Your Mum Isn’t Coming to Clean Up

As flagged in last week's newsletter and at the briefing on Saturday, we are implementing a mid-season rack reshuffle.  We asked people to assist after sailing on Saturday to ensure all boats were in the right place.

However, only 9 of the 18 boats that needed to be moved were in fact moved.  We had occasion to watch the whole thing on CCTV as we helped one member locate gear that was misplaced.

What we saw was that the people who sailed that day (and a few helpers with them) made sure their boats were in the right spot, but no one helped to ensure all the other boats were in the right spot.  

Two of the boats that were displaced in the reshuffle, and whose new spots were occupied by other boats that also needed to be moved, were just wheeled outside and then later left on the floor.  People evidently felt it was not their problem and left it for others to sort out.

So that raises the question -- which others do you think should sort it out?  

We are a volunteer club -- there are no others.  For the club to function, we need EVERY member to act like an owner.  If you see something in the wrong place, it is YOUR individual responsibility as a member to fix it.

If something is missing, tell someone or offer to replace it.  If something is in the wrong place, move it.  If something is broken, tell someone or offer to fix it.  If something could be done better, tell someone or volunteer to do it.

The volunteers who have designated management roles already have too much on their plates.  We need every member to take responsibility for our club.

We will try again with the rack reshuffle after racing this coming week.  Could we please ask people to take charge collectively and get this done properly?  

We propose the following -- no boats back in the shed until the boats already in the shed are in the right spots.

Kit Warning

We hope you’re enjoying your new club kit. Some members have learned the hard way that the t-shirts SHOULD NOT GO IN THE DYER OR BE IRONED. Doing so will damage the club decal on the back of the shirt. So, please take care when laundering your new kit.  

Some Serious Solar!

DBSC is proud to tell our members that our DA to fix the Piles is approved. Included in the DA is the ability to cover our roof in solar panels and generate enough green power to run all of the fairy lights in Steyne Park and beyond. 

Mark Crowhurst is managing the Power Station Project and would love to hear from anyone with a good working knowledge of the solar panel world. In particular, rather than the technical electrical details, we want to know our options around what to do with the excess power that we will generate - on top of selling it to the grid. If you think you can help, please contact him HERE or on 0439872305.

If you don't think you can help, we hope you get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that our club is about to be a net contributor to the grid and do our bit to help stop Climate Change. Hopefully resulting in fewer 30-knot Westerlies.

Race Recap

A challenging 6 – 12 knot Easterly breeze greeted the 35 competing boats in last Saturday’s Spring Pointscore. It was a wind that seemed unsure which direction to blow from – flicking between SE and NE throughout the afternoon. The winners were the sailors who kept their eye on the wind and always ensured they were on the lifted tack.

The winners (after handicapping) were as follows: in Standards, Gavin Blake and Nick Alexander, in the Radials/4.7s, Jim Dounis was victorious in both heats. Thank you to our PRO, Gerry Donohoe assisted by LTRaR volunteer Thomas Beregi, our COTD, Josh Kirton, and CoCOTD, Kevin Gilroy.  And thanks to James Leaver and Pia Hattersley who helped in the canteen.

Boat for Sale

Dave Rogers has a baby coming into his life and has decided to take a break from sailing for a bit. As such, he’s decided to put his entry level boat up for sale. Here are the details:

• Hull number 192579

• In good condition and ready to race

• 1 brand new radial sail (never used), 1 used radial sail

• 1 carbon top mast section (new in 2018), plus 1 spare aluminium top mast section (never used)

• 1 radial bottom mast section (new in 2018)

• Foils, carbon tiller and extension, all rigging systems in good order and rigged for quick setup.

• Stored in rack at Double Bay Sailing Club and ready to go racing.

• No trolley or covers.

Please contact Dave HERE if you are interested.

Up Next at DBSC

Wednesday, 20 November, 5pm Splash – Twilight Sailing / BBTP

Saturday, 23 November, 8:45am SHARP – Competency Training

Saturday, 23 November, 2pm Start – Spring Pointscore

Wednesday, 27 November, 4:30pm Splash – Twilight Sailing / BBTP

Saturday, 30 November, 2pm Start – Vaucluse Challenge

Sunday, 1 December, 2pm Start – Big Boat Race

SAVE THE DATE - SATURDAY 14 DECEMBER - DBSC CHRISTMAS PARTY. DETAILS COMING SOON!

Twilights Twinkle

19 sailors turned up to last week’s Twilights and were greeted by a nice NE sea breeze. We’re looking to crack 20 this week, so join us tonight around 5pm for a 5:30 start with Brett on the water. It will be a beautiful way to cool down after such a hot Tuesday. Please also note that twilight sailing in two week’s time (27 November) will run from 5-7pm (half an hour earlier than usual) due to a function in the club.

We Can do Better

In the past few newsletters we’ve been writing about the importance of the upcoming Competency Training that’s taking place in just a bit over a week, on Saturday morning, 23 November. It’s a critical component in making sure we offer the safest and best Laser racing on the planet. Yet only 29 have RSVPed. That’s a paltry 22% of our membership. If you haven’t done so already, please let us know HERE that you’re planning on attending. Thanks!   

Last Chance to Order Regatta Kit

This Saturday is your final opportunity to try on sizes of t-shirts, bibs and jackets and to place your order for our new DBSC branded kit. Thanks to a special delivery by Diana Valia Chen, the new gear was unveiled to the public last Saturday at the State Championships. As you can see, it makes even this motley crew look good:

HERE is a link to all the designs. Place your order HERE. ORDERS WILL CLOSE THIS SATURDAY NIGHT.

Please note, prices are updated as follows: T-shirts $25, Bibs $40, Caps $15, Jackets $220. The T-shirts are $5 cheaper than previously publicised, Bibs $5 more expensive, Caps unchanged, and Jackets $100 cheaper!

Welcome New Members

As you might have noticed, there are quite a few new members at our club this season. Our newest DBSCers have quite interesting and diverse backgrounds. Here’s a bit about some of the new faces:

Gavin Blake – Gavin moved to Sydney (Bronte) about a year ago from the UK. He is a keen surfer and kitesurfs a lot too. He works for the Toll Rescue Helicopter as a pilot. Gain is married with a 2-year-old boy named Charles and is looking forward to being able to teach him how to sail! It’s been 15 years since he last sailed and when he heard about DBSC he knew he had to get involved. He explains, “I’ve been bowled over by how friendly and welcoming everyone has been and the standard of sailing is excellent. It truly is the best laser sailing club in the world!”

James Johnson – James grew up in the bush, but by a stroke of luck when he was in primary school his dad bought a home-made sailing dinghy from a neighbour and he taught himself to sail on annual holidays to the coast. He’s had a Soling for 25 years but gave it to a good home last year. Julian Van Aalst is a work colleague and friend. He persuaded James to come down and have a look at the club. It’s been about 35 years since James has sailed dinghies but he’s busting to get back into it. 

James Johnson

John Verco – After a short attempted retirement, long-time member, John Verco, has decided he missed us too much, and has returned to the club, with plans to get another boat and join us for racing in the new year.

Anthea Michael – Anthea was invited to the 2019 AGM by her friend Candice Cushway. She was so impressed by the good spirit, the presentations at the meeting, as well as the range of members that she decided to join. Importantly, she wanted to volunteer to contribute to a community organisation that had an excellent committee, a strong history of promoting health and fitness for both men and women, and a social and friendly vibe. Anthea has done more social sailing and got her boat licence in 2018. She is super keen to build her skills and experience on the RIBs while learning about sailing and race management. Anthea’s professional background is in risk with a strong background in health and safety, investigation and training. Plus, she is a carpenter by trade – a skill certain to come in handy during our annual Working Bee.

Anthea Michael

Quinn Pearson – Quinn recently purchased his first laser (and first boat of any kind), with the goal to become race ready.  DBSC was the no brainer, between the size of the fleet, the Learn to Race on Saturday mornings, and proximity to his place of residence (Surry Hills). 

David Foley – In the past Dave has owned motor and ski boats, and is still a keen SUPer and Kayaker. He’s a novice sailor who’s completed the competent crew course and bought an entry level cruising yacht to spend time on with his children and friends while he learns more about sailing, with the intention to upgrade in years to come. He joined DBSC for the networking, facilities and just to be a part of the club. He promises that as soon as soon and he gets more time on his hands we will all be seeing more of him. 

David Foley

Peter Heywood – Peter is a highly accomplished radial sailor and previous World Champion. He has joined us from VYC and is a welcome addition to our fleet.

Nick Alexander – Nick quips that he is “pretty standard for a Masters sailor.” He has waited 25 years to get back into sailing after career and family life took priority.  He is really enjoying Lasers in his third season but admits that he has a lot to learn and finds them very challenging. Nick joined DBSC to increase his racing as his Sunday’s are at MHASC. His goal is to keep improving and not stagnate, so with Brett coaching and the high quality of the fleet he hopes to be pushed and learn. He is really excited about the summer ahead.

Nick Alexander