Clarification - Paul Adam on Historic Response Boats

Two weeks ago we published an article about the launch of our new RIB. In that article we incorrectly reported that Paul Adam reminisced about DBSC’s old wooden response boat. In fact, the boat was not wooden. We apologise for the mistake. Here’s more on the boat from Paul:

When I first joined the club the 'Bobby Reid' was the response boat. It was a small red inflatable which in a previous life had been a surf rescue boat - I believe it was at Bondi. As a surf rescue boat it was steered directly using the throttle handle. We fitted a wooden plank towards the front of the boat tied to the tubes and installed wheel steering. There was no padding on the plank so driving into waves, bouncing on the plank was 'uncomfortable'. Bobby Reid was a Double Bay character and provided a variety of assistance around the club.

The club at that time also had the precursor of the 'Jazzman'- a round bilge committee boat which rolled uncomfortably in any sort of sea.

One of the many things that has changed in the club over the decades has been the increase in number and capability of support boats.

Sail Sydney Success

It was a sea of DBSC sailors over the weekend at the Sail Sydney regatta. As there was a lack of Standard sailors, the big guns like Matt Wearn and Finn Alexander chose to compete in the Radial fleet. Congratulations to Finn who placed 2nd and to the many other DBSC sailors who competed. Well done all!

Up Next and Holiday Schedule

We wish everyone a very happy Festive Season and hope 2021 brings nothing but good breezes your way. We have one more “regular” Saturday this weekend and another Twilight Sprint on the 23rd, then we’re on a holiday footing until Twilights resume on Wednesday 6 January. Please note there will be no racing on 26 December or 2 January. 

Please check out the holiday sailing schedule below. If you’re eager for more sailing over the holidays, our Top Mark Facebook Page is a great place let your DBSC mates know when you’re headed out. 

Also, please note the newsletter is taking a break for the holidays and will return on 6 January. 

Wednesday 16 December, 5pm splash – Twilight Sailing

Saturday 19 December, 9am start – Learn to Race

Saturday 19 December, 2pm start – Last heats of the Spring Point Score

Wednesday 23 December, 5pm splash – Twilight Sailing

NO RACING ON 26 DECEMBER or 2 JANUARY

Wednesday 6 January, 5pm splash – Twilight Sailing

Saturday 9 January, 2pm start – Autumn Point Score (and we’re back to normal)

Christmas Fun this Saturday

This Saturday we have our famous once-a-year Tyrell and Rousso races, which are super fun formats. The Tyrell is a handicapped chase, with the slowest boat starting first and successive faster boats hunting each other down as they start over the next 5-10 minutes per their handicaps. (Our Handicapper, Daryl, will have everyone’s individual starting time listed on a sheet at the club on Saturday before we race.) The format makes for what is perhaps the most competitive and exciting race of the season!

The Rousso is a scratch race with a massed start, in which all boats in all classes start together – a yardstick is applied to the winner in each of the classes to determine the overall winner.  By tradition, everyone wears a Santa hat. So, get ready for some festive fun on the water. 

Our Christmas party follows sailing on Saturday. Drinks and canapes will be served from 5:30 followed by a causal, grazing dinner by Bern the Chef. The bar will be well stocked, so we look forward to a fun evening of celebrating the end of this very ordinary year.  

Please note that at 2pm the lino areas and front deck of the club will be closed off, and will remain closed until the party starts. Because of this please make sure you do not store personal gear in those areas and please do not entering those areas after sailing. This includes the outdoor shower. But fear not, you can now shower indoors (see COVID article below). 

COVID Changeroom Rules Easing

Good news! With recent relaxation of the 4m2 rule to a 2m2 rule, we are now able to open the men's changeroom for showering in addition to the existing use of toilets, subject to the following:

• MAXIMUM CAPACITY at any time of 18 people (including showers, toilets, change area)

• No getting changed in the changeroom prior to sailing -- male sailors must still get changed in the park. The reason is that maintaining compliance with a cap of 18 is not feasible in the pre-sailing changing rush

• Sailing gear to be removed before entering the changeroom to shower.  The reason is to reduce time in the changeroom (and thus assist with capacity management), and to avoid bottlenecks for the showers

• Clothes may be put on in the changeroom after showering (subject to the maximum of 18 people), but please be quick and get out as soon as possible to make way for other people

Thanks for your diligence in making sure we abide by the rules outlined above. With everyone’s help we can keep DBSC COVID Safe.

DBSC Represents at States

A large contingent of DBSC members travelled north to Belmont to participate in the NSW/ACT  State Championships last weekend.  The fleet was met with a mixed bag in terms of conditions and results!

Extremely light and unpredictable easterly winds on Saturday, which included 360-degree shifts during the first race, resulting in nearly every leg being upwind, including finishing on an upwind "reach" in about 1 knot; and a 90-degree shift mid second race.  Brooke Wilson had an outstanding day, to finish in 1st place in the Radials.

Sunday's breeze bucked the forecast for a blustering 20+kts north westerly, when the members of the Australian Sailing Team in both fleets came to the fore and showed us all how it is done.

DBSC had one quarter of the fleet, with 29 boats – with some great results.  In the Radials, Daniel Costandi 4th, Brooke Wilson 5th, Zac West 8th, Sylvie Stannage 9th, James Tudball 10th.  In the Standards, Finn Alexander 4th, Mark Louis 7th, Rod Barnes 10th.

Thanks to Rod Barnes for his efforts in coordinating transport and accommodation for a great weekend away.  And thanks to Vic Whitby, Craig Sheers and Richard Finlayson, who provided much-welcomed on-water support to team-DBSC throughout the regatta.  Thanks also to Gavin Blake, who saluted the fleet by "buzzing the tower" at the Squid's Ink motel in his work helicopter as we derigged on Sunday.

Some of the DBSC crew gathers for a post-race drink. Photo by Jules Hall.

Sweet Sprints

While the big guns were up north at the States, other members took the chance to hone their skills in a series of short sprint races. The light NE breeze and relatively small fleet made for some enjoyable sailing. Congratulations to Tim Heath who lead the pack in many races.  

Thanks to the race management team of Mark Crowhurst (PRO), assisted by Steven London (COTD), Christine Patton (CSO/CO-COTD) and Kirk Marcolina and David Devlin who helped Paul and Shirley with the canteen.

Tim Heath won several of the day’s races. Photo by Christine Patton.

Up Next…

Wednesday 9 December, 5pm splash – Twilight Sailing

Saturday 12 December, 2pm start – Tyrell and Rousso races (See info above)

Saturday 12 December, 5:30pm – Christmas Party (See info above)

Wednesday 16 December, 5pm splash – Twilight Sailing

Saturday 19 December, 9am – Learn to Race

Saturday 19 December, 2pm start – Final Heats of the Spring Point Score

Last Chance to RSVP for DBSC Xmas Party

With numbers capped at 60 due to COVID restrictions, we are almost up to capacity for our Christmas party on 12 December. If don't want to miss this special evening, you need to RSVP HERE now. 

Here is the invitation:

States Cause Changes this Saturday

Good luck to the DBSC members who are traveling to Belmont this weekend for the NSW & ACT Laser State Championships. Because there are so many members competing in the States, there will be no Learn to Race on Saturday. But have no fear, there will still be Sprint Racing on Saturday afternoon for those not traveling.