Sailing Club

Tell Tales

Week one we had very little wind, seven days later and 3 flying fifteens were just hanging on at times as gusts of 20 knts tried their best to cause mischief.  David, Graham and Geoff (10+1) spent a bit of time out on the bay at 11.30 and deemed it suitable. So, with three starters locked in it was back out on the course after briefing with the top mark set at about 220°. Their first challenge of the day was trying to keep the duty boat in place long enough to start a race in the gusty, choppy s’westerly conditions.

With the wind swinging towards the south (in the gusts) Euffamism headed up the line to start the stbd triangle on port, attacking the first beat on the lifted tack and securing the best start.

The two boats behind were both enjoying the tough conditions. Second was Gary S (new owner of Windswept) with Jesse (on the tiller). This was Jesse’s first time helming a race on a ff and Gary’s first sail on his new boat, but they were loving it! Crock and his fill in crew Rob (FernElisabeth), were also putting their shoulders to the tiller and heads down as the winds required real concentration. The timing of gybes became critical, as the mini squalls kept rolling through.

There were plenty of dropped tillers, waves over the side and hull slamming as the chop and wind kept both crews and skippers fully focused.

With wet and wild reaching conditions the crews were certainly getting a good hosing down, so it was a smart idea to shorten the race by 1 triangle as the cold started to bite. The smiles and chat of the duty crew and sailors back in the park said it all.      

Learn to Sail

Our second Friday night Learn to Sail session was greeted with a misty easterly zephyr. Assistant instructors, Maiya and Octavia were incapacitated from exhaustion after their efforts supporting cancer patients at the 24 hour challenge.

Even so, the relatively inexperienced sailors were able to rig and launch 3 pacers and 2 optis in time before they glided smoothly around the harbour in the thick mist.

New junior, Edmond, was keen to show his flashy Royal QLD YS skills in sailing whilst throwing water from a bailer into passing boats. Parents, coaches, participants; Edmond does not discriminate nor did his scurvy ridden mangey, loyal and comic crew. The weather was perfect for all sailors to experience success and joy in what was for many their first ocean going adventure in a sailboat.

Gratitude and appreciation to all the parents and club members who support the program and bring the hot chips to share at the end of the session. Well done young and older sailors. Happy summer of sailing to you all!   Pete G

Life is good. Come Sailing!

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