G’day Gang.

 

Another great day on the water with a stack of boats. I didn’t catch the exact number but it looked like well over twenty five, with a mixed bag of Tasars, 420s, Lasers, Impulses, Sabres and the Sharpie (no singing this week Russ?) along with a Cobra, a Windrush, a Taipan and a couple of A Classes in the Cat department. Come to think of it, it must have been closer to thirty boats. Not bad for this early in the season.
 

I think a lot of the reason for this is the positive vibe around the Club this season. Carrying on from the hugely successful working bee that was the result of a lot of planning and preparation by the movers and shakers, backed up by a great attendance by You, the members. Everyone just seems really keen to be at the Club doing Sailing Club stuff, and then hanging around after sailing to do more Sailing Club stuff, albeit of the elbow bending variety. It bodes well for the Club as there seem to be a few new members showing up and they seem really impressed by the fun and friendly attitude in the yard and up on the deck.
 

The racing on Sunday, with RO Stu Scott, nearly didn’t happen, as straight after setting the start for the Keelboats and getting them away, the steering packed it in on the start boat. This meant that where she was was where she was going to stay and if the wind shifted at all to the North we would have been right in the mussel farm. Now as we all know, and as Ross M pointed out afterwards, we never EVER sail through the mussel farm, not even a little bit.
 

Luckily the wind held true and after the most hectic start in quite a while, with Divs 2,3 and Four all heading off together on a very biased line, the pack mentality meant so many were early over the line that Stu called a general recall, then ran up the black flag for good measure. No prisoners here! The next start was a lot more orderly, until five seconds after the hooter when the wind stopped completely for a bit and left quite a log jam. Loads of fun for all concerned!
 

Finally, finally things settled down and we all got away and the fleet spread out fairly rapidly depending on which way you went. Logic seemed to have nothing to do with it, as lots of swings and holes showed no mercy at all, especially if you were at the back,(that’s my excuse anyway). The breeze eased to the point where the course had to be shortened to get us all finished, but we did.
 

A fairly big shift (to the South luckily) meant some rapid buoy relocating and shortening then we were off again, in a much more civilized manner this time. A much more consistent breeze made for a tighter fleet in this race, but they still had to shorten as the wind eased towards the end. And that’s where I, and  a few others got totally confused as to which way to finish. Nothing wrong on the part of the race team, just some of us not taking note of what was happening and not really knowing what to do on a shortened course. Some homework is in order for yours truly and others before next time.
 

Club Championship this week, so all you big game hunters better  bring your A game if you want wrestle that trophy off the Martins this year. Remember, Geoff and Super D will be on start and Deirdre is always open for a cash advance to swing the scoring. Stu S and Dave B in Sutherland are a bit straight down the line, but Paul M and Myself in Woodsy will be eager and willing to help with a well placed “accidental” bow wave, nudge nudge, wink wink (no cheques, just the folding stuff).
 

Thanks to all the race team last week, Stu and Super D on Start, Norm K and Simon H in Sutherland and Heckle and Jeckle AKA Rob C and Coast Guard helper, Rob Wells in Woodsy-what a pair!
 

As a follow up re: the start boat, Erik M , ably assisted by Mark the Markman L, have fixed the faulty hydraulic line (I think Geoff sabotaged it, classic English spy thriller move), so we are all set for this week. Thanks guys.
 

That’s all for this week, cheers, Pete Chippy

 

Hello Junior Sailor,

The club is pleased to announce that our Junior Sail Program will be continuing for season 2024/25. If you missed out on junior sail training earlier in the year (or enjoyed your time on the water last season) and wish to come and have some fun in the sun while learning a new skill, please let us know. Our instructors for the season are Nick Meijer, Jess Lowe, Matt Whitaker and James Anderson and they are ready to get you out on the water gaining confidence as a junior sailor.   

• The Junior Sail Program will be held on Sunday mornings. Start time 9.00am – 11.30am.
• The program is designed to accommodate all learning levels from “never sailed” to “have sailed and want to get better”.
• Our instructors will assess and tailor programs catering to your child’s needs in accordance with the Australian Sailing “Start Sailing” program. Australian Sailing - Start Sailing
• Parents are to remain at the club during all training sessions and are encouraged to assist with rigging/de rigging of boats.
• Life jackets will be provided, however if you have your own you can us it (needs to be in date and certified), Waterproof shoes are ideal, wetsuit booties, or sailing booties are also ideal but not compulsory.
• Children must arrive at the club dressed and ready to sail (bring change of clothing, towel, and hat. Sunscreen will be provided).
• All attendees must be a member of the club, Junior Membership starts at $145. Membership Options
• Cost for November – December 2024 Program is $100.
• Cost for the February – April 2025 Program is $120.
• Not compulsory to do both programs.
• If you are completely new to sailing, we can offer 2 free sessions before committing to the program, as a try before you buy.

Please email Fiona Lowe This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .au for further information

After Friday's race was abandoned, there were plenty of sailors keen to hit the water on Sunday.  We had a total of 16 keelboats on the start-line.  The SBSC historian (unnamed) believes this may well be the biggest Sunday race we've had!  A great start to the season, and if everyone keeps it up there will be plenty of Club Championship contenders come May 2025.  A big thank you to Judy Champion (RO) and Dawn Clark in the tower, and all the OTB on-water crews in the start boat and RHIBs.

 

Click here for full results for the weekend

Race Start Time (AEDT)	17:30H Pursuit Start
Race Officer	Dianne Jackson
Duty Boat	Marrakesh
Tower Assistant	Lynlee

 

First Warning Signal	09:55H Tower Start
Race Officer	Ian Pearse
Duty Boat	Lumiere
Tower Assistant	Dianne

 

ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT! Your Man Overboard exercise must be completed and the declaration form emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 31 October 2024 (or before your next race if it's after 31 October) to avoid a penalty.  Click here for a copy of the Declaration.  This exercise can be completed out on the water before or after a race and is a requirement of your race entry.

 

There is currently a delay in the manufacturing of the new fixed marks (SB1 and SB2).  The ETA is late November and we are pushing them to be fast tracked.

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.

Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron (BYS) is excited again host the Petersville Regatta for 2023. Historically, the Petersville Regatta attracted keelboat owners from surrounding yacht clubs and was held from 1981 – 1990 before the race was combined with Geelong Week. Successful boats who featured in the historical race include Shambles and Dry Reach skippered by R.Hick and subsequently G.Matthews, both of whom were the most successful boat competitors during the history of the event.

 

 

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

Fancy yourself as a history lover? The Executive Committee would like to appoint one or more privileged members to handle our history. If you've been at the club for many years, or know someone that has been part of our history, then we need your help! During the last few years the club has accumulated quite a lot of boxes of documents, trophies and general memorabilia, which is far too important to just throw away. Ideally we would love someone to take ownership of sorting it out, with the care and consideration it deserves. Documents and files of significant importance need to be sorted and outsource for digitizing. Trophies and other items need to be cleaned, cataloged and displayed around the club (if appropriate). This type of role is new to the committee and we hope that it will be a continuing role for the future. There is no timeline on getting this done, however finding an immediate home for all of these boxes is of high priority. The current storage solution is not ideal, as it is taking up space in the downstairs training room. If you would like to help with this request, please email our secretary Veronica at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to express your interest. 

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

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 to This 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