Harbour Sunsets

What more could you want than a few sprint races on a long balmy daylight saving afternoon?

At DBSC we make this a reality. And these days “work life balance” is an HR buzz-word. So, remind your boss, stick it in your diary, fill in the Peter Collie Doodle Poll, and come on down. 

Brett Beyer runs the races and all are welcome to join in, whether a subscriber to the Brett Beyer Wednesday Program or not.  Splash is at 5.15 and races start at 5.30. But there is no issue with joining in late. 

Last week we had 12 boats. We want to grow it back to the good old days of ~20 boats. 

But please do fill in the Peter Collie Doodle Poll each week (even if you are a BBWP subscriber). The best way to attract a crowd is to have a crowd. The Doodle Poll makes this happen. And, if you say you’re coming, please turn up because others are relying on you. 

Do You Want to Sail Faster?

Well then you’d better start with sail shape and trim. Are you using enough vang?  Or too much?  And what about those other controls?

All this and more at the first of our Brett Beyer lectures, which will be held at DBSC at 8pm on Wednesday, 1 November. That’s next week. 

So, it’s your last chance to get a ticket here —$21 gets you entry and pizza. Drinks are pay as you go.  Please pay online not on the night — we need to know numbers for catering. 

State Championships

As you know by now, the State Open and Masters Championships will be hosted at DBSC on 18-19 November. All members are encouraged to sail, both for the experience and the fun. If you can sail in a DBSC race, you can sail in the States — just think of it as a normal Saturday on the Harbour. Entry forms are here. 

We need volunteers please. As flagged in last week’s newsletter please email the people identified below if you can help with particular tasks. We would appreciate “all hands-on deck”.

(a)    Parking – we need someone to operate the gate to Double Bay Primary School and collect the parking fee, all of which will be donated to the school.  This will run from 9.00am until about 11.30am on the Saturday and from 8.00am to about 9.30am on the Sunday.  People who are intending to sail can volunteer for this.  If you can do this for an hour or more, please email Pippa: phillippa_batchelor@hotmail.com

(b)   Support vessels – we need two experienced volunteers for the finish boat to assist Leanne Narborough and Ros Read record the finish for both days. We also need one experienced volunteer for the start boat (the Jazzman) for both days to help Col Chidgey (PRO for the regatta) and Clare (driver and assistant PRO).  Col has asked for people who are “smart and don’t get seasick”.   If you think you fit that description, please contact Michael: mosborne@osborneslawyers.com.au

(c)    Rigging area management – we need people from 9.00am onwards on the Saturday and about 8.30am onwards on the Sunday to assist Martin White and Pat Levy direct traffic through Steyne Park.  Sunday is particularly important because we must share the park with the 18s.  Again, people who are sailing can volunteer for this.  If you can help with this, please contact Martin: mwhite@universalmagazines.com.au

(d)   Canteen – Paul needs help running the canteen for the weekend.  We need help on Saturday from 9.00am until 11.00am and after racing for the post-race BBQ, and we need help on Sunday from about 8.30am until 10.00am and again after racing for the post-race BBQ.  People who are sailing can also volunteer for this.  If you can help with this, please contact Paul: p.adam@unsw.edu.au

(e)   Beach clean-up – there will be a beach clean-up two-weeks prior, on 4 November after racing finishes, as low tide is around 3.15pm. All we need is a small amount of time when people come back ashore prior to de-rigging.  We will have supplies of gloves and some bags.  If you can help with this, please contact Justin:  JDavey@ozspan.com

(f) Club preparation working bee — there will be a working bee one week prior, on 11 November at 11am, to prepare the club house, fill the holes in the ground around the two boat ramps and a workshop clean up. If you can assist, please email JDavey@ozspan.com

Fix Your Boat

The first half of our boat repair clinic will occur at 9am this Saturday, 28 October. Get your boat out on lawn and get ready to show off its flaws. 

Our expert appraisers, Craig Sheers and Ian Alexander, will tell you what you need to do to get prepared for the repair day, which will start at 8am on Saturday, 11 November. 

We still need volunteers to help Craig and Ian on the 11th — email Ian at: laserrep@dbsc.com.au. 

Season Opening Sailors’ Dinner

For those who have tickets, we’re looking forward to seeing you at the Season Opening Sailors’ Dinner at Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club, 160 Wolseley Road, Point Piper at 7pm for 7.30pm this Friday, 27 October. Dress is smart casual. Get there on time to enjoy the bar tab!

We’re a Competitive Bunch

We had another round of successes at the Coast Championship at Gosford Sailing Club last weekend. 

In the 4.7s our members made it look easy with pretty much a clean sweep, with Mark Louis 1st, Brooke Wilson 2nd (Brooke was also 1st girls and 1st under 16!), Daniel Costandi 3rd, Jack Ferguson 4th, Sylvie Stannage 5th and Mina Ferguson 7th. Watch out DBSC radial fleet (and watch out rest of the world)!

In the Radials, we had Jack Littlechild 2nd, Campbell Patton 7th, Maddie O’Shea 9th and Zac West 10th. 

And in the Standards, our coach, Brett Beyer, showed who’s boss with straight bullets. It’s probably a good idea to join one of his programs and do whatever he says!

Congratulations to you all. 

Brooke Wilson Smashing it at the Coasts

Build It and They Will Come

No sooner did we build more racks than they are nearly full. We have had 16 new sailing members so far this season. And included in that group is some real talent. 

This week, we welcome James Tudball, who is an experienced sailor from way back, now returning to the sport. He was hiking pretty hard on the weekend, so watch out. 

We also welcome Alvaro Manzanares Bertran, who is relatively new to the sport, but has shown real commitment, out practicing on Saturday mornings week after week. 

Please look at for them at the club and make them feel welcome. 

National Masters — What Happens in Vegas...

The National Masters Championship will be held in the ocean at Mooloolaba on 9-12 February 2018. So, block your calendars because we want a huge contingent!

Ian Alexander is coordinating transport, accommodation and all-things entertainment. This is going to be fun. We are keen to get an early read on numbers so we can start booking. Please email laserrep@dbsc.com.au if you are in. 

Finn and Martin Do DBSC Proud

DBSC Member Finn Alexander has been nominated for this year's Australian Sailing Awards. Finn is one of six contenders for the Youth Sailor of the Year. The Awards ceremony will take place on Friday 3 November at the Hyatt Regency.

Finn was also highlighted, along with Martin White, in a brilliant article about the upcoming Laser State Championships.  Check out the article from last week’s Wentworth Courier below:

Article from 18 October Edition of The Wentworth Courier 

This Week's Snapshot

1. This weekend is the Coast Championships at Gosford.  We will have sprint racing at DBSC.  Briefing at 1pm, first warning signal at 2pm.
2. The State Championships will be at DBSC on 18/19 Nov, with 150+ boats.  We want a huge DBSC fleet.  Please sign up here.  
3. We need a host of volunteers to make the State Championships a success – you can volunteer and sail.  PLEASE READ BELOW
4. We are hosting a Brett Beyer lecture series on selected Wednesday evenings, starting 1 November at 8pm.  Tickets available here.
5. We are conducting a boat repair clinic – inspections on Sat morning 28 October, repairs on Saturday morning 11 November.
6. The Brett Beyer Wednesday program is happening, fully subscribed!  Races start at 5.30pm today, all welcome.
7. Tickets to the Season Opening Sailors’ Dinner are closing this Saturday night.  Last chance to get your tickets here.
8. Welcome to our latest new member, Otto Henry, twice opti national champion and current 420 national champion, now in a laser!
9. Charter needed for States.