Sailing Club

Tell Tales

Summer in southern Oz can be a bit hectic. Winter is long in a place this far south, so you find yourself trying to cram in as much as you can into these precious warmer months. There is always a long list of things that must get done before the days shorten once more.

Often during the long, wet, dark days of winter you find yourself daydreaming about how lovely it will be to be doing what it is you love on a warm sunny summer weekend. And I am sure that this is true whether your passion is gardening, running, cricket, tennis or even pétanque. Whatever it is, a little bit of sunshine just seems to make everything a tad more pleasant. Not sure what the footballers amongst us think about this, but I guess they must be made of sterner stuff than me. And I’m sure they enjoy their winter sport just as much.  

So it was with a heavy heart down at the club that we were faced with too much wind on Saturday and the need to call the race off. It’s always hard because you know just how much everyone has been looking forward to getting out there on the bay, but occasionally there is no other option and it has to be done.

But the weather is one of those things that you just have to work with some times (well, actually all the time!). And so a few people decided that if Saturday would not play ball then the only thing to do was to chance their respective arms and try again on Sunday.

And it was 4 very happy crews that made their way out the entrance at 1pm on Sunday for what was one of those truly memorable sails. Sailing out of Apollo Bay you get used to plenty of swell, loads of chop and the odd bit of tide. But we were blessed with very little swell, almost no chop (unheard of!) and whatever tide there was just served to calm the already calm waters. Add to that (already dreamy mix of conditions) about 13knts of consistent southerly wind and a whole bucket full of sunshine, and there wasn’t very much more you could wish for really.

The consensus seemed to be that it was nice just to launch a spinnaker and head off in whatever direction felt best. And a great chance to test a few settings and generally try stuff out.

And back in the harbour Grace and her Dad, Grant, were having a bit of fun sailing on one of the club pacers. All in all it was a very pleasant day for a sail.  

Next Saturday (3^rd Feb) 10am at the club, Croc will be running a rope splicing session for anyone interested in learning a very useful and handy skill.

See you all next Saturday, ready to race. 

Life is good. Come Sailing!

To find out more please see our Facebook group - Apollo Bay Sailing Club.