DBSC was busting at the seams early on Saturday morning, with over 70 members attending our first ever Competency Training. The members visited 5 stations to be trained on a variety of duties. Along the way we learned to set courses, run races, record results, launch and drive our boats, rescue lasers, use the radios and deal with life-threatening emergencies.Special thanks to all the trainers including, Pippa Batchelor, Dene Bergman, Mark Bethwaite, Andrew Cox, Gerry Donohue, David Huber, David Murphy and last minute ring in, Pat Levy. Their diligent preparation translated into engaging and insightful presentations. If you missed any of the training, or would like to review the presentations again, they are now available to view online via the following links:Deliberator Use / CPRCourse Setting and Race ManagementRIB LaunchEmergency Response and Incident Management PlanOff-water COTD ResponsibilitiesRadio Operation
Category: Latest from Double Bay Sailing Club
Bumper Fleet for Club Champs
The Competency Training and an agreeable 7-12 knot E/NE breeze ensured the biggest fleet of the season competed on Saturday for Club Championship Heats 9 and 10. 58 boats faced a gradient breeze that was patchy at times; looking for the pressure and avoiding the lulls was key. The winners were: Standards: Rod Barnes (heat 9) and Mark Bethwaite (heat 10); Radials: Jack Littlechild (heat 9) and Daniel Costandi (heat 10); 4.7s Kim Ketelbey (heats 9 and 10). Thanks to this week’s race volunteers — Jonathan Stone (PRO) and Clare Alexander on the Jazzman, and Craig Sheers and Marty Trembath on the Paul Adam. David Devlin joined Paul, Shirley and Andrea to cook the plethora of toasties needed after the intellectual workout of the Competency Training. Thanks to the Canteen Crew and the BBQ-masters, the day ended with a scrumptious BBQ on the deck and a debrief with our coach Brett Beyer, along with DBSC’s
RIB Help Needed for the 18s
John Vasey graciously helps DBSC fulfil our affiliation agreement with the 18s by supplying support to their fleet every Sunday in the Paul Adam. John is unavailable to so from the 24th of February till the end of the 18s’ season (on March 17th) and we need volunteer(s) to fill in. If you are interested, please let Andrew Cox know ASAP. The day goes from about 1pm to 5pm and we have detailed instructions from John on what’s involved. We really need your help with this, which will be greatly appreciated!
Twilight Sailing
We kicked off the second instalment for the season of the Brett Beyer Twilight Program last week, with a near-record number of boats on the water – 19 sailors reminded their bosses of the importance of work-life balance and fronted for some gruelling long and short course training in ~20 knots. Come on down tonight for the next instalment!
Big Boat Report
Written by Jonathan StoneAt last, a perfect afternoon for sailing – warm but not oppressively, a fresh, steady but not wild north easterly, a (relatively) empty Harbour, though the 18s were out later. And five well-prepared boats, with experienced skippersThe start was prompt on 2.00pm, thanks to the PRO Peter (Collie). There were 5 boats in from 23-34ft in length. At these lengths, a few feet in lengths matter. And when skippers are experienced, stealth and cunning come into play.In a nor-easter, the pin end of our line (just south of Clarke Is) is heavily favoured, but it is a bit tricky, for this end of the line is only just free of the lee of the Island. Maybe because the smaller boats are more manoeuvrable their skippers find it easier to avoid the lee, avoid being early and start at speed. In the event, Corinna (an Endeavour 24) won the start,
The Week Ahead
Wednesday 6 February, 5pm – Twilight Sailing. Saturday 9 February, 12pm Briefing – Vaucluse Regatta. See important details above.
Early Start This Saturday for Vaucluse Regatta
Instead of our usual club racing, this Saturday we’ll be participating in The Vaucluse Regatta. It’s the 87th running of this grand regatta, and is a great opportunity for racing in a big fleet, and to get tuned up for the part two of the VYC/DBSC challenge which in scheduled for the following Saturday. Racing starts at Vaucluse at 1.45pm which means they day will start earlier than normal for us. We’ll have a briefing at DBSC at 12 noon where we will review the format of the racing (it is still being finalised). It should be a good day on the water with Laser sailors from around the harbour. There is no cost to participate and all are encouraged to attend – think of it as a normal Saturday on the water for us, just at the other end of the harbour.
2019 Brett Beyer Programs
We’re still working on the exact details of the BBSP and BBTP for 2019… costs and timings will be announced soon. Please stay tuned!
Coming Up
Wednesday 16 January, 5pm – Twilight Sailing. Looks like it will be a wonderful 16-knot NE breeze under warm, sunny skies… so join us!Saturday 19 January, 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 at mwhite@universalmagazines.com.au if you are planning on attending. Saturday 19 January, 2pm Start – Spring Pointscore Heats 3 & 4.Sunday 20 January, 8am Start – Boat Licence Course (for those members who have pre-registered for the course).Wednesday 23 January, 5pm – Twilight Sailing.Saturday 26 January– Australia Day. No Racing.Monday 28 January, 2pm Splash – Sprint Racing (see below).Wednesday 30 January, 5pm – Twilight Sailing.Saturday 2 February, 9am – Mandatory Competency Training for all members.Saturday 2 February, 2pm Start – Club Championship Heats 9 & 10 followed by a BBQ on the deck after racing.
Australia Day Weekend
There will be no sailing on Australia Day, Saturday 26th. Our harbour will be chookas with ferries and various other flotillas, so we’re staying away. We recommend you BBQ some juicy lamb chops and enjoy a cold one with loved ones. But… on Monday 28th there is a Public Holiday and we’re planning some informal sprints. There might be a course set, probably no RIBs, definitely no canteen service. 1.30ish briefing for a 2pm splash. Hope to see you there.