How old were you when you first stepped on a boat?I can’t remember, but doing the best I can I recall in June 1953 at the docks in Tilbury ( shortly after the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953) I stepped aboard SS Orion a former troop carrier to migrate with my family (as ten pound poms) from Dublin Ireland to Australia (my father was the pom in the family) . I have an earlier recollection of going sailing with my father (Jack) and my older brother Desmond on a small open sailing boat without an engine or a buoyancy vest off Dun Laoghai (now known as Dunleary), it was windy a rough sea and bloody cold, best forgotten.If money (and sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy?What a question!! Possibly a submarine with a gaff rig and only if it was going cheap. What is your
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Coasts Championships cancelled
The NSW & ACT Laser Association has advised it is not possible to run the 2021 Coast Championships at South Lake Macquarie Amateur Sailing Club on 23 -24 October as planned. The event is now cancelled.
Club access from Monday 11 October
It is widely anticipated the COVID vaccination rate will reach 70% in NSW this week which will result in lifting stay-at-home orders for adults who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from next Monday, 11 October.Once that is announced, for those who members who are double dose vaccinated this will mean:You may attend the club with no 5km restriction.The clubhouse is subject to the 4sqm rule. This means there may be no more than 30 people inside the club at any time.There may be no more than 9 people in the men’s changeroom, 3 people in the women’s changeroom and 2 people in the canteen.It will be possible for up to 20 people to socialise on the deck.20 boats can be rigged at once in the park, and 20 boats can be in proximity on the water.If there are 30 people in the club or 20 boats in
60 seconds with Alistair Sutherland
How old were you when you first stepped on a boat?I must have been about 12 years old – sailing on a Topper in the Lake District in the North of EnglandIf money (and sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy?505 – so many strings to pull, so little time!What is your ultimate sailing goal? At the moment I aim for top 3 in any DBSC race I sail in. Given the depth of the Radial fleet at the moment, that goal usually disappears over the horizon on the way down the first reach…………..Tell us the story behind the name of your Laser? Iron Buddha. In Chinese it’s pronounced “Tie Guan Yin”, and if you order it you’d be presented with a cup of tea.If you could add any ingredient to DBSC’s world’s best toasties – what would it be? I’ve never eaten anything that can’t be
Volunteer roster
The club is working on the basis that racing is unlikely until at least 16th October. There is therefore no volunteer roster until that time. Should, by some miracle, we be able to race before 23rd October, it will be a nice problem to have!
Netflix and chill
‘The Boat that Ian Built’ is a short film from 1974 featuring the amazing success story of the Laser, and of Performance Sailcraft, the company Ian formed to produce and market the boat.“The movie has fantastic footage of one of the first ever big fleet Laser regattas held at Association Island, New York on Lake Ontario near Kingston (with Ian Bruce competing!). The movie has interviews with Ian, Bruce Kirby, and Laser sail designer Hans Fogh along with shots of Lasers being produced in Ian’s factory.You’ll also see amazing footage (that I previously didn’t know existed) of Hans Fogh helming the prototype Laser in an October 1970 regatta held for boats under $1000 at the Playboy Club at Lake Geneva in Wisconsin. It was called ‘The America’s Teacup Regatta’. Ian and Hans decided to call the prototype the ‘Weekender’ with sail number TGIF, the abbreviation for ‘Thank God It’s Friday’.”
Australian Sailing Olympic webinars
Australian Sailing’s Olympic webinar series continues on Thursday 16 September with the Men’s 470 team and their gold medal winning experience. Skipper Mat Belcher created history in Tokyo becoming Australia’s most successful Olympic sailor and is locked in to answer all your pressing questions.Register for the webinars with Australian Sailing on the following links.
7pm Thursday 16 September with men’s 470 team
7pm Tuesday 21 September with Matt Wearn
7pm Thursday 30 September with Mara Stransky
Mark Laying Course
Members are reminded to undertake the online Mark Laying Course being conducted by Australian Sailing in lieu of the mandatory training ordinarily undertaken at the start of the season.
Sign Up
Updated COVID restrictions
With the recent changes to COVID restrictions double vaccinated members may now rig their boats five at a time in the boat park. There are no other changes to the restrictions.If you are not fully vaccinated you must not rig your boat in the park unless, in doing so, there would be no more than two boats in the vicinity of the club at any time.Please continue to get changed before getting your boat out in order to maximise the flow of boats in and out of the clubhouse.
60 seconds with Andrew Craker
How old were you when you first stepped on a boat?About 6yrs, (motor craft) my father managed a marine store in Port Lincoln SA.First sailed a Rainbow at age 15 with my brother, we decided it was a lot cooler that than an asphalt tennis court.If money (and sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy?Would stick to a laser, I respect the safety of others, anything larger & faster could put the harbour at riskWhat is your ultimate sailing goal?To finish every race in a seasonTell us the story behind the name of your Laser?I didn’t name my boat it was inherited when purchased from John VercoIf you could add any ingredient to DBSC’s world’s best toasties – what would it be?Smoked salmonWhat are your second/third favourite hobbies (assuming sailing is #1)?Music / concerts & TravelDescribe what you do for work in less than five words?Encourage people