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.
Wait, what? Here’s a few resources to improve your sailing while we’re not, you know, sailing…
Michael Blackburn’s Tokyo experience (Tuesday 7 September at 7pm)
RYA downwind sailing (thanks Peter Heywood for sending the link)
Have you got any resources or tips? Send them to newsletter@dbsc.com.au
“Off the deck” continues for a social catch up online for members and friends of the club. We will continue to host this event during lockdown on Saturday afternoons from 1700.
Some great updates in from the NSW & ACT Laser Association this week (tl;dr):
The Laser Australian Open & Youth Championships scheduled in Fremantle for 1-8 January 2022 has been cancelled.
Each Australian ILCA district has been invited to designate an event as the ILCA World Championship selection event. The ranking event for NSW & ACT sailors will be the NSW & ACT State Championships 4-5 December 2021 at Georges River Sailing Club.
Zac Littlewood from WA has just won the ILCA Under 21 World Championship in Gdynia Poland. Zac was the only Australian in the 138 boat men's fleet.
Paige Caldecoat represented Australia in the ILAC U21 Women’s World Championship in Gdynia finishing 18th in the 57 boat fleet.
David Johnson is looking to buy a laser (preferably a radial) for his teenage boys.
How old were you when you first stepped on a boat?
I was 9 years old. I used to play Saturday morning tennis. One of my team mates was telling me about the adventures he had sailing his Sabot. He invited me to join him sailing at Abbotsford that afternoon. I showed up with no idea what I was getting myself into, and kept sailing for the next 25 consecutive seasons.
If money (and sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy?
I’m not that fixed on what boat I’d like to own, but I would love to go for a spin on a SailGP foiling cat.
What is your ultimate sailing goal?
I want to pass on the sailing experience to my kids. I’m not concerned if they choose to pursue competitive racing, but I’d like them to give it a fair go.
Tell us the story behind the name of your Laser?
‘Just Quietly’ This is an expression that I over-used during my twenties. I used it as a preface to really blunt statements. A friend suggested it for a boat name a long time ago. It makes me smile.
If you could add any ingredient to DBSC's world’s best toasties – what would it be?
I think we all enjoy the fabulous toasties just the way they are, a little bit of Chilli would be nice.
What are your second/third favourite hobbies (assuming sailing is #1)?
I enjoy watching my kids play sport. I now take lots of photos while they’re playing.
Describe what you do for work in less than five words?
Construct Rail Infrastructure Assets
What is the first international destination you will travel to (once we're allowed) and why?
Fiji. It’s a great family holiday. I think it would be one of the safest places to travel to, and they depend heavily on tourism.
What is your favourite TV show, movie, and/or book?
Movie - The Usual Suspects
Tell us something interesting about yourself that members of the club don’t know?
I sailed lasers when I was a teenager. Pat Levy got me out of lasers in 1993 to sail skiffs with him. 26 years later Pat Levy encouraged me to come back and sail Lasers at DBSC!
Kevin overshooting the main on “Paradise” (800) during his Sabot days at Abbotsford in 1984
DBSC is a community club and highly visible to the public. It is therefore fundamental that we not only follow the public health orders, but that we are also seen to be following the public health orders.
We note that, sadly, the majority of our members are not permitted to attend the club at all within the current restrictions. We look forward to welcoming everyone back again soon!
For those lucky enough to be able to attend the club for exercise within their permitted 5km radius it is really important you respect the guidelines that have been provided to ensure access to the club may continue.
In particular:
You may only exercise only in groups of two
ONLY TWO BOATS ARE TO BE VISIBLE in the vicinity of the club at any time; this includes in the entrance to the club, in the park, on the beach and in the shallow water near the club
If there are already two boats in the vicinity of the club, you must wait until they have either launched or been put away in the club before you get your boat out
You are only allowed inside the club to retrieve and return your boat
You must sign in using the QR code behind the front door
You must wear a mask when in the club or outside, except when actually exercising
Please keep the garage door closed, except when you are actually getting your boat out and in
The only reason to access the club is to get your boat out for the purpose of exercise - if you would like to socialise with other members, we encourage you to attend “off the deck” drinks (see below)
To be very clear, the club is not “open”.
Failure to adhere to the Public Health Orders and the above guidance could impact our ongoing access to the club. Please ensure you observe the rules!
Our friends at the CYCA have used the weather this week as an opportunity to educate sailors on the formation of an East Coast Low that we are currently experiencing. You can learn more here:
Australian Sailing is hosting a webinar on the Tokyo Olympic experience with three-time Olympic gold medal-winning Laser coach, Michael Blackburn on Tuesday 7 September at 7pm.
“Off the deck” drinks have provided a great opportunity for members to share their remote sunset views. We will continue to host this event on Saturday afternoons from 1700.
The Powerboat Handling Course with Australian Sailing has been postponed until after the lockdown has passed. Those who registered and paid for the course should have been contacted by Australian Sailing this week. Further details will be advised when possible. If the subsequent arrangements are not suitable a refund for the course is available from Australian Sailing.
