In 2019 it took a community of over 60 volunteers to deliver The Women’s Regatta hosted by DBSC. The help included every job under the sun: car park attendants, beach support, on-water support, start and finish boat teams, photographers, rescue boat drivers, toastie makers, rego desk attendants, yoga teachers, waiters, and even washer up-ers! This year, as we plan for the 2020 regatta, we need these jobs filled and more – including a social distancing monitor!This is what some of the sailors said in the post-event feedback: ”The onshore support for this event is second to none!” ”Absolutely loved the weekend. The camaraderie, organisation, and opportunities were amazing. The welcome and assistance from the club members was fantastic.” Want to lend a hand for this year’s Women’s Regatta on 26-27 September? We would love your help – sign up HERE to volunteer!
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Winter Series Report
Despite the forecast light winds and rain, the day began with a spectacular dawn and a warm sunny morning. A light fog burned off and the fleet was gifted a 10’ish knot westerly (champagne sailing as Mark Bethwaite would say) as we had the whole harbour to ourselves. About 10 standards and a very big radial fleet turned out. The radials contested all three starts with millimetric precision and timing with only one individual recall. A westerly never shifted left like many predicted. So it became a case of chasing pressure on the right hand side of the course and trying to hold a long starboard tack to the top mark with clean air. Some great tactical angles were sailed on the downwind legs by both rigs, to determine the top three in every race. Podium finishes for all races were often separated by seconds illustrating the tight racing. Congratulations to the winners: Standards:
60 Seconds With Geoff Kirk…
Who doesn’t love the juicy, sweet taste of watermelon on a warm summer’s day? Geoff Kirk for one… read on to find out more.1. How old were you when you first stepped on a boat? I was about 8 or 9, crewing on a Manly Junior, I was then a bailor boy on a 16 ft skiff where I was yelled at by middle age men for a few seasons, hence why I ended up sailing a single hander.2. If money (& sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy? Would still happily still sail a laser, a new one would be good though, even though I am strangely attached to that blue boat. It’s about the people really, can’t imagine any other clubs have as much fun as we do.3. What is your sailing goal? Continually look at ways to get better as a laser sailor, if good results come
FOR SALE – Laser 210176
Clean hull, boards in great condition, carbon top section, carbon tiller, new ropes and hiking strap in Feb 2020 (hardly used), 4.7 and radial bottom sections, almost new 4.7 sail. Priced to sell (going overseas): $7,000. If interested call Matthew Knight on 0439 393 861.
New COVID Restrictions
Due to recent COVID developments in Victoria and in various locations in NSW, latest NSW Health requirements are that you are not permitted to attend the clubhouse or to sail from the clubhouse if:(a) You have been to Victoria in the last 14 days(b) You have attended any of the reported case locations on the NSW Health website HERE.The COVID Compliance Officer (CCO) will require each participant who attends organised racing to confirm this. If you are in any of the above categories, please do not attend the clubhouse at any time or for any reason until 14 days have elapsed.Please note, the changerooms are still off-limits due to social distancing requirements, namely the 4m2 rule and the 1.5m rule, which are impractical to meet given the small size of the changerooms. The disabled toilet can be used (for toilet purposes only) if absolutely required. We know the inconvenience caused by this has deterred
Winter Series Record
It was another beautiful Sunday morning for Winter Series Heats 19-21. The good forecast coaxed members not seen for weeks to make an appearance, and a Winter Series record of 33 sailors participated. Clear skies and cold overnight temperatures gave us a fun 10 – 12 knot westerly for the first two races. But the warmth of the day heated the land up relatively quickly and in turn killed the land breeze earlier than normal. For the Radials, the 3rd race of the day was abandoned at the end of the 2nd reach as it became a total drfitathon by that stage. The Standards never even started the 3rd race. Congratulations to the winners: Standards: Luke Parker (heat 19) and Gavin Blake (heat 20); Radials: Sylvie Stannage (heats 19 and 20).Thanks to our race officers who, in addition to running a tight ship on the race course, also graciously assisted in towing a few VYC
Coming Up at DBSC
With spring around the corner, things are starting to heat up at DBSC. Here are the highlights of the next few weeks:Saturday, 1 August – First heats of the Winter Sprint Series (see article above)Saturday, 29 August – Annual club working beeSaturday, 5 September – Season Opening and Club Championships Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 September – The Women’s Regatta hosted by DBSC
60 Seconds with Diana Valia Chen…
Read on to find our why a Russian grandmother’s plans were thwarted by Aussies’ lack of diction… 1. How old were you when you first stepped on a boat? When I complained to my boyfriend that we weren’t spending enough time together as he was always out sailing, he booked me in for dinghy lessons. I completed level 1 at the end of 2015 but didn’t have the opportunity to do the next level until a year later. I now have my boyfriend’s Laser and sail more than him 😁2. If money (& sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy? I’m a designer by trade, so I would definitely design my own and get the best boat builder in the world to realise my vision.3. What is your sailing goal? Learn as much as I can and be more competitive.4. Tell us the back story to your laser’s name? My boat came from
New COTD Checklist
We know that being COTD can be stressful as there’s so much to remember. To make the job easier, Diana Chen has worked with Andrew Cox and Matt Knight to create a COTD checklist. It will be posted on a wall in clubhouse for people to use. Check it out below. If you’d like to print out a copy for yourself, you can do so HERE.
Winter Championships Come to an End
Sunday dawned with a grey, windless morning. The clouds overnight caused warmer temperatures that prevented the typical winter westerly from blowing, and hopes of a gradient breeze didn’t eventuate. The lack of wind forced the race management team of PRO Rod Barnes, COTD David Huber, and CCO Candice Cushway to make the difficult decision to abandon racing for the day. It was a disappointing ending to a great Winter Championship Series. Thanks to the many members who participated in the Series. Despite the chilly temps and COVID restrictions we had an impressive fleet of over 20+ boats every weekend (and over 30 on several occasions). There was some brilliant sailing on the Harbour this winter, with Luke Parker winning the Championship in the Standards, and Sylvie Stannage victorious in the Radials. A big congratulations to both our champions! Thanks to all our race management teams, especially to our CCOs who took on