Paradise Point Sailing Club has had another successful week of sailing which included the first of our River Series plus Sunday Juniors, Saturday Training and Learn to sail.
So lets get started!
Sunday Juniors 8.30 class: With strong winds predicted on Sunday I started getting enquiries at 6.30 am as to whether we would run the early Juniors mainly from parents from out west around Tambourine, so I raced down the club and checked both the local conditions and the web predictions which didn’t match up at all.
With a group of 12 learner sailors lining up to learn sailing the predicted 30 knots actually turned out to between 6 and 12 knots but thanks to the help of Charlie, Dallas and Harrison in taking the new sailors out we had a successful morning with a few fall outs and plenty of Capsizing especially from Forte and Alec who seemed to be capsized and laughing every time I looked for them.
There were some attempted Submarining from the volunteers but nothing all that successful, you might need a lesson of Dylan (CT) HE IS GOOD AT IT!!!
Sunday Juniors 10.30 class:
By the time we started this session the winds had increased to around 12 to 14 knots and a few gusts thrown in for good measure. I set a reaching course over to Ephriam and set everyone off for some practice runs before race practice. The sailing I witnessed from everyone was excellent with plenty of hiking out lots of spray and lets not forget the capsizes at the gybe mark.
Once the off the beach stuff started with everyone keen to win then the gybing really took its toll I even won a bet with Lachy and Charlie that Dallas would capsizes at the gybe mark, thanks Dallas I can sure use the dollar when they pay me? We also had a new starter in Spencer who just transferred from 8.30 class and like most the rest who started like him he spent his first lesson capsizing, being towed and generally going faster than he usually did in 8.30 class. In closing I think everyone who sailed and raced did exceptionally well in the conditions and should give themselves a big pat on the back for their efforts on the day.
Open Bic:
The whole fleet did really well especially all the visitors who weren't used to our local conditions but thats OK as our sailors will be at Oxley in a couple of weeks and the locals will have the advantage there, what a great learning experience for these young sailors.
I have to thank both Oxley sailing Club and the Ballina sailing club for helping to support this new series on the day which Iam sure will only grow bigger as the other interested clubs bring their Bic fleets up to speed, who knows we could end up with a fleet of 20 to 30 boats out there in 12 months time. Yesterdays race fleet numbers was 11 boats which is a fantastic for the beginning of a new racing series.
Open Race 1.30 pm:
Thanks to Ted and Sylvia for running the open race and even though we only had a small fleet due to the laser masters being on it was as usual good racing. Unlike last week when we suffered light and shifty winds we had winds down the other end reaching 18 knots so that the reaches were apparently very fast at least thats what they all said, must be true as everyone came in wet and buggered. Thanks to the fleet for just making up a mark as we temporarily lost one down toward the deep hole and I have to put my hand up for it floating away as I was the one who launched it with a tangle in the anchor rope. First Andrew second ? third Jason . We also had Lachy Jack and Sam out in 4.7's with Sam coming out on top good work everyone.
Finally just a reminder that we are looking for volunteers to work our Bunnings Sausage sizzles on Saturday the 15th Mch and Saturday the 19th Apr (Easter) any help you can give will be greatly appreciated and lets not forget our new venture with Sylvia Michelle and Liz running a canteen on Sundays as well . By the way Michelle don’t forget you are booked for on water boat control , with a whistle like than who needs the air horn to attract attention . See David no mention of the Jet ski!
CU on the water
John Murphy
President/Sailing manager
Paradise Point Sailing Club
Gold Coast Qld 4216
Mob 0407 145397