The best way to find out about the club is to visit us, and meet some members.
Apart from the week of Christmas, the clubhouse is open from at least noon every Saturday from 1 August to 30 April. Our telephone number is: +61 2 9363 5577.
We are run by volunteers, so if your query cannot answered by the frequently asked questions (FAQs) below or the rest of the website, we will get back to you by Wednesday, 10pm.
How do I subscribe to your Pulitzer Prize winning newsletter?
How to make a tax-deductible donation to the club (using the internet)?
How to make a tax-deductible donation to the club (using paper forms)?
Want to book a seat at the restaurant?
Want to become a social member?
Can I rent/hire your clubhouse?
How do I get to crew on a yacht?
Can you teach me to race a Laser?
What is the deal between your club and the 18 footers and Sydney High School?
Can I store my kayak (or similar) in the clubhouse?
Can you help me buy, or sell, a Laser?
How many times can a visitor race at DBSC?
79 Bay St
Double Bay NSW 2028
Australia
The best ILCA / Laser sailing club in the world, located in Double Bay on Sydney Harbour.
A gentle reminder that that membership fees for 2021/22 are due 30 April 2021. Please email Emily if you have not yet received your invoice.
Please also settle your canteen accounts ASAP using either EFTPOS or cash, or email Justin for bank transfer.
Although there has been a relationship with the 18ft sailors since the foundation of DBSC the current arrangements were formalised in 1989. DBSC change rooms were made available to 18ft sailors between 2pm and 5:30pm on Sundays and the canteen was to be operational and fully equipped each Sunday to offer light refreshments and snacks.
1. How old were you when you first stepped on a boat? I first stepped onto my dad's small fishing boat on Port Philip Bay as a 12 year old. 6 months later my dad had bought a Heron and we joined Elwood Sailing Club. (and he could still fish from it).
2. If money (and sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy? Palm Beach 38 motor boat. Great boat for watching yacht racing.
3. What is your ultimate sailing goal? To beat Commodore Cox of DBSC in a race.
4. Tell us the story behind the name of your Laser? My son sourced my secondhand Laser in Brisbane, and he was responsible for naming rites. He chose a family theme.
5. If you could add any ingredient to DBSC's world’s best toasties – what would it be? My grandmother's special chutney recipe.
6. What are your second/third favourite hobbies (assuming sailing is #1)? Attending live music, renovating old houses.
7. Describe what you do for work in less than five words? Architect / boutique property developer.
8. What is the first international destination you will travel to (once we're allowed) and why? Happy staying put in Australia, and I regularly commute between Melbourne / Sydney and Byron (subject to borders being open).
9. What is your favourite TV show, movie, and/or book? A family favourite movie with a music theme "The Commitments". Paul Elevstrom books are prominent on my book shelves. My TV is mostly tuned to SBS.
10. Tell us something interesting about yourself that members of the club don’t know? Although I have lived in Melbourne most of my life, Sydney Harbour always had a special attraction and I often chauffeured a young, hyperactive, teenage James to regattas on The Harbour. The lock-down of Victoria in July 2020, was the perfect time to quit Victoria, and I then spent Saturday afternoons watching the Lasers race from Double Bay, and enjoying a few training beers with Club members. It was 20 years since I had sailed, and with the advice of members, I bought a boat, and I am now able to get around the course without tipping. DBSC is a great club with wonderful, welcoming members.
1979 Australian 1/4 ton Championship sailed on Port Philip Bay
Saturday 17 Apr - Learn To Race, Club Championship 15/16 & post racing BBQ
Sunday 18 Apr - First Aid Training
Saturday 24 Apr - Sprints (ANZAC Day weekend)
Saturday 24 - Sunday 25 April - Sail Port Stephens
Sunday 2 May - Winter Series Begins
The Easter Sprints – It was a stunning day on the harbour, high wispy clouds, beautiful sunshine and very little traffic. We had the NE corridor to ourselves. The breeze arrived just in time for the start of racing and was a pleasant 8-12 knots oscillating NNE to ENE during the afternoon. There was a series of 5 races approx. 20-25 minutes, with enough variation to make this a thinking person’s day and a good workout for anyone who enjoyed the Good Friday celebrations a little too much – you know who you are 😊
A good showing of 22 boats across both fleets, slightly higher number of radials, some old friends not only made an appearance, but scored a bullet in the 2nd race, well done Yves Stenning. Most prominent in the Standards was the man Nick Pellow, with Luke Parker making him work hard for his money. In the Radials David Huber and Andrew Cox dominated, even with some challenging starts from the Commodore – you know what you did 😊
It was as pleasant a day as seen on the harbour, great racing, good solid competition and everyone was a little knackered at the end of the day, just enough to really enjoy that well deserved beer.
Thanks goes out to Mike Dunne and Ben Wirtz for running the races; Paul Adam, Shirley Roach, Jack Sywak, and Richard Au (thanks for the scones) in the canteen.
View from the clubhouse
💰 A reminder that membership fees for 2021/22 are due 30 April 2021. Please email Emily if you have not yet received your invoice.
💰 Please settle your canteen accounts this weekend using either EFTPOS or cash, or email Justin for bank transfer.
Places still available for the Brett Beyer Coaching Winter Program starting Sunday 2 May. This is a great opportunity to improve on your sailing skills over the winter season. Click below to register.
Last call for expressions of interest for the DBSC ski weekend 20-22 August. Please email Andrew ASAP if you would like to go as accommodation is limited.
Photo by Bastian Riccardi on Unsplash
You may not think that the DBSC clubhouse is an architectural masterpiece however, in 2009 the National Trust decided that the clubhouse should be added to the list of historic structures in Australia. The National Trust sought to recognise the enthusiasm and commitment of the sailing club’s membership and their continued contribution to community life. A sailing club is heritage at its most active.
1. How old were you when you first stepped on a boat? Dad was a keen skiff and Laser sailor so probably before I could walk. The photo is me on “Matt Helm” when I was about 11. Interestingly it was built for Matt Allen who has gone on to have a slightly more successful sailing career.
2. If money (and sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy? Ningaloo would do nicely… however in the absence of a lotto win, I would love to be able to sail a Moth.
3. What is your ultimate sailing goal? Achieved already – slalom windsurfing on Maui.
4. Tell us the story behind the name of your Laser? Buzz Cat – we have a tradition in my family of naming our boats after pet cats.
5. If you could add any ingredient to DBSC's world’s best toasties – what would it be? Sailing out of RPEYC I don’t often get to enjoy them but any toastie is only as good as the bread – my favourite is olive and rosemary sourdough.
6. What are your second/third favourite hobbies (assuming sailing is #1)? Cycling and Skiing.
7. Describe what you do for work in less than five words? Sell plastic pipe fittings.
8. What is the first international destination you will travel to (once we're allowed) and why? Roma – see answer to 10 and of course the food!
9. What is your favourite TV show, movie, and/or book? HBO’s Rome, Gladiator, and Patrick O’Brians Master and Commander series.
10. Tell us something interesting about yourself that members of the club don’t know? I am a tragic for Roman history – particularly the late republic period.
Matt Helm
