Hi everyone , Well its finally winter with the waters finally getting that winter chill feeling and the morning temperatures down around 3 degrees which just makes it that little bit harder when getting up at 5,30 in the morning , I have even started wearing my wetsuit bottoms mainly for the wind chill factor and even Charlie was complaining off the cold well he has been in Dubai and Italy for three weeks travelling around with his family so I suppose its understandable.

8.30 am Sunday Juniors:
This early session always amazes me with the turn out numbers especially this time of year with another great group turning up last Sunday which we didnt expect and with our group of instructors having to look for gear that was spread over the club from the Midwinter Cup it took us a while to rig all the boats as sometimes you just need an Adult look to find things . The conditions were perfect for our learner group with the winds out of the west roughly and a course set up and down the broadwater we set everyone off to do some reaching with tacks and gybes . Jack has really taken to the solo sailing thing and Dean o is getting very sharp with his crew especially in the tacks , Jade was just cruising as was cayden who also sailed solo and they both nailed the tacks and gybes plus general boat speed so well done guys . The winds did slowly turn s/s/w and at times had a few bullets in them which certainly got everyones attention but no capsizes although we did have one new 5 year old sailor who was out with Declan who had to come in as it was just a bit too much for her in the gusty bits but Iam sure she will be back for more as she likes sailing with Deco . Finally we even had a sailor returning apparently because his sister is out of action ( Eddy ) so now he can for now taking over the sailing duties for the family so well done Aidan!

10.30 am Training:
Well with no racing for the month of July for our Youth Sailors we thought we would at least get a reasonable crowd for training but we only had the usual suspects with Addy Abby Jade / Dean plus Jack out there for some training with Eddy still recuperating from her Illness she was just a spectator but she is looking better . We set a windward leeward which has always been a challenge for our group but it doesnt seem to be that way anymore well except for the first couple of laps were some coaching was needed but then people like Abby and Addy just took off around the course . The winds had swung s/e at around 6 knots so the top mark was down near the green channel mark so it was all about angles on the upwind which did challenge both Jack and Jade but as soon as they started following Abby and Addy the soon got the hang of it . Jade returned to shore at one stage as she was a bit confused but after Andrew had a talk and Deano jumped on away they went and managed to pick up the pace around the course . So when is Youth racing back its August with racing twice a month on the second and fourth Sundays .


1.30 pm Open Racing :
With quite a few people away it was only Russel , Greg , Steve ,Casey , Addy and a late starter Roger who we there for racing and after a discussion regarding the light conditions and small numbers everyone decide to do some practice starts instead so we set a very short line down at the canal with an upwind buoy about a 100 metre’s up wind and away we went .The guys really enjoyed it but both the girls soon started complaining about being tired from Youth week so they pulled out but not before Casey made us all laugh when she caught everyone on port at the start and got such a shock that instead of yelling starboard she just screamed at them all but they still got out of her way . The conditions started to lighten out after a while so we ended up only having about 6 practice starts well seven if you include the general recall yes I couldnt believe it but they were all over I suppose it shows how keen they are or maybe they just do it for me to keep me on my toes . Lets hope next weekends winds are more favourable .


Upcoming :
MEMBERSHIP AND BOAT STORAGE FEES ARE NOW DUE AND PAYMENTS MUST INCLUDE YOUR RENEWAL FORM AND STORAGE APPLICATION FORM WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SAILING OFF OR ON REQUEST
OCTOBER LONG WEEKEND FIRST WEEKEND IN OCTOBER HOLIDAY MONDAY
TRY SAILING FUNDRAISER & XMAS PARTY DECEMBER
CLOSED FOR XMAS BREAK FROM THE 23RD DECEMBER

CU on the water
John Murphy

Hi Everyone , Wow what a couple of weeks its been with rain more rain strong winds no wind good winds and then finally some sunshine , Not only was the changeable weather hard on our annual midwinter cup but also for our sailors who signed up for Youth week and Royal Queensland last weekend but despite all this both events were a great success . I would like to mention one of our sailors who’s goal this year was the Midwinter Cup she trained hard and sailed well only to be struck down a week before the event and had to sit there and watch everyone have an awesome weekend so from myself and everyone at P.P.S.C.we wish you a speedy recovery Eddy. Finally we had two sailors at Youth week Casey and Addy and to find out how they went you will just have to ask them on Sunday and yes we are very proud of their efforts .

8.30 am Sunday Juniors :
Well with the Gold Coast marathon on and rain absolutely bucketing down early it was always going to be a bit quiet on the day but luckily the rain cleared a light wind came up and we had a reasonable size group sign on for the learner session. As it was only Declan and I on duty the small numbers suited and with a 4/6 knot s/e breeze it was perfect for a reach out the front . We had a couple of first timers again so Dec,o rigged up the club laser and set off with his crew of three , the conditions were just right for him to let everyone have a turn at steering and mainsheet . Unfortunately as the session went on it started to cloud over which definitely made it much colder but everyone stayed out but definitely didn’t want to capsize although Jack and Dean were seen swimming afterwards ? They have both taken to sailing alone and Jack is going ahead leaps and bounds while Deano needed a bit of prompting from dad before he joined the group and really did well listening to his Instructor and tacking around the marks with boat speed and even facing forward so well don e guys.

10.30 am Training:
Well all I can say is we must have worn everyone out at the midwinter cup or the overcast weather kept everyone away as we had no takers for this session and Declan got so bored he fell asleep in a chair while the rest of us just chatted and checked on line to see how Casey and Addy were doing so that was Training for the day.

1.30 pm Open Racing;
With Peter Board on deck as the usual suspects were either away on holidays or racing elsewhere and me as crew we set a course in the Soverign Channel as the winds were perfect for a windward leeward course with a breeze of around 12/15 knots S/E with the occassional extra puff everyone lined up well for a clean start with Greg and Pete leading the way and Ben right behind them . Pete , Ben and Greg broke away out front with as usual Greg and Pete having a good tussle and Ben a dogged third well that was until a sneeky gust on the top mark bearaway and leaning forward to release everything caused a high side crash and a slow recovery allowing Kate in a 4.7 to take over third which she didnt relinquish .

Roger picked the wrong sail ( radial ) for the conditions and really struggled towards the end especially in the bullets and was looking decidely worn out as he went through the finish . The final placings were Greg who’s new boat is really showing some speed then Peter fell and Kate brought up third and there is even a whisper that she might join the club as she is hungry for points which are always available after racing thanks to Rons work behind the scenes doing daily results so that everyone knows where the are for the year .

Upcoming :
Our last two major events at P.P.S.C. are our annual Try sailing Fundraising day and of course our Xmas party and we are also trying to organise a club maintenance day and also safety boat crewing day as well which will both take place on a Saturday .

First Aid : A first aid course will also be conducted soon through surf Lifesaving Queensland so if you are interested in either an upgrade or learning how to do first aid just let us know and we can add you to the course .

Opps almost forgot a special thanks to Declans mum for opening the canteen last Sunday as originally it was not opening as Casey was competing in Brisbane and helping Dec and I pack up at the end of the day.

GET WELL SOON EDDY !

CU on the water
John Murphy

Well hi everyone I hope all our Sunday sailors survived no sailing last weekend and are ready to hopefully get back into it this weekend . Just a reminder also that the Gold Coast marathon is on this Sunday so the roundabout in front of the club will be closed until between 8/8.30 am before they will allow traffic through , you can park and walk accross for 8.30 class but everything should be ok for 10.30 class .

John Murphy Midwinter Cup :
This years Regatta had the biggest fleet in years with 34 entries with sabots and optis showing up in good numbers and our largest fleet of lasers but a little down in the Open Bic but all in all a good fleet . Mother nature certainly gave us some challenges with good winds at first then high winds and finally rounding out with light winds and that was only saturday then sunday was absolutely still until 10.30 ( 9am original race start ) when we finally detected some wind so it was a mad rush to get everyone out there for the last two races . The green fleet ended up with a paddling race as the conditions were just too difficult but the open fleet showed real skill sailing in what was originally very light winds . We couldnt single out any class as the best in the conditions as everyone showed not only skill but a heap of determination it the challenging conditions .

So how did our sailors go well in the green fleet our sailors had wins in both laser ( 1st and 3rd ) and Open Bic 1st and in the open fleet we had a second in lasers ( guess who? ) and a hard fought 3rd in open bic all in all a great result for the club . If you have been following facebook you can check out all the winners and some great sailing photos . We have to thank the Queensland Sabot Association for sending down a great fleet and RQ , Lake catharabah and SYC for also supporting this annual regatta and we look forward to next years event with everyone promising to return again.

Click here to visit the results.

Click here for photos.

Starting on the 5th of July is Youth week at RQ and we have two entries with Casey returning for her second time ( 3rd last year ) and Addy has signed up for green fleet open bic but her coach has told her not to go out if the weather is to rough which it is looking like for the first few days otherwise she will be out there soaking up the atmosphere so good luck girls and happy sailing.

CU on the water
John Murphy