Howdy Gang!

 

Well here we are again at the start of another season, I can’t believe how quickly it has come around. Someone said it is because I’m getting old but I refuse to believe that, I think it has something to do with global warming. I’m blaming that for losing my hair so I might as well lump time speeding up in there as well.

 

Enough of that frivolous banter, on to the real stuff; the 24/25 Summer Sailing Season Opener. As you would have all read the season program and opening day run sheet by now, I hardly need to mention that the on water activities kick off with the traditional sail past of the Commodore. 10.30 for the Keelboats and 10.45 for the OTB fleet (no mooning this year Ross!). Immediately followed by the Keelboat first warning at 10.55. Once they have cleared out, the OTB first warning will be at 11.12.

 

Much thought went into coming up with a slightly different race format this year just to make it interesting. We toyed with a teams race idea with maybe a LeMans style start, a round the mussel farm course with a different number of laps depending on boat class. Geoff even suggested sailing to Sorento and back, ridiculous! In the end, a sensible and successful idea was put forth by Stu Scott that we do a simple windward return course but with a gate at the top so you can choose to go port or starboard depending on how you feel. One lap for Div 1, two laps for Div 2&3, three laps for Div 4 and 4 laps for Div 5&6. Probably a start/finish line below the bottom mark and a leeward finish to keep us heading towards the beach but this will all depend on wind direction and strength. One thing you can be sure of though, it will be close to shore so friends and family that aren’t lucky enough to be on the water will be able to cheer you on.

 

This year to reward your efforts in The Commodore's Cup, the Club has spared no expense and has sourced two magnificent 18 carat GOLD CUPS, probably from the makers of the AFL premiership or Melbourne Cups. One for the Keelboats and one for OTB. Scoring will be on Fleet handicap, so don’t even think about jumping in an Opti Andrew Taylor, Geoff will be right onto you!

 

As this is a bit different to other years, there will be a briefing in the yard around 10.00, after the course has been confirmed by the Race Team. In the Start boat we will have Geoff the Magnificent, Super Deirdre and Greg Weston, Woodsy to be crewed ( or is that ‘crude’?) by Rockin’ Rob Campbell assisted by one of our Coast Guard friends, Rob Wells. And fresh from a stellar campaign at the A Class Cat World Championships in Italy, Sutherland will have none other than the rock star duo, Dave Brewer ( 11th place ) and Stu Scott (28th place with a broken arm fresh out of plaster). Pretty good in a fleet of 82 foilers with four Aussies in the top 15, including 2nd place.

 

Back to our race. Once you have done your laps and howled in frustration at getting pipped at the finish line, (probably by a Martin), get back to the beach as quickly as you can to partake in the festivities and food that is Safety Beach Sailing Club Opening Day.

 

As always the weather is going to be perfect, so get ya bum in a boat and put it on the water!

 

Cheers, Pete Chippy OTB Captain

 

PS: the yard looks a bit like a bomb site at the moment compliments of an amazing working bee last Sunday. At the yard we had people cleaning the spar locker, painting ,gardening, fixing gates, mounting Opti's to the South wall and if you stood still for five minutes, Clarky would have dug a hole with his excavator and put you in it! That man is a machine himself, albeit a soft cuddly one. Some of this work is on going so take care and have patience. At the boat dock another gang were hard at it sorting and cleaning the shed and putting the final-ish touches on the boats in readiness for this week. Great work everyone especially John Wemyss (like dreams), and Muzza McNeil for organising lots of it.

Well who would have thought here we are only 4 more sleeps until the new season, and  let’s hope the weather work for us - Sunday at this stage is looking lovely!

All boats are serviced and ready to go!!

To better manage the rescue / power boat operations and all that comes with that, we’ve put together a few initiatives that we believe will help all volunteers better understand what do when, and how, meaning when on duty your role will be much easier. It also helps with risk management and personal / sailor safety 😉

1. All rescue boats will feature a laminated checklist ( A5 size reverse), that highlights specifics. ( see attached )  We’ve been asked for this for sometime and here it is. We may add / delete at any time,  but for now we feel this is a good starting point. Check it out and let us know your thoughts.
2. All power boats now feature an approved AMSA sticker that clearly details what to do in an emergency. More specifically how to make a mayday radio call and what radio channel to use. I certainly hope this is never needed but I trust you would all understand the importance of knowing how to do this in the event of a heightened emergency is knowledge worth having.
3. All power boats now have an extended lanyard attached to the “kill switch” that needs to be attached to the actual skipper of the boat at all times. It’s super easy to do you’ll see it just needs you to clip to your lifejacket or wrap around your wrist, either way that works for you. It is law in Victoria that all power boat operators “wear” the kill switch when underway ( moving) , but that aside the kill switch is designed to “stop” the vessel in event of the skipper being incapacitated in any way. Makes sense yeah??

Over and out for now, and looking forward to Sunday and please any suggestions / thoughts are welcomed!

Rob C

Race Start Time (AEST): 17:30H

 

The first twilight of the season is now a very special race, named after Tony Lohman; a great sailor, member, and long-time friend of many in the club since the early days of Keelboat racing at SBSC.  Tony sadly passed away at the beginning of last season.  This Friday night is 'Tony's Race', where competitors will be racing for the perpetual 'Tony Lohman Trophy' named in his honour.  Please book your table for dinner, or just return to the club for a drink and the trophy presentation - to remember Tony and celebrate the start of Friday twilights.

 

See the Opening Day Flyer for more details.

Don't forget to dress up your boat and crew members for a great spectacle out on the water.  You may just win the prize for the best dressed boat!

Have you ever considered taking part in SBSC’s keelboat races but don’t know where to start and how to find a position as crew? Have you put off the thought as it felt too intimidating, and as you thought you lack the experience?

Discover Keelboat Racing is an exclusive offer to SBSC club members, and designed for novices in keelboat racing who have not raced before and have no prior crewing experience but are keen to learn the ropes in a fun environment.

You will be able to join some of our most experienced skippers and crew and work alongside them on their boats during some of our Friday Twilight Pursuit races in November. You will learn through hands-on experience, supported by some theory of what it takes to win a race.

And who knows, you soon may get addicted to racing and enjoy it so much that one of the boats will sign you up as a regular crew.

What’s required from you? 

Curiosity, a willingness to work in a team and to follow the instructions of the skipper. Plus, a commitment to give up some of your Friday evenings. As places are strictly limited, please understand that this offer is exclusive to SBSC club members only.

 

Sunday, 10^th Nov 2024, 14.00h at SBSC Sailing Club

Meet your skippers and crews

Overview of the Discover Keelboat Racing program

Safety on board – The Do’s and Don’ts

The basic rules of racing

Friday, 15^th Nov 2024, 17.30h – Start time of your 1^st Friday Twilight Race

Friday, 22^nd Nov 2024, 17.30h – Start time of your 2^nd Friday Twilight Race

Friday, 29^th Nov 2024, 17.30h – Start time of your 3^rd Friday Twilight Race

 

If we have caught your attention, then please register your interest by sending an e-mail to Fiona at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. stating your full name, your Australian Sailing number and preferred phone number. We will then contact you with further details about the program and next steps.

 

We look forward to seeing you on the water soon.

 

Are you planning a short - or longer-term investment?
A Bendigo Bank term deposit may be just what you need to get the most from your money. Talk to the team at one of our three branches, Rye, Rosebud, or Dromana, and watch your money grow at ​​​​​​​​Bendigo Bank

 

Bendigo Bank
Community Bank Southern Peninsula
Rye | Rosebud I Dromana

What better way to spend your Melbourne Cup long weekend than competing in one of the most iconic events on the Australian sailing calendar! The Melbourne to Devonport ‘Rudder Cup’ is the oldest ocean race in Australia but features a youthful spirit and energy amongst competing crew, on full display during a warm reception hosted by Mersey Yacht Club. This race is also a qualifying event for the upcoming Melbourne to Hobart ‘Westcoaster’. Entries are now open!  www.orcv.org.au/devonport

 

The  ORCV ‘Westcoaster’ is a legendary yacht race where tactics and sailing well can crown you as the race champion, regardless of boat size. Across the 435nm passage, yachts contend first with Bass Strait before taking on the wilderness and ruggedness of the West Coast of Tasmania and the long ocean swell of the Southern Ocean before turning towards the finish line and the shifting winds of the Derwent. For more than 50 years, the Westcoaster has provided sailors with a unique race full of tactical challenges. Entries are now open!  www.orcv.org.au/hobart

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