Saturday's Results

We weren’t sure at about 12pm whether the breeze would come.  But then it did.  Our season-first blistering North-Easter, blowing up to 30kts, was a test of fitness, especially for our winter-rested masters sailors, many of whom were heard in the change rooms after the races talking about which anti-inflammatories they were popping for their sore backs!  The conditions didn’t seem to bother our NSW Youth Team club-members and their visiting friends, who powered around the course in the radials and 4.7s.  No anti-inflammatories needed.

Thank you to our PRO, Mike Gentry, who was assisted by Clare Alexander, together with our on-water volunteers, Trish Hancock, Charlotte Stanfield, Charlotte Alexander and Finn Alexander. 

We had 38 boats competing.  The winners on adjusted time were Brooke Wilson and Daniel Costandi in the 4.7s, Robert Young and Andrew Cox in the Radials and Andrew Simpson and Jules Hall in the Standards. 

This coming Saturday is sprint racing for the long weekend. Come on down for some always-needed practice!  The briefing will be at 1pm and the first warning signal at 2pm, as usual.

Thanks to Mike Gentry for shooting some great video footage. Check out the video below to see some of the downwind action. 

Vale John Messenger

It is with sadness that we farewell John Messenger, who was one of the founding sailors at Double Bay Sailing Club.

John’s father, Charlie, was one of the club’s founders in 1956.  John and his young friends were the club’s earliest VJ sailors.  John was involved in everything that happened during the early days of the club, including the building of the club house in 1959.

John later served as Commodore of the club, and was a respected and well-known sailor, whose memberships also included RPEYC and CYCA.  His activities at CYCA are well-documented, most notably his initiative and skill in organising funding for and building of the floating marina there.

John loved spending time with his old childhood mates, and DBSC held special memories for him.  He was a man of the people who was welcomed and respected in the who’s who of sailing.  Our thoughts are with John’s family and friends in this sad time.  He will be remembered and he will be missed.

A memorial service for John will be held at 3pm on Friday, 29 September at The Scots College in Bellevue Hill, followed by a celebration of his life at CYCA from 4pm.

John Messenger at DSBC’s Jubilee Celebrations in 2016.  From left to right:  Peter Backhouse, Jim Ley, John Messenger, Bob Hogan, Rob Hornibrook.

New Members

We welcome the following new members who have started sailing with us over the last few weeks:  

• Richard Lees, who is an all-round water sports-lover and adventurer (perhaps best known for his unicycle)
• Matthew Knight, who used to sail with Geoff Kirk at Woollahra Sailing Club, and is whispered to have shown skills
• Ryan Littlechild, part-time laser sailor and former Opti star, who will sail over with his brother from RSYS
• Campbell Patton, radial sailor from Bermuda, who has moved with his family to Australia to sail with DBSC!

Please look out for them and make them feel welcome.

Brett Beyer Wednesday Program

With the Brett Beyer Saturday program now well-subscribed and largely paid, we turn our attention to the Brett Beyer Wednesday program.  We had 20 people express interest in subscribing to this program, and now it’s time to confirm.

This is the next exciting training opportunity for our members.  Brett will run organised sprint races for twilight sailors, with the first warning signal at 5.30pm on Wednesdays during daylight saving*.  All sailors are welcome to attend and sail the course, whether subscribers to the program or not.

However, subscribers get the added benefit of on-water coaching*, which will occur on the course during the races.  The program is limited to 10 subscribers, so participants will get meaningful feedback in a two-hour session.  The cost is $300 per person, starting on 18 October and running for 10 consecutive weeks*.  It is first in best dressed – so email commodore@dbsc.com.au ASAP if you’re in. 

* Notes: The program is conducted by Brett Beyer Sailing and all contractual arrangements are between the participant and Brett Beyer Sailing. Double Bay Sailing Club disclaims all liability, including liability for negligence. The program will run for 10 consecutive weeks except as notified.  Brett Beyer Sailing reserves the right to skip particular weeks at its discretion for reasons that may include, without limitation, conflicting coaching responsibilities, competition events, holiday periods and weather. If a week is skipped at the option of Brett Beyer Sailing, the program will be extended to ensure participants receive a 10-week program. If a participant is unable to attend a particular week when the program is conducted, the participant forfeits that week's entitlement and Brett Beyer Sailing does not have to make good. Brett Beyer Sailing does not guarantee equal coaching time for each participant and, by their subscription, participants accept this.  The program will not occur at the advertised price if there are less than 10 subscribers.

Season Opening Sailors’ Dinner

Please RSVP as soon as you can to the Season Opening Sailors’ Dinner – follow this link.  The dinner will be held at Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club on Friday 27 October. There are limited seats that can be accommodated at RPEYC, so it will be first in best dressed.

It is priced at $90 per person, which includes a two-course dinner and a group-shared beer, champagne and wine tab of $30 per head (after which it will be pay as you go, so get there early).  Dress is smart casual.

The dinner is intended for active participants in the club’s activities – sailors, non-sailing members, volunteers.  There will be events later in the year for people who are thinking of becoming members or for family-members and others.

Survey Instalment 4

This is the second last survey instalment, covering the topics of youth, social and volunteering.  Next week, we will cover property.

(a)    Youth

• More active youth program – closer liaison is now occurring with RSYS coaches / parents
• Holiday camp – not on the current agenda (but open to it if someone volunteers)
• Learn to sail – investigating independent coaches using club equipment (no guarantees)
• 4.7 feeder class – we are not equipped for this
• Youth fundraising – DBSC tax deductible fund in place with ASF (ask treasurer@dbsc.com.au)
• School program – not on the current agenda (but open to it if someone volunteers)

(b)   Social

• More social activities – Season Opening Sailors’ Dinner, Family Day / Open Day (details to come)
• More inclusion of family / friends – welcome at all post-race drinks, Family Day / Open Day
• Two-up races for family – proposed to include in the Family Day (details to come)
• Better beer / champagne – cost / benefit question that is under constant review
• Greater diversity – Women’s Regatta under consideration (to be confirmed); suggestions welcome
• More natural friendliness – friendliness is a fundamental cultural tenet for us; suggestions welcome

(c)    Volunteering

• Volunteer work load sharing – additional volunteers requested (six responses to survey)
• “Apprentice system” – 2iC system implemented on the management committee
• Paid canteen crew to alleviate load – we cannot employ people; canteen roster implemented

The Coast Championship

The Coast Championship is set to roll on the weekend of 21st and 22nd October at Gosford Sailing Club.

The Notice of Race for the event is HERE and you can place entries online HERE.

Gosford Sailing Club is a great social club with relatively uncrowded sailing waters and only a short drive up the freeway from Sydney.

There is good local accommodation around Gosford and out to the coast at places like Terrigal and Avoca. Alternatively, from Sydney you can drive in/drive out if you like to sleep at home.

Big Boats Race 8 October

Two important messages about the October Big Boat races:

• It will be on October 8, the second Sunday in October - to avoid the long weekend
• Because daylight saving begins October 1, the start will be at 2.00pm

As always, let Jonathan Stone know which boats to expect - email him at jonathan.stone@sydney.edu.au

Spring Point Score Continues Saturday

Heats 5 & 6 of the Spring Point Score are on this Saturday. Looks like it might be a light wind day... so a big change from the last two weeks. Briefing at 1pm, first warning signal at 2pm.

Thanks to Max Dzhura for capturing last Saturday's gusty competiton. 

Sailors' Dinner at Royal Prince Edward YC

The sailing social event of the season is almost upon us – The Season Opening Sailors’ Dinner on 27 October. Held at the prestigious Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club, this is an event not to be missed.

$90 per person includes a two-course dinner and a group-shared beer, champagne and wine tab of $30 per head.  Dress is smart casual. Please RSVP by 19 October via TryBooking by following this link. 
 
All DBSC sailors, volunteers and other members welcome. We hope to see you there.