O'pen Skiff 'Have-a-go-day' - Sunday 25th November

On Sunday 15th November O’pen Skiff will be hosting a ‘Have-a-go-day’ on Kutti Beach from 10.30am to 1.30pm for kids to try out this exciting new boat.

O’pen Skiffs are one of the classes of dinghy redefining kids’ sailing. There will be a number of O'pen Skiffs rigged and ready for kids to have a go, with specialist instructors to show how to sail the boats. This event is free of charge and open to all members of the club.

If you’re kids are interested in having a go please register here

If you’re not familiar with the O’pen Skiff, check out the video below.

Sunday 1st November - Report

Another cool, rainy day. This week the wind held off for the Learn to Sail fleet so we were able to get more of the kids into the PJs, with the beginners in the Pacers, helmed by our fearless coaches.

New member Matt Smith gave us a glimpse into the future last week when he launched his Wing Foiler off the deck. This week there wasn’t enough wind to fly the foil, but that wasn’t going to stop Matt getting wet.

Meanwhile, the rest of us focussed on keeping the coffee pot busy

The final, and arguably main event of the day, was the adult Learn to Sail. Seven parents jumped into the Pacers at 10.30am, perfectly timed for the rising wind and rain. Far from ideal conditions, but lots of smiles and laughter. Well done to all who participated.

Sunday 25th October - Report

What wild weather! Well done to all those that braved the conditions and made it to the club last Sunday.

Sailing School

The Sailing School opted for Pacers for most kids apart from the hardy foursome who took to PJs. A few swims by the latter. And some great speeds from the former! Everyone returned to shore safely, if a little chilly. Best of all was the overwhelming positivity of the kids and the parent support crews. A huge well done to everyone for getting stuck in despite the conditions. And a special mention to James Campbell in the Adventure Sailing session for some awesome PJ sailing out on the main harbour! We have lighter winds forecast for this weekend!

Club Championships - round 2

Sabot Fleet
( words courtesy of Adrian Paul)

With breeze ranging from fresh to scary we had 5 champions take to the water. Coco had a great ride but the southerly sent her back to the beach early. Hugo pushed on and got plenty of miles up - definitely one to watch. The race start itself was incredibly tight with Max, Zac and Charlie crossing the line together, staying engaged until the top mark. Boat speed was high for all of them as they managed the gusty southerly. No one in the fleet capsized (legends!). First place went to Max, well earned with consistently solid boat handling. Smiles all over the course, despite the rain and breeze. Bring on the state championships at Gosford this weekend!

Check out this video from the start boat

Fiying 11 & Cherub Fleet
(words courtesy of David O’Loughlin)

The Sailing exhibited today can be best described by the huge smiles when everyone made it back to the beach.

It was certainly a day of building resilience. Getting around the course in the challenging 20-25 knot breeze was a feat, one squall came through in the afternoon (lap 3) resulting in a white out and 28kn gusts. Thankfully that only lasted a few mins. It took out a large number on the 18fters – it was carnage out there. 

Mostly our fleet stayed up, the cherubs had a major battle on their hands coping with the bullets and they ended up in the drink quite a few times.

In the Flying 11’s JackO and Hugo in Shotgun faced with a lost rudder on the second beat, managed to get it back on the pintels with some great team work – Hugo jumped over the front and held the boat in the fierce gusts. Their determination was rewarded by regaining the lead at the top of the 3rd beat (overcoming a massive 6 min deficit at the top of the second beat) to win the day. JJ in Bandit had his own breakages to deal with and got around the course well (without any boom vang) and finished in great spirits.

The F11’s both had new crews and they had a ball in the wind, the reaching was amazing at times.

In the Cherubs Well done to Chris Dixon who survived the conditions and finished the race to win. Gear breakages cost the other cherub dearly and they returned to shore. Retired, but not beaten.

 A Big thank you to Jeremy Dixon who loaned his boat as the start boat and helped out on course with flags, wisdoms and stories of the good old days, Sabots, F11’s and Cherubs. Its great to see him back. And to Simon Bando and Ashleigh Minnett who bravely set the marks and supported the F11’s and Cherubs on their own. At times it was raining cats and dogs and blowing like a demon had been let out of the cage.

Volunteer Roster

A reminder to check your email for your roster allocations. As a volunteer club it’s really important we take accountability for these commitments. If you can’t make your allotted session please ensure you line up a replacement.

If you haven’t received the email from Sue, that doesn’t mean you aren’t on the roster (every family in the club has been allocated a duty) it just means the email hasn’t got to you for some reason! If that’s the case, please email Sue (suehammermaster@gmail.com) and she will let you know when you are on duty.

Adult Learn to Sail

Adult Learn to Sail starts this Sunday. It will be a 6 week program running from 10.30am - 12.30pm. Using the Pacers the aim will be for all participants to complete Australian Sailing’s Start Sailing 1 course.

The cost for the course is $300. To participate please register and pay here by COB Thursday 29th October.

Booma Hats

A nifty invention from our friends over at Middle Harbour is the Booma Protective Sailing Hat. If you or your kids are concerned about a knock from the boom these are great solution.

There is a sample at the club (in the Canteen) if anyone wants to check it for size on Sunday.

Great Start to the Summer

It was really great to see so many keen sailors down at the club on Sunday. The first day of season is always a challenge and so it was probably just as well that the winds started so light before kicking in for the racing fleets. Club Championship Race 1 saw some close racing and lots of fun was had by all in the race fleets as well as in the sailing school and adventure sailing.

Thanks to all of you who helped out in preparation and on the day! Without you none of this would be possible. Please let us know of all of your hidden talents. Our club runs on the kind assistance of our volunteers and as we all know….Many hands make light work.

See you all at the club!

Volunteer Roster

Sue Hammermaster has done a great job of preparing the volunteer roster. This will be sent around on Thursday by email with allocations for the rest of this term.

Our entire club is dependent on volunteers so we really appreciate your enthusiastic contribution to the allocated roles. If you can’t do the requested dates, please find a replacement and let Sue know.

Sunday Sailing - 25th October

We had a fantastic day at the club last Sunday. Lots of new families joining the Sailing School, followed by good racing.

This Sunday Sailing School continues at the same time - 8.30am for the beginners, 10.30am for Adventure Sailing. NB Race Fleet coaching starts after the 10am Sabot Briefing (apologies for the error in last week’s newsletter!).

This week it is Round 2 of the Club Championship for the race fleet. Sabots starting at 11am, Flying 11s and Cherubs at 2pm.

Sailing School flotilla sets sail last Sunday!

Sailing School briefing to kick off the new term

NSW State Sabot Titles

Round 1 of the Sabot NSW State Titles takes place on 31 October & 1 November at Gosford Sailing Club.

VA12SC has a number of sailors heading along. If you are entering, please read the below:

Register here

Notice of Race available here

In addition, if not already done, boats must be registered for 2020/21 with SNSWSSA to attend the State titles (https://www.trybooking.com/641819)

A few key points:

 - registration will close on Thursday 29th October.  There are no late or beach entries for Round 1.

 - a full refund will be available for anyone unable to attend due to adherence to NSW Covid restrictions

 - the Gosford Sailing Club Covid19 Plan will cover the Get in, Sail, Get out guidelines.  There will be no social gathering.

 - boats can be stored overnight at the GSC (outside)

 - we have limited the expenses for round 1 to only the costs to run the regatta - eg no t-shirts, no prizes.  This is in case of any new Covid19 restrictions which would lead to the event being cancelled.

 - the trybooking only covers the fees for Round 1

 - SNSW blue bibs will be available to any first time State entrants who hasn't previously received a bib.  Otherwise these may be purchased if anyone has lost their bib.

As SNSW are the organising committee this year they run the registration (2-3 people), safety check (2 people), scoring (1 person on the start boat) and some other processes at GSC.  Measurement will be at our discretion. They will need volunteers for these roles please.  Please Sally Badger know if you will able to assist.

Club Championships - Race 1 Report

Sunday 18th October was the season opening day, and the first round of the Club Championships.

Congratulations to the winners:

Max Nearn - Sabot

Max Nearn & Zac Golovsky - Flying 11

Chriso Dixon and Oliver Bingemann - Cherubs

Full results available here

Sabot Race Report
(courtesy of Adrian Paul & Sally Badger)

Our first club championship, kicked off with a little pre race on water dance party.  Despite very little breeze, the fleet had a great start.  Max Nearn had boat speed and led the fleet out into the outgoing tide (yikes)!  Georgia Silverton and Oscar Paul spotted the opportunity and hooked back into the bay.  Ultimately the lack of wind won out and the course was shortened.  Rising ⭐️ of the day award went to Hugo Minnet.  Max Nearn took 1st place in the end, focus and passion paid off.  A really fun day.

Max Nearn & Zac Golovsky heading out right

Georgia Silverton in ‘Havoc’

Max Nearn (1599) and Zac Golovsky (7046)

Sailing season starts this Sunday!

It’s happening! The 2020/21 season starts this Sunday!

Canteen

The world famous breakfast BBQ will be fired up, pumping out bacon and eggs. The usual tasty lunch will be served from 12pm.

Race Fleet

We kick off with round 1 of the Club Championships for all classes.

Sabot race briefing will be at 10am ahead of the 11am race start.

Flying 11 and Cherub briefing is at 1pm ahead of 2pm race start.

Sailing School

Sailing School starts at 8.30am - 10.30am with our beginner programs (Discover Sailing, Start Sailing 1 & 2).

The new Adventure Sailing program kicks off at 10.30am - 12pm. Adventure Sailing is open to kids who can already sail but who don’t want to join the race fleet. Instead they’ll be doing treasure hunts, playing games and having a lot of FUN!

Race Coaching for Sabot sailors runs from 8.30am - 10am

New members

After a very successful series of October holiday camps we’re delighted to have a number of new families joining the club this season. Please make them feel welcome and show them the way around (remember, it’s a bit complicated when you’re new!)

COVID-19 Safety Plan

The health and safety of members, participants, coaches, officials, volunteers, visitors, families and the broader community is our number one priority. To ensure we manage risks associated with COVID-19 we have developed the following Safety Plan and continue to maintain, rigorous compliance with all Public Health Orders.

The requirements are clearly sign posted in the clubhouse.  Please ensure you sign in on arrival, follow the instructions and maintain good hygiene at all times.

Key Points and Requirements;

• You may not attend the clubhouse if;

  • you have any of flu like symptoms, however mild: fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath,

  • you have been overseas or interstate to Victoria, unless you have received a negative COVID-19 test result after waiting at least 14 days since returning

  • you have been in contact with anyone with COVID-19, unless you have received a negative COVID-19 test result after waiting at least 14 days since your contact

• We request you to avoid the use of public transport to and from the club, where possible    

• You must maintain social distancing of 1.5m both inside the club and on the beach

• No more than 10 people are allowed in the clubhouse at any one time and no more than 20 people are allowed in a single broad grouping on the beach at any one time.

• You may not get changed inside the clubhouse or socialise inside the clubhouse or on the deck.

• The clubhouse is to be used only for boat retrieval or race management purposes and you must remain inside for as short a period as possible – “get in, get out”

• If the canteen is operational, no one (other than canteen volunteers) are permitted to access the canteen. 

• We encourage all members to download the COVIDSafe App and to make sure it is active when you come to the club.

2020-21 Flying 11 NSW State Championships

This event will be held over two rounds:

Round 1

When:   7 and 8 November 2020

Where:  Bayview Yacht Racing Association (BYRA)

Round 2

When:   20 and 21 February 2021

Where:  Port Kembla Sailing Club

Enter here

2020-21 NSW Sabot State Title Series

This event will be held over two weekends:

Round 1
31 October & 1 November 2020
Gosford Sailing Club

Round 2
13 - 14 February 2021
Drummoyne Sailing Club

Entry details here

If you are interested in attending, please contact Sally Badger on 0412 914 546

Season Opener - Sunday 18th October

When you receive this email it will be 10 days until the first day of our 2020/21 sailing season! Bring it on!

Sunday 18th October marks our first club championship race for all classes. We also start our Sunday morning sailing school.

The Flying 11’s and Cherubs have been out practicing and checking their boats. Sabot sailors - make sure you do the same. Nothing worse than a breakage in the first races of the season and having to swallow an early discard!

With the addition of Adventure Sailing to the sailing school program we’ve been revisiting the Sunday morning order of events. This will be updated on the website early next week and circulated in next week’s newsletter. All races will continue to start at the normal times (11am Sabots, 2pm Flying 11’s & Cherubs).

We’re looking forward to seeing you all down at the club for an excellent season of sailing and fun!

Parents - Learn to Sail

We’ve had interest from parents wanting to learn to sail down at the club.

“Why should the kids have all the fun?!” was one parent’s comment. We totally agree!

The club can certainly put together a Learn to Sail program for parents using the club’s fleet of Pacers. If you’re potentially interested, please email Jules Hall (sailingschool@va12sc.org.au). We need a few people to sign up to make this is a viable program so we are initially asking for expressions of interest.

Term 4 - Sunday Sailing School

If you’re kids are keen to participate in this terms Sunday morning sailing school program, please sign them up asap. As an Australian Sailing Discover Sailing Centre we not only offer accredited courses, but we have to ensure we have the right number of qualified instructors lined up to coach the children. The sooner you book your kids in, the better the coaches we can secure to teach them!

Any questions on the sailing school, please email Jules Hall on sailingschool@va12sc.org.au

Adventure Sailing - Term 4

A reminder that we are introducing a new sailing school option for kids this term - Adventure Sailing.

The idea of this program is to create an alternative pathway for kids who’ve completed Start Sailing 1 & 2 (or equivalent) and who don’t want to start racing. There are plenty of kids who enjoy coming down to the club, messing about in boats and sailing in a more relaxed manner than jostling on the start line competing for the win. This program is designed to ensure we keep these kids, and their families, associated with the club, helping them to continue to build their nautical skills but with a firm focus on the fun factor! And who knows, those same kids may decide in a year or two that they are ready to have a go at racing once they’ve built their skills and confidence.

You can sign your kids up for Adventure Sailing here. If you have any questions about this program, or other sailing school courses, please email Jules Hall on sailingschool@VA12SC.org.au

Please Read: COVID-19 Safety Policy

COVID-19 Safety Plan

The health and safety of members, participants, coaches, officials, volunteers, visitors, families and the broader community is our number one priority. To ensure we manage risks associated with COVID-19 we have developed the following Safety Plan and continue to maintain, rigorous compliance with all Public Health Orders.

Before attending the clubhouse please read the below and then complete the form at the bottom of the page to acknowledge your adherence to our COVID-19 Safety Plan. This information & form is also available on our website: www.va12sc.org.au/covid19

The requirements are clearly sign posted in the clubhouse.  Please ensure you sign in on arrival, follow the instructions and maintain good hygiene at all times.

Key Points and Requirements;

• You may not attend the clubhouse if;

  • you have any of flu like symptoms, however mild: fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath,

  • you have been overseas or interstate to Victoria, unless you have received a negative COVID-19 test result after waiting at least 14 days since returning

  • you have been in contact with anyone with COVID-19, unless you have received a negative COVID-19 test result after waiting at least 14 days since your contact

• We request you to avoid the use of public transport to and from the club, where possible    

• You must maintain social distancing of 1.5m both inside the club and on the beach

• No more than 10 people are allowed in the clubhouse at any one time and no more than 20 people are allowed in a single broad grouping on the beach at any one time.

• You may not get changed inside the clubhouse or socialise inside the clubhouse or on the deck.

• The clubhouse is to be used only for boat retrieval or race management purposes and you must remain inside for as short a period as possible – “get in, get out”

• If the canteen is operational, no one (other than canteen volunteers) are permitted to access the canteen. 

• We encourage all members to download the COVIDSafe App and to make sure it is active when you come to the club.

Agreement to adhere to COVID-19 Safety Plan

(if you are having difficulty completing this form please go to this page on our website and complete the online version)