set to begin on Wednesday, 16 October. Please check out the details and sign up HERE.
Twilights Start Tonight
It’s the mid-week sailing fix you’ve been waiting for all winter long… Wednesday Twilight Sailing. It’s back this evening. Splash is at 5pm (or whenever you can make it). Hope to see you there for some beautiful golden hour sailing.
Coast Championships this Weekend
The East Coast Laser Championships are on this weekend at Gosford Sailing Club. This is the first of the Laser regattas for the 2019/20 season and a perfect opportunity to blow out the cobwebs after the winter and a chance to practise your fleet racing at an away club! The NoR for this event is HERE and entries are open HERE.If you’re planning on attending the Coasts, please fill in this FORM if you require support for Laser transport AND if you can help with Laser/ Trailer transport as well. For those NOT attending the regatta and have a spare trailer please complete the form also. Ian Alexander will be in touch to confirm logistics.
Top Tip – How to Dry Wet Boots
Last week Wet Foot Freddie asked how to dry his boots after a day on the water. DBSC members have come to the rescue with these suggestions:Fill with scrunched up newspaper (or other absorbent paper) works with wet work boots & actual trekking/hiking boots. Leave in dry shaded area not full sun as get over heated & sweat. — Mick ForbesI just hand them to Dad and hey presto next time I need them, they are dry! — Sylvie StannageOpen them up, rinse them out, drying racks are useful, accept they are a consumable and let the sun and breeze do the work! — Chris Stannage Stuff your booties with newspaper! — Katie McHughMy solution is 12min spin cycle in the washing machine for everything except the life jacket. Then hang everything on the clothes rack inside. Boots upside down as shown in the photo. Everything is dry by the next day. —Andrew
Rules, Rules, Rules
By Andrew CoxWe are going to run a series of articles by Brett Beyer over the coming months, covering starting, top mark, bottom mark and port / starboard. This is part of an effort to increase understanding of the rules by our sailors. But not just the rules — we are focused on understanding how to apply the rules sensibly in practice. Importantly, there are many situations where the RIGHT answer is NOT to be aggressive in enforcing your rights. This is counter-intuitive to most sailors. As Brett says, “The smart way to approach any rule is to do what is right for you. Giving a boatlength away at times could be the smartest long term approach. You usually can’t win a race as a result of an individual incident, but you can certainly lose one!”This season, we are very focused on improving the quality of our racing. Please know
Rule of the Month — Starting
By Brett BeyerThe pre-start period is probably where the most protests occur, most often as a result of windward / leeward situations. Most of these protests end with leeward boats being disqualified.The main things to note are:* Rule 11 applies — on the same tack and overlapped, the windward boat must KEEP CLEAR.* There is no “PROPER COURSE” before the start, so the windward boat must keep clear all the way up to head to wind.* But Rule 15 is a limitation imposed on the leeward boat when she has acquired the right of way — “she shall initially give the other boat ROOM TO KEEP CLEAR”. This means a leeward boat cannot sail into the hole and immediately ask / expect the windward boat to be able to keep clear. * Rule 22.3 is an exception — “a boat moving astern, or sideways to windward, through the water by backing
Top Tip
This week we have a member looking for advice. Wet Foot Freddie writes, “I want to know how people successfully dry their hiking boots. Or does everyone’s boots take days to dry as well?!?!” If you have the answer, email the Newsletter Editor HERE. Responses will be published in next week’s edition.
Up Next at DBSC
Saturday, 5 October, 9am – Learn to Race. Come along if you want to learn more about Laser boat handling, balance, boat posture, trim, starts, tacks, gybes, boat set-up and any other race management fundamentals. Please email Martin White HERE if you are planning on attending.Saturday, 5 October, 2pm Start – Sprints (due to the October Long Weekend)Wednesday, 9 October, 5pm Splash – Twilight SailingSaturday, 12 October, 2pm Start – Sprints (due to Oceania and Coasts)Sunday, 13 October, 2pm Start – Big Boat RaceWednesday, 16 October, 5pm Splash – Twilight SailingSaturday, 19 October, 9am – Learn to Race. Saturday, 19 October, 2pm Start – Club Championship, Heats 3 & 4 AND Spring Pointscore, Heats 5 & 6. Followed by a BBQ