The best way to find out about the club is to visit us, and meet some members.
Apart from the week of Christmas, the clubhouse is open from at least noon every Saturday from 1 August to 30 April. Our telephone number is: +61 2 9363 5577.
We are run by volunteers, so if your query cannot answered by the frequently asked questions (FAQs) below or the rest of the website, we will get back to you by Wednesday, 10pm.
How do I subscribe to your Pulitzer Prize winning newsletter?
How to make a tax-deductible donation to the club (using the internet)?
How to make a tax-deductible donation to the club (using paper forms)?
Want to book a seat at the restaurant?
Want to become a social member?
Can I rent/hire your clubhouse?
How do I get to crew on a yacht?
Can you teach me to race a Laser?
What is the deal between your club and the 18 footers and Sydney High School?
Can I store my kayak (or similar) in the clubhouse?
Can you help me buy, or sell, a Laser?
How many times can a visitor race at DBSC?
79 Bay St
Double Bay NSW 2028
Australia
The best ILCA / Laser sailing club in the world, located in Double Bay on Sydney Harbour.
Paul Adam AM (the man, not the RIB) reports that there is a police crackdown underway in Double Bay targeting speeding boats. There's an 8 knot limit from the club to 100m past the last moored boat.
You've been warned.
Paul points out boats with sails are currently exempt. However, Duncan Gay, after he deals with cyclist creating anarchy by not riding with photo ID, is considering making fire extinguishers mandatory on Lasers instead.
We are going ballistic!
In addition to da Dr G being awarded Australia's highest award last week, another long-standing DBSC member and benefactor bagged an award.
Woody (aka John Winning) was made a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for ‘significant services to the community’.
Woody had a big 24 hours ahead of Australia Day. On the 25th, he won the Historical 18 Foot Skiff Australian Championship for a third successive year, which he celebrated at his daughter’s engagement party. Woody then received news of the gong.
Woody is well known at and very generous to DBSC. That alone should be enough to qualify for an AM. However the official citation references his contribution to sailing and equestrian causes: WTF?? Anyone crazy enough to fund both these hobbies probably should be disqualified from being decorated. However the factor that deservedly got Woody over the line is his generosity to various charities.
Malcolm paid special tribute to Woody when he dropped by the Lodge to collect the gong:
"Lucy and I first met Woody the week after we married when he delivered a new Westinghouse to our gaff; he lugged it up the four flights of stairs himself, plugged it in, filled the ice trays, loaded the fridge with our groceries and wished us well before he went on to make another 14 deliveries that afternoon. We knew he was special. We subsequently found out that Woody had time for his whitegood and equestrian activities because he is the only 18s sailor who can rig his boat in less than an hour, while the average rigging time is a little over 6 hours and 14 minutes.
Obviously Lucy didn't think twice about who to call for the whitegoods now the Lodge has been renovated. The fact that Woody is making both a delivery and a collection today is a testament to his enduring efficiency."
The only disappointment in the whole deal is that under a previous Prime Minister, Woody was rated with the highest chance in Australia of being knighted Sir Woody by CenterBet, Bet365, William Hill, et al. In any event, congratulations Woody AM.
To make it an even bigger week, Woody AM skippered Yandoo to a commanding victory in heat 5 of the Australian Titles on Sunday 31st.
Saturday 30 Jan. Sailing over. Boats packed up, storm clouds gathered. A dozen hearty souls decided to have one last beer before heading home. Then the heavens opened. Big time. Biblical. While we were sitting back and enjoying the storm, a couple of well dressed blokes came into the club and asked if they and a 'few' guests could take shelter from the storm while they waited for a ferry to take them to a wedding.
"Sure. Come on in. Make yourself comfortable and there's beer in the fridge at $3 per can"
For 45 minutes DBSC hosted a wonderful party for 100 or so guests ahead of Nigel and Anita Lynn's nuptials. We met some great people and helped a couple through what might have been an ugly time. Then the storm abated, ferry arrived, the party moved on and we went home. All the guests were very appreciate of DBSC's hospitality.
A fun time for all.
Helping a younger folk.
Just before leaving on Wednesday evening to go sailing from DBSC.
Congratulations to long-standing DBSC member and medico/media superstar, da Dr G who has been bestowed Australia's highest honour on the eve of Australia Day, 2016 Senior Australian of the Year.
Apart from being the club's Chief Honorary Medical Officer and gun Hood 23 sailor, da Dr G deals magnificently with the detritus caused by alcohol and drug abuse in Australia's largest city. His media appearances takes his crusade to a much wider audience (and made emergency medicine a really cool job with the younger folk).
Disappointedly, the media seems to have have relegated the highest award Senior Australian of the Year behind the second highest award (Australian of the Years).
The People's Prince, and master communicator, explains:
"Put simply, the Senior Australian of the Year contributes similarly as the Australian of the Year, but has done so for a few more decades, so obviously a higher honour."
Dear Leader provides the historical context
"After visiting my close personal friend, the late Lee Kuan Yew, he explained how he had just became "Senior Minister" and its relationship to the other ministers, and even the Prime Minister. When I returned to Australia, I asked John and Jannette over for a cup of tea where I convinced them that we needed a higher honour than Australian of the Year, hence the creation of Senior Australian of the Year in 1999. da Dr G is a worthy recipient."
DBSC's rising star
The club was established on 13 July 1956 to provide an "interest" to the "youngsters of this village", and with the Australian Yoof Championships we have delivered, again.
As usual Grasshopper 2.0 made it to the podium, but the standout was Marlena dominating girls in the Radials and is now leading the pointscore for Youth World's selection.
Speaking at the press conference after collecting the silverware, Marlena acknowledged the importance of competition against a world-class fleet every Saturday in DBSC club sailing:
"It was so intimidating sailing with the DBSC fleet when I first started. However, with time my sailing improved and I became much more assertive on the water with tactics and my rights. A year ago I rarely said anything, but now I'm happy to unyielding call "Starboard, Mr Kuhlmann" or "Buoy room, Mr White"".
Speaking from Davos, The People's Prince, responded:
"The kiddies are doing great in the big regattas. Every young person sailing on Saturday afternoon instead of playing an X-Box or updating their FaceSpace page is a big win for DBSC and the community."
It's just over a month until the Laser Masters 2016 National Championships at Port Stephens Sailing & Aquatic Club on Soldiers Point.
The regatta runs Friday 12th February to Monday 15th February. Ten races are scheduled over the four days - two races on the Friday and Monday, and three races on the Saturday and Sunday.
The fleet will be broken into three classes (Standard, Radial & 4.7) with divisions for Apprentice (35-44 yrs), Masters (45-54 yrs), Grand Masters (55-64 yrs) and Great Grand Masters (65+ yrs).
Entry fees are $150, or $200 after 1 February. The regatta website is now up and running, with online entry & payment forms.
Social HQ for the regatta will be the ibis Styles Salamander Shores. It looks like they still have rooms available (approx $120/night), but they will likely book up so get in early. The other option is to rent a house on Soldiers Point.
DBSC got pipped by MHASC for total entries last year. Lets avoid that humiliation this time around and re-assert our status as the true home of Laser sailing!
STOP PRESS: Well done to both Grasshopper 2.0 and Jack who reached the podium in the Radial and 4.7 classes, respectively. DBSC was well represented in the medal tally despite only 6 members competing in Belmont, NSW. For all the results: click here.
Members of Team DBSC.
The Spring Pointscore (a.k.a the pre-Christmas season according to our in-house marketing guru,) is dusted.
This week the slate is wiped and the battle for the Autumn Pointscore, and eternal glory on the DBSC honour boards, begins.
Thankfully, the weather is forecast to improve.
Action plan:
It is with a sad heart that I inform our members and friends that Darragh Donoghue , Gerry and Linda's son, passed away just prior to Christmas.
Gerry has been a wonderful contributor to DBSC over the years, which is even more remarkable as he and Linda constantly nursed Darragh throughout his 15 years.
On behalf of all at DBSC, I extend our love, thoughts and prayers to Gerry and Linda.
Dear Leader notarises:
"Saturday, 2 January 2016. set many firsts in the illustrious history of DBSC. In addition to being our first event of 2016 it was a first timer on a number or fronts.
Enjoy some previous Christmas photos from the archives....courtesy of our Society Photographer....
