Hi Everyone , To start things off this week I would like to remind all our 8.30 am sailors that if you are coming on sunday morning to either practice your newfound sailing skills or improve your skills it makes everything flow smoother if you text on saturday that you will be attending at 8.30 am sunday morning , this just makes it easier for our volunteers to organise boats and equipment based on booked in sailors unlike last sunday we had 10 sailors booked in and 27 signed on so as you can imagine it was somewhat over the top getting enough boats ready yes we did it but  it was certainly tough going for a while there . We do allow for a few extras but 27 students was certainly a challenge so a special thanks to all the volunteers because without these people we would not be able to do it! Briefing was certainly a challenge for Tristan with so many faces looking at him but with a little bit of help from harvey he managed to get through the briefing and send everyone for a sail.
8.30 am Sunday Juniors 
With conditions perfect for an early morning sail with winds from the east at around 4-5 knots the guys on Sarah set up a nice reaching course right in front of all the parents making it easy for them to watch their children in action while Taylah Daniel and myself did our usual thing close to shore where we taught the new sailors sail trim and tacking and of course capsizing . Tristan took the Taz with a couple of his friends and he sailed them well while harvey , reece and jade piled sailors on board and cruised them around the course . Leila and Hanna where there in the Bic but it looks like with parents permission the will be progressing to 10.30  Training , I thought they might not want to go up but when I suggested it they both just smiled and said they would cjheck with mum and dad and let me know next weekend . We also had one of our wednesday school sailing group here Sophie who would be one of the smallest sailors we have ever had you could barely see her in the baot and I believe Taylah even had her steering which was awesome as she lost her confidence the previous wednesday in what was rough conditions for a six year old but thumbs up to her for giving it another go so I will see you next wednesday Sophie at school sailing.
10.30 am Youth Training 
After last weekends first ever youth group race there was certainly a fair bit to discuss with people leaving bungs out , people letting go of the steering while gybing , people entering no sail zone and stalling and of course the race within a race between the two brothers in Reece and Harvey which was a great battle and just good sailing . The start was a bit chaotic but everyone started behind the line with Torsen having a blinder ( no bung !) now all we have to do is see how they go this weekend . Under Harvey,s suggestion we sailed everyone to the yellow X in the middle of the channel which was a perfect upwind challenge then a nice broadreach back toward the club . Harvey ,Reece and Gemma sailed well while Tristan got mixed up and ended up sailing against some sailors from SYC and by the time he passed them all he was at Runaway bay so a good upwind run Tristan we just need to work on the down wind . Charlie and I did note one thing on the downwind which was noone was attempting to catch the waves so guess what the training will be in a fortnight yep catching waves !!!
1.30 pm Open Racing 
With the winds settling in from the s/e at around 6-8 knots we decided on the easterly course starting down at the canal  and heading south then up the track to around half way up soverign and despite some confusion at the start line everyone was away with Greg leading the fleet with Steve behind him then Nick . The gybe mark was at the start buoy and both Charlie and I both noted some people are a bit rusty on the gybes with mainsheets slow to come on and also hiking out so so practice needed there guys . After two laps in our channel the fleet was of up soverign island and despite southport deciding to run a race in our zone everyone managed to miss each other , not sure why they were there as their would have been more wind down at the deep hole ??? As the race went on the very strong outgoing tide slowly abated but it was still best to stay on the edges of the channel when going against the current which greg and Nic did while steve sailed straight down the middle ? and definitely lost ground finishing third while greg beat Nic over the line but yes it was close .
Lance told us he was a bit to generous as while leading from Roger and Russell he accidentally capsized which let them past and yes they were grinning in true sailor fashion so next race lance no capsizing right!!!

Upcoming
Sunday Race two for our 2023 Youth Series
Lake Cootharaba Regatta 
​Mid Winter Cup june 24/25

CU on the water
J Murphy

Hi Everyone , Well what a big weekend it was last weekend firstly on Saturday with the visit from the SailGP people which turned out an awesome event with the day starting with blue skies a full tide and winds just perfect at 6-8 knots which was just perfect for the two pacers to show their stuff to our young sailors . With a good crowd in attendance including some very excited junior and youth sailors the two coaches really entertained everyone with sailing stories before getting down to the serious question and answer section which thanks to a couple of parents and people like Tristan and Harvey and also of course Ross asking the coaches some very good questions but then it was time to hit the water . With the coaches on the safety boat and Jade skippering one boat and Ross the other they were soon out there cruising around in front of the club while the coaches watched on . Ross was apparently to good so he got dropped back to shore while the coaches jumped on the boats and started showing everyone how its really done I even saw Gemma steering at one stage whit her coach who worked on tacking and gybing as did the other boat with harvey steering and I didnt see a frown on anyones face through the whole session just giant smiles . Finally there was proof that even the best make mistakes when the two boats collided ? yep the only sail boats on the water and they managed to run into each other ???? I would like to thank Sailgp and Australian sailing for their support in bringing the SailGP team members to Paradise Point Sailing Club our sailors both young and old will benefit from their experience well done SailGP .
8.30 am Sunday Juniors 
After a big day on saturday everyone who attended the special event were keen to get on the water so boat rigging was soon underway and with quite a few first timers signing on it was super busy getting boats and people organised , a special thanks goes out to all our sunday volunteers who work tirelessly sorting boats and fixing rigging so everyone can get on the water and have some fun. There were a few boats close in  early with me Daniel and Taylah showing a few new  sailors how to tack and steer which happens right near the beach in full view of parents who usually cant believe what they see as after some intense instruction they see their child sail away and then tack and come back to their instructor before tacking at both ends of the short course so now the can continue their steering experience next week with the rest of the group . I have to say my favourite was my young sailor Sophie who after a couple of false starts finally got it right and sailed to the green and then sailed back and tacked again in front of me then sailed away again we even did a capsize to show her she can get the boat back up herself who knows she could be the next Jessica Watson?
10.30 am Youth Training
Witha few people staying away from the sessions because racing starts for our Youth team today there were only a few sailors out there giving it a whirl . Although Tristan was there he didnt sail and just watched on in the shade because it was turning into a schorcher .. Laya who had forgotten racing was on was there and of course Gemma was out as well , Practice makes perfect right Gemma !! We started with Gybes only and after a few slow to move gybes Laya Laya finally got it and soon had her weight transfered and rudder in the middle and what do you know it worked right Laya ?
Gemma was also doing well except for letting go of the steering ??? in one gybe which had the boat doing circles , I think she was practicing that manouver for the afternoon race where she did it again right in front of harvey and of course crashed int him.and dont worry Harvey wasnt happy as he was chasing Reece at the time . Torsen who will be in a Bic next weekend was just cruising in the Tera but after a while he started to slow down and who can guess what he had forgotten to do ? yes he forgot the bung !!! so she was getting a bit soggy .
1.30 pm Youth Racing
With some very excited faces and possibly some very nervous young sailors as well sitting in the club for the briefing we officially started our Youth Racing Series for 2023 . Conditions were perfect with very hot blue skies and winds from roughly the north at around 6-8 knots we set a start at the pontoon with a port round course so yep a down wind start I just thought that I would make it easy and with a bit of coaching from  the start crew everyone managed to stay behind the line and start on time . Harvey blitzed the start getting away right on the whistle with most of the pack in hot pursuit . Jade soon got in front and was never headed no matter how hard Daniel tried , but the surprise package on the day was Reece who for a couple of laps was in front of Harvey and yes there was some fist pumping as he went past the race crew , Harvey did get him in the end but it was only just great racing boys . Jade and Dan have been given a one minute in ten minutes time penalty to bring them back to the fleet so on a count back they finished fifth and sixth while first went to Harvey with Reece a close second and Tristan third with Zach only three second back in forth . Torsen had a bad day probably because after the earlier bung episode wher he didnt drainthe water out at the end of 10.30 he sailed with a boat full of water so a lesson learned there Torsen and remember even Bic,s dont sail well if you leave the bung out . I have to say it was great seeing our youth racing team out there finally after a lot of planning with 9 boats lining up on the day awesome stuff everyone 1

UPCOMING 
Adult Racing this Sunday 1.30 pm race start
Reminder The club will be closed Easter Sunday

CU on the water
J Murphy
P.P.S.C.

Hi Everyone , sorry for being a day late but we had a big day yesterday at the club with a large school group having their first sail so it was pretty full on just ask Charlie and Greg we were all shot by the end of it but at least conditions were perfect with 6 knot winds and sunny skies and a high tide making it all perfect for the usual capsizing and collisions and only one cut toe !
Dont forget that this saturday we are having the sail GP people at the club to discuss their class of sailing and give free coaching tips using the club pacers , it is specially designed for our young sailors to help with their sailing future and is free to everyone who attends so its well worth coming along and having a look and best of all its free !!! The club is also putting on a sausage sizzle plus the canteen will be open . Start time is 11.00am and it goes for approximately 2 hours and by the sound of it it should be a lot of fun .
We will also this weekend be starting our Youth Racing Series with the first race of the 16 race calendar starting at 1.30 pm in front of the club pontoon and it should be a great spectacle with a very keen bunch of young sailors itching to get out there and compete against their friends so good luck to everyone on the day.
8.30 am Sunday Juniors 
Well with perfect sailing conditions we soon had a dozen sailors rigged and ready for the 8.30 session and with winds at around 4-6 knots from the s/s/e it was perfect for our beginners reaching course and with Jason and Guy in sarah cooper setting the buoys then watching over the fleet while they practiced tacking and even some gybing . . Great form was shown by Lana and sofia as they just cruised around the course , even the boys on the club laser were doing well just cruising between the buoys . The big challenge was between wetsuit one and two ( Leila & Halle ) as Leila has now taken up the Bic Skiff as well as her sister and actually had a good go at mastering its tricky thanks mainly to Daniel who coached her through the session slowly reducing the amount of capsizes that she started out with so well done everyone . I have to make one special mention and that is the great job Tristan did in front of the class , he had come to me earlier and asked if he could have a go and of course I said yes and truly he was very good for a first time effort with a good strong voice and interacting with the students you should have some very proud parents there Tristan you did an awesome job with more teaching to come Iam sure .Finally I know I am focusing on Tristan but not only did he do a great job in the classroom but he got into difficulties as the wind came up at 10.30 training but he persevered and finally after several capsizes still sailed his boat ashore , Charlie and I were very proud of his efforts at not giving in as it showed real determination to return to shore unaided , just dont forget you gloves next time ?
10.30 am Youth Training 
With this group,s Racing Series starting on the 12th of feb we decided to practice sailing around a triangle and with some gusts coming through at 12 knots it was a bit testing for everyone , Zack tried to say he had the most capsizes but we told him that he could not count more than one capsize at a time as he was adding the extra capsizes he did after the innitial one so his total was reduced by half ! Harvey and Reece were rocketing around the course while Gemma is starting to show more speed with better control of her sail sets while xavier is showing better reaching and running speed he just has to work on the upwind . Torsen was absolutely flying on the broad reach but fair enough he was ijn a Tera but hopefully we can get him in a Bic soon . In the Bics the fastest boat by far was Harvey who really made it look easy followed by Reece and then Tristan well when he sat back further in the boat to keep the nose up in the gusts he was quick . It actually looked like a fun sail just the start to their racing careers.
1.30 pm OPEN RACING
With only a small fleet of four boats it was a pretty relaxed start to the 2023 series . It was great to see Russell back after all his drama with the floods when all his sailing gear got washed away ( he lives in tumbulgum ) yep right on the river and although he didnt last long ( broken Gear ) he certainly looked happy being out on the water again. The other returning sailor was Casey who is going to try and do more racing this year , she sailed well but in hindsight should have run a radial as the 4.7 was too slow and greg and Tom just sailed away especially on the runs which were great to watch in winds around 15 knots with the occasional gust . Greg got in front early and Tom admitted he couldnt catch him which was unusual as he normally can when it gets a bit blowy but greg made no mistakes and just cruised over the line and yes he had a big grin on his face as well !

Upcoming 
Sail GP saturday 11/2/23 11am dont forget its FREE!!!
Race one Youth Series sunday 12th February starting at 1.30pm

CU on the water
J Murphy

Hi Everyone , With our sailing season just about to get underway this weekend its certainly been a busy time already in 2023 starting with two successful sailing camps which couldnt have happened without our awesome group of young instructors especially this year with me hobbling around in a moon boot so again well done team . Club open racing begins this sunday and the following sunday 12/2/23 is the beginning of our Youth Race Series which will have a total of 16 races in 2023and is designed to help improve our great bunch of green fleet sailors in Bic,s to work their way up to Open Youth Racing , I should mention that this series is also open to Sabots , Optis and our club Tera,s   Charlie is now working part time at oxenford and from what I hear is doing a great job and has already graduated to tractor driver ! yes he is teaching sailing as well and we are hoping to book him in for Australian Sailing Coaching course later this year so his future in sailing is looking good . Who would have thought that the tubby little 6 year old would end up with a bright future in the sailing industry , must have had a good mentor and very supportive parents.
The SailGP guys will be here on saturday the 11/2/23 from 11.00am to talk about GP sailing and are even doing a coaching session on water and its totally free so everyone should come along and check it out especially our green fleet sailors as I think they will pick up a tip or two.. We are also beginning our first school group sailing this week with over 30 kids signed on for eight weeks of learn to sail so even wednesdays are going to be busy . Finally thanks to a great effort from our awesome bunch of volunteers this years Gold Coast Hospital Fundraising event raised just over $800.00 which is the highest amount we have ever raised so again well done everyone !!
8.30 am Sunday Juniors 
Luckily last sunday was a bit less hectic that the previous sunday ( 19 sailors ) with 14 sailors signed on for what was looking like a great morning even if the wind wasnt that strong but still great for learning . We were still down a couple of boats but thanks to a great effort from scott we managed to supply enough boats to get everyone on the water , Hallie was back having her second go in the Bic and I think we have converted her as she looked very comfortable . Tristan , Harvey and Reece were soon off sailing over to the green channel marker and alos off to the yellow down at the channel while the rest of the group sailed around a course in front of the club set by Guy and Jason they even had their first tow rope around the prop episode and after some instruction from charlie and I  from the shore they soon had it fixed and were off again , dont worry guys it will happen again . The sun was beating down so towards the end there were a few accidental capsizes and falling out of boats and they were definitely accidents as the kids assured me with just a bit of a smile ! Finally we had a new sailor  take his first plunge with an older brother looking on ( Tristan ) yep young dec ! had his first go with his mate Reece and apparently loved it so who knows we might see some brtherly competition in the future .
10.30 am Youth Training 
With their race season starting on the 11/2/23 Charlie and I thought we should look at start lines again as it is one of the most important parts of successful racing we even practiced verbal countdown but maybe they might need a watch ? We set a triangle course starting at the club which included an upwind then a reach and finally a downwind and yes it included tacks gybes and bearaways . Daniel went out to shhow the fleet how to sail the course then we sent everyone off in persuit and of course who was on his transom you guessed it Harvey who really was sailing well even if he did fall behind over the laps but as I explained to him later Dan had the advantage in the gusty bits as he is taller and weighs more so I guess now harvey will be trying to get taller and eat more right Harv? We also had a new sailor in Torsen who is really taking to sailing and aquitted himself well while Gemma , Zack , Xavier and Laya are all showing vast improvements with now only the odd gybing capsize . They were all struggling with the upwind as it was right on the edge of no sail zone but at the de brief I showed them that if instead of tacking at the mark they sail past it then tack it made the angle less difficult .
Finally heres one for you all when you hear the word up/up from the coach boat what does it mean? answers on sunday please .
Upcoming
Club Racing begins sunday 5/2/23
GP Sailing meeting saturday 11/2/23
Youth Racing Starts Sunday 11/2/23

CU on the water
J Murphy