Sailing Club

Tell Tales

The Sailing Club were busy preparing deserts and salads to share at Ken and Pauline’s massive annual seafood paella party on Friday night. Great anticipation was met with great joy to see so many people coming together to enjoy great friendship, food and festive atmosphere. Many thanks yet again Pauline and Ken for the delicious paella and hosting us all yet again.

The Friday night Learn To Sail session was run between the stormy conditions that surrounded the 4–7pm timeslot. Whilst we did have a half hour shower during the session the conditions were otherwise really favourable. Gentle south wind, beautiful smooth water and plenty of passion and willing support despite the distraction of an imminent Paella Party.

The junior sailors are really cracking along this ‘summer’ let’s say this season! Young Oscar had his second solo sail in an Optimist last Friday. With help from his mates he was quickly finding consistent form in his steering, body position and sail trim to keep the boat in the groove and moving along; that’s the essence of sailing. Oscar was able to tack by turning into the wind and swapping sides without too much disarray. He was really chuffed about his improvements as was everyone else.

A few weeks ago Apollo Bay and District Community Bank had awarded the club a $3000 grant to support the delivery of the club’s Learn to Sail Program!! The club is committed to providing low cost inclusive sailing program to ensure sailing is accessible for the Apollo Bay Community. We have done this consistently for over 25 years. The Club, LTS participants and administrators are so completely delighted, excited and relieved to know the Bank is excited to Support the LTS program.

We are so grateful to the Bank for their kind generosity and sound investment in community. All the same, there is a $120 fee for each participant in the LTS course. We endeavor to run 12 sessions over term 4 and term 1 of each sailing season. Contact Pete on 0409 224 649.

Following much discussion of the pending storm and complex forecasting at the Paella night, the writing was on the wall on Saturday morning. South winds were gusting 35- 40 knots, it was wet too and it turned out to be the coldest November day in 60 years or some such. A win for the race committee’s refined processes to ensure the club is consistent in making safe and timely decisions to sail or not on a given day.

Finally we would like to wish our current most outstanding junior sailor, Edmond Squires, all the best as he heads back to Tasmania to board the 81’ STV Windeward Bound from Beauty Point in Tasmania to engage in a leadership adventure sailing program which will journey through the Banks Strait down the East Coast of Tasmania and into Hobart over 10 days. We can’t wait to hear of your antics and shenanigans on this amazing journey Edmond and we hope to see you back at ABSC soon. See windewardbound.com.au.

Results

Life is good. Come Sailing!

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