Hi Everyone , What  a difference a week makes from a weekend of pouring rain and 40 plus know winds on the previous weekend to last weekend where we were treated to warmer temperatures , blue skies , warm water and perfect sailing conditions . It was my first weekend of just a shirt and shorts not the five layers that I wear in the middle of winter and even entering the water was a pleasant experience . But best of all that finally Sarah Cooper was back on the water after her steering repairs and what a saga that was but at least she is back !
8.30 am Sunday Juniors ;
Everyone seemed a bit sleepy including the instructors so it took a while to rig the boats but there was no real rush as the winds were light from the S/W and an outgoig tide so it was always going to be a challenge .
Taine and Hudson after a short attempt at sailing decided to start falling out of the boat which went a bit overboard and whit dads intervention we finally got them back sailing . Athian and Shayla sailed well both taking turns at steering and as the wind increased they really started to perfect their tacking and general sailing . Actually everyone sailed well especially as the wind swung S/E to around 4/6 knots which made it perfect reacing weather and of course with the water temperature much warmer and the pleading from everyone to practice capsizing I finally relented and let the real fun begin , there is nothing like laughter echoing accross the water to make everyone smile including the adults .
10.30 am Sunday Juniors ;
​If you want a perfect way to achieve a silent class just start explaining apparent wind effects on sailing boats , Iam not sure if I had everyone totally enthralled or totally confused but I certainly had a quiet briefing . The course set was again a long reach with both tacking and gybing up for practice and hopefully recognising the apparent wind effect? ? I am still teaching Eddy her new turbo rigging so we were last boat on the water but she was soon away and very comfortable on her laser . Ben and company were just cruising in the laser but had the occassional problem with straight lines and Teegan as she told me just got bored . Charlie struggled with her Bic aat first so I pulled her in to the shallows and worked on tacking with feet position and weight on the new side fast , she even started to feel the effects of apparent wind but most of all she learnt a new word for bottom but you will have to ask her to tell you next weekend . I nearly forgot Addy was out there as well in her Bic and just making it look to easy even with a sore back from falling down the stairs at school , hope its better now add!
1.30 pm Open Racing ;
With a good fleet of lasers an Opti and a couple of Open Bics it was a good fleet showing up fro the start . We set the course in our channell only as the firecast for later in the afternoon was for storms ( well it was Indy weekend ) . It was a good start from everyone with Casey and Ben really nailing it and all the other lasers right on their heels Jonah and Addy had a small meeting at the start line in their Bics resulting in Ollie just getting a good clear path to the top mark . The lasers were really packed together with Ben in the lead and Casey ( radial ) slowly breaking away from the pack and setting her sights on Ben . Roger apparently forgot to duck and had to retire with a nice bump on his forehead . Wonce Jonah got going he just took off after both Ollie and Teegan in the Opti and Ollie with his years of experience ended up doing two laps of the course as he was just to fast especially on his upwinds . Ollie was sailing well but had some capsize trouble at the gybe mark allowing Addy to overtake him and beat him over the line . We stopped the race on the short lap as we could see the Lightning and rain just behind the club so safety first and back to the beach . See Ollie I didnt say anything about you leaving your bung out and thats why Addy caught you so nobody will know ? I suppose I should mention the certain person who yes you guessed it chamoied her boat in the rain twice at least it was entertaining .
Finally who finished first well it was Casey then Ben and Michelle with her new laser radial sail .
Upcoming ;
​
Pan Pacifis Masters Games 2/11 november , Please remember everyone that there will be no juniors on sunday the 4th and Sunday the 11th of November 

Try Sailing Hospital Fundraiser ; This is looking to be the biggest year for this Event to date with the inclusion of fun races for the kids and even the adults  plus raffles so with all thsi happening mark it down in your calendar December 9th 

CU on the water
John Murphy

Hi Everyone , As you all may have guessed there was not only no Sunday program last weekend but even our Saturday sessions were cancelled due to both rain and high winds . On Sunday morning the wind speeds at 7.00am were reaching 17 knots at the club and around 20/24 at the seaway and by lunch time the rain was coming through in heavy squalls and the winds were reaching on land 20/25 knots and on the water we estimated gusts in excess of 30 knots and by mid afternoon the seaway was recording 40 knots plus so it was definitely a wild few days on the water.
  
I have to admit both of our senior instructors and me  were thinking of going out mid morning just for some speed reaches but then we got the first of the heavy wind bursts and decided we didn't want to break gear or for that matter people so the plan was scrapped so we took Casey's dog Russell for a walk instead not as exciting as speed reaches but just as wet when it started bucketing down . Lets hope that this wild weather is over so that we can get some good sailing in before Christmas.
  
Broadwater Speed Limits :
Ron and I attended a Gold Coast Waterways Authority meeting on Monday night and one of the main topics was speed limits but sadly like many previous meetings in regards to this issue there is still no firm decisions on reductions and if certain factions get their way there will basically be 40 knots over the whole Broadwater which is in my opinion and I am sure the opinion of all of our senior racing sailors who have already had close encounters on the water absolutely crazy so its definitely one topic Paradise Point Sailing Club needs to keep monitoring . 

2018 Pan Pacific Masters Games 
This Event will mean that there will be no Junior Sailing or club racing on Sunday 4th and 11th of November due to these Sundays being the final race days and presentation of medals . This is a fantastic sailing event and is run via age groups whit sailors in their seventies still competing so if your kids are in need of a sailing fix bring them done after lunch and they can watch the final race and presentations and maybe cheer on some of our club sailors who will be up for medals . The canteen will be open and I believe there will be a sausage sizzle.  For entries and more event details, click here.
  
​Summer Holiday sailing camps;
Please check the front page for the summer holidays junior sailing camp dates we have quite a few on so if the kids are keen book them in for one of the summer camps maybe they would like to invite some of their friends along and show them their sailing skills 

CU on the water
John Murphy 

Hi Everyone Summer must be finally coming because we are now starting to experience the afternoon thunderstorms which always go with the warmer temperatures but luckily for us Gold Coasters we generally miss the worst of the storms with the worst of them either going south or north around us so we end up with a lot of rumbling and a bit of a light show . With these conditions generally the days are fine like yesterday which allowed Trisha to practice for the upcoming Pan Pacific Masters Games  in perfect 10/15 knot winds and blue skies .
8.30 am Sunday Juniors ;
With for most of or juniors starting back at school on Monday we didnt expect many starters but as usual we were wrong with 12 junior sailors signing on for the session and gearing up and heading out to rig their boats . Unfortunately as the sailors rigged up the wind speeds started to top out at around 15 knots which is above our 8.30 class safe wind levels so we quickly rigged two lasers and Declan and Casey took everyone out in turns so at least they had a sail . It was pretty quick out there as one of the twins on Declans boat fell out then Declan capsized with the other twin so once Charlie deposited the deserter back on board off they went again . As usual Caseys crew just cruised and I believe even Athenia actually woke up while she was out there and realiused she was cold and had to come in . Charlie ( not bratton ) was a bit disappointed at first as she wanted to sail her friend in the Bic but she still had fun helping Casey sail the laser while her friend just enjoyed the ride . Opps I nearly forgot Charlie,s brother Taine sailed too or was it yelled for most of the session well either way he had fun .
10.30 am Sunday Juniors ;
Well firstly big news for Eddy she finally had her brand new turbo kit fitted to her boat but she wasnt allowed to play with the strings just just sail the boat and while Eddy was getting her new rigging everyone else was rigging up in their Tera,s and Open Bic . We all sat down to discuss conditions which had actually backed off from the earlier class to around a solid 12 knots so there was a bit of nervousness from some of our newer sailors but still everyone launched and went out to tackle the reaching course with the emphasis on both boat speed and tacking . Alex and Lucas struggled at first but after giving Alex the tip off main on before you tack he was off and we finally got Lucas to face the front well that was after his first solo tack attempt didnt end well .
Tain and Tom who seem to enjoy sailing together also had a good session with really good team tacking just remember boys crew goes first ! Well now we have the girls so how did Eddy go with her new rigging ? well judging by the smiles I would say excellent OK there was an early capsize due to that pesky main sheet on transom problem but then she was off and flying so well done Eddy . Last but not least Addy in the Bic well what can we say she just flew around the course and even did a few gybes but I think they were to impress her dad who was finally allowed out after his broken arm incident and dad was suitably impressed as well.
1.30 pm Open Racing ;
With people coming to me for advice on sail choice which as time went on I changed to bigger sails as the conditions slowed I set off and layed a course starting at the Canal and heading up wind into the s/e wind to A mark situated at Runners then a third mark half way up Soverign . With a good fleet at the start line and yes still no Sarah Cooper but thats another storey Addy and I managed to start everyone in Rescue four . The start was stolen by Matt who just swooped in on port right on the hooter while everyone else started on Starboard and managed to stall each other out . Tom took off with Matt right with him while the rest of the fleet argued over places in the first couple of laps in our channel then as everyone rounded A and headed up towards Soverign and a perfect reach opportunity you guessed it Casey just took off and just flew past Matt and was on the hunt for Tom . Charlie had a good day as did Simone but Ben said he struggled with sail set and just couldnt get her going ( know the feeling ) Kaleb pulled out as he was just to slow in the 4.7 as the winds dropped as did Trisha but at least the were out there . Who crossed the line first Tom or Casey ( radial ) Tom but he was definitely looking over his shoulder with Casey finishing only 1 minute behind . I mustnt forget Olie our lone Bic sailor on the day yes he did have a good start but without competition it was a lonely sail but he completed the course even if the main wasnt really on on the upwinds but hey he had fun so well done Ollie .
Upcoming;
The next major Event is The Pan Pacific Masters Games November 2nd to 11th and with the competitor numbers slowly increasing its look like we will get some good sailing in both the dinghy and multihull sections but we are not really sure how we will go with the windsurfers as numbers are still low but we will keep pushing it all the way to the end .

CU on the water
John Murphy

Hi Everyone , Well this weeks news letter is going to be a bit short thanks to the cancellation of both the 8.30 am class and the 10.30 class as well , why did this happen well to put it in laymans terms it blew a gale and bucketed down rain. The wind speeds alone where way above our individual session limits of 12 knots for 8.30 and 16 knots for 10.30 with winds at the seaway at 7.00 am around 24 knots and to top it of it was cold . 
  
I actually posted on Facebook and our website at around 6.30 am that everything was cancelled which seemed to work well except for one or two people who turned up anyway but soon agreed that it was way to windy and wet .
  
At least while I was at the club waiting for those sailors who didn't see the posts  I had the chance to watch some great sailing clips on Facebook especially some big boat sailing in wild conditions which relates to some wild high speeds oh yeah and the odd crash but hey that's sailing right! . What did your other instructors do instead ? well Casey said she was going to study ? and Charlie just went back to bed and me well you guessed it I went to Bunnings !!

Ok just a few reminders ;
On Saturday the 6th of October,  there is the Tastes of Paradise festival in Paradise Point and we have teamed up with Mano's Italian Restaurant to decorate the restaurant in a nautical theme so come over and check the night out its usually great fun !
    
​Pan Pacific Masters Games: During the games the club will not be conducting juniors or Club Racing on Sunday the 4th of November or Sunday the 11th of November but everyone is invited down both to check out the sailing and also to check out the afternoon presentation of medals to the successful sailors.  Don't forget if you're available to lend a hand, let us know.  We need canteen coverage and the usual rescue boat and launch area coordination.  Click here for more details on these events.  #PPMG18
  
Try Sailing Day Hospital Fundraiser:  9th of December 
This is a yearly event at our club where the main focus is to show people our sport of sailing and how much fun we have with it but its also an opportunity for our community club to raise much needed funds for our local Gold Coast University Hospital who use the money we raise each year to help purchase much needed equipment for the Hospital. After my recent visits to the Hospital and the excellent care I received I am even more passionate in my support of this Club Event so Invite all your friends and family along and donate your $2.00 to this worthy cause.  Sailing is a sport that can be participated in at all ages.  At our club we support kids from as young as 6 year old to adult including many masters sailors.  Come down and give it a try.
  
Club Christmas Party:  16th of December
We are looking at the Paradise Point Bowls Club again for this gathering as everyone has so much fun with the barefoot bowls especially the Adults who were the hardest to get off the greens when it was time to sit down for dinner at the last gathering for the Midwinter Cup.  Not only was the food great but the company was a lot of fun.

Club Pontoon:  If you watch Facebook you would have seen our pontoon has a large crack in it caused by grounding at low tide which I only noticed last Sunday while checking the weather, but thanks to Brett Meadows Marine it is still serviceable thanks to some rushed temporary repairs we just need to keep our fingers crossed that we don't get anymore storms until we can effect permanent repairs so fingers crossed 

Ok CU on the water
John Murphy