Off The Beach News
Hey there everyone,
we made it to the end of the 23/24 Summer season and went out with a whimper rather than a bang. It was a beautiful day for pretty much anything other than sailing- kayaking, swimming, fishing, even, (God forbid) jet skiing! But alas, we were there to sail, so sail we did. Or at least we gave it a fair crack. 26 hopefuls set out through waist deep seaweed on the beach, pushed along by a tantalizingly light breeze all the way out to the start boat, only to have them up anchor and head further out to sea in the hope of finding a bit more wind. Watching the keelboats even further out going absolutely nowhere did not instill any confidence in the fleet and indeed some skeptical (or intuitive) people actually headed back to the beach before the abandonment flag went up. They missed all the fun, as it was such a perfect day (except for sailing). People were swimming, brrr, and dancing, and once Bill M and Doc Taylor came past in Woodsy, dressed in their finest Copa Cabana outfits, serving up Mai Tai's to everyone, well the party really got going!
All too soon the fun was over and the reality of a long drift back the beach brought us all down to Earth. Some of us even submitted to the indignity of being towed back to the Club. Perhaps we should impose a two Mai Tai limit. The rest of the fleet took advantage of the slight zephyr of breeze to high tail it back to the beach post haste, and none too soon. As the water turned to glass and Greg L could be seen poling his way home with his tiller extension gondola style, with the sound of “O Sole Mio” drifting across the water from the Musos up on the deck and the sun sinking slowly into the sea, I couldn’t think of a more fitting end to the season. What the heck am I talking about!? 15 to 20 knots with some screaming reaches and waves breaking over the stern as you plowed head first into that seaweed bank on the beach would have been much more fitting. Ah well, you will just have to show up for the winter series to get some of that action.
Thanks as always to the race team this week of Geoff and Super Deidre in Start, Bill M and Doc Taylor in Woodsy and for their first run in a rhib, we had Neil and Lorraine W in Sutherland. The were all at the boat dock at 11.00 to set another on water start for the Keelboats and even had to ferry out the crew of Vincitore as she was parked outside the marina due to the low tide. Doc said he asked for a tip after delivery and was told, “Here’s a tip, put your bungs in ,You’re about to sink !” Nice one Doc!
Seriously though, my sincerest thanks to everyone that helped out and helped me out all through the season. OTB Captain isn’t a very hard job when there’s a willing bunch of members to pitch in when needed. It’s generally the same old faces, but we are getting better. And thanks also to everyone that showed up to sail, after all, its not much good having a course set and no boats to sail it.
While we’re on the subject of helpers, now is the time to nominate your choice for Club Person and Junior Club Person of the Year. Think hard on this as there are lots of worthy candidates, and most are very much behind the scenes.
That’s about all from me for this season, but just a final reminder if you intend to leave your boat in the yard. There is still plenty of wind about ( just not on Sundays ) so make sure you tie the old girl down securely ! My thanks to Matt W for rescuing mine last week. It was facing the wind, nose in to the fence and ended up a long way from where she was left !
Cheers All and see you in October, Pete Chippy
Presentation Night
Presentation Night has been moved to a later date to accommodate trophy orders. As Chippa mentioned above, now is the time to nominate your choice for Club Person and Junior Club Person of the Year. Think hard on this as there are lots of worthy candidates, and most are very much behind the scenes. Send your nominations to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Keelboat News
Results this week:
Club Championship Series - Race 12
Unfortunately, despite the forecast of a glamour day for our last race of the Summer Season and Club Championship Series the weather gods had a different idea of events, and the race was abandoned due a lack of wind.
Thank you to the tower team of Elaine and Tim Pepperell and the boat crews.
All the results can be found out at 2023-2024 KB Results, SailSys - Portal
Winter Season 2024
The SBSC Winter Series is just round the corner with the first Brass Monkey Series race on the 19th of May and the first of the Fun Friday races on the 24th of May.
Get your entries in now by clicking 2024 Winter Series Entry, SailSys - Portal
ORCV News
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Reminder check your expiry date, Australian Sailing's Special Regulation changed recently in regards to Safety & Sea Survival Certification. If your certificate is 2 or more years expired, you can no longer renew via the refresher course. Keep current and rebook if you need to be certified, courses run June, Sept and December and places are limited. https://www.orcv.org.au/calendar
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May 15th The KISS Committee is excited to announce the third running of the Keelboat Introduction to Sailing Savvy (KISS) program for 2024, open to all Victorian women and now open for business! The vision of the program founder, Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club’s Immediate Past Commodore Lee Renfree in partnership with Ocean Racing Club of Victoria has now graduated 52 women over two years, empowering them to transition from “passengers” to active, confident “participants”. So if you are female and keen to gain skills on keelboats, jump on board now! All information and registration is available on the ORCV KISS Training page.
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May 19 (Sunday) - Double Handed & Teams Racing. Try Double Handed Sailing, along a longer leg course on the bay. Teams (any combination) welcome. Entries here https://www.orcv.org.au/double-handed
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May 25th – Apollo Bay. Sail in company in the Great Ocean Road “Sail” to Apollo Bay. A daylight start, 52nm and category 3 where you can stay overnight in Apollo Bay. Entries are open https://www.orcv.org.au/apollo-bay
- June 2 (Sunday), Safety & Sea Survival Course. Check your and your crews certification and book into the refresher course or full course on Sunday 2nd June. This course will book out as winter is a great time to top up your knowledge. Book here to either June, September or December but remember places are limited. https://www.orcv.org.au/calendar
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July 21st (Sunday) - SAVE THE DATE: Dive into the inaugural ORCV and Sandringham Yacht Club Marine Safety Expo 2024!The Marine Safety Expo is a must-attend for all water enthusiasts! Join us at Sandringham Yacht Club on July 21 for a diverse range of activities, including safety insights, product demos, guest speakers, and more. Learn from experts, explore stands, and don't miss our exciting treasure hunt with amazing prizes!Admission is free, but spots are limited, so secure your spot now at https://www.orcv.org.au/club-blog/5548-2024expo
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For all other events, please check out the Calendar - ORC
Please join us for SBSC’s Biggest Morning Tea Fundraiser for Cancer Council Australia on Thursday 3 May from 10am-12noon. Tickets can be purchased by clicking on the direct Try Booking link below. A delicious Morning tea buffet (inc. tea/coffee) will be provided by Snooks Catering with $10 from each ticket purchased, being directly donated to the cause. There will be speakers from The Peninsula Home Hospice along with some others. Be sure to bring some additional gold coins with you for some additional fun and games on the day.
Gather your friends, family and/or colleagues together and come partake in our fundraiser, know that you will be helping to support cancer research, prevention and support services for those affected. Together we can make a difference.
Club Merchandise
Get you order in now to ensure that you are decked out in the latest Club Merchandise for he start of the 2023-2024 season 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. Taking orders now for youth t-shirts with names on the back.
Photo Of The Week
Jamieson and Nathan trying their hand at 420 sailing. Top effort boys!
Submission's
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