New Members

We are delighted to have an ongoing stream of new members.  Our latest crop are:  

Chris Perrin, who has joined from the UK and followed his destiny in acquiring Mealy’s boat of the same name (one dad joke allowed per year).  He was down at the club last Saturday, with his wife, Sally, and was seen taking his craft for a sail wearing shorts and a T-shirt.  It was a little chilly on Saturday and, although the rest of us were feeling cold in our three-layered sailing gear, he was heard to remark that it was perfect weather to sunbake in your underwear in Green Park.  

Mina and Jack Ferguson, both of whom are ex Opti sailors (Mina and Jack are Australia’s current #1 female and male Opti sailors respectively!).  Both are now in Lasers, and sailing over from RSYS.  As noted above, Mina put in an excellent performance with a 2nd at the NSW Youth Championships, and Jack also doubles up in a 420.

Please look out for them and make them feel welcome.

Survey Instalment 4

This is the last survey instalment, covering the topic of property.  

Thank you all again for participating in the survey – we hope you have seen all your comments listed in the last few newsletters.  If anyone has any responses to our responses or any further suggestions, please talk to one of the committee members in person.  We are keen to hear your views and to implement whatever ideas we can.

Property

• Ongoing structural maintenance – forward planning for piles project is in place
• Bigger hot water system – this is under investigation (to be confirmed)
• Lockers / pidgeon holes for gear – this is not on the current agenda
• No gear on the floor in the boat rack area – please be courteous and do not leave gear on floor
• System to keep change room floor less wet – suggestions are welcome
• Work bench – on the future capex list (not imminent)
• A/V system – on the future capex list (not imminent)
• Outdoor lounge suite / bean bags – on the future capex list (not imminent)
• Better modern lighting in the formal part of the club – this is not on the current agenda
• Keep club as is, its feel is perfect – this is the plan
• Don’t spend more – fees are already high – there is no current intention to increase fees further
• Respect for club equipment – please let people know if you see disrespect of club equipment
• Replace the Paul Adam RIB – this is not on the current agenda (it is in good order and fit for purpose)
• Re-key to improve security – this occurs from time to time (but is not planned this year)

Big Boat Race

The big boat race this Sunday, 8 October will start at 2pm EDST.  At least five boats have signed up (Corinna, T&T, Chenonceau, G-Force and Smitten) – please let us know if there are any other takers.  

John Vasey has kindly offered to provide a start and a mark at Point Piper.  Watch out for the A18s start at 3pm, while we are sailing the leg from Sow’nPigs to Shark Island – there has not been a problem for years, but keep your eyes skinned!  VHF 72 please.

Seabreeze promises an idea 10-15 knot nor-easter.  See you on the water!

This Week's Snapshot

1. It will be sprint racing for the long weekend this coming Saturday.  Briefing at 1pm, first warning signal at 2pm.
2. Vale John Messenger, founding sailor, long-time member and former Commodore
3. Welcome to our new members, Richard Lee, Matthew Knight, Ryan Littlechild, Campbell Patton (and his mum Christine).
4. The Brett Beyer Wednesday program is now open.  It is limited to 10 participants, so first in best dressed.  Email commodore@dbsc.com.au.
5. Please RSVP here to the Season Opening Sailors’ Dinner, which is for active club participants – sailors, non-sailing members, volunteers.
6. The fourth instalment of survey results focuses on the topics of youth, social and volunteering.  One more instalment to come.
7. Coast Championship at Gosford Sailing Club to take place 21 – 22 October.
8. Big boats to race 8 October.

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