Hi Everyone , Well it has certainly been a busy week at paradise point sailing club with christmas fast approaching and 2021 right behind it its getting closer to our two major events for this year and then we have 2021 which will be a back to normal year fingers crossed . Despite early dire predictions regarding the corona virus and its long term effects the club has come through this years problems well as has our other sailing facility at Varsity Lakes with our general participation numbers showing good results with all our current activities showing significant increases in participant numbers . Its great to see all the smiling faces every sunday from juniors to adults just out to either learn more about sailing or just learn more ! from children like Tristan all the way up to our adults like Lance who are out there learning to sail and have FUN!
8.30 am Sunday Juniors :
With the weather forecast predicting doom and gloom sailing conditions I did my usual thing and fell back on the BOM website to check out the actual weather charts for the next four days so that I could gain a better understanding of what to expect . Most people just watched the news so decided not to come as they predicted 20 knots plus but my reading of the charts said more like 15k from the north which we are somewhat protected from and as it happens the winds on the day were actually just right for everyone with wind speeds around 5/8 knots . We had a few new sailors for the first time and thanks to Mason for taking them out and showing them the ropes he even had Jason steering on his first sail . Taylor was out in the laser and her brother had a Tera on his own and was sailing well with good tacks now all we have to do is get him gybing like his sister who showed some very smooth tacks and gybes on the nice reaching course , all in all a very productive lesson.
10.30 am Training ;
We had a new member for this group in Taylah yes we finally convinced her to step up to 10.30 training and see how she goes . We all sat down for a briefing and again worked on upwind sailing including where we sit sail trimmed on using telltales and how to take lifts instead of bearing away. As is usual with this group we set triangles and everyone except Jade was told to start with reaching , why did Jade have to start with triangles and noone else ? well she is just getting that good at working the most efficient angles . We soon had abby and ross doing the same while we left Taylah and Mason doing reaches with tacks and gybes at the buoys . Roos was struggling at first so Charlie swapped places to show him better upwinds and also the main sheet flick in the gybes as he was using a radial for the first time and to his credit once he jumped back on his boat he started emulating what Charlie had taught him . With Jade we just improved her gybe technique ( body position ) and we also had Abby going upwind better and flick gybing as well . Finally we stretched out Masons and Taylah,s course so that the could work on boat speed and turns . Did anyone go in ? well yes Ross had a swim but that was early before Charlie showed him how to use the gusts .
1.30 pm Open Racing;
The winds had turned toward the n/e when we ventured out to set the course so we set a start down at runners with the first upwind in our channel up on the east side then a long run up the east channel just short of the top green nav mark . Conditions were choppy with the wind and tide against each other and the wind speeds were around 12 to 15 knots but at times early in the race somewhat flukey with Nic just in front on the first lap and Greg and Tom close behind . After two laps the then had to head north in the main channel but Nic got it wrong and went up the west again and even though we tried to get his attention he got about half way up before he realised his mistake and had to tack accross the sand bar put him right down the fleet . Chris took over third place but no matter what he and Tom did they couldnt catch Greg who just literally sailed away finishing minutes before everyone else in 1hr 13m then Tom and Chris . Steve came home last but considering he forgot his pfd and had to go back for it then start not a bad effort and he nearly caught Lance on the finish leg except he made that fatal decision and just let the outhaul off just a bit more and you guessed it in the drink !

We are looking for some volunteers on Try Sailing day on the 13th of December so if you can spare even an hour to fill our positions just let us know 
Beach controller 
Sign on 
Rigging 
canteen 
barbeque 
jumping castle observers 
all help greatly appreciated 

CU on the water
J Murphy

Hi everyone , this week I had an interview with 91.7 ABC radio as they wanted to hear about our sailing club and you would think for a have a chat like me it would be a breeze but there were a few nerves as I steped up to the microphone but my passion for our sailing club soon kicked in and away I went and from reports from people who listen in apparently I did OK . It was just great to think that the word is out there that Paradise Point Sailing Club is a great place to send your children for a introduction to the sport of sailing so well done everyone for your efforts at supporting the club and its goals .
We have also been looking at some repairs to our caged area in conjunction with GCCC and we have been advised that the upgrade plans have been approved so fingers crossed that we will soon have our upgrades in place .
8.30 am Sunday Juniors;
As everyone knows the morning started with some pretty ordinary weather conditions predicted and it was surely looking that way by 7.30 am so as a safety precaution I posted that all juniors would be two up sailing due to the conditions . It seems we have a big group of very keen junior sailors as despite the already windy conditions we still had a large group of sailors signing on and rigging boats . With the winds up around 8/14 knots we decided on just a reaching course  tacking toward the bridge and yes there were a few capsizes with I think the first boat in was Willow and Emma but they soon had their boat back up and off they went again . Tristan and his crew had a few issues early mainly not enough weight but after a break on shore they were again back out there giving it a go , Cooper and his crew had a great sail and from memory I dont think they had any capsizes all I remember was some very smooth tacks so well done boys . I have to mention two young sailors who were just so funny and that was Madison and her brother Timothy who was very nervous in the windy conditions which soon turned into a bit of screaming as his sister built up speed on the reaches and when timothy reacted she just smiled  and smiled typical sister mine would have done the same but he did survive and probably talked about it for the rest of the day!

10.30 am Training ;
With the predicted increase in wind speeds not eventuating this group set their boats up for wind conditions around 10/14 knots n/e which is well within their range of skills so Charlie and I decided on triangles but before we went out we had a briefing about upwind sailing with firstly downhaul and outhaul settings but most importantly mainsheet block to block upwind sailing . To achieve better upwind we explained that the mainsheet blocks should be no more than 100 mil apart on the upwind and that it was very important to take the lifts when available . Madison opted for a tera because of the windy conditions and despite struggling at times in the gusts and her light weight she managed to sail well . Emmerson struck rudder trouble so had to pull out early while Ross just as usual gave it his all but did struggle with taking lifts resulting in a few swims and a small rigging failure with the main sheet unravelling and the tiller coming out of the box? Cgarlie wanted to show Abby how to go upwind and gybe the boat so he swapped places and we followed him for a couple of laps so she could see how its done , so how did it go well no sooner was she back on board her boat speed just increased and she was absolutely smoking on the reaches and broadreaches . Not sure who had the most fun Abby or Charlie.

1.30 pm Open Racing;
With the conditions staying around 10/14 knots and it being a non championship race we only had a small group so we decided to head out into the main channel to do some windward leeward short races and yes including downwind gybes which ultimately caused a few problems with Peter wrapping his mainsheet around the boom and Nick snapping his gooseneck in race three .We had atemporary PRO as well who I must say needs some work on his communication skills as he had us totally confused as to where he wanted the start line but we put it where he said  which we new would cause complaints from other sailors which it did so we moved it to a proper upwind start but again true to form as PRO he said thats where he wanted it anyway and that it was our fault as we didnt go to his briefing ( by the way there wasnt a briefing ? ) so who was the in charge yes you guessed it Greg !!! The upwinds were tough with the current absolutely roaring out so they were sailing right over the sand bars where Ben forced Greg to run aground and hit a mark and we couldnt get the smile off his face even Greg was laughing as he went over the line . Race four conditions really changed with the winds increasing to a gusty 20 knots making the upwind really tough but the downwind gybes were fantastic well except for Bens last gybe wich you guessed it put him in the drink all in all a good sail.

CU on the water
J Murphy

Hi everyone you are going to notice changes at the club this weekend as the Gold Coast City Council has decided to remove 90% of the fencing bordering the park area and I mention this as when the park wasnt fenced of from cars previously we had problems with people driving cars in the park and diging up the grass both day and night . Our caretaker is not looking forward to this as its his duty to notify council of suspicious behaviour ! fingers crossed the Idiot section of our community stays away ??? 
8.30 am Sunday Juniors :
It was again absolutely perfect for this session with winds around 4 knots from the s/e and blue skies to greet all the sailors . We soon had a course set and Charlie and Abby on the safety boat to give assistance . Taylah who has come far especially after the last camp where charlie worked with her on the club race laser had her brother on board and they really went well in the conditions . Everyone else struggled a bit early in the session but with some help from the coach boat they were soon just cruising . I had a request from Willow to teach her how to steer so we did the usual standing in the water doing practice tacking then off in front of me about half way accross the set course and then with a bit of enchouragement she was off around the whole course . We had will in the taz and at first he struggled so again I gave him some tips about where to sit and how to change sides and he was soon out there cruising around with everyone else . Cooper is still going forward and even surprising mum and dad as is Rilet and Griffin especially sailing solo . The best part is the constant questions and the keen look in everyones eyes so who knows we might get more people heading off to 10.30 training soon .
10.30 am Training;
With our hard core group of Jade , Ross , Abby , kaia , Madisonon all ready to go with boats rigged we had our usual briefing about rig settings for the conditions ( e/s/e 4/6 knots ) whith the usual slightly confused looks on a few faces their challenge for the day was to sail to the yellow x donw opposite Runners , sounds easy right well you would be wrong as the current was absolute murder coming in . Jade got it early as did Kaia who was sailing the Taz ?? and Ross who sailed with Emmerson on his laser were at first nearly going backwards until Charlie and I got them both to move up the front amazing what a differency it makes right boys? Abby had good boat speed upwind but she just needs to pull the main on harder by about two hundred mill then it will really go upwind . Charlie and I spent a lot of time with Maddison ( Bic ) improving her upwind which was as usual down to sail watching and concentration but she managed to sail with the fleet . The x mark proved ellusive with noone actually making it with Jade , Abby and Kaia getting the closest before we ran out of time and had to turn back for the club . The session showed Charlie and I that these people are really improving their skills so its time to go even further with a few more sailing challenges , WELL DONE EVERYONE!

1.30 pm Open Racing :
With it being a club championship points race we had a good turnout of 10 boats at the start line which we set down past the canal on the western side including both windwartd leeward and triangles . Everyone has been well behaved at the start line of late but not on sunday where everyone was a bit keen to get a good start so they crowded each other at the pin end for a starboard start except for Adrian who decided on a port start at the committee boat and you guessed jamed up the people on starboard and eventually pushed himself and Steve into the start boat anchor chain but with a bit of help from Charlie they were soon untangled and off racing . Greg and Tom soon settled into a battle and were constantly cahnging places throughout the race . The conditions were shifty but tyhere was one good lift starting down near allysie which if you snagged it just lifted you all the way up to the mark , it was awesome to watch when someone snagged it and just sailed waay from the other boats . Michelle was back out as well and although looking a bit spent as she crossed the line she said she had a great sail , I even have photographic proof with a few pictures going on facebook . Oh yeah who came first out of Greg and Tom well Tom buy about 9 seconds and Nick third .

Adult learn to sail ;
We are currently running a course on Saturdays so who knows we might have a few more racers out of the group which includes Maddisons parents !

CU on the water
J Murphy

Hi everyone , we are fast approaching the end of 2020 and Imust say I personally will be glab to hopefully see the end of all our covid 19 restrictions , rules and paperwork but the best thing is we are getting closer to our two major events taking place in december 
TRY SAILING DAY FUNDRAISER ON THE 13TH OD DECEMBER ; This is always a big event but this year we are hoping for an even bigger year so that we can donate even more funds to the Gold Coast University Hospital . We are looking for interested people to help us organise the event so if you would like to donate some time on the day just let us know at the club.
Our second event is our annual XMAS PARTY on the 20th of December and the general idea is that we hold it at the club like last year where everyone had a great time and there was also plenty to keep the kids occupied  flyers will be out soon sorry there late but the printer stopped printing but it should be back this week yeah!!

8.30 am Sunday Juniors 
With it being a long weekend we didnt expect a big crowd even though the weather was looking perfect but we had our first arrivals at 7.40 am yep even charlie wasnt here , seems like daylight saving caught Coopers parents out as there phones changed over automatically at least they could give us a hand setting up.
 With light winds basically from the north around 4knots Charlie and Mark set a nice reach accross the waterway and even gybing was allowed . Because of the small numbers we let anyone who wanted to sail alone and the results were very good well actually everyone sailed well but the standout was Taylah who after some expert coaching from Charlie at the last camp just cruised around the course with some very smooth tacking and gybing and overall good boat speed looking good Taylah!!! . We have another youth sailor who is now volunteering to help at 8.30 am so welcome to the team Ross dont forget mate you are going to learn even more about the sport as an instructor . I have to just quickly mention Will and his crew they did well on Sunday and its always funny listening to them arguing with each other in a good natured way boys thats what sailing is about FUN!!!
10.30 AM Youth Training
Again we didnt expect many sailors in this session because of the long weekend but the die hards still turned up in Jade , Abby and Ross , well we new Ross would be there as he was busting to try out his new laser 4.7 that they brought on Friday but first we had to fix the rigging which Charlie took on with a few minor outhaul issues but once done he was on the water and just smiled the whole session . We did do a bit of general sailing in around 6 knots of e/n/e winds but Charlie and I decided that we wouldnt travel all the way down towards Hollywell as the boat and jetski traffic was just a nightmare where do some of these people get their licences our do they actually have one ? Jade and Abby were just flying around and Ross was soon catching up as he became more used to the boat remember Ross move your butt forward and keep the boat flat . We had to stop abby,s boat as her outhaul system kept jamming even charlie couldnt pull it on so we did a bit of tricky on water modifications to at least give abbs a chance of pulling it on for the close reach! There is also a rumour floating about that a certain sailor is getting a much newer boat in a couple of weeks after a recent competition trip up north hmmm I wonder who that is? 
OPEN RACING 
There was no racing on the calendar but a few of the adults went out for a training run so Charlie and I had a sunday afternoon off and left it up to the adults to finish pack up and lock the gates . Originally Charlie and I were going to join in but after looking at the conditions said no as the last time we looked the tide was roaring out and the wind had dropped off oh and yes the boat traffic increased so it would have been an interesting sail even with nearly everyone  using a full rig sail in other words slow and frustrating .

CU on the water
J Murphy

Hi Everyone Paradise Point Sailing Club holds holiday sailing activities in the form of two day sailing camps and this latest school holidays was no exception . We normally have between 15 and 20 young sailors over the two week break but this year we ended up with over 30 young sailors over the two camps . We normally limit camp numbers to 12 students but because of the high demand we allowed extras which meant more instructors so I would like to thank Mark , Declan , Charlie and Abby for all their help over the two camps it was a massive two weeks and yes we were all tired at the end but the sailing was awesome so lets look forward to the next bunch of camps starting in december.

8.30 am Sunday Juniors 
With Summer finally showing its warmer weather and with around 12 keen sailors and the odd parent rigging boats we soon had a fleet of boats ready for the water . As usual we started with a safety and sailing conditions briefing and it continues to surprise me each week the amount of sailing knowledge that these young people are absorbing . Conditions were fine with light winds starting in the north so a nice reaching course was set for everyone straight accross the waterway with both tacking and gybing allowed . Although we dont normally allow single sailing in this session we did on sunday so people like Harrison and Cooper were allowed their own boat and both really learnt heaps . The current was on the out so the sand banks were showing themselves but most people still managed to run aground evenwith me standing there in knee deep water? and just to confirm for everyone when Iam standing in knee deep water yes it is too shallow and you will hit the sand !!!

10.30 am Training
With conditions improving with the winds swinging towards the n/e at around 8/10 knots we decided that as part of training it was a perfect day for some reaching down to the x mark and back towards the club . After adjusting everyones rig to suit the conditions in an effort to gain maximum speed we set off with as usual Jade in front followed closely by Ross in a 4.7 then Emmerson in a 4.7 then Kaia in a Tera  ( yep we have to get her in a bigger boat but she is just si skinny ) To make it far and keep the group together we had the lead boats constantlyturning back mainly to stay with Kaia in the Tera . The two fastest boats were Jade and Ross who really had their boats smoking along . Emmerson soon got the idea and pulled more sail on as did Kaia especially in the choppy conditions mainly caused by the high number of boats and jet ski,s on the water. .

1.30 pm Open Racing