Been craving the lessons and tips from our very own Champion, Martin White and his crack team of coaches? Your wait is over. Learn to Race is back on this Saturday, 17 October at 9am. It will then continue on the first and third Saturday of the month (except Jan 2). 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.
Category: Latest from Double Bay Sailing Club
Sign Up for State Masters Champs in Jervis Bay
We previously ran an Expression of Interest for those wishing to attend the State Masters Championship which is scheduled to be heled at Jervis Bay Sailing Club on 13 – 14 February 2021. Accommodation options will run out quickly so once again, if you are interested in potentially attending the event, please fill out the form HERE. We’re hoping to have a large DBSC contingent travel to this beautiful setting – along with family and friends. It should be a wonderful weekend away. For those not quite sure if this event is suitable for them or you want some additional information on what it is like to attend the event, please contact rodbarnes@dbsc.com.au. Rod will be hosting an information session about the event this Saturday before racing at 12:30pm on the grass outside the club. Come along to hear more.
Big Boat Racing
Last Sunday we had a Big Boat race (postponed one week due to the October long weekend). It was a cracker of a day on the harbour with a 15-18 knot NE breeze, and sunny skies. Though only two boats participated, the day was enjoyable and competitive. Despite a close call with a Harbour Marker, Chenonceau was able to outpace Smitten to win the day. The Big Boats race again on Sunday, November 1 at 2pm.
Removal of Fuel Canisters
We have noticed a number of non-DBSC fuel canisters stored in various parts of the club, most notably in the vestibule to the women’s bathroom. Storage of fuel at the club represents a fire hazard that we cannot permit. All DBSC fuel is stored in a fireproof locker, but there is no room in that locker for private fuel canisters. If the fuel canisters shown in the photos below belong to you, can you please remove them by this coming Saturday, 17 October. Any non-DBSC fuel canisters remaining on that date will be removed and disposed. If you wish to claim one of the below canisters and cannot get to the club before Saturday, please let the Commodore know by email HERE. We appreciate your understanding and assistance with this.
LAST CHANCE – Need Your Order to Make New Sails Happen
We know everyone wants to go faster this season, but only 31 people have signed up for the discounted new sail offer from NB Sailsports and PSA. We need 50 orders to move forward and get the discount. Help us reach the goal by ordering before the deadline of this Friday at 5pm. Please click HERE to learn more and place your order. Thanks for supporting this initiative.
A Tough Big Wind Day
Last Saturday was a challenging one to say the least. Fresh westerly winds gusting above 30 knots meant for tough conditions on the water. Many of us knew our limits and chose to sit the day out. Well done to those who braved the weather, and thanks to the brilliant race management team of Mike Dunne (PRO), Emily Ball COTD, Christine Patton (CCO/CoCOTD) who were aided by Justin Davey, Mark Bethwaite and Mark Crowhurst. This Saturday there will be short sprints for the long weekend. Then, on Saturday 10 October the season begins in earnest with Club Champs.
Photo by Christine Patton.
Protecting Heads and Hands
Hard capsIn strong breezes such as week’s, booms present a hazard to our heads. Helmets help, but they tend to be bulky and uncomfortable. For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been sailing in a Booma cap. Its got a hard liner to protect your noggin, but it fits and looks like a normal baseball cap. These caps are currently being sold on Amazon, but they can do a better bulk deal for DBSC sailors at $25 per cap. Ideally they get purchased in bulk and they will be delivered directly. One drawback is they come in only one size, so it is not suitable for people with large heads (but it fits mine fine and I suggest it’s ok for 95% of us). It comes in every colour you can imagine, so long as your imagination is limited to blue. If you are interested, email Luke@sellparker.com.au and I’ll pass the list to Phil
Woman’s Regatta Video
If not for COVID-19, last weekend would have marked the third edition of The Woman’s Regatta Hosted by DBSC. We’re already counting the days to the 2021 edition… but in the meantime check out this wonderful video highlighting the joy that the regatta brought to female sailors of all ages, and the recognition for women in sailing.Thanks to all of the participants and filmmakers: Michelle Costandi, Jenny Danks, Sophie Hunt, Kim Ketelbey, Sylvie Stannage, Brooke Wilson, Clare Alexander, Emily Ball, Diana Valia Chen, and Kirk Marcolina.
60 Seconds with Brooke Wilson…
In recent seasons it’s been the young guns at the head of the Radial Fleet. Let’s learn more about one of those ‘kids’ who is always out in front, Brooke Wilson (who is also one of the stars of The Woman’s Regatta Video above): 1. How old were you when you first stepped on a boat?I think I was nearly 8 when I hoped into an Opti’s. 2. If money (& sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy?Extremely hard question, if neither money nor sailing ability were in question, I think I would buy something a bit faster than the laser perhaps a moth or even bigger an AC75. 3. What is your sailing goal?A bit ambitious, but I have quite a few goals in the sailing world, first and foremost the Olympics but I’ve also started to become extremely interested in offshore racing and have great admiration for the
Season kicks off in anger this coming Saturday, October 7
The mighty DBSC will kick-off the 2020/21 season this coming Saturday, October 7 with the first 2 heats of the Club Championships.With very competitive fleets in all classes (thanks to prolonged Winter training 😉 the season is sure to be a nail biter. Unfortunately, there will be no Club Champ BBQ this week due to COVIDSafe restrictions which are still in place.A reminder to all attending the club that you must register with the CSO (Covid Safety Officer) immediately upon arrivalmust not use the dressing rooms or bathrooms (either arrive and leave in your sailing pyjamas, or change into them in the boat park)must use hand sanitizermust maintain no more than 10 persons in the club at any one time