Yes I'm back after missing last week due to Email problems at club which finally needed IT specialist intervention and even he had trouble solving the problem.
There is heaps to catch up on so here we go. Due to the problems with not only email but the phone also had issues so I would like to apologise to anyone who I have missed contacting after either sending an email our leaving a phone message to the club as most of them disappeared.
Sunday Juniors 8.30 class: Even though we have just been through school holidays our first class numbers have still be up on last year with a great bunch of kids turning up to have a go. The first weekend of the holidays was windy with winds increasing as the morning went on so consequently there was a fair bit of capsizing mixed in with some high speed sailing. The looks on some faces was precious as our budding juniors found out that yes, sailing boats can go fast. Last weekend was blue skies and 3/5 knots so ideal for the new kids who came along to try sailing for the first time. Our resident screamer (Taylah) was out there with Flynn a new sailor who said he enjoyed the experience despite the noise and several capsizes.
Sunday Juniors 10.30 class: Again numbers were good over the two weekends with strong winds forcing us to run the 1.30 race class with the 10.30 due to increasing wind strength (20knots) on the first weekend. There was some wild rides dodgy tacking and fast sailing not to mention Mark keeping the rescue boat busy with many capsizes mainly near the bridge. Aidan in the end just waited over at the bridge rather than have to keep coming back for mark (Yes Open Bics are fast Mark!). Last weekend went back to light conditions (4/6 knots) mixed with a killer tide which made sailing the set course very difficult. I have to congratulate everyone on their efforts and especially India who showed how to adapt with the ever changing wind direction, good sailing India.
Racing: Racing started last weekend with Dallas, Charlie and Luka sailing in the Bic series (Dylan and Sienna away) with Luka coming out on top overall in what were even more challenging conditions than the 10.30 group Luka's dad Mark ran the racing and was kept busy chasing them around the course so that they could beat the tide and Current. From what I saw it was good racing with Luka having the advantage of weighing around the same as two peas and a carrot at least thats what he tells me.
The firsts race of the spring series only attracted 4 competitors with only a triangle course set due to light conditions which of course changed just before the start with the wind increasing to around 10/12 knots making the race around forty minutes . Even though the fleet was small there was good racing by everyone not to mention crash John's capsize at the gybe Mark after getting in front of Peter, don’t you just hate that John? Peter went on to win with John a close second (19seconds) and Roger third (radial).
New Equipment: We had good news also last week with our grant application to Jupiter's Casino community benefit fund being granted with the club now able to purchase a rapid response rescue vessel (Jetski) which should either arrive this weekend or early next week . We were unsuccessful with the second part of our grant which was for four more BIC's but we will try again in the next round.
Finally, I have recently had a meeting with the funding department of the Gold Coast University Hospital and we are looking at Sunday the 15th of December for our annual fundraiser and try sailing day I will keep everyone informed as the date comes closer .
CU on the water
John Murphy
President/Sailing manager
Paradise Point Sailing Club
Gold Coast Qld 4216
Mob 0407 145397