What's On
Off The Beach News
And just like that, it's over!
Seven whole months have whizzed by in what seems the blink of an eye. From the Commodore's Cup on the 9th of October to last Sunday the 7th of May- POOF!, gone, see ya later alligator! And what do we have to show for it? Welllll, there was some really nice weather, some times not enough to sail so you had to spend the afternoon on the deck with friends. Oh yeah, and there was a ripper sail around to Mount Martha one week where our sailing skills really shone through. Annnd, there was Sail Peninsula, while not an OTB event, it did highlight our Club to all the others as a premier spot to come to. Ooh, ooh, we did have the 420 State titles which was a fantastically run event thanks to all the willing helpers that always put their hands up. Throw into that lot, there were plenty of cracking sailing days. Overall, there were probably fewer non sailing days than other years especially when you think, " Hey, no Covid lockdowns!" Wasn't that fun? Let's hope we never have to go through that again.
Back to happier memories. We saw an epic bunch of young sailors take to the water in an ever growing fleet of 420's that is the envy of all the local clubs. The Mount Martha officials commented on how great it was to see so many two handed boats we had and how well they sailed. These guys and gals really have done a remarkable job this season, not just at home but at many other regattas as well, including the recent youth event at Sorrento that saw Abbey E and Matt W take out first place overall. We also had quite a few visiting sailors show upon different occasions; Javelins, B14's, 125's as well as others and they all commented on how well things were run and how welcoming SBSC is.
As usual, there was a few bods changing boat types, notably Glenn L and Ewan C moving from B14's to A class cats. This gave Taipan Tony more people to chase, which he did in his classic style- inside the marks, upside down and skimming the rock wall ( also upside down ). A little birdie told me that Tony might be looking at an A class for next year. Hmm, I'm not sure that 'A class Anthony' has quite the same ring to it.
I suppose I should get back to last Sunday, which was our final sail for the 22/23 Summer season. For those of you that braved the chilly start, we were treated to what all agreed was our bestest sail of the season. The wind was strong to be sure, but it didn't get over 22 knts and averaged around 15 to 18 knots dipping as low as 10 occasionally. A 160 degree average direction gave us flat-ish water and full sun all day made for cheesy grins. Paul F and Craig G were flying in their Javelin. Paul commented later that as fast as they were, the 420's were actually out pacing them at times and sailing beautifully in the strong conditions. The only incident was Steph and Kristen K tipping in and Kristen copping a boom to the noggin. Glenn L was there in a rhib pronto and assessed the situation, sending them back to the beach for safety's sake. A full incident report was made later, so we even got practice in that.
Nine boats ventured out, two Sabres, two Tasars, three 420s a Javelin and Murray M in his Laser. All had the great time, leaving a few on the beach regretting that they coulda, shoulda but didn't. Gingerbread Bill Manning ventured over to the other side of the Bay for Sail Bellarine, where he placed a creditable 5th in the fleet of 20 Sabres. They had a mixed fleet of 155 boats all up but only managed two races on Saturday and none on Sunday. They should have come to SBSC where we had ( did i mention it ) THE BEST SAIL OF THE SEASON! Thanks this week to Glenno Lazzar, Ewan Campbell with Zac Lowe and Finn Meijer in the rhibs. And of course the incomparable Dierdre Snooks and RO Geoff Eldridge on start.
I know I mention it every week, but without Geoff and Deirdre showing up every week to run the races we would be in a very sad place. It's not just the on water stuff, it's Geoff's commitment to setting up the race beforehand, Dierdre being the first one at the boat dock getting the boats ready and then staying out on the water entering the results before coming in to help wash down and pack up the boats, every week! Thank you both for making my job so easy it pales into insignificance. Thanks also to all the volunteers who have put up their hands, or not baulked when I've put the hard word on them at the last moment. Luckily that didn't happen too often this year. I can't not mention that Bad Man, Rob Campbell, who is always willing to help out driving the rhibs as well as spending a lot of time maintaining all the power boats, it's a never ending task. I know I've missed a lot of people that put in an enormous amount of work so we can all enjoy a Sunday sail, so thanks to all of you.
Now is your chance to say thanks as well by putting in your nomination for Club Person of the Year, both Junior and Senior. If you can't decide on one person, name two- or more by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. One last thing before I sign off for this season, I know I said it was a bit chilly on Sunday but I think Glenn might have been bunging it on a bit thick when he sent me a selfie he took of himself and Ewan heading around to the boat shed on his scooter. See what you think.
Cheers for now and see you at Presentation, Pete Chippy
Glenn and Ewan heading around to the shed on the scooter
Keelboat News
We hope you are all enjoying a couple of weeks off sailing but also looking forward to the Brass Monkey Winter Series, starting on Sunday 21 May. See Winter Program on the website and further details will be provided next week.
We are also looking for volunteers for the inaugural Winter Fun Friday Series. The first race is planned for Friday 26 May, and every fortnight thereafter (9 races). If this series is to go ahead, we will need to develop a Tower Duty Roster in the next 2 weeks. So we are looking for people to help out (either occasionally or regularly) if they are available for a few hours every second Friday afternoon from 26 May to 8 September. Please let us know before 19 May via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If we don’t get enough people to help with tower duty we will have to defer the Friday series.
ORCV News
70th Anniversary Apollo Bay – Saturday May 27th
"Sail in company" in the season finale Ocean Race and be part of history and join this 70th-anniversary race. This popular category 3 event is a short coastal race starting off Queenscliff and is an ideal race for those new to try ocean sailing. Stay over and enjoy Apollo Bay.
https://www.orcv.org.au/apollo-bay-about-the-raceORCV Training
Winter is a great time to build your skills and increase your knowledge. There’s a range of courses on: Navionics, fundamentals of navigation, bowman essentials, practical hands-on radio workshop and safety and sea survival courses. Click out the options here
https://www.orcv.org.au/calendar/orcv-training-calendarDouble Handed & Team Racing – Sunday May 21st
The most fun you have sailing is how some see short-handed sailing. The course travels across the bay and has longer legs to allow for variety and experience when sailing short-handed. Sail as part of a team entry or as an individual boat, entries are open here
https://www.orcv.org.au/double-handed-about-the-raceKeelboat Introduction to Sailing Savvy (KISS) and ORCV Supported Program
Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club is excited to announce the second running of their successful “Keelboat Introduction to Sailing Savvy” (KISS) program is back for 2023. Buoyed by positive feedback from the graduates of the inaugural class of 2022 and with a wait list for those who missed the cap of 25 participants last year, preparation for the program is well underway with roll out from 16 May through to 26 August.
https://www.orcv.org.au/club-blog/5411-2023kissSave The Date
Club Merchandise
Club Merchandise is now ready for order. Contact Marg Fleming on her email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss your options. The youth t-shirts (with names on them) will have another order put in soon, so if you missed out on first round orders, please contact Marg to make sure you get one in the next batch, which will be processed by end of March. These t-shirts have been a hit with the juniors and will be great to wear to regatta's etc.
Photo Of The Week
Beautiful photo submitted by Sue ad Steve Hartley
Submission's
If you wish to contribute anything to the Enews, please submit your content to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Tuesday 8pm each week to make the deadline. Please note submissions may need to pass through Executive Committee for approval from time to time. Love photography? Submit your Photo Of The Week toThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in high res, (and it does not have to be about sailing). Follow us on our socials: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok
