European Champ Bethwaite Heads Home

The 2018 Laser Master European championships concluded last week in Vigo, Spain. After 5 days of races with tricky winds, our very own Mark Bethwaite was first among the Great Grand Master’s and 4th overall. 

We can all give Mark some well-deserved congratulations when we welcome him back to DBSC (hopefully) this Saturday. But fear not anxious full rig sailors, Mark has left all his laser gear with his boat in Lake Garda, so he needs to re-equip here before being able to sail… so you get a short reprieve before having to face the champ!

Sign On and Off

After a bit of early season confusion, we want to reiterate that signing on before races and signing off after races has been officially reinstated at DBSC. This is an important element of the scoring / handicapping process, and should be adhered to by all.  For those sailing from other clubs, please do NOT sign on via the mobile number previously provided – instead, please use our new on-line sign on tool here.  

By the Numbers

With our swelling ranks, and to insure accurate race results, it’s important that all sails have six numbers, and that these numbers do not duplicate numbers on other sails in our fleet. Also, PROs, please note there are now sail numbers in our fleet that have the last three digits the same (e.g. there are two 005s) – please make sure you record at least the last FOUR digits from each sail when finishing boats.  Three digits are not enough.

Sailing Away

The fleet will be headed up the harbour on October 27-28 to compete in the NSW COAST CHAMPIONSHIP hosted by the Vaucluse Yacht Club.  It’s a great way to sail in a larger fleet and no matter what your standard it’s sure to be a fun and challenging event. There will be no sailing at DBSC on October 27th… so there’s no excuse not to have a huge contingent of DBSC members compete. Sign up here to join the weekend-long event. 

Also, save the date for the NSW Laser State Masters at South Lake Macquarie Amateur Sailing Club on March 2-3. If you are interested in attending, please email laserrep@dbsc.com.au.  We will organise accommodation and transport… it’s going to be fun weekend away so start planning now. 

Being the Best COTD

It comes around once per year… Your chance to give back to the club by being the COTD or Co-COTD. You want to do your best, but what the heck are you meant to do again?! It’s a common problem, so we’d like to encourage everyone who is rostered on as COTD / Co-COTD to please read the COTD instructions here before you attend the club. Please bring a copy with you to check off the tasks.  Some of the important things to keep in mind (and that have been missed lately): 

1. The safety bags that are required by law to be on each of the RIBs have not been taken out (they are stored on the floor next to the handicapper’s desk and must always be taken on the RIBs).

2. When the safety bags have been taken out, they have been left in the RIBs after racing, rather than being put away.

3. The drainage flaps on the back of the RIBs have not been put down and opened via insertion of a boat hook handle, resulting in the Bergman filling with 2 tonnes or more of water, which risks breaking the hull and failure of the davit – a very serious safety matter.

4. The davits have been left unlocked with their padlocks and keys adjacent to them, rather than being padlocked with the keys returned to the kitchen – another serious safety matter.

5. The start and finish buoys have been placed the wrong way around – the blue wrapped buoy is for the finish line.

6. The large DBSC flag has not been flown from the south flag pole – this is important for club branding and must be flown every Saturday.

7. The light switch for the outdoor sensors has been turned off – only the top switch near the south entry door should be off, and the bottom switch should always remain on.

8. COTD / Co-COTD are required to remain at the club and pack everything away after people finish socialising – plan to be there from 11am to 6pm.  

9. Please remember you must NOT ride the davit up and down in the RIBs – use the ladder to enter the boats after lowering and to exit the boats before raising.  

We appreciate all the volunteer time and commitment that goes into being COTD / Co-COTD.

Laser For Sale

DBSC Laser sail number 210474, is for sale. If you’re in the market for a Laser you can check out more details here.

High Speed Racing

Last Saturday an impressive fleet of 41 boats took on another gusty, shifty Southerly. The day served as both Heats 5 – 6 of the Spring Pointscore and Heats 3 – 4 of the Club Championship. It was tough sailing as the competitors battled a breeze of 25+ knots that seemed to constantly be shifting. In between dips in the water the fleet managed some great sailing – with incredible boat speeds on the reaches and runs. As tracked by Brett Beyer’s GPSs, topping the day for speed were Nick Pellow at 13.82 kts in a Standard, and Andrew Cox at 12.96 kts in a Radial. 

At the end of the exhilarating day, the winners were: Championship– Standards: Ian Alexander (Championship Heat 3) and Matt Wenke (Championship Heat 4); Radials: Campbell Patton (Championship Heats 3 and 4); 4.7s: Daniel Costandi (Championship Heats 3 and 4).  Pointscore (after handicap): Standards: Ian Alexander (Pointscore Heat 5) and David Newman (Pointscore Heat 6); Radials / 4.7s: Andrew Cox (Pointscore Heat 5) and Daryl Lawrence (Pointscore Heat 6). 

Thanks to this week’s race volunteers — Jason Wilkins (PRO) and Clare Alexander on the Jazzman, Alistair Sutherland (COTD), and Pia Hattersley (CoCOTD) on the RIBs, and Campbell Patton in the canteen. Thanks also to the additional volunteers who stepped up due to the high winds: Mark Crowhurst, Diana Chen and Emily Ball. After working hard all day on the water, the sailors were grateful to the team that put together the delicious meal upon their return: Paul Adam, Shirley Roach and Andrea Bergman who whipped up a beautiful BBQ spread, and Pat Levy and Peter Collie who worked their magic on the BBQ.  

A strong Southerly meant tricky conditions last Saturday.

GPS Missing

We have still not located Mike Dunne’s GPS unit which went missing in the change rooms.  Can everyone please check their clothing, bags and boats.  These units are expensive, and Mike would be very grateful if it could be located!

Tonight - TWILIGHT SAILING STARTS

Daylight Saving Time is here… and with it comes the start of our weekly Wednesday Twilight Sailing. There’s nothing better than sailing on Sydney Harbour at sunset, so ditch work early, leave the kids with your partner and head down to the club for some mid-week fun.  We will have organised racing with marks placed. Splash is at 5pm (or whenever you can get there).

Dolly Policy

We have received dolly photographs from only one member claiming ownership of a dolly.  Our policy is to encourage members not to store personal dollies in the club.  If you elect to store it in the club, you will be deemed to have donated your dolly to the club, unless you submit photographs that are accepted by the Management Committee.  If you have a dolly stored at the club that you want to be able to retain going forward, could you please submit photographs to the Commodore ASAP.