MP Dave Sharma Officially Launches New RIB

Our local Federal Member, Dave Sharma, came to the clubhouse last Saturday to officially launch the new Paul Adam RIB. The federal government provided a grant which helped DBSC purchase the new rescue boat. On behalf of the federal government, Mr Sharma spoke to the importance of supporting volunteer organisations like ours as they are vital to the community.

Along with Mr Sharma’s remarks, Paul Adam spoke about how far DBSC has evolved over the 40 years he has been part of the club. He observed that when he first joined the wooden rescue boat required the driver to sit on the floor and steer with a tiller.  

Paul laid a bouquet of leaves and flowers on the RIB in a tradition that is meant to create safe passage for boat:

Photo by Peter Collie.

Mr Sharma christened the boat with a traditional Champagne spray:

Photo by Peter Collie.

From his post on Instagram it looks like Mr Sharma enjoyed captaining Commodore Cox around the harbor:

We Are Competent

Thanks to all the members who attended our yearly competency training session last Saturday, which covered COTD Responsibilities, Course Setting & Race Management, Emergency & Rescue Management, and RIB/Radio Operation. We are grateful to our four volunteer trainers: Andrew Cox, Pat Levy, David Murphy and Michael Osborne who imparted their skills and knowledge to an appreciative audience. 

Thanks to Diana Chen for filming videos of the presentations which are available to watch online at dbsc.com.au/training-videos and documents available at www.dbsc.com.au/safety and www.dbsc.com.au/procotd. We are also in the process of producing short clips of all the COTD duties including RIB Operation in much more detail for future reference.

Race Report

A gusty, shifty and very hot NW wind greeted the fleet for an afternoon of racing that served both as Club Championships heats 7 & 8  and Spring Point Score heats 13 & 14.  

The results were: Championship – Full Rigs: David Newman (Championship Heat 7) and Rod Barnes (Championship Heat 8); Radials: Daniel Costandi (Championship Heat 7) and Sylvie Stannage (Championship Heat 8); Point Score (after handicap): Standards: Ashley Deacon (Point Score Heat 13) and Hadrien Bourely (Point Score Heat 14); Radial / 4.7s: Kate McHugh (Point Score Heat 13) and Jim Dounis (Point Score Heat 14).  

Thanks to the race volunteers who helped in difficult shifty conditions — Ian Alexander    (PRO), assisted on the Jazzman by Julian Van Aalst (LTRaR) and Clare Alexander, John Verco (COTD), Christine Patton (CSO/CO-COTD) and Clare Alexander and Mike Dunne who helped Paul and Shirley with the canteen. 

Bulk Sail Order Update

Thanks to all who have ordered sails through our bulk sail program. We appreciate your patience as delivery has taken longer than anticipated. The good news is that a few of the standard sails will be delivered later this week, with the remainder of the sails delivered to DBSC or dispatched via the post by Monday 14 December. 

Help Needed with New Venturis for Bergman

We’re looking for someone to help make new venturis out of vinyl type material on a sewing machine for the Bergman. If you’re keen please contact Gerry Baltel HERE.

Missing Glasses

Kate McHugh dropped her Kaenon sunglasses on Saturday afternoon in the boat park. If anyone has them please contact Kate HERE.

60 Seconds With Mina Ferguson…

We’re featuring another one of our incredible youth sailors today, Mina Ferguson. This is the last of the profiles we have from members who have sent in responses for our 60 Seconds column.  

We’ve enjoyed getting to know our fellow members a bit better, and we’d love to keep this feature going. If you haven’t shared your answers yet, we’d like to hear from you. Send your responses and photos to Newsletter Editor Kirk Marcolina HERE. 

1. How old were you when you first stepped on a boat? 
I was probably 3 when first stepped foot on a boat, but was 8 years old when I first went on a dingy 

2. If money (& sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy?
I would definitely buy a 49er fx as they look super fun and challenging. Would love a supermaxi too!

3. What is your sailing goal?
I don't have a specific goal with sailing, just to push myself as hard as I can, continue for the rest of my life and to have plenty of fun.

 4. Tell us the back story to your laser's name?
My laser is called 'wow I sail' as this is a joke I have with my school friends. They sarcastically ask me 'wow do you sail?' all the time, hence inspiring the name. 

5. If you could add any ingredient to our already world’s best toasties – what would it be?
That's an impossible one, no ingredient could improve them!  

6. What are your second/ third favourite hobbies (obviously assuming sailing holds the #1 spot).
I love playing other sports including netball and volleyball.  

7. Describe what you do for work in less than 5 words?
A student who occasionally coaches 

8. What’s the first international flight you are going to book post Covid-19? And why?
Post Covid I'd book a flight straight to Italy, as Lake Garda is my dream sailing location.The views are amazing! 

9. What’s your favourite TV show, movie, and or book?
I couldn't pick a favourite tv show, but Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Suits are among my favourites.

10. Tell us something interesting about yourself that members of the club don’t know?
I have two very cute miniature schnauzers called Max and Gemima.

Mina and her brother learning to sail.

Mina catching air off North Head earlier this year.

Coming Up…

Wednesday, 2 December, 5pm Splash – Twilight Sprints

Saturday, 5 December -- Learn to Race is Cancelled due to State Championships 

Saturday, 5 December, 2pm – Sprint Racing (due to State Championship)

Wednesday, 9 December, 5pm Splash – Twilight Sprints

Saturday, 12 December, 2pm – Special Christmas Tyrell and Rousso races

Saturday, 12 December, 5:30pm – Christmas Party 

Heaps on This Saturday at DBSC

It’s going to be a big one this Saturday at DBSC. In addition to Club Champs heats 7 & 8 and Spring Point Score heats 13 & 14, we have a full day of important events and activities. Please read below to make sure you are across all of the details. 

Our annual competency training starts promptly at 9:30am. (This is 30 minutes later than previously advertised.) Please arrive on time as there are several stations you will be rotating though. 

Our local Federal MP, Mr Dave Sharma, is coming to the club to officially launch the new Paul Adam RIB at 1pm. Please gather on the back deck to observe the festivities, making sure you are staying COVID safe by physically distancing from others. 

We will endeavour to begin racing at the normal 2pm start time, however this may be slightly delayed due to the earlier activities. 

Blake from BoatRopes.com.au will be on hand after racing to help our team to prepare for the upcoming State Championships. Blake has helped many DBSC members hone their setups and will be more than happy to take a look at your boat on the day and answer any questions you have. 

Boatropes can assist with:
- Ropes from Gottifredi Maffioli, Liros, Lancelin Pacific & Marlow
- Hardware from Harken, Ronstan & Allen
- ILCA parts from PSA
- Spliced systems - Outhaul, Cunningham & High Load Vang systems

As always it will be best to plan ahead, so if you need any pre-spliced parts or ILCA bits be sure to email Blake HERE so he can have the items ready on Saturday.

New COVID Safe QR Code Check In

We’re moving to an electronic COVID Safe QR code check-in system at DBSC, similar to what many restaurants are using. Our QR code sign-in process uses the existing ServiceNSW App that members might already have. If you don’t have the app, please download it in the Apple App Store HERE or the Google Play Store HERE.

Before you enter the club on Saturdays, you will be required to: 
·      scan the QR code displayed at our front entrance
·      electronically check-in using the ServiceNSW App
·      show the confirmation to our COVID Safety Officer

Thanks to David Murphy and Steven London for helping set up this initiative and for everyone’s ongoing help in keeping DBSC COVID Safe. 

DBSC will require a QR code check-in like this one.