On Sunday the club hosted the ILCA Laser 50th anniversary spectacular. The day was a success for the class and the club with 219 registrations and close to 150 boats participating despite the latest COVID cases and the temperamental weather. The enjoyment of all was palpable both on the water and the deck after sailing.Participants mustered in Farm Cove until 10am with the media helicopter capturing footage overhead. Brett Beyer sailed the gold commemorative hull and performed some showmanship OCS during the starting sequence. The gusty southerly made for a fast reach to Point Piper, followed by an exciting downwind in waves to Watson’s Bay. Amongst the fleet were multiple Laser Masters champions including Brett Beyer and Vanessa Dudley, plenty of our youth squad and some extra special hulls including the 2000 Olympic boat raced by 2000 bronze medal winner and current Australian Olympic Coach, Michael Blackburn and the oldest boat
Category: Latest from Double Bay Sailing Club
Insta-famous, or not?
Whether you’re insta famous, an influencer wannabe, looking for a present for dad this upcoming Fathers’ Day, or would just love a hot shot of you sailing with Sydney’s iconic features in the background, Jon West was on the water taking photos over the weekend. As the regatta regulars will affirm, Jon takes great event photos, and his enterprise is worth supporting so he continues to show up and make us look amazing. Photos from Sunday are available here: Jon West Photography – Laser 50th Anniversary Sail 2021.
Boat Hoist
It has been a while since the DBSC’s Centre of Engineering Excellence has sprung into action. Club regulars will notice that the CoEE has been re-energised to deliver a piece of equipment that should bring a smile to the faces of a few off-peak sailors whose boats reside in rack positions two to five.The club has been exploring the idea of a boat hoist for several years and has now found a satisfactory solution owing to a suggestion last year from Tim Heath and the ingenuity of Rod Barnes and the assistance of Geoff Kirk.Introducing the DBSC Boat Hoist!Please note, club members are not permitted to use this equipment until they have received training. Rod will be conducting an induction session at 7pm on Wednesday 30 June. Please email Rod directly to advise him if you intend to attend.Many thanks to Rod Barnes, who has spent many hours behind the scenes
SailGP returns to Sydney
In exciting news for fans of fast sailing, SailGP will return to the iconic Sydney Harbour on December 17 and 18, 2021, following the European stage of Season 2 which takes place in Italy, Great Britain, Denmark, France and Spain. The club has amended the racing scheduled for the Spring 2021 season accordingly with the following changes:November 27 will now be a club championship day. The Tyrrell and Russo races and Christmas event will now be on 11 December.The club calendar can be viewed (and subscribed to) here.
60 seconds with David Devlin
How old were you when you first stepped on a boat?About 9, it was my uncle’s powerboat and we went on a day fishing trip out of Rose Bay. Fell in love with being on the water from that day.If money (and sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy?A 50 foot JeanneauWhat is your ultimate sailing goal?Skipper a boat in the Sydney to HobartTell us the story behind the name of your Laser?It came with the boat and I would change it but heard it is bad luck.If you could add any ingredient to DBSC’s world’s best toasties – what would it be?Jalapeno – spice ‘em up!What are your second/third favourite hobbies (assuming sailing is #1)?Ocean swimming and cyclingDescribe what you do for work in less than five words?Design, build, & support IT systemsWhat is the first international destination you will travel to (once we’re allowed) and
Coming up next…
9-12 July 2021- South Pacific Laser Masters, Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (QLD)Sunday 18 July – Winter SeriesSunday 25 July – Winter Series (final)Saturday 7 August – Winter Sprint SeriesSaturday 14 August – Winter Sprint SeriesSaturday 21 August – Winter Sprint SeriesSaturday 28 August – Working Bee and Winter Sprint SeriesSunday 29 August – Powerboat Handling Course with Australian SailingSaturday 4 September – LTR, Spring Season Opening, and Club Championships 1 & 2 (BBQ after sailing)The club calendar can be viewed (and subscribed to) here.
Race Report 13 June 2021
After a cold week with gradient dominant westerlies that last all day, Sunday races were again rewarded with consistent conditions and a glorious sunny day. While the breeze threatened to shut down towards the end of race 2, it freshened a little for the final race of the day. Many thanks to the race committee led by PRO Jules Hall assisted by Simon Stone and David Newman, who ran fast, efficient and timely racing.
Photo credit: Simon Stone
In the full rig championship, races were won by Nick Alexander and Matt Wenke taking two, and the pointscore races won by Tim Heath (twice) and Matt Wenke taking the third race.In the radial championship, Andrew Cox scored a hat trick, and in
An event not to be missed!
The ILCA Laser 50th birthday bash will be going ahead this weekend, regardless of weather (subject to safety, of course)! Thank you to those who have registered – we appreciate your commitment to get up early and be there on the day.There are great prizes to be won including the gold hull upgrade sponsored by PSA sailing and some new sails sponsored by NB Sailsports. Remember, you have to be in it (a.k.a. registered and sailing) to win it! If you have not registered, it is not too late to join us.
Register now
We will have a professional film crew, including drone and photographers covering the event. We are also asking participants to capture further awesome footage of the day. If you have a GoPro (or similar) that is 4K capable, can you please attach
Boat wanted
Chris Costandi is on the lookout for another Laser for the family. He is looking for a hull from 2014 or newer, with a preference for a full rig set up. He is also looking for a decent road trailer that can carry 2 Lasers.If you are selling, or aware of, either of these things can you please email Chris.
60 Seconds With Les Katz
1. How old were you when you first stepped on a boat? About 13 for a speed boat, and I think around 19 on a sailboat, which was a crappy 24ft endeavour on the Swan river in Perth. I like the idea of sailing and the freedoms it symbolised, read all the books on the crazies who sailed around the world and across the Atlantic single handed and was impressed beyond belief. It tickled my imagination and was what I wanted. My first sailboat was actually a windsurfer, learned the theory, surfed and boogied (board that is) before that, (not well to either).2. If money (and sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy? Maltese Falcon by Perini Navi – Great outdoor Cinema screen, why dream small. Check it out [HERE]3. What is your ultimate sailing goal? To finish in top three line honours in Radial class at