Important - Changes to DBSC Sailing and Activities

Last week new advice regarding community sport was published by the Chief Health Officer of NSW. The new recommendations aim to help NSW meet the goal of achieving no community transmission of COVID-19. 

One of these recommendations is that community sport organisations “cease activities that result in the mixing of participants and staff from different regions”.  Last Friday Australian Sailing, working under request from NSW Health, split Greater Sydney into 4 regions, and has stated that “clubs should be ceasing the participation of people who normally reside in different regions to where the club is based”. These new recommendations are anticipated to be in place until the end of September. 

DBSC has always aimed to follow all government recommendations and guidance to help stop the spread of COVID-19, and we will continue to do so. To that end there are several changes, cancellations and postponements that we are announcing today:

• The start of our official sailing season is postponed until these recommendations are eased such that all members can participate

• Sprint racing will continue every Saturday until we are able to begin our official sailing season

• Only those members who reside in the same region as DBSC will be permitted to sail in the sprints (see more information below)

• Sprints will have a 12:30pm Radial Splash and a 1pm Standard Splash and continue to follow our COVIDSafe plan which you can view HERE

• The Working Bee scheduled for Saturday is postponed to later in the year

• BBSP is cancelled; an alternative Brett Beyer program is being considered for sprint racing – details to come

• The canteen remains closed

Because of the requirement that people from different regions not mix while participating in community sport, only people who live in the in DBSC’s region will be permitted to sail in our organised Saturday sprints. DBSC’s region includes most of the Eastern Suburbs, the CBD, and some of the Inner West. The area is roughly bounded by South Head on the north east, South Coogee on the south east, Enmore on the south west and the ANZAC Bridge on the north west. (See ‘Zone B’ on the map below.)

If you live outside this area, you are not permitted to come to the club from noon to 4pm on Saturdays, while organised sailing is taking place. People from outside the DBSC area are free to sail at other times, but should at all times avoid mixing with members from different zones. 

Members’ rack allocation will not be impacted if they choose to take their boats from the clubhouse and store them elsewhere during this period. Equitable treatment of member subscriptions will be monitored in the event the restrictions continue beyond current expectations. 

We understand that these changes, postponements and cancellations are disappointing and difficult, but this is one way we as a club can do our part to help stop community transmission of COVID-19. Thanks for your understanding and support as we implement these new measures. 

60 Seconds With Luke Parker…

We’re not talking about that Sydney Swan’s player, it’s the always smiling former DBSC Commodore we get to learn more about this week. 

1. How old were you when you first stepped on a boat? 
When I was about 7, I was the “skipper” of a lime green sabot. I couldn’t sail, was scared and every Saturday I made sure everyone within earshot knew I hated it! While some members might say nothing has changed, the fact is the following season I started crewing on a boat with someone who knew what they were doing and I was hooked.

2. If money (& sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy?
An America’s Cup foiling monohull.

3. What is your sailing goal?
Two words: Beat Brett. I think he has peaked, but thanks to his fine coaching, I am getting closer. If I extrapolate my trajectory and assume he flat lines, he should be very nervous about the upcoming 2074 great, great, great, great, grandmaster worlds.

4. Tell us the back story to your laser's name?
When I was about 13, I got my first real boat, a Flying Ant, which I raced it against Rod Barnes on Botany Bay. “Nosey Parker” was a common saying in those days so “Nosey” was the name of that boat and every boat since.

5. If you could add any ingredient to our already world’s best toasties – what would it be?
I’m not qualified to advise our culinary maestros, but a little Habanero Mayo wouldn’t go astray.  That said, every toastie, and/or a cold beer on the deck is a joy.

6. What are your second/ third favourite hobbies (obviously assuming sailing holds the #1 spot)
All the ‘S’es; Surf, Snow Ski, Steel, Scrap metal, Sleep......

7. Describe what you do for work in less than 5 words?
Keep James Johnson very busy 

8. What’s the first international flight you are going to book post Covid-19? And why?
I’m not hopeful of going anywhere for 18 months. But when I can travel, I hope it will involve a family holiday, probably to either ski or surf.

9. What’s your favourite TV show, movie, and or book?
Sport (and only sport) on the TV. I am enjoying reading “A Bone of Fact” by David Walsh (owner of Mona). He is a national treasure. 

10. Tell us something interesting about yourself that members of the club don’t know?
I will not ride a horse.  I don’t like them and they don’t like me.

The original Nosey… Luke is hiding behind his crew.

Speedy Sprints

A warm, sparking day greeted sailors last Saturday for our third instalment of August Sprints. The winds were challenging – a shifty Westerly shot some 25+ knot bullets at the fleet of 30 boats. Thanks to to the race management team of PRO Jules Hall, COTD Justin Davey, and CCO Conor Roche for running an efficient and fun series of sprints. 

We sprint again this Saturday, with a COVID Safe 12:30pm splash for the Radials, and a 1pm splash for the Standards. Hope to see you on the water.

A beautiful winter’s afternoon on Sydney Harbour. Photo by Justin Davey.

Don’t Delay – Sign Up for Brett Beyer Programs

Time is running out to secure your spots in both the Brett Beyer Saturday Program (BBSP) and Brett Beyer Squads. Right now we have 7 members signed up for the BBSP, we need at least 8 more members to make this program viable. It will run in the spring for 10 weeks as follows: 5 Sep, 12 Sept, 19 Sept, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 31 Oct, 7 Nov, 14 Nov, 21 Nov, 28 Nov.* There will be two categories of coaching:  B = $500, A = $100 (plus merchant fees).*  

The B subscribers will get a fleet-level report on each race, a video with commentary on the start, their GPS track and 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. 

Send an email ASAP to Andrew Cox HERE to express your interest in the BBSP indicating your name, rig type and A/B category preference.  

We’ve had an overwhelming 21 members show their interest in the Brett Beyer Squads. The Squads are formal coaching in groups of 4 to 6 people that will take place in 2-hour sessions. The commitment will be for 5 to 10 sessions and times will be agreed upon based on participants’ availability. For those who have signed up already, Andrew will be in touch with suggested times and groups for training. If you haven’t signed up yet and are interested, this is your last opportunity to get in on the action by emailing Andrew Cox HERE. 

* Click HERE to see the terms of the BBSP program.

Two Weeks Until the Working Bee

We’re up to 31 members who’ve RSVPed for our Annual Working Bee on the morning of Saturday 29 August from 8am – 12pm.

That’s a great number but we can use even more help. 

Please RSVP HERE if you haven’t already. 

Coast Championships Cancelled

Written by NSW / ACT Laser Association

Australian Sailing has issued guidance on running of club sailing and events which you can see HERE.

Pertinent to our NSW & ACT Laser events are the points:

• Club racing and regattas are able to continue, however clubs are being asked to avoid events where competitors are coming from areas outside your club’s metro areas where possible.
• Avoid travel to regattas outside your local area.

Our events this season are outside Sydney except for the Metropolitan Championship (Hunters Hill). Under this guidance we are advised to avoid running these events and in effect the vast majority of our sailors are advised not to attend them.

While the situation may change it seems unlikely that it will leading up to our planned Coast Championship at Port Kembla (24-25 October). So rather than leaving sailors hanging on we have decided to cancel the Coast Championship this year.

We are hopeful that our States at Belmont (5-6 December) will be able to proceed. We will review the situation in September.

60 Seconds With Ian Alexander…

All of the Alexanders have played a big part at DBSC over the past few years. With Clare, Finn and Charlie often making headlines at the club, sometimes it’s hard to remember there is a forth member fo the family. Today we get the chance to learn a bit more about the Big Dog of the clan, Ian. Make sure that you load those images for some great vintage shots at the end of the article.  

1. How old were you when you first stepped on a boat? 
6yrs. My uncle took me for a spin on his Fireball. Trapeze harness, on the wire...I was hooked.

2. If money (& sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy?
100m Triple masted super yacht, so Lady Clare can live the lifestyle she dreams of. PS it would also house a fleet of moths for the DBSC visitors to use.

3. What is your sailing goal?
Stay upright.

4. Tell us the back story to your laser's name?
‘BIG DOG’. I was overseas for work and needed Finn to register my boat for the Aussie nationals and this is the name he came up with. It has now stuck and become my nickname.

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

6. What are your second/ third favourite hobbies (obviously assuming sailing holds the #1 spot)
Cycling and Tree skiing in Japan 

7. Describe what you do for work in less than 5 words?
M&A integration in APAC

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

9. What’s your favourite TV show, movie, and or book?
Come fly with me. The Usual Suspects. School of Rock.

10. Tell us something interesting about yourself that members of the club don’t know?
I was a ski instructor in my previous life.

Ian age 13, “Sun’s out guns out”.  QLD Mirror State Champions Open and Junior with Ian’s brother crewing. Circa 1983.

Mirror Nationals, Sandgate QLD.  110 in the fleet.

The Women's Regatta NOR is Live! Register Now!

Please note, due to the current COVID-19 public health advice and the safety plan adopted by Double Bay Sailing Club, the format of the regatta will be different from previous years.

As detailed in the Notice of Race (NOR), the entry fee covers the cost of the sailing competition which includes 2 days of racing. Ten (10) races are scheduled of which four (4) shall be completed to constitute a series. If permitted, and we are in a position to host other activities such as yoga, land-based classroom sessions, a dinner function, and presentations, then these activities will be included in the fee that is being charged.

We will keep you up-to-date via The Women's Regatta Newsletter as we advise steps for delivering you the best experience possible under these circumstances. Thank you for your understanding and for signing up to be part of this important women's sailing event.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions about the NOR or the registration process at events@dbsc.com.au or 0409 391 304 (Clare Alexander, Event Secretary).

How to Register for The Women's Regatta:

1.     Download and read the Notice of Race HERE

2.     Complete the Registration form HERE

3.     Once you submit the registration form, you will be re-directed to a payment page where you are required to pay the entry fee using a credit card

4.     We will email you with a confirmation of your registration

Working Bee – Sign Up Reminder

Thanks to the 23 members who have already signed up for our Annual Working Bee on the morning of Saturday 29 August from 8am – 12pm.

Your attendance is appreciated (and expected) to help get the club spick and span for the season.

Could you please RSVP HERE to confirm you’ll be there on the 29th?

Sign Up Now for Brett Beyer Saturday Program

Our brilliant coach Brett Beyer is back coaching in September. His Saturday Program (BBSP) will run in the spring for 10 weeks as follows: 5 Sep, 12 Sept, 19 Sept, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 31 Oct, 7 Nov, 14 Nov, 21 Nov, 28 Nov.*  There will be two categories of coaching:  B = $500, A = $1000 (plus merchant fees).*  

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.

Send an email ASAP to Andrew Cox HERE to express your interest in this seasons’ program, and indicate your name, rig type and A/B category preference.  A link for payments will be distributed in due course. 

* Click HERE to see the terms of the program.