Category: Latest from Double Bay Sailing Club

All photos by Scott Findlayson

Points core Races 5 & 6Oct 10 Point Score was run in very challenging conditions. On a warm, humid day following early morning rain and cloud, the harbour was sandwiched unstably between forecast westerlies and offshore northeasterlies, and eventually, after a very uncertain briefing and then some time waiting on the water, clues emerged that the NE would win out. After a brief postponement we started with a planned course shortening. The breeze held for most of the race, but alas died at the final rounding for the 6s, and at the final downwind for the 7s, turning the finish into a very difficult battle of wills. A final shifty breath of

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An important reminder from the club’s Safety Officer:Dear DBSC members, Could all members please note the morning of Saturday 7 November 2026 in their calendars for our annual skills day. This year will, as usual, cover the core areas of running a race (Andrew Cox), safety (David Murphy) and use of DBSC boats and equipment (Pat Levy), but there will be a special focus in all sessions this year on ‘big days’. We’ve had a few over the years, and it really is vital to be aware of how conditions affect what we do, as well as key equipment updates now that both our new RIBs have settled in. Sessions will commence at 9, and will wrap up around 11 to give time for the race team to prepare for the day’s racing. Hang around afterward for a toastie and a little bit of club maintenance 1130-1230 ahead of the

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First Aid training is something the club supports, both for safety in the club and as a community service, and DBSC will fully fund members who wish to certify/ renew. ’24/7 First Aid’ have agreed to run a session on 28 November 2026 at DBSC. It will be an early 0715 start in the clubhouse, done by 1100 in time for a toastie. They are well organised, arrange all the online components, and register the HLTAID011 qualification which lasts 3 years. Please register your name for this course NOW – ONLY if you are able to attend 28 November – AND intend to complete the online portion before the day.This Course requires Members to SELF register with the ’24/7 First Aid’ website via this LINK:MY TRAINING HUB – DBSC FIRST AID COURSE SIGN UP LINKYou will need to have a USI (Unique Student Identifier) which is compulsory in the vocational system.You

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Club Look-ahead ScheduleSaturday 10 October: Spring Point Score 5 & 6Learn to Race, 9:00am1:00pm briefing, 2:00pm first warningThursday 15 October: Twilight Racing: 5:00pm SplashSaturday 17 October: Spring Point Score 7 & 8Learn to Race, 9:00am1:00pm briefing, 2:00pm first warningSaturday 28 November: 7:15am – 11:00am DBSC hosted First Aid Course – 24/7 First AidPre-Registration is essentialSpring & Autumn Fixtures Calendar The calendar for next year is here. Please use this to plan your campaigns!Highlights:24-25 Oct: 2026 NSW & ACT Coast ChampionshipsSpeers Point ASCNOR14-15 Nov: 2026 NSW & ACT Open, Youth & Masters State ChampionshipsDouble Bay Sailing ClubNOR21-22 Nov 2026 – Victorian State ChampionshipsSandringham YC (VIC)Info (including link to NOR)1-8 Jan: 2027 Oceania & Australian Open & Youth ChampionshipsSandringham YC (VIC)NOR. Entries open 01-Sep.10-17 Jan: 2027 Under 21 World Championships Sandringham YC (VIC)5-8 Feb: 2027 Australian MastersRQYS (QLD)20-21 Feb: 2027 NSW & ACT Metro ChampionshipsYarra Bay SC

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All photos by Scott Findlayson

SprinT Racing (October long Weekend)We set an initial course early in the morning expecting a solid northerly, but as is often the case, the weather had other ideas. The first race got underway in quite light conditions and took around 25 minutes to complete. As the wind gradually shifted towards the north-east, it became clear that some adjustments were needed, so the course was rotated and shortened.The wind built, and we managed to get in seven quick races for a beautiful day’s sailing.An early challenge was getting the offset mark positioned correctly. In the early races with light winds there was much congestion at the top mark and unfortunately the race leaders

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Club Look-ahead ScheduleThursday 8 October: Twilight Racing: 5:00pm SplashBBQ at 7:15pmRules Evening with Damien Boldyrew: 7:30pmSaturday 10 October: Spring Point Score 5 & 6Learn to Race, 9:00am1:00pm briefing, 2:00pm first warningThursday 15 October: Twilight Racing: 5:00pm SplashSaturday 17 October: Spring Point Score 7 & 8Learn to Race, 9:00am1:00pm briefing, 2:00pm first warningThursday 22 October: Twilight Racing: 5:00pm SplashSaturday 24 October: Sprint Racing (Coast Champs)1:00pm briefing, 2:00pm first warningSpring & Autumn Fixtures Calendar The calendar for next year is here. Please use this to plan your campaigns!Highlights:24-25 Oct: 2026 NSW & ACT Coast ChampionshipsSpeers Point ASCNOR14-15 Nov: 2026 NSW & ACT Open, Youth & Masters State ChampionshipsDouble Bay Sailing ClubNOR21-22 Nov 2026 – Victorian State ChampionshipsSandringham YC (VIC)Info (including link to NOR)1-8 Jan: 2027 Oceania & Australian Open & Youth ChampionshipsSandringham YC (VIC)NOR. Entries open 01-Sep.10-17 Jan: 2027 Under 21 World Championships Sandringham YC (VIC)5-8 Feb: 2027 Australian MastersRQYS (QLD)20-21 Feb:

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Rules night: sail smarter, sail faster Our opening Twilight of the season is on Thursday 8 October, and we’re making a night of it. Once the boats are away, the BBQ goes on and Damien Boldyrew joins us from 7pm for an evening on Laser racing incidents — aimed squarely at Laser sailors, not at rules buffs.

Photo courtesy Australian Sailing

Damien is a World Sailing Judge and Umpire at international Laser events, and he’ll focus on the incidents we actually have in our fleet. He’ll also cover Rule 42 (propulsion) as it applies to Laser sailing — what’s allowed, what isn’t, and how it’s judged at the front

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Club Look-ahead ScheduleSaturday 3 October: Sprint Racing (Oct. Long Weekend)1:00pm briefing, 2:00pm first warningThursday 8 October: Twilight Racing: 5:00pm SplashBBQ at 7:15pmRules Q&A with Damien Boldyrew: 7:30pmSaturday 10 October: Spring Point Score 5 & 6Learn to Race, 9:00am1:00pm briefing, 2:00pm first warningThursday 15 October: Twilight Racing: 5:00pm SplashSaturday 17 October: Spring Point Score 7 & 8Learn to Race, 9:00am1:00pm briefing, 2:00pm first warningSpring & Autumn Fixtures Calendar The calendar for next year is here. Please use this to plan your campaigns!Highlights:24-25 Oct: 2026 NSW & ACT Coast ChampionshipsSpeers Point ASCNOR14-15 Nov: 2026 NSW & ACT Open, Youth & Masters State ChampionshipsDouble Bay Sailing ClubNOR21-22 Nov 2026 – Victorian State ChampionshipsSandringham YC (VIC)Info (including link to NOR)1-8 Jan: 2027 Oceania & Australian Open & Youth ChampionshipsSandringham YC (VIC)NOR. Entries open 01-Sep.10-17 Jan: 2027 Under 21 World Championships Sandringham YC (VIC)5-8 Feb: 2027 Australian MastersRQYS (QLD)20-21 Feb: 2027 NSW & ACT Metro

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Champagne sailing!. All photos by Andrew Foote.

Spring Point Score Races 3 & 4Sydney Harbour delivered a sunny afternoon with 10–16 knots from the NE for Races 3 and 4 of the Spring Point Score — hopefully the first of many nor’easters to come this season. LTR was on in the morning which gave us a headstart in setting up the course. The second reach leg was particularly fun, and we could see Pat Levy’s smile from the committee boat.The breeze shifted right over the course of the afternoon, making a good start important to hold a long starboard tack. With the tide coming in, though, Point Piper was still in play for those willing to take

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Photo by John Vasey. Remaining photos by Ian Tudball.

Forecasting is meant to narrow things down. This week, all available weather models forecast different days, which should have been our first clue that Saturday was going to be a lesson in patience rather than boat speed.From the committee boat, the omens started reasonably: 3–4 knots out of the NNW as we headed to the race area, with a shift to the ESE that was foreshadowed by one of the wind models arriving more or less on schedule. Course set, flags up, cautious optimism on board. Then the breeze, having delivered on the direction, decided it had done enough for one day and declined to build. It sulked

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