Category: Latest from Double Bay Sailing Club

We are excited to announce that as COVID-19 restrictions ease, we have been given the greenlight to begin organized racing. We will be holding our Winter Championship Series every Sunday morning for eight weeks starting on 7 June and concluding on 26 July. There will be three shorter races held every week, and the Winter Championship cubes are up for grabs. Because of on-going restrictions, 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 in the rigging area at one time. To avoid this Radials will arrive at 7.00 for a 7.25 splash and 8am start. Full rigs will arrive at 7.30 for a 7.55 splash and 8.30am start. If there are more than 10 boats in any fleet, the additional sailors must wait for their turn

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Nearly 60 members logged into Zoom for DBSC’s virtual AGM last Friday evening, including Life Members Dene Bergman, Andrea Bergman, Shirley Roach, Mark Bethwaite and Jim Ley. Commodore Andrew Cox braved the cold and empty clubhouse to broadcast his remarks from there. Andrew recapped this strange COVID-19 shortened season and pointed out the highlights of the year, including the implementation of the club’s three-point strategy focused on (a) training and safety, (b) member engagement and (c) ongoing improvements. You can check out the Commodore’s full report HERE .

Andrew’s setup. Bright lights in a lonely clubhouse.

After the Commodore’s remarks, the Management Committee offered reports and all the 2019/20 sailing awards were presented. Vice-Commodore, Mark Crowhurst did the honours of announcing the awards. Although Shirley Roach

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In an effort to stop old wetsuits and sails going to landfill, Geoff Kirk has done some research on recycling and repurposing and we have some solutions for members. If you’ve used your time off the water to sort out storage and/or stocktake your sailing gear and have wetsuits and sails you no longer want here’s what to do…Unwanted SailsGive your unwanted sails to Geoff Kirk. He will sort them, giving Martin White first dibs on the best of these to use for Learn to Race. We’ll then try to resell any half decent ones on consignment and the rest will be sent for recycling / repurposing.Wetsuits (not suitable for sailing any more)Geoff is going to leave a tub for the wetsuits in the vestibule between the changing rooms. He will then take them for recycling. Or you can recycle these at Patagonia or Rip Curl yourself. Wetsuits (still suitable for

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We all know him as the man in charge (or the man who thinks he is in charge), but there is so much more to learn about our fearless Commodore. Read on to find out what makes him tick. 1. How old were you when you first stepped on a boat? I was 12yo in Yr 7 at school on Lake Macquarie.  Sailing was offered as a school sport, which we did on Wednesday afternoons in summer.  We sailed on boats called “gnats”, which my high school teacher had designed.  And we made them ourselves out of fibreglass in our “technics” classes at school.  We made the foils in woodwork and the spars in metalwork.  And the teacher’s wife made the sails.  We used to sail around for fun – no coaching, no racing, no clue!  But it was fun.  This photo below is actually my brother – my parents forgot to

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Brett Beyer has a client who is looking to purchase a Laser in the $4,000 – $6,000 range. If you have a boat in that range to sell, please contact Brett at coaching@dbsc.com.au.

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Since our last newsletter, we have received further clarification from Australian Sailing on how the new Public Health Orders impact DBSC. We now can confirm that up to 10 members will be permitted to rig / de-rig in the park while maintaining social distancing or sail together on water. In addition, up to 10 members can enter the club at once as long as they maintain social distancing. The toilets and change rooms will remain closed. Apologies to those active winter sailors who received an email from the Commodore last week that contained different information than stated above. At the time there was conflicting information which now has been clarified. Thanks for your understanding. 

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DBSC hosted its first ever Virtual Regatta Club Championship last Saturday afternoon. Eight sailors battled it out over five races. Talking over zoom, and playing on their phones, there was spirited discussions, especially as boats collided at the top mark. Racing was in J70s on a virtual Sydney Harbour. The competition was fierce – obviously several of the members have been making good use of the quarantine to hone their virtual sailing skills. Thanks to Matt Knight for organizing the event. He also took first place in the competition, followed closely by his son Hugo.  We had such a good time playing, we’re going to make it a weekly Saturday event at 10:30am. If you’d like to participate please let Matt know HERE and download the App HERE.

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This week our social guru spills the beans. You might only know him as the BBQ master, but there is so much more to learn about Peter. 1. How old were you when you first stepped on a boat? I was 2 or 3 when my dad first took me to the ocean on a grey day I remember the vast sameness of the sea. First boat would have been a punt in Cambridge, same era. Sailing started as a teenager in France at a sailing school in Brittany. We fished for crab from the boats, learned to drive the boat with one oar off the stern when the wind died and snuck across the bay to buy strong cider from a farmer on the other side.2. If money (& sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy? I’m happy with the laser for now.3. What is your sailing goal? Enjoy every

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Our Virtual Annual General Meeting is this Friday at 7pm. If you are an active member you should have received an invitation and Zoom link for the AGM via Paperless Post. You’ll need that link to attend the meeting. If you haven’t received the invite and need the Zoom meeting code, please email Emily Ball HERE.In addition to the business elements of the AGM (which we promise will be quick) all prizes and trophies will be awarded for the past season! It would great to have everyone online to cheer on the winners.And don’t worry, even though there won’t be any dancing on Friday night we’re already working on ideas to celebrate when we’re able to do such things.  

A full house at the 2019 AGM.

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As you will have seen, NSW is preparing to ease COVID-19 restrictions commencing this Friday 15 May. The NSW Office of Sport has indicated that it is working to provide guidelines and principles for sporting organisations to recommence activity in a safe manner, in adherence with the revised Public Health Orders. However, these guidelines have not yet been finalised.  In addition, Australian Sailing is providing an update on Thursday this week to sailing club management nationwide via a video conference.As of now there is insufficient information to change our club COVID-19 restrictions with clarity. However, with outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people permitted commencing Friday, it would seem changes on the park and on water are allowed under the new Orders.  As such, from Friday 15 May, up to 10 members will be permitted to rig / de-rig in the park or sail together on water. However, there are no other

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