Women’s Regatta Postponed

After the announcement of the Women’s Regatta in last week’s newsletter, several members of DBSC reached out to female sailors in Sydney and surrounds to spread the word about the event and to confirm numbers. We had a tremendously positive response and overwhelming interest in participating. However, a significant number of sailors who are very keen to participate have other commitments in April.  In the interests of maximising the number of people who can attend and be part of Regatta, we have decided to postpone it to a date to be confirmed later in 2018.

We intend to work with Australian Sailing and the Laser Association over the next few weeks to find a suitable date, and will then launch formal marketing, including a “save the date” and details for registering interest.

We remain committed to hosting a Women’s Regatta and supporting women in sailing. Thanks to everyone who has been helping organise the event, especially Clare Alexander whose passion and limitless energy have been incredible. If you would like to join the Women’s Regatta Committee, and help create a new signature event on the DBSC calendar, please email Andrew Cox.

The postponement of the Regatta allows Club Championship Heats 13 & 14 to be held on 7 April as originally scheduled. 

Finn to Offer Private Lessons

Finn Alexander, Laser Youth World Champion and current member of the Australian Sailing Squad, has been Laser sailing for 5 years, under the guidance of coaches such as Mike Leigh and Michael Blackburn. While managing an Olympic campaign in the Laser, Finn currently coaching Laser sailors - both young and old, providing expertise in all aspects of Laser sailing, from Learn to Sail all the way to international level. Finn is able to draw from the expertise from his own learnings and guidance from his own coaches to provide a tailored service that enables sailors to reach their goals.

For DBSC members, Finn will be coaching from the Paul Adam at the rate of $75/hr, for a 2hr session.  Finn will also offer a discount to sailors working in small groups of 2 or 3.  To contact Finn regarding availability email: finnalexander123@gmail.com, or call on: 0401841845.

Finn Alexander

Yellow Lid = Recycle, Red Lid = Garbage

Don’t forget that we are now recycling at DBSC. Week one didn’t go so well, with the bin with the yellow lid being filled with discarded food, old bits of rope, black sticky tape, poly bags, etc. We will have to do better! Remember that the bin with the yellow lid is for recycling only, the bin with the red lid is for non-recyclable garbage. Thanks for your help with this. 

Bin with the yellow lid is for recycling ONLY.

Metros in March

Folks the Metropolitan Championships are coming up on the weekend of 17-18th March at Drummoyne Sailing Club.

The Notice of Race is HERE and entries can be placed  online HERE or on Saturday 17th at the club. Entry is $60 or $30 for sailors under 21.

Drummoyne Sailing Club has great facilities and offers viewing of the race track in most breezes. The club’s web site HERE  has information on the club’s dining and facilities. The club is located at 2 St Georges Crescent Drummoyne. Google Map location  HERE.

This will be a fun venue with racing around the islands in the more traditional triangle, windward/return format.

There is good rigging area however car parking in the area is tight. Recommended parking is in the large adjacent Birkenhead Point Centre. Birkenhead parking information is  HERE

Large DBSC Fleet Participates in Vaucluse Regatta

A fleet of 42 DBSC boats attended the Vaucluse Regatta last Saturday.  It was a beautiful day, with a NE gradient breeze of ~20kts blowing for most of the afternoon.  Harbour traffic was heavy and that, combined with the outgoing tide, made for plenty of short sharp chop.

The finishing order for the first five in the Standards was Anthony Scali (VYC), Matt Faddy (VYC), Ian Alexander (DBSC), Byron Georgouras (VYC), Jules Hall (DBSC), and for the first five in the Radials was Jack Littlechild (DBSC), Matt Knight (DBSC), Elliot Scali (VYC), Campbell Patton (DBSC), Dennis Kuhlmann (DBSC).  The finishing order for the two 4.7s (who sailed with the Radials and finished high in the fleet) was Brooke Wilson (DBSC) and Mina Ferguson (DBSC). Full results are available here.

Thanks to Vaucluse Yacht Club and their race committee for a very enjoyable day and strong competition.

The Week Ahead

Wednesday 21 February, 5pm – Twilight Sailing. Brett Beyer will be coaching. If you are attending, please complete the Doodle Poll.

Wednesday 21 February, 8pm – Brett Beyer Lecture on “Tactics and Strategy”. Lecture and pizza cost $21 for DBSC members. Book here if you’d like to attend.

Saturday 24 February, 2pm Start – Autumn Pointscore Heats 7 & 8.

Brett Beyer New Saturday Program Starts This Saturday

The next instalment of the BBSP will commence this Saturday, 24 February.  It will run for four weeks (not five as previously advertised):  24 Feb, 3 Mar, 10 Mar, 24 Mar*. We have had 15 people sign-up by emailing training@dbsc.com.au.  If others are interested, please email Martin White at that email address.

Could those who have signed up please arrange payment here BEFORE SATURDAY.

The cost has been reduced to reflect four weeks instead of five:

• “A” participants = $368.37 ($360 + $8.37 try booking fees)
• “B” participants = $184.59 ($188 + $4.59 try booking fees)

The “B” participants receive (a) a video of the start with voice-over commentary, (b) a video of the “real time” GPS tracks of the fleet, (c) a leg by leg analysis of the performance of the fleet including individual speed and angle statistics vs the fleet, (d) access to Brett for comments and question on water when not racing, (e) participation in the communal post-race debrief at the clubhouse after racing.

The “A” participants receive all the above plus (f) and individual report on their performance, referencing tactical and/or technical considerations and (g) the opportunity to email Brett with follow up questions. *Please see all terms of the program here. 

Inaugural “Women’s Laser Regatta” Hosted by DBSC

Save the date for the inaugural Women’s Laser Regatta, that will be hosted by DBSC on 7 and 8 April.  This is an important event for DBSC and a first for the class worldwide.  The club is committed to promoting women in sailing, and encouraging greater participation by women in our club and our fleet.  We will be inviting women sailors from everywhere to attend and sail in this event.

That weekend will be a non-sailing weekend for male members at DBSC, and we will be calling upon all the male members to volunteer to assist over the weekend with what will be a myriad of tasks. We will be turning over our male changeroom to regatta participants, and we may also ask members to charter their boats to visiting women.  The format of the weekend and the racing is to be confirmed.

The regatta is being organised by the Sailing Committee.  Thanks to Clare Alexander for championing this event, and for the extensive groundwork she has done in securing sponsorship, charter boats, prizes, regatta management, and most importantly, attendance!  And thanks to Michael Osborne and the Sailing Committee for coordinating the implementation.  Could you please let Michael know if you are not on the Sailing Committee and would also like to assist – vice.commodore@dbsc.com.au

Please note that the Club Championship races that were scheduled for 7 April will be held the following weekend in conjunction with the scheduled Pointscore.

RSVP Now for Family Day

A jumping castle, family Laser sprint races, and a kiddie friendly BBQ will round out DBSC’s Inaugural Family Day at 4:30 pm on 17 March. It’s the chance to show the kids and your partner what you get up to every Saturday. To help us cater for the day we’d love to know if you can come and who you’ll be bringing with you. So, please click here to RSVP now.

Club Safety Officer Needed

We made a request on the weekend for two new volunteers – one as Club Historian and one as Safety Officer.  Thanks to Richard George for volunteering to be Club Historian.  We still need someone to volunteer as Safety Officer.  The initial role of the Safety Officer will be to coordinate preparation of a curriculum and the conduct of four identical PRO/COTD training sessions on different days and at different times in the lead up to and during next sailing season.  All club members will be encouraged to attend one of the sessions.  The sessions will be conducted by various club members with expertise in the relevant areas.  Initial thoughts around curriculum include:

• Course setting and mark laying
• Race management
• Davit use and RIB launch
• Jazzman launch
• Radio operation
•  Incident management plan
•  Emergency response
• Off-water responsibilities

The purpose of the training is to ensure our members understand all aspects of the PRO/COTD roles and are best placed to conduct the high quality racing to which we aspire in a safe manner. Please let Andrew Cox (ar.cox@bigpond.com) know if you are willing to take on the Safety Officer role