Member Survey

We have now had 41% completed responses to the survey. We would really appreciate responses from everyone else, including those who only answered the first question (still 12 people).  Some of the people who are recorded as incomplete may have missed the fact that their answers to Q2 did not add up to 100 points. If you submit the survey and miss the error message, you will record an incomplete result.

We would love to get to 100% participation. We have some exciting new programs on offer that we can't confirm without your interest.

Early responses are interesting. For example, we have strong interest in the Brett Beyer Saturday race coaching and analysis program, with 14 people so far interested in paying $900 for a 10-week program of on-water training, post-race debrief, and individual GPS-based post-race report. We need definitive numbers on this (and the alternative program structures) ASAP because Brett has offered to purchase new equipment for us while he is in China for a couple more weeks. So, could you please respond to the survey today?  It would be great to be able to close it off this week.  

It seems some people did not get the survey email and others were unable to open it.  If that is the case for you, can you please first check your spam folder and/or try the survey on a different device.  If that still does not help, then please try the following link:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/855YX3J

If you still have problems, can you please email commodore@dbsc.com.au and let us know.

Big Boat Race Report

Report by Chris Bowling

In the build-up to the race it looked like we might have up to 7 boats, but only 3 presented for the start. It was a sparkling and sunny afternoon, but the wind was fresh, building and chilly. A north-westerly somehow bringing cold air from the snow-fields, where snowfalls were approaching record levels. 

The start was provided by John and Amelia Vasey; it was Amelia (aged 4) who sounded the horn to send the boats on their way. The forecast of 18 knots was pretty much what we got, with lighter patches and some sharp, curly gusts embedded.  Corinna made the best of a tight start, but on the reach to Point Piper, first G-Force, then Umbakumba, sailed through, to round the mark in that order, with Corinna last.  The work to Taylors Bay had some tricky shifts and gusts which kept everyone on their toes, but G-Force retained her lead.  Corinna got almost within collision range but rounded a boat length behind. Umbakumba fell back by about 2 minutes, flying a genoa that looked a bit too big for the conditions.

After that we had a soldier’s course, with 2 broad reaches and a tight reach to the finish.  G-Force steadily increased her gap to win by about 4 minutes.  Umbakumba closed most of the gap to Corinna but in the end crossed about 20 seconds behind.  
Congratulations to G-Force for a very clear win.

At the finish:  G-Force
                      Corinna.
                      Umbakumba.

Winter Sprints Start This Saturday

In a sign that spring is just around the corner, our Winter Sprint Series starts this Saturday with a briefing at 12noon and a 1pm race start. These sprints will be held every Saturday in August, and are a great way to get ready for the main racing season that starts in September.  The race format and any special instructions will be communicated at the briefing.  Join us Saturday and get prepped for the season ahead by checking out the DBSC Calendar for 2017-18 here. 

Now this is Winter Sailing!

Help Us - Member Survey

Last week you should have received an email via Surveymonkey.com asking you to take part in a survey on how to improve DBSC. Out of 100 surveys that were sent, we have received only 18 complete responses. Another 21 people answered the first question, which is in the covering email, but didn’t click through to the survey.
 
Thank you to those who have completed the survey – your responses are very helpful and informative.  But we need to hear from many more to make sure we get an accurate picture of how the membership views the club and how to best improve it.  

There are 10 questions.  The first question is in the email you received and, when you click on that, it takes you through to the full survey. For those who have only done one question, could you please go back and finish the rest?  For those who have not done the survey at all, could you please take 5 minutes to complete it?
 
Among other things, there are some new and exciting training programs we’re considering implementing, but we need the survey results to move ahead with them – and, if we have the numbers, our coach has generously offered to upgrade his GPS equipment while he is in China for the next couple of weeks – but we need responses ASAP for this to happen

 We will share the results with everyone once the survey is completed.  Thanks for your participation!

Train with an Olympian

There will be training every Sunday morning in August, with an 8am splash.  Mark Bethwaite has committed to be there each week and all sailors attending the Worlds, together with any others who wish to join, are encouraged to attend.

Mark at the 2016 Laser Master World Championships

Big Boats Race Sunday

The next big boat race (the third of the winter races) is scheduled for this Sunday, August 6; with a 1.00pm start. Please let Jonathan know if you can make it by emailing him at jonathanston@gmail.com.

New Ranking Rules for World Masters Championships

There is a new ALCA ranking policy for Australian Laser Sailors who apply for entry to ILCA World Masters Championships. The new policy is can be viewed online here:  http://www.lasersdownunder.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/ALCA-Laser-World-Masters-Ranking-Policy.pdf
 
The new policy will apply for the September 2018 World Masters in Dun Laoghaire Ireland and ongoing.
 
Up until the 2017 Masters in Split Croatia all Australian masters applicants have been offered a place. With the increased popularity of the event, the desire to run Radial and Standard rig fleets at the same time, venue capacity and charter boat limitations some applicants will likely miss out in Split. Consequently it was considered by the ALCA that a fairer ranking system was needed.
 
The new ranking arrangements are based on results at Worlds, National and District Masters Championships rather than the old one which was based on the order of placement of online entry applications.
 

Tell Us How to Make DBSC Better

Our unofficial motto at DBSC is “The Best Laser Sailing Club in the World”.  Now we’re looking for your feedback on how to make the best even better! In the coming days, you will receive an email from DBSC with a SurveyMonkey survey asking for your feedback on how we can continue to develop and improve the club and our various activities for members.

There are only 10 questions and should only take 5-minutes to complete. We believe this is the first such survey undertaken by the club. It represents a commitment from the management committee to ensure all members have a voice and that people's ideas are heard and considered. We appreciate you taking the time to respond, and look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Youth and Great Grand Master Meet with Worldwide Success

Over the last few days, the 2017 Laser 4.7 Youth World Championships were held in Niuewpoort, Belgium. Congrats to all our DBSC sailors who made the massive trip overseas to compete on the world stage and to learn so much with international competition. 

Here are the results:

Boys - 234 Competitors

Zac West in Action

Gold fleet
7th Zac West - Huge Congrats!
28th Jack Littlechild
51st Mark Louis

Silver Fleet
53rd Daniel Costandi

Girls - 115 Competitors

Gold Fleet
21st Sylvie Stannage

Not to be outshined by the youth, the top end of our fleet dominated closer to home. In April, Mark Bethwaite competed at the World Masters Games, held at the Torbay Sailing Club in Auckland, NZ. Mark performed wonderfully in a very competitive fleet and outsailed many competitors who were decades younger. He came home with the Laser Standard Great Grand Master Gold Medal, adding to his suite of many world titles. Congratulations Mark on your well-deserved win.

Congested mark roundings at the 2017 World Masters Games were no problem for Bethwaite 

Vale Keith Piggin

Double Bay Sailing Club farewells Keith Piggin, one of the great figures in the club’s history.

Keith was the son of one of the club’s founders, Ross Piggin, who contributed the first £10,000 to the club and whose shed at the end of Beach Street was used as the club’s initial boat storage facility.

Keith was one of the original “youngsters” who sailed Vaucluse Juniors with the club when it was formed in 1956.  He continued his membership into adulthood, and was President from 1986 to 1997.

Under his leadership, a strong financial base was built, new RIBs were purchased, marks and flags were upgraded, race management systems were modernised, working relationships with the Australian 18-footers League and Sydney High School were formed, and the clubhouse his father had built was maintained and improved.  Most importantly, Keith’s personal skills of friendship and fairness developed a congenial culture that inspired membership. 

The results were demonstrable.  The club became known for its quality racing and welcoming culture, and membership grew steadily, attracting members from around the harbour, and doubling the size of the Laser fleet.

Keith’s contribution provided a legacy that the club still enjoys to this day, attracting the largest laser fleets on Sydney Harbour each weekend, and characterised by a high standard of racing competition and an active and inclusive social community.

Keith was made a life member of the club in 1990.  He will be missed and not forgotten.

Keith’s funeral will be held at St Mark’s Darling Point at 12.30pm this Friday, 21 July, followed by a wake at Double Bay Sailing Club from 2pm.