COVID Compliance Officer

As part of our COVID Safety Plan we have implemented a COVID Compliance Officer (CCO) on race days. The CCO is there to ensure our COVID Safety Procedures are being followed by all members. 

During our Winter Championship series the CCO will arrive at 6:30am, and will be tasked with the following duties:

• Review COVID safety plan, any messages (newsletter or email) with PRO/COTD

• Remind arriving sailors of restrictions, enter attendance record including mobile (take sanitiser with you)

• First sailors to far end of rigging area and use western ramp

• Radial sailors rig 0700-0730, splash before full rigs commence rigging

• Full rigs 0730-0800, CCO stay ashore until all launched

• Support racing in 2nd RIB, return to DBSC before radials arrive back

• Radials complete de-rigging, then full rigs may come up ramp

• Supervise de-rigging separation: 1.5m spacing, </=10 in hose-down zone and clubhouse

• Check with PRO once de-rigging complete, certify that attendance record complete and send to safety@dbsc.com.au (Safety will then forward the attendance record to Daryl to help with scoring as needed.) 

Thanks to all of the CCO volunteers and to the members for compliance with our COVID Safety Procedures. 

Don’t Let the Paul Adam RIB Sink

The Paul Adam RIB needs to have its bungs in place before lowering into water. It’s critical you do this, otherwise the boat will sink. It is equally critical that the bungs are removed at the end of the day (otherwise the boat will fill up with water and break the davits). Please see photos below. 

Andrew Cox holding the bungs.

Inserting the bungs.

In addition to this, please note the following:

• The battery switch for the Paul Adam must be turned off at the end of the day. It is in the starboard transom panel.

• Last week the radios were not working between the Adam and the Bergman – so take handhelds on Ch73

• There is NO PROP GUARD on either of the RIBs, so use extreme caution

• Don’t forget to flush the motor and to reinstate the connection on the motor when finished!  CHECK it is connected before you start.  (Same applies for the Bergman)

Thanks for helping to keep our RIBs in top working order!

60 Seconds With Murray Stone…

Did you know we have member who’s specialty is health governance, risk and policy… We do, it’s Murray Stone. I’m sure he’s been busy over the past few months. Read on to find out more…

1. How old were you when you first stepped on a boat?

I was 8 years old. It was on our neighbour’s Pelican – a junior training boat similar to a Manly Junior.

2. If money (& sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy?

Probably a 16 or 18 footer

3. What is your sailing goal? 

To get fitter and faster.

4. Tell us the back story to your laser's name?

My last boat was called Quick Flick. When I got this boat, it had to be quicker.

5. If you could add any ingredient to our already world’s best toasties – what would it be?

Either mashed avocado or seeded mustard.

6. What are your second/ third favourite hobbies (obviously assuming sailing holds the #1 spot) 

I play football through winter to keep fit.

7. Describe what you do for work in less than 5 words?

Health governance, risk and policy.

8. What’s the first international flight you are going to book post Covid-19? And why?

Probably Ireland. My wife has an Irish heritage and it’s on her bucket list.

9. What’s your favourite TV show, movie, and or book?

Dracula and The Da Vinci Code were both memorable books.

10. Tell us something interesting about yourself that members of the club don’t know?

In February this year, I was a member of the winning crew for the Careel 18 National Championships held at Wangi.

Murray sailing a VJ in the Australian Championships in 1994 at Georges River.

Laser for Sale

Neil Feller is selling his Laser, number 212838. Here are the details:

• 2 x Radial Sails (1 near new Radial sail)

• 2 x Standard Sails

• Radial Top & Bottom Section

• Turbo Kit Vang + Downhaul + Mainsheet

• Foils, Centreboard & Rudder 

• Carbon Tiller & Tiller extension

The price is $7,950. If you’re interested, please contact Neil on 0418 220 088.

Racing Returns This Sunday Morning

Get your winter woollies ready. Racing returns to DBSC with our Winter Championship this Sunday morning. This will be the first of 8 Sundays of racing for the series, which will conclude on 26 July. We’ve had a great response so far – over 20 members have signed up, with strong competitive fields in both fleets. If you are interested in participating in the Winter Series, and if you haven’t done so already, you must fill out this form.

It is likely that we will have more than 10 boats in some fleets at least some weeks, which will require special COVID-19 segregation strategies in the clubhouse and the park. Remember that due to public health restrictions no more than 10 people can be in the clubhouse or in the rigging area at one time.

To avoid this Radials will arrive at 7.00 for a 7.25 splash and 8am start. Full rigs will arrive at 7.30 for a 7.55 splash and 8.30am start. If there are more than 10 boats in any fleet, the additional sailors must wait for their turn in the club and then move to a different part of the park to rig. We suggest boats alternate rigging with the first five rigging west of the boat ramps, the next five in front of the club, then split between groups until 10 in each. Then if needed, a third group in the main park.

It is critical to avoid inter-mingling of the groups on land and there must be real and noticeable separation between the groups. It’s important that you make sure you do not miss your time slot based on your rig. There will be a “compliance marshal” to make sure everyone is following the rules.

In addition to these rules please also remember the following:

1. Stay home if you feel the least bit unwell or if anyone in your immediate family or work colleagues has COVID-19 

2. The 1.5m social distancing rules apply inside the club and in the park

3. Hand sanitizer will be provided at the club and must be used prior to entry and after touching any equipment

4. You must sign on with an active mobile number – as this will allow us fulfil our requirement to maintain contact tracing records  

5. No getting changed in the club (it takes up one of the 10-people spots needed to move boats in and out)

6. No use of toilets, showers, front deck, or canteen – it is get in, get out

7. Those who indicate interest in participating regularly will be rostered as PRO / COTD

8. Race management will occur on a RIB (not the Jazzman)  

9. There will be no race briefing. Please familiarize yourself with the SIs HERE.

10. PRO / COTD / Compliance Marshall to arrive at 6.30am to set the course and prepare the club (the roster will be emailed to participants )

11. We encourage you to download the COVIDSafe App, and make sure it is active when you come to the club

Please note that due to COVID restrictions there will be limited on-water safety resources for this series. Members should not sail with old gear, or in conditions that are not suitable for them.  Please review our safety guidelines HERE  and read our risk warning, release of liability and conditions HERE. Always remember it’s your individual decision whether or not to sail.   

We are excited to see everyone on Sunday morning; it’s going to be great to get back out on the water with you all. 

Winter Series - 2 June 2019

Brett Beyer Winter Program

In conjunction with the Winter Series, coach extraordinaire Brett Beyer will run a Winter Program (BBWP). The program will be very similar to the GPS-based Brett Beyer Saturday Program – namely A and B subscriptions, with A costing $800 and B costing $400 for the eight week series.

The B subscribers will get a fleet-level report on each race, showing:

• video with commentary on the start

• their GPS track each leg vs the rest of their fleet

• their stats on each leg vs the rest of their fleet

• comments on the performance of the fleet and correct tactics

The A subscribers will get all the above, as well as an individual report highlighting technical and/or tactical considerations for them specifically, based on Brett’s real time and GPS observations.

Please read all of the terms and conditions of this program HERE.

We currently have 7 members signed up and need at least 3 more to make it viable. If you’re interested please email Andrew Cox HERE.

Have Your Say with Woollahra Council

Woollahra Council is looking for feedback on their Crown land reserves, which include Steyne Park and Steyne Foreshore. If you have thoughts on what you love and what can be improved, let the council know by completing the survey HERE (note that you can fast forward to the Steyne Park section). Items that you may want to note include problems with the boat ramp, lack of parking and problematic lawn drainage. Thanks for helping let the Council know how we can make our great public facility even better. 

60 Seconds With John Chesterman

Even though John won the Club Person of the Year award at this year’s AGM, he is still a man of mystery to some. Here’s your chance to get to know him a bit better. 

1. How old were you when you first stepped on a boat?

As soon as I had the lung capacity to blow one up. 

2. If money (& sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy? 

A Moth. NOT going to happen. It’s mostly the latter problem.

3. What is your sailing goal?

To make it to the club more often.

4. Tell us the back story to your laser's name?

Finn Alexander has a better idea of that. I bought it from a guy that bought it from one of his mates. I think seeing ‘Derek' brings back fond memories for Clare so haven’t changed the name.

5. If you could add any ingredient to our already world’s best toasties – what would it be?

Cayenne Pepper goes on lots of things I eat.

6. What are your second/ third favourite hobbies (obviously assuming sailing holds the #1 spot)

Clearing and burning off undergrowth in the Blue Mountains. 

7. Describe what you do for work in less than 5 words?

Architect tied up with red tape.

8. What’s the first international flight you are going to book post Covid-19? And why?

Finland - Was booked, cancelled, re-booked - possibly to be re-cancelled and rebooked. 

9. What’s your favourite TV show, movie, and or book? 

Run Lola Run because Berlin is great.

10. Tell us something interesting about yourself that members of the club don’t know?

Ich kann Deutsch sprechen.

John with the May Queen, which belonged to his ancestors. It won heaps of races on the Derwent.

Winter Championship Set to Begin Sunday 7 June

We are excited to announce that as COVID-19 restrictions ease, we have been given the greenlight to begin organized racing. We will be holding our Winter Championship Series every Sunday morning for eight weeks starting on 7 June and concluding on 26 July. There will be three shorter races held every week, and the Winter Championship cubes are up for grabs. 

Because of on-going restrictions, the series will be a bit different this year, so please read the following carefully. 

The key regulation we have to work around is that no more than 10 people can be in the clubhouse or in the rigging area at one time. To avoid this Radials will arrive at 7.00 for a 7.25 splash and 8am start. Full rigs will arrive at 7.30 for a 7.55 splash and 8.30am start. If there are more than 10 boats in any fleet, the additional sailors must wait for their turn in the club and then move to a different part of the park to rig. It is important to avoid inter-mingling of the groups on land.

Each week we will roster two people on-water and one additional person as the “compliance marshal”, to make sure there are no more than 10 in the club and no more than 10 gathered together in the park. Once that person has finished on land, they can drive the other RIB out to the race course as an additional rescue resource. They will then come back in with the first returning fleet to continue their compliance role in de-rigging. 

Other things to keep in mind:

1. The 1.5m social distancing rules apply inside the club and in the park

2. Hand sanitizer will be provided at the club and must be used prior to entry and after touching any equipment

3. No getting changed in the club (it takes up one of the 10-people spots needed to move boats in and out)

4. No use of toilets, showers, front deck, or canteen – it is get in, get out

5. Those who indicate interest in participating regularly (see form below) will be rostered as PRO / COTD

6. Race management will occur on a RIB (not the Jazzman)  

7. There will be no race briefing. Please familiarize yourself with the SIs HERE.

8. PRO / COTD / Compliance Marshall to arrive at 6.30am to set the course and prepare the club (e.g. move dollies out)

Most importantly, please look out for your fellow members by staying home if you feel the least bit unwell or if anyone in your immediate family or work colleagues has COVID-19 or has been in contact with a known COVID-19 patient.

If you are interested in participating in the Winter Series, you must fill out this form. We will use this information to create a race management roster and to enable us to make further plans if the number of sailors exceeds the maximum of 10 in either fleet. 

Thanks for your support as we ramp back up into action. We look forward to seeing you back on the water soon! 

Virtual AGM Wrap-up

Nearly 60 members logged into Zoom for DBSC’s virtual AGM last Friday evening, including Life Members Dene Bergman, Andrea Bergman, Shirley Roach, Mark Bethwaite and Jim Ley. 

Commodore Andrew Cox braved the cold and empty clubhouse to broadcast his remarks from there. Andrew recapped this strange COVID-19 shortened season and pointed out the highlights of the year, including the implementation of the club’s three-point strategy focused on (a) training and safety, (b) member engagement and (c) ongoing improvements. You can check out the Commodore’s full report HERE .

Andrew’s setup. Bright lights in a lonely clubhouse.

After the Commodore’s remarks, the Management Committee offered reports and all the 2019/20 sailing awards were presented. Vice-Commodore, Mark Crowhurst did the honours of announcing the awards. Although Shirley Roach wasn’t able to hand out the trophies in person, as she traditionally does, she was there virtually and gave a toast to all the victors. You can see the full list of winners, and their cubes HERE. 

DBSC’s most prestigious award, the Club Person of the Year, was also presented. This year the award went to John Chesterman. John is a member of our radial fleet and is one of the principals of architecture firm, Huppauf Chesterman. He has donated an extraordinary amount of professional time this year to assist the club, first in preparing and submitting our successful DA for the piles project and for our proposed solar power station project, and second in planning for and submitting a grant application for Commonwealth Government funding to repair the Steyne Park boat ramps. He had heard we were working on these projects and volunteered to help -- and what critical help it was!  We were under tight deadlines to get our DA approved in order to retain a $24,000 NSW Government grant we had been awarded -- and without John's leadership and drive it would almost certainly not have happened. We are tremendously grateful to John for his enormous and significant contribution. He is well deserving of the Club Person of the Year award. 

The evening ended with a Q & A session and a brilliant season-recap video that was produced by Diana Chen. You can check out the video below.

Thanks to everyone for attending the AGM, and for the team of Nick Pellow and Diana Chen who made sure the webinar looked and sounded perfect. It was great to see so many members participating in the spirited online chat and cheering on the winners of this season’s sailing awards.

Although the evening was enjoyable, here’s to hoping we can do it in person next year. 

The AGM Live on Zoom.