Hi Everyone , As the year draws to a close the club is getting busy with large annual school groups booked in for this week and next week , these groups are quite large with the first group being 95 students and the second being 85 students . Both groups are here all day and yes we break them up into manageable numbers and they all have a great sailing experience . A special thanks goes to Tom , Greg and of course charlie who have donated their time to give these boys and girls a sailing experience and yes we will all be shot duck by the end of each days sailing. The club will be closing for the xmas braek from the 20th /12 until the 5th 1 2024 but full members can access their boats as most have a cage key and if not and you want to sail your boat just let us know at the club and we can organise a key , all we ask is that you lock up when leaving!  I was asked by council to attend a meeting last week to discuss our cage replacement ( rusty ) and to my surprise they offered to complete a grant application through council and although it doesnt mean we have the money it will surely give us a better chance of replacing the structure so fingers crossed for early 2024 .
8.30 am Sunday Juniors 
With the weather looking good it was always going to be a good day for a sail and although numbers were down on the previous week we still had a keen group signed on for the session . The winds were out of the n/e at around 3-5 knots with the beginning of an outgoing tide so reasonable conditions . Harvey and Reece were there to help everyone launch and we soon had everyone on the water . Charlie and Jason set up a nice reaching course which they expanded as everyone were too bunched up causing some near misses at the buoys so making it longer spaced everyone out so less close calls . So whos improving ? wel most everyone in Hayden Blake Jagger and archie and Tommy now all we have to get them to master is gybing which should be the usual challenge but they already like falling in the water . I have to say he might be the smallest and the youngest by Toby certainly stands out as the keenest sailor as he is willing to have a go at anything and always comes in with a smile on his face.
10.30 am Youth Training 
I was nice to see Annabel and Lana back in ten thirty after a bit of a break and after some early visits to the sand bar they were soon back into the swing sailing around the triangle course charlie had set . There was a discussion at the start regarding a proposed sail out the seaway that we have reset for the 15th of december so it looks like mother nature willing there will be a few sailors heading for a training run out the seaway on that day. I should also mention one of our newest 10.30 sailors in Kirra who despite some trepidation at first had her first real sail with the group and yes she did hit the sand bank like a few other people but soon joined the group and was just cruising. Everyone stood out in the session and really looked good in general but to me the standout was Halle who just nailed the course especially the bearaways just so smooth so well done Halle . The presentation for the most improved male and female sailor of the year in this group will be held on the Xmas party day so we will have to make sure a certain people are present . Charlie and I think we have picked the right people after a hard year but we will soon see !
1.30 Pm Open Racing
With this race being rescheduled from the previous weekend due to the metro,s in brisbane there were only a few hardy souls signed on but there was an added ring-in in one of our youth sailors turning up and asking if he could give it a go and of course we said yes . Dallas was one of the quick youth sailors until work and partying took over like a lot of young sailors but it was great to see him back.
Despite Charlie and I saying it would be more difficult Greg got his way and we had a down wind start to the deep hole with the turning buoy at the west cardinal then a battle up the Curragee side and it was a battle especially for those who followed greg who you guessed it went half way toward the seaway with Tom and Nic in close persuit the rest who were close to Charlie and Iso they turned at the west and began the battle north against 15 plus knots gusty n/e winds and a raging outgoing current . The best was the battle between Tom and ( radial ) and Kate ( 4.7) in the early stages of the upwind it was awesome to watch the tacking duel with tom finally breaking free and sailing away from the fleet . where was greg well for a while he was last behind Lance but by the top mark he had got past lance . On handicap Kate one with Tom second and Nic third , great race everyone . Finally the club champion 2023 presentation will be held at the annual xmas party on the 17/12/23 

Upcoming 
Annual Xmas Party and Presentation 17/12/23 booking is essential
Sailing Camp 18-19 december
Club closing 20/12/23

CU on the water
J Murphy

Hi Everyone , Firstly this week we have good news regarding the possible replacement of the caged storage area at the club in that our council has come on board and after a meeting last monday they have assisted the club in applying for a building grant and hopefully with their support we will be successful this time . Although it does not fix all the building issues it is a major part of the general overhaul of the premises so thank you to Gold Coast City Council and our local member CR Shelly Curtis for your support . Whats wrong with the current structure well mainly rust as the structure just cops it in storms with especially salt spray.
As of last weekend we have begun taking names for the annual Xmas Party being held on the 17/12/23 starting at 12.00 noon so if you would like to come along either drop into the club or send us an email with your booking numbers and yes you can pay on the day ! Also dont forget to mark the 14/1/2024 in your calendar for our annual hospital fundraising day all we need is good weather and plenty of people to make it a great day.
33 days until Santa Comes!
8.30 Sunday Juniors 
As of saturday afternoon I knew it was going to be a big day on sunday with at least 10 parents calling to confirm their booking on saturday afternoon evening and I wasnt wrong with 16 budding sailors signing on and rushing out to rig boats at 8.30 am . Charlie took charge while I signed everyone on and with Tristan Harvey and Reece helping we soon had everyone rigged and in the class area for a quick briefing. The winds were out of the n/e but soon moved e/s/e at around 4-5 knots so it was perfect for juniors to practice their skills . There was the occassional capsize and mystery falling out episodes but in general the was some very good beginner sailing out there . The sailors even swapped places so others could have a go at steering with some mistakes at first including collisions but towards the end they all just seemed to be cruising around . I also have to thank emilio how spent the session helping one of our new sailors learn how to steer the tera yes there were a few panic grabs at the steering by emilio  but by the end they were just cruising . Its great to see some of the more experienced kids helping out the new sailors .
10.30 am  Youth Training
 This group has come a long way this year starting with practice racing and then switching over to concentrated sail training . The briefings have changed also with more emphasis on sail sets , distance sailing and now rules . The rules part is a bit confusing but it must be learnt as its part of the hole racing experience so that if you know the rules you should be able to keep out of trouble ( theoretically ? ) As part of their ongoing training for 2024 charlie and I have come up with a bit of an adventure sail which involves going out the seaway on a suitable day hopefully Friday the 15/12/23 as part of training for sailing in swell , its not finalised yet but hopefully it will take place .
While Charlie was on the water coaching I stayed with Kirra who is new to 10.30 training but I feel after sunday where we worked on tacking and boat speed ( sail set ) she was just cruising buy the end of the session so hopefully she can join the group next weekend . The other sailor who is really adapting well is Zach who charlie decided to try in the laser and to our surprise he is really taking too it with smooth sailing very smooth tacks and gybes , we just have to learn how to rig a turbo boat right Zach ?

1.30 pm Open Racing
The last race of the year is this sunday with the annual marathon taking place , this is always a big race as its around crab island which weather permitting takes around 1.5 hrs , it was on the calendar for last weekend but greg had forgotten that the laser metro,s were on so hence the change !

Upcoming
2023 Open marathon 26/11/ 23 
AGM 2023 10.00 am 17/12/23
XMAS PARTY SUNDAY 17/12/23 STARTING AT 12.00 NOON 
Sailing Camp 18/19 december 
Club closure for Xmas 20/12/23

Cu on the water
J Murphy

Hi Everyone , Christmas is not far away now the year seems to have gone by really quickly just cant believe how fast so lets hope next year is a bit slower .
We have had a few lucky breaks with new sponsors and current ones helping support our events and equipment purchasing, with some new sails on the way and new helmets and jackets as well which should be in use as soon as we get them signed . Our new councillor ( shelly curtis ) has generously said that she will go to council to try and raise some funds for our annual Try Sailing Day which raises funds for Gold Coast University Hospital , We are hoping to get the jumping castle back next year for the event if we are successful in receiving some funds from council .
Just a reminder that the club,s annual xmas party is on the 17/12/23 and booking is essential so we know how many to cater for plus Greg Phillips has ordered more chips as apparently the kids ate all the chips last year .
The annual marathon that was scheduled for this sunday the 19th has been postponed until the 26/11/23 as the laser metro,s are on this weekend and most of the guys will be attending so we just moved it one extra week.
The school holiday sailing camps are up and running with the first camp( 18-19 dec ) almost full but their still spaces left of the two january camps .
8.30 am Sunday Juniors 
With perfect weather predicted for sunday the phone was ringing hot with parents booking their children in for the 8.30 class and on the day we certainly werent disappointed with 17 keen learner sailors and a couple of newbies turning up and signing on . Charlie had a break from teaching so I was back in charge of 8.30 class which I thoroughly enjoyed after being away for a few weeks recuperating . The conditions were perfect with the winds out of the e/n/e at around 6 knots and the beginning of the outgoing tide . It was great to hear the kids describe the camsize routines and which way to tack as well . All the boats had a skipper on board so even though I offered most everyone was confident about tacking . Charlie and Guy were in charge and Harvey and Reece were crew . The guys set a nice reaching course that everyone soon came to grips with even if there was the odd low speed collision and the odd case of falling out but after a while they extended the course just to split everyone apart and avoid the collisions . All in all it was a good session well except for a little bit of first aid but thanks to Claire the damage was soon repaired .
10.30 am Youth Training
 With a good crew turning up plus a couple of ring ins in Taylah and Jade yes Jade on a laser and a radial too it was looking good for a sail but before everyone hit the water Charlie had a special surprise for everyone in that he rigged his boat to firstly show everyone rigging. We did hit the class room first just to go over the previous weeks lesson on rigging ( rain ) then they all went out and charlie went through the changes that can be made to a race boat to suit conditions . To round it off we put everyone on Sarah C and Charlie hit the water to physically show everyone Tacking including roll tacking , bearaway retaining speed and of course smooth gybing . So did he capsize well of course he did on his second roll tack but you guessed it he didnt even get wet as he just climbed on the centreboard , we are hopeful that some of what he showed them works > Once the demonstration sail was done everyone just hit the water and from what I could see everyone was dooing well . I say Leila do some very smooth tacks so well done Leila and jack in his new boat was down to two capsizes and he even knew why so thats good . I took our latest 10.30 sailor out in Kirra as she was telling me she was nervous with the wind and tacking . The biggest issue with her was you guessed it facing backwards but after lots of practice she was starting to look good next we will have to work on gybes !
1.30 pm Racing
Racing was set for next weekend for the marathon but it is now on the 26th of november so a few of the team went for a practice run which seemed to create a bit of carnage with Casey really smacking a sandbar ( split centreboard ) Tom tearing his sail at the tack and greg arguing with a channel marker resulting in him headbutting the mark leaving a nice bump on his forehead . As special thanks to Tom as he donated his damaged radial to the club as its in really good condition and after repairs at evolution she will be back out there on a club boat .

Upcoming
Club Marathon 26/11/23
Club Xmas Party 17/12/23
Holiday Sailing Camp 18-19 / 12 / 23
Try Sailing Hospital Fundraiser  14/1/2024

CU on the water
J Murphy

Hi Everyone , We will be holding our annual Try Sailing Hospital Fundraiser on the 14th of January 2024 to as usual raise much needed funds for our local hospital and after my recent ambulance rides and intense hospital visits where all the staff and doctors really supported me as I battled my way through my illness this is why we need to support them they are all bloody awesome ! 
After a break of a month with no news letter I might be a bit rusty but Iam sure I will catch up fast. I recently was approached by our local councillors office to apply for funding for the club and consequentally we were successful in receiving over $4,000.00  to go towards new safety helmets and lifejackets so thank you to our councillor Shelly and her team . We have also been successful in securing a new sponsor for some Tera sails which should be here in a couple of weeks , who is it well I might let you all wait and see! If anyone is interested our advertising packages start very reasonably which gives businesses the opportunity to have the products and services advertised ever week so its well worth a look so just check with the office for some prices .
Lastly our annual Xmas Party is fast approaching and as in previous years we will be holding it at the club on the 17th of december so if you would like to book in tickets will be available soon , its always a fun day for everyone.
8.30 am Sunday Juniors 
Well you guessed it my first day back and due to the wind speeds reaching 15 plus knots by 7.45 am we had no choice but to cancel juniors as it was looking pretty rough out there , dont forget that it will always go on both facebook and our website when we cancel even if it was a bit late on sunday ( normally 7am )  . So after charlie and I made the decision what do you think happened by 9.30 am yes you guessed it the wind settled to around 8 knots so there,s always next week.
10.30 am Youth Training 
With conditions actually turning perfect for sailing we soon had everyone rigged and ready well except for Zach who as of last week is now sailing lasers and upgraded to a full turbo boat for the first time hence the extra time needed to rig the boat for the first time .
Charlie decided that after last weeks training around the marks that he would set a course down to the X mark near runners  but apparently he wasn,t clear enough and everyone followed Gemma ( who when telling me was laughing about it ) to the wrong X but at least they got there . When I asked everyone how they went the all said generally good but yes they all capsized at least once which apparently didnt impress the coach so welcome to my world Charlie it can be frustrating at times  but at least they got there . Zach and I had a big session on the turbo laser but once he got over the nervousness of sailing a very quick boat he was soon cruising around out there tacking and yes gybing and very successfully so I think next week we will get into rig adjustments which I think Zach is going to like as it challenges the brain . Our lastest Bic owner in Jack failed to increase upon the previous weeks 5 capsizes with only doing five again but I assured him there will come a day when he will get a lot of capsize practice but will probably never beat captain capsize,s record .
1.30 pm Open Racing 
Yes you guessed it there was no open racing but the guys just came down for a practice and we even had one of our old youth sailors turn up asking if he could join in and of course we said yes . So who was it well it was Patrick who is busy going for master five in maritime but had come down to visit mum and dad so we gave him a 4.7 laser and as he said he was a bit rusty at first but he soon had them all looking over their shoulders and they were all in radial so well done Pat and it was nice to catch up .
Racing will be on next Sunday so fingers crossed this current blustery southerly is gone by then .

Upcoming 
Club Marathon 19/11/2023 final race of the season
Club Xmas Party 17/12/2023 tickets available soon
Try Sailing Hospital Fundraiser 14/1/2024 

CU on the water
J Murphy