Hi Everyone , I thought summer was fast approaching with the temperatures slowly on the rise but this week Monday and Tuesday was feeling like July again with all the junior sailors at this weeks camp wearing wetsuits including the Instructors . It was so cold that I went back to wearing my winter offshore sailing jacket although it didn't stop both the juniors and the instructors jumping in the water and sailing with our new young sailors . Just to clarify the jumping in the water statement Eddie , Addy , Brendan and Declan jumped in the water not Charlie and me although we did get wet anyway as the conditions deteriorated by each afternoon with high winds and very choppy water .


8.30 am Sunday Juniors ;
With the sun shining and perfect conditions for our beginner fleet consisting of 12 budding sailors including a few newbies the boats were quickly rigged and everyone moved into the class area for the pre sail briefing . I was impressed by all our previous weeks sailors and their being able to point out the wind direction and where the no sail zone is . The conditions were excellent with a wind of around 3/5 knots which was definitely a lot slower than last week where everyone had both towing and capsize practice where this week it was all about trimming the sail to get the best results  Daniel and his crew were just cruising in the taz and Ciarna and Zoe showed good skill with both of them having a go at steering around the course with some very good tacks and sail trimming to catch the best amount of wind . There was a bit of towing as well as the outgoing tide increased and everyone started drifting south but then the wind picked up and everyone sailed back up to the capsize area and yes you guessed it they all started capsizing which rounded out a great morning session .

10.30 am Sunday Juniors ;
With this class rebuilding again as others move on to racing it is attracting a very keen group of level three sailors who are up for the challenge of this new learning curve in their sailing experience . Guys like Tain and Tom who only recently moved up plus Alex absolutely enjoyed the conditions with the winds at a consistent 4/6 knots meaning they could hike out more and gain more speed through the tacks . The wind speed did improve as well during the session  making it important for everyone to hike out and keep the boat level right Eddie ? which gave everyone more speed resulting in better tacks and gybes . There was the odd mainsheet tangle and letting go of rudders resulting in the odd coming together but overall I think everyone was pretty happy with their efforts on the day .

1.30 pm Open Racing;
With what was looking like one of our bigger fleets ( 18 boats ) for Sunday racing and winds basically easterly it was a perfect day to run both channels starting down at runners and firstly doing a couple of laps of the soverign channel then rounding the day out with two laps of our channel finishing at the club . Everyone was keen to get going and with the OK dinghy sailed by Michael sitting right on the start line with less than thirty to go definitely made for a good start well except for Steve who got pushed out and had to come back and start again . With the ok slowly pulling away the race between the radials became a bit of an epic struggle with everyone seeming to have a go at leading the bunch . Everyone was giving their all with some really good speed shown but the battle allowed Michael to jump away in the lead and even though Ben (radial), Matt ( full rig ) and Casey and Michelle ( radial) tried to bridge the gap Michael sailed over the finish line with room to spare followed by Ben, Matt, Casey and Michelle . Everyone actually sailed well with even our relatively new sailors like Lance showing a big improvement well maybe stop letting go of the steering in the gybes right Lance !

Bunnings Fundraiser ;
I would just like to thank everyone who donated their time last saturday with our fundraiser and even though the overall customer numbers were down not only with us but Bunnings also on the day we still managed toraise money for more safety equipment for the club . A special thanks to Charlie B who went the whole day with me starting at 6.30 am and finishing at 5.00 pm truly a big day !

Pan Pacific Master Games only 5 weeks away and yes we would love some volunteers especially during the week so let us know if you are available .  Click here for event details.

CU on the water
John Murphy

Hi Everyone,

We have a big weekend coming up this weekend with our annual Bunnings Sausage sizzle Fundraiser at our local Arundel store which if its anything like last year will be a big day for our fundraising efforts . Where does the money raised go ? well it goes to new PFD's and we are also looking at some extra helmets  due to the increase in our Junior sailor numbers . We have created a roster for the day but if you cant spare some time why not drop down and catch up and buy a sausage maybe even a drink .

As you all probably realise there was not much sailing last Sunday due to the winds reaching over 35 knots by lunch time which forced the cancellation of both the 10.30 class and Open Racing but we did at least make a start on 8.30 class .

8.30 am Sunday Juniors ;
Sunday started with light winds from the west so we thought we would at least be able to run this class successfully  especially since we had some of our keenest new sailors turning up at 8.15 am and signing on and straight outside looking for boats to rig which was a bit of an issue as Charlie , Casey and I had been taking our time setting so a bit of rushing around was in order . By the time the boats were rigged and the briefing done the winds had started to turn southerly at around 8/10 knots which was probably the strongest winds most of this current group had ever sailed in but we thought we should at least give them a try at the conditions . How did this go well lets just say that both safety boats were kept busy helping with capsized boats and people drifting into Public Nuisance and under the bridge right Daniel ! During all this activity you guessed it the winds really turned southerly and increased to around 15/17 knots so everything was put on the shore well except for Charlie who took a couple of keen sailors out for a blast in the laser radial I was actually keen to have a go but Charlie beat me too it and the best part was to see the smiles on the crews faces after Charlie had taken them for a fast ride across the Broadwater .

10.30 am Sunday Juniors ;
Well as you can guess by this time the winds had increased to twenty knots and with quite a few concerned faces from the group this session was cancelled as not only was it way past this groups wind limits but it was quite choppy as well so there was smiles all around but you know I think if I had said yes we go in close to the club they probably would have given it a try but there is always next week !

1.30 Open Racing;
With the winds by 11.30 reaching 33 knots at the seaway and after some discussion around should they go and chance breaking gear everyone decided that again there is always next week . We let everyone know but I think most people already knew the outcome by just looking at the weather updates . By 12.30 it was definitely over 30 knots and very choppy which made even getting the inflatables on their trailers difficult plus then we had to winch up Public Nuisance on her bridle as the winds were really buffeting her . Speaking of Public Nuisance and her aversion to low tides in the Broadwater we are looking at Saturday lunch time sailing in October as the tides are very favourable for sailing her . The plan is to if the winds are suitable sail her out the seaway into deep water where she can stretch her legs so  yes we will be looking for experienced crew to come along so if anyone is keen let me know as we can comfortably take six crew , should be a great experience and fun !

Upcoming ;
November is Pan Pacific Masters Games and we are looking for some volunteers both weekends and week days to help man the safety boats so if you have the time just let us know at the sailing office no boat license is needed but is definitely an advantage and the duties are mainly fleet control so just making sure everyone has safety support on the water . The event is on from Friday the 2nd of November until Sunday the 11th of November not including Monday the 5th which is a rest day ( 9.00 AM UNTIL 4.00 PM )

CU on the water
John Murphy

Hi Everyone , Yes I know the newsletter is a day late but I totally forgot yesterday as I had the painters in from 7am repairing and painting my kitchen walls and by the time they finished I then had to lock up and leave to shop and such . Please be reminded that the club access will be restricted on Sunday due to a sporting event that will restrict access from the south but by looking at the course map you should be able to gain access from the north side of the club . We will have a volunteers list for our Bunnings fundraiser on Saturday the 22nd of Sept so if you can spare an hour or two and support this yearly important event just let us know on Sunday or even during the week.

Sunday Juniors 8.30 am ;
Well I think we can officially say winter is over as the mornings are definitely getting warmer now all we have to do is get the water temperature up a bit more and we will definitely be heading for summer . With perfect conditions with the winds from the n/w / n / n/e yep that's right it was shifty we still managed to set a good course which ended up basically west so up and down in front of the club it was perfect for everyone to practice not only tacks but also gybes . Daniel and his brother sailed the Taz and I must say once the wind came in they sailed it well ( no jib ) as did Taine who seemed very comfortable hanging over the side of his Tera and still sailing around the course . Jamie and Jack with some coaching also managed to make this sailing thing look easy just cruising around the track as did Zara who is improving especially with her steering . Ciarna now always turns up with a smile is improving each week and I cant wait for her to try a bit more wind to let her feel the difference a bit more speed makes !

10.30 am Sunday Juniors ;
This class is each week attracting more of our original 8.30 class sailors so its really starting to build and is looking very positive for summer especially if we can throw in some practice racing and because of this possibility, it was decided that we should ( well I decided ) that we should practice triangles . After some discussion in the class room around how to attack the course I sent everyone off to give this course a try and I have to say that everyone actually managed to make it around even the new x 8.30 class sailors before the coach boats managed to get out there and support everyone . Ok for most it was a bit sloppy at first with some flapping sails (right Charlie & Mason) over pointing (Eddy and Alex) but with the two instructing boats out there we really did sharpen up everyone's sailing by the end of the session with everyone really looking comfortable towards the end . Oh and yes Addy was out there as well and she was doing it so easy I made her go in the opposite direction which I thought might slow her down but after one coaching lap away she went . Well done everyone and thanks to mother nature for the great sailing conditions.

1.30 pm Open Racing;
Conditions were perfect for afternoon racing with S/E winds yes it had swung right around from the morning and the outgoing tide starting to slow so we set a course starting down at the canal with a top mark near Runners and then a third mark two thirds the way up Sovereign . The winds were around 8 knots with the occasional extra puff so it made for excellent racing conditions . Casey took off again to lead the pack and slowly built a good lead against all the radials ( yes she sailed radial as well ) which was never headed must have been the radial training on Saturday right Case ? Matt went well in the full rig and Torin in the only 4.7 held his own against all the bigger sails . The legs from the A mark to C mark were the best with everyone able to gain maximum boat speed and it really looked like fun from the safety boat . Teegan and Ollie sailed Opti and Bic respectfully with Ollie starting slow that was until a sloppy tack caused a capsize which seemed to wake him up and slowly he started moving forward in his boat and caught Teegan and came home in front again he even went back for his hat so well done Ollie . Just to keep everyone up to date Casey finished first Matt second and a great race for Michelle coming in third . A special thanks to Peter for the use of his boat as a starting platform while Sarah Cooper is out of action ( steering ).

Don't forget everyone that if you can spare some time on Saturday the 22nd of Sept for our Bunnings Fundraiser Barbeque just let us know at the club . The barby hours are from 7.30 am until 4.00 pm and its always a lot of fun !

CU on the water
John Murphy

Hi everyone , Wow we have already reached September and with heaps of sailing already completed at the club with school groups / school holiday sailing camps / Regatta s / Sunday Juniors and both club events and club championship racing it has certainly been a busy year for our sailing club . Next on the list is our 3rd term school holiday camps which we have been receiving bookings for since early august then we have our annual try sailing day plus summer school holiday camps including Sunday juniors and racing and finally our club Xmas party which I believe the committee will make a decision on at our next meeting on Saturday week . I should also put in a get well for Addy's Dad Glen who fell from the work truck and broke several bones in his wrist arm and elbow so he will be out of action for at least 3 months , Glen has been helping on Sundays especially with racing so get well soon mate.

8.30 am Sunday Juniors ;
With perfect blue skies and light s/e winds plus being fathers day Casey safely made it into a parking spot with her brand new license I was a bit worried that she wouldn't make it because her smile was so wide her eyes looked closed ! We didn't really expect many starters being fathers day but we still managed to have 8 sailors on the day with a couple of newbies thrown in so while Torin and Addy sailed with the new sailors Casey and Charlie and I manned the safety boats . Captian circles ( Athenia ) jumped on with Addy and they took a new girl for her first sail while Torin took a couple of the boys out on the laser and with conditions perfect with winds around 4/6 knots it was perfect again for steering practice with Dan and Ethan have a good sail and we even had Athenia steering with Addys help in nearly straight lines between the buoys , all in all a great session .

10.30 Sunday Juniors ;
With no chips break because Charlie wasn't allowed any because they were taking dad and granddad out for lunch ( should have seen the devastated look on his face ) and with a healthy number of training sailors rigged and ready we had a sit down and discussed the days course and training exercise . As the winds had started to increase to around 8/12 knots still from the S/E I decided that we would all work on boat speed as conditions were perfect , Ben was determined to sail the laser which dad and I thought might be a bit much on the day but determination one out and he proved both of us wrong by really listening and flying around the course ok he did capsize but all he did was laugh and climbed back on board and off he went again . The girls ( Addy , Teegan and Abby just cruised around the course and didn't even look like capsizing well except near the end when Abby went for a swim near the bridge oh well someone had to fall in , I can only see a bright future for the female sailors with the skills and keen attitude .
1.30 Open Racing ;
Well I could just say Casey just took off from the start and one by nearly a lap but it would make a very short news section . So with conditions now up around 15/18 knots and very choppy conditions I set a course in our channel with triangles and windward leeward and started out in front of the club . There was a bit of confusion at the start probably because Sarah Cooper wasn't out there due to mechanical problems so we used Peters boat which seemed to throw a few people off allowing Casey to get a good jump at the start . Michelle made an optimistic choice going radial which proved to much by the last lap where she just had no strength left so pulled out and try as hard as they could Steve , Kate , Roger and Torin just couldn't catch Casey with even Torin pulling out near the end after throwing up ! We had both Addy and Teegan on the start boat which was great as they watched Casey tack / gybe and generally not make a mistake , she even had a cheer squad on the shore with all her rello's having a picnic on the shore near Allisee .

Upcoming ;
School Holiday sailing camps Sep/Oct
2018 Pan Pacific Masters GamesPan Pacific Masters Games  2/11 Nov 
Bunnings fundraising barby 22nd Sept ( volunteers needed !!!
Try Sailing day 9th of December 
Xmas holiday sailing camps 

CU on the water
​John Murphy