With numbers capped at 60 due to COVID restrictions, we are almost up to capacity for our Christmas party on 12 December. If don’t want to miss this special evening, you need to RSVP HERE now. Here is the invitation:
Category: Latest from Double Bay Sailing Club
States Cause Changes this Saturday
Good luck to the DBSC members who are traveling to Belmont this weekend for the NSW & ACT Laser State Championships. Because there are so many members competing in the States, there will be no Learn to Race on Saturday. But have no fear, there will still be Sprint Racing on Saturday afternoon for those not traveling.
MP Dave Sharma Officially Launches New RIB
Our local Federal Member, Dave Sharma, came to the clubhouse last Saturday to officially launch the new Paul Adam RIB. The federal government provided a grant which helped DBSC purchase the new rescue boat. On behalf of the federal government, Mr Sharma spoke to the importance of supporting volunteer organisations like ours as they are vital to the community.Along with Mr Sharma’s remarks, Paul Adam spoke about how far DBSC has evolved over the 40 years he has been part of the club. He observed that when he first joined the wooden rescue boat required the driver to sit on the floor and steer with a tiller. Paul laid a bouquet of leaves and flowers on the RIB in a tradition that is meant to create safe passage for boat:
We Are Competent
Thanks to all the members who attended our yearly competency training session last Saturday, which covered COTD Responsibilities, Course Setting & Race Management, Emergency & Rescue Management, and RIB/Radio Operation. We are grateful to our four volunteer trainers: Andrew Cox, Pat Levy, David Murphy and Michael Osborne who imparted their skills and knowledge to an appreciative audience. Thanks to Diana Chen for filming videos of the presentations which are available to watch online at dbsc.com.au/training-videos and documents available at www.dbsc.com.au/safety and www.dbsc.com.au/procotd. We are also in the process of producing short clips of all the COTD duties including RIB Operation in much more detail for future reference.
Race Report
A gusty, shifty and very hot NW wind greeted the fleet for an afternoon of racing that served both as Club Championships heats 7 & 8 and Spring Point Score heats 13 & 14. The results were: Championship – Full Rigs: David Newman (Championship Heat 7) and Rod Barnes (Championship Heat 8); Radials: Daniel Costandi (Championship Heat 7) and Sylvie Stannage (Championship Heat 8); Point Score (after handicap): Standards: Ashley Deacon (Point Score Heat 13) and Hadrien Bourely (Point Score Heat 14); Radial / 4.7s: Kate McHugh (Point Score Heat 13) and Jim Dounis (Point Score Heat 14). Thanks to the race volunteers who helped in difficult shifty conditions — Ian Alexander (PRO), assisted on the Jazzman by Julian Van Aalst (LTRaR) and Clare Alexander, John Verco (COTD), Christine Patton (CSO/CO-COTD) and Clare Alexander and Mike Dunne who helped Paul and Shirley with the canteen.
Bulk Sail Order Update
Thanks to all who have ordered sails through our bulk sail program. We appreciate your patience as delivery has taken longer than anticipated. The good news is that a few of the standard sails will be delivered later this week, with the remainder of the sails delivered to DBSC or dispatched via the post by Monday 14 December.
Help Needed with New Venturis for Bergman
We’re looking for someone to help make new venturis out of vinyl type material on a sewing machine for the Bergman. If you’re keen please contact Gerry Baltel HERE.
Perfect NEer Forecast for Twilights Tonight
It’s looking like another perfect evening for twilights tonight, with a 5pm splash. Sunny skies and 17 knots from the NE are predicted. Last Wednesday we had 16 boats participate. It was an awesome afternoon with a series of mini races run by Brett, and individual coaching tailored to each of the participants in the BBTP and their development stage. Everyone participated in some very exciting close racing. Let’s keep the big numbers rolling as we get further into those long warm evenings!
Choppy Spring Point Score Kicks Off
It was a challenging day for the nearly 40 boats who took to the water for the kick-off heats of the Spring Point Score (which are scored as heats 3 and 4 due to the COVID-delayed season). The wind was a steady 20 knot N/NEer, which at times gusted to well over 25 knots. The fresh breeze was blowing against a strong outgoing current making for a Harbour that resembled a washing machine. Congratulations to the robust victors. The results (after handicapping) were: Full Rigs: Michael Osborne (Point Score Heat 3) and Hadrien Bourely (Point Score Heat 4); Radials/4.7s: Evie Saunders (Point Score Heat 3) and Daryl Lawrence (Point Score Heat 4). Thanks to the race volunteers who helped in the wild winds — Ashley Deacon (PRO), Richard Au (LTRaR), Andrew Simpson (COTD), Christine Patton (CCO/CO-COTD) and Jules Hall and Hadrien Bourely who helped Paul and Shirley with canteen orders.
DBSC’s National Champ – Clare Alexander
Clare has done it again – this time on the national level, winning Australian Sailing’s National SheSails Award in part for her work in creating and running The Women’s Regatta hosted by DBSC. In accepting the award Clare explained, “If this event sparks an idea, another dedicated regatta or just one female giving it a go, then we have achieved what we set out to do.” You can check out Clare’s acceptance speech HERE. Congratulations Clare! We are so proud of all of your efforts both on The Women’s Regatta and your ongoing help and support around the club.