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

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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

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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

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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

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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:

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The Women's Regatta NEEDS YOU!

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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Input Needed from Masters

The WA Laser Association is surveying Masters sailors who are keen to attend the Australian Laser Nationals in Fremantle WA, 1 – 8 January 2021. They are enquiring if the Masters want a separate start from the “young guns”, and if there is sufficient support for a separate course.If you are Master who is going to be attending Nationals in WA please email Robo HERE with the following information:• Standard or Radial• Age group• Separate start or all in together

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Youth Local Sporting Champions Grants Now Open

Round 2 of the 2020-21 Local Sporting Champions Grants are now open. The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-18 years participating in state, national or international championships.If successful, applicants will receive $500-$750 towards the cost of attending their championships.To apply and for further information regarding eligibility criteria, please go HERE.Applications are currently open until 11:59pm (AEDT) on 30 September 2020.

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CYCA Closed Due to COVID

On Tuesday the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) was advised that two of their active members tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, CYCA has closed its clubhouse until further notice. The closure serves as a good reminder of why we need to strictly adhere to our COVIDSafe plan at DBSC. We wish all of our friends at CYCA well and hope for a speedy recovery for the members and a quick reopening of their club. If you have been at or sailed from CYCA, or interacted with people who have, within the relevant times on the 23rd, 24th or 26th of July, please notify our Commodore and refrain from coming to DBSC for 14 days. We request that all members ensure that you stick to all relevant guidelines and procedures to remove the risk to our club and its members.

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