Off The Beach News
Howdy Gang.
Well, another magnificent day on the water last Sunday. Things looked a bit grim to start with as the water was perfect for water skiing, like a mirror stretching to the horizon. Our intrepid RO, Glenno Lazzar put up the old AP flag for a bit and kept an eye out on the few boats drifting along to see what was what. Before long everyone was moving at a steady if not cracking pace, so down came the AP, in went the marks, up went the flags (all of them, to those that were looking!) and we were away. To those that weren't looking, Moi included, well let's just say, race two wasn't far away.
The wind kept building steadily to about 8 knots at the most and stayed pretty much due North all day. And while it wasn't exactly a screamer, there were moments of pure joy to be seen. Of note, Nick M and Paul F ripping along in the 49er, both out on trapeze, going a lot faster than I would have expected, and the grin on Nick's face would have been enough to light the MCG on a night final! Also, the instant when you get your nose in front of that other Sabre you can never normally catch, and low and behold, manage to hold them off to the finish! TWICE !!! Scott Mac and Ryan also enjoyed the perfect conditions for them and their Tasar, finishing two races and calling it quits while the going was good.
That dead Northerly coming over the hill really gave you some thinking to do as well. Do you stay left in the potentially stronger breeze, or go right and try for that lift that is always there if you can hold your nerve long enough? I'm not sure which was best this week, it was almost the perfect balance between the two and I think it came down to playing the shifts. I just watched the boats in front for a lift or knock and if there was no one there, crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.
Coming through the line after race two, Glen said, "One more". No worries Glenno, keep 'em coming. And sure enough, he did. As each boat finished race three, they were asked if they wanted another. It as a no brainer for all and off we went again. Each race was only 16 to 24 minutes and about .15 kn miles, so you were always close enough for a chat with someone so it made for a really social day on the water.
We only had 11 boats sailing, mores the pity, and we had nearly that many in the race crew. With Glen and Grace (no swearing in Portuguese was necessary) on Start, Andrew 'Doc' T, Christina C and Vince P in Woodsy and Simon H, Ella and Jayden in Sutherland, they had the game well and truly in hand. Christina is new to the club, as is Ella. Vince is a new guy who is wanting to get into sailing and has offered to help on the rhibs as he figures out which sort of boat he would like, and Jayden is a fit young guy who is doing a volunteer program and enjoyed himself so much he is likely to stick around.
What it did point out though is that of the six in the rhibs, only two had power boat licenses. I, like a lot of members, think, "Oh well , I'm only on duty 2 or 3 times a season so I can just be the swimmer". All good until we only have swimmers available some weeks and it's a mad scramble to get the rhibs on the water. Enter Fiona Lowe and Co, who has organised a cut price power boat course to be held on the Eleventh of April, with a further subsidy offered by the Club for those willing to put back by helping out a bit extra. Details of this will be in the Enews. Count me in Fi.
On a completely different note, after such a great day on the water, I made a complete Git of myself by complaining that some of the training boats were not being put back and tied down properly, leaving them on the grass to potentially blow over causing damage to them or other boats. Strong words ensued and it was pointed out that the junior training crew launch the rhibs, rig and launch, then pack away up to twelve boats every week with little to no help from other members, who's boats are often the ones that are blocking the training boat spots. Perhaps, rather than complaining about it, I would have been wiser to have asked for a hand or offered to help put the boats away. This was a wake up call for me , and hopefully everyone can take something from it too.
Thanks again to all the race crew for a ripper day and hopefully another next week, the last before the Easter break.
Our crew for this week will be Ross 'the Boss' M, Super D on start, Fi M, Luke M, Rob W, Vince P ( He'll get a Sabre I'm sure!), Ella and Jayden on the rhibs. Be there or be square!
Cheers, Pete Chippy
Sunday 21st March 2026
Lions Club Series - Race 6
| First Warning Signal |
13.57H |
| Race Officer |
Ross Martin |
| Assistant |
Diedre Snooks |
| Duty Boat Woodsy - Driver |
Luke Martin |
| Duty Boat Woodsy - Swimmer |
Jayden & Jayden |
| Duty Boat Sutherland - Driver |
Rob W |
| Duty Boat Sutherland - Swimmer |
Ella & Vince |
Do you need a boat licence? What about your friends?
Send me an email to secure your place in the course!
Nonsubsidised pricing also available for members who are not interested in volunteering!
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Lake Boga Easter Regatta 3-6th April
Help Needed.
Itâs nearly that time of year when SBSC OTB sailors migrate north to Lake Boga for the Easter regatta. Anyone who has sailed at this amazing location know how accommodating and friendly the club is. This year Lake Boga Yacht Club are asking for our help.
LBYC would like to help with RHIB drivers as they are expecting a high turnout of boats for this yearâs regatta. The club has also offered to cover the camping fees for any RHIB Drivers that can help out.
If anyone is planning to head up to lake Boga who can help out with RHIB duty, please get in touch.
Contact: Ross Martin 0467 000 442
Keelboats
This Weekâs Results - Keelboats
Full weekend results available HERE.
This Weekâs Racing - Keelboats
Friday 27th March 2026
Friday Twilight Pursuit Series 2 - Race 8
Ciaran's Cup Junior Keelboat Race
| Race Start Time |
17.30H Pursuit Start |
| Race Officer |
John Nicholas |
| Duty Boat |
Ninjo |
| Set Up/Results |
Elaine |
Sunday 29th March â SBSC Navigational Challenge
|
Race Start Time
|
09.55H Tower start
|
|
Race Officer
|
Terry Jones
|
|
Duty Boat
|
Whiskers |
|
Set Up/Results
|
Elaine
|
SBSC Navigational Challenge 2026
Ahoy Skippers,
With the inaugural SBSC Navigational Challenge 2026 less this weekend, itâs time to register for this highlight in the SBSCâs racing calendar. Get your crew onboard, brush up on your navigational skills, stock up on provisions and be ready to release the dock lines. The SBSC Navigational Challenge is an all-day on-water sailing regatta in the southern parts of Port Phillip Bay through the West Channel. Competitors have the option to sail the course clockwise or anticlockwise taking wind and tide into account. Winners will be determined for PHS, ORC and AMS handicap.
Boats are required to meet AS Cat. 5 standards.
Date: Sunday, 29th March 2026
Start Time: 10:00h (first warning signal at 09:55h)
Please note clause 23.3 of the SIâs specific to the Navigational Challenge Race.
We have invited boats from MYC and BYS to join us for good company and camaraderie on
the water. Donât leave registration to the last minute!
BOGAN BINGO IS COMING TO SBSC - THIS IS BINGO LIKE YOU'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED IT BEFORE
Get ready for a night of fun, music, laughs and a unique bingo experience with a cheeky twist. đ
This isnât your nanâs bingo⌠expect 80s & 90s bangers, outrageous games, air-guitar battles, plenty of banter and absolute chaos run by Adam & his professional teamđ¤
Come dressed to impress in your best bogan attire â mullets, flanno, leopard print, double denim, all strongly encouraged !
OR just come as yourself, ready for a hilariously good time. Letâs see who ends up being the ultimate bogan bingo champ!
Skippers gather your crew together - OTB sailors create a table, members bring your friends / family for a rip-roaring fun night as we near the end of our 2025-2026 season.
ORCV
Sail in company on the 73rd Apollo Bay Race. The perfect race to come and try ocean sailing. This 52nm Category 3 race features a 6am start and daylight run along the Great Ocean Road, finishing at Apollo Bay, perfect for sailors building offshore experience or stepping beyond the bay. The race often decides the ORCV Coastal Championship and is an ideal race for those new to ocean racing with its shorter length and proximity to the coast.
The West Offshore Coastal Sprint 3 the last in the series, a race which has been designed as short-distance ocean sprints to provide a crew development pathway for longer ocean races and as a stand-alone coastal racing program. This Category 3 race is roughly 15-35nm and aims to have skippers and crew home Saturday evening.
Submissions
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