Hi everyone , We may have a problem with the weather next weekend with strong winds predicted so keep an eye on the forecasts and remember that we will update everyone if we cancel via facebook and our website at 7.00am sunday morning but firngers crossed the bad weather from down south will make its way out to sea before getting here . Things are heating up for the Open Bic Skiff queensland championships 29/30 june with a volunteer committee being formed to help with logistics so if you would like to be on the committee or just help out by volunteering over the weekend just let us know on sunday or email the club , it should be a great weekend as we have done this event previously and they are always a lot of fun plus there is also some great racing among the competitors .
With our new caged area looking awesome all we need now are the new gates which Iam told will be fitted this friday fingers crossed and with new carpets going in upstairs on thursday and a new water side door also being fitted we are on the home stretch with repairs from the storm damage plus utilising the grant funds to upgrade the cage .., we should even be able to put the boats back inside next weekend as well with a few changes .
8.30 am Sunday Juniors 
With a perfect day dawning and the first signs of autumn early with just a slight chill to the air at least we were assured of a nice sunny day . Once everyone was signed on ( 12 sailors ) Charlie and the AI,s as charlie calls them who are mainly our youth group sailors who have volunteered to help we soon had everyone in lifejackets and helmets and out being instructed on how to put a tera together . Hallie and Leila are really taking to this instructing caper and Leila especially was very clear and precise while putting the boats together . We had a new AI as well in Zach who trains on the laser have his first go at instructing and Iam sure he was a bit overawed by the whole thing but Iam sure he will pick it up as the weeks go by . The biggest challenge on the day was keeping everyone occupied as you guessed it the wind was virtually non existant but Jason and Guy did a great job organising paddling races and capsize competitions because there was literally no wind . The AI,s even got involved with them helping capsize boats and right them and doing a lot of laughing with the new sailors . 
10.30 Youth Training 
Well the conditions actually got worse by 10.30 with the water looking like a mill pond so after a bit of pondering we decided there was no point in trying to sail so we had our first ever classroom instructor session with charlie giving everyone a separate weather condition which each one had to present to the class which I have to say was quite a bit unruly at first but we slowly got everyone under control so that each instructor could present the sailing conditions . So how did they go well considering they actually had to talk not too bad considering it is a challenge standing in front of a class presenting a session especially at the age of 9 . We also had a chance to give all the AI,s a more in depth guide as to how AS,s behave and their general duties while in front of  a group so lets hope it sinks in ! The next part of the learning curve is safety boat driving and navigation which we will slowly introduce to everyone so by the time they are 16 years old they will just cruise through their boat license course .
1.30 PM Open Racing
Back next Sunday weather permitting
Upcoming 
Anzac Day 25/4/2024 
Open Bic Regatta 29-30 June 

Cu on the water
J Murphy

Hi Everyone Well it looks like finally the rain has at least slowed down with two perfect days this week for the holiday sailing camp that was well attended but more about that later . Those who were here last sunday were all impressed with our new not rusty cage area the guys from stratco did a great job and I would definitely recommend them  for work in the steel fabrication area . The construction fence is still around the cage as our new gates are still being manufactured as they couldnt take the final measurements until the new cage supports were in place but should be in place soon . With this major job complete we then have new roller doors , new security door and new carpets for the caretakers flat to go which were damaged in the storm so Insurance hence the wait . With all these upgrades complete the club should be looking good for the open bic skiff state titles in june .
8.30 am Sunday Juniors 
Well on saturday the phone was going crazy with people wanting to book in for this class with at least 12 sailors signed up for the class but you guessed it the rain returned and simply bucketed down causing quite a few cancellations but we still had a few die hards plus a small group from TSS primary school . Luckily the rain stopped by 8.00 am and a slight breeze came in from the s/e and I mean slight but it least there was enough wind to get everyone moving . Harvey and I were in charge of Sarah C and we set a nice reach course towards the bridge and with Tianna,s help we soon had everyone launched and generally practicing their tacking and the occasional gybe which didnt really matter in the 2/4 knot winds as long as they ducked ! We even had a couple of old juniors turn up in jack and dean who have been doing surf life saving on sundays but wanted to come back and sail and they even sailed together and yes they hadnt forgot their skills including how to capsize ! hope you had fun boys.
10.30 Youth Traingin 
Well again mother nature wasnt being kind to our groupof keen young sailors but the conditions didnt seem to worry them as they all soon had their boats rigged and ready . Charlie was back from his time at manly the previous week and decided that roll tacking practice would be perfect for the day but yes you guessed it the wind played funny buggers again changing direction and dropping out and generally being a pain so there were quite a few swims not so much capsizes as just swims as people were rolling the boats and there at times there was now wind right in the middle of the manouvre so it was just a slow side over the gunnell . We even caught up on towing as the tide was going out and the current was strong and the wind just seemed to stop and away the boats would go drifting south so at least we werent bored ! Everyone did manage to get some roll tacks in as the session went on so at least we did achieve the goal of starting the process of efficient roll tacks and also gybes .
Sailing Camp ( mon-tue )
Normally I dont write much about our camps but this one was special with more laughter than usual and some really good sailing.
The most improved sailor I have to say was quinn who is seven ,she sailed so well on day one with Ronnie that we gave her the opportunity to sail solo on tuesday and she did a awesome job and from my point of view as her teacher she listened well and was soon out there tacking and gybing and occassionally capsizing but nothing phased her she just kept getting back in and going again . She actually reminded me of another young sailor many years ago who was the same and ended up solo sailing around the world at 16 . Quinn wasnt the only one as Ronnie and Flinders also went from strength to strength with Ronnie showing early instructor skills teaching the novice Flinders who it all happens . Sophie and Yasmin who have sailed before just cruised both days with the occasional swim mainly on monday but once the wind came in on tuesday they wer sailing around without a worry . We then we have a few of our youth group as well but not in Bic,s we gave them a challenge in the laser with one boat monday and then two boats tuesday and once they stopped running into other boats and sailed a proper course they actually got it even some of the roll tacks were good especially from Hallie !!! with jack as crew . Leila and TJ surprisingly when they listened also went well , whats my favourite saying guys oh yes went in doubt let the sail out ??? . They wer both really trying to roll the lasers with some success but one boat especially had trouble with weight distribution yep backside on the wrong side for too long but we are going to get faster at changing sides arent we leila .
See Leila I didnt tell stories about whale sounds when someone is asleep and thanks for the easter chocolates !!!
Open Racing 
No racing last weekend as most of the guys were away at Lake Cotharaba
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CU on the water
J Murphy