In a sign that spring is just around the corner, Saturday afternoon sailing is back this week with our August Sprints. The sprints are a perfect way to get back in shape for the upcoming season of sailing, and will be on every Saturday in August. Because of on-going restrictions due to COVID-19, the series will be a bit different this year, so please read the following carefully. The key regulation we have to work around is that no more than 10 people can be in the clubhouse or 20 in the outdoor rigging area at one time. To avoid this, Radials and Standards will rig and launch separately (just as they did in the Winter Championship). Radials need to launch no later than 12:25pm for a 1pm start. Standards will arrive at 12:25pm for a 12:55pm splash and a 1:30pm start. It is important to avoid inter-mingling of the groups on land. Each
Category: Latest from Double Bay Sailing Club
Working Bee – RSVP Now
We will be running our annual working bee on Saturday 29 August from 8am – 12pm. This is an important event that gets our club ready for the new season of sailing. There is a lot to do, and we would appreciate participation from all members to make this a success. We are working on plans now to ensure that the day will be COVID Safe. Could you please RSVP HERE to confirm your attendance?
Grant Success – New Boat Ramps
The club has received the wonderful news that we have been successful in obtaining a grant of $136,300 from the NSW Government’s Boating Now program to build two improved access ramps.This funding, along with co-funding commitments from Woollahra Municipal Council, The Australian 18 Footers League and DBSC will allow us to upgrade both of the boat ramps to the west of the clubhouse. Over the next 12 months a volunteer team will liaise with stakeholders to refine the plan, get approvals and implement the project. Thanks to the many members who have worked diligently to obtain this funding, including: Emily Ball, Rod Barnes, John Chesterman, Andrew Cox, Mark Crowhurst, Geoff Kirk, and Andrew Simpson.As none of us are getting any younger, and the boat ramp seems to get steeper at the end of every race, we look forward to the completion of this much needed upgrade.
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
Check Out DBSC’s New Promo Video
We know that we’re the best laser club in the world and now we have a great promo video that proves it. Check it out on our home page HERE. A massive thank you to James Tudball and his company, The White Tree, for producing a video that captures the DBSC spirit perfectly.
A frame grab of the new DBSC Promo video produced by The White Tree.
2020-2021 Calendar is Live
We’re gearing up for a great year of racing and events at DBSC. You can check out all of the details on the 2020-2021 calendar HERE.
Winter Championship Race Report
In a pleasant change to recent Sunday mornings, there was a stable Westerly and rain-free skies for heats 13 – 15 of the Winter Championships. Over 25 boats (including several welcomed visitors from other clubs) raced in perfect hiking conditions.The competition was very good with many closely contested races. The winners were: Standards: Campbell Patton (races 13 and 15), Rod Barnes (race 14); Radials: Mina Ferguson (races 13 and 15) and Daniel Costandi (race 14). Thanks to PRO Geoff Kirk, COTD Nick Pellow, and CCO David Airey for a great day of racing.
60 Seconds with Sara Brooks…
1. How old were you when you first stepped on a boat? I remember my mum taking me out on her Laser as a passenger when I was around 10. The boat was bright yellow and called “passing wind”. It only had one rig – Standard – so having extra “ballast” may have helped. We’ve sailed with four people (my mum, brothers and me) as well as our Labrador on board! I loved being out on the water as well as the atmosphere at Brighton & Seacliff Yacht Club in Adelaide. I must have taken the below photos when I was about 14. 2. If money (& sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy? I plan to stick with a Laser as long as I can manage it physically. I’ve never tried to sail any other class of dinghy. I like its classic, elegant and simple design, and the fact
Start Training Them Young
Thanks to Martin White for sharing this idea for developing future Laser sailors at DBSC.
Rain Free Winter Champs Shine
For the first time in weeks Mother Nature didn’t supply us with her Sunday morning wake up showers. Instead heats 10-12 of the Winter Championship were sailed with a decent, consistent westerly with the sun shining between broken clouds high above Sydney Harbour. Congratulations to the winners: Standards: Mark Louis (race 10), Nick Alexander (race 11), Jules Hall (race 12); Radials: Evie Saunders (race 10) and Brooke Wilson (race 11 and 12). Thanks to the race officers: PRO Peter Collie, COTD Gavin Blake, and CCO Tim Heath. In addition to setting a fine course and keeping us COVID safe, Peter and Tim also captured the splendour of the day beautifully. Check out their photos below.
A sight worth waking up early for. Photo by Tim Heath.