8.30am Sunday Juniors :
Again as the team and I set up for Sunday morning we as usual discussed the possible numbers and the general thought was that our numbers would be down as school had restarted and like previous Sundays we were totally wrong with over twenty junior sailors signing on for the session so it was a mad rush to rig enough boats so that we could get everyone on the water . We got all the boats on the beach then a big squall came in so we just left the boats on the beach and waited till it passed With the winds starting n/w then going north around 4/6 knots it was just perfect conditions especially for our group of first timers who thanks to Charlie and Casey had a great first experience at sailing with many having a go at the main sheet and some even trying out steering . Even Pat was into it coaching on the water in the yellow rescue boat ( banana boat ) with his new boat license and like Andrew he did have to do the odd tow and right capsized boats .
10.30 am Sunday Training :
This session started with a discussion about getting boats ready so that we could get the on water started before 11 am which didnt happen as everyone was either sitting down eating or wandering around and I had to chase everyone up and get boats rigged and go . When we finally got on the water in winds around 6/8 knots s/e and a short course set out front everyone really got their act together and sailed well , sure there was the odd capsize and one or two collissions but everyone handled themselves well with some really crisp tacks and good speed from hiking out . Eddie found new grip in the bic after waxing the deck and it really showed . Abbey sailed well until she ran into the sand and followed her brothers head but the boom routine although I must say Ben did listen and wore a helmet . I think its time we started to stretch out this group and start sending them on some good long reaches and runs as they are starting to show some real skill in their sailing . Dont forget guys on the water by 11!
1.30 pm Open Racing ;
With conditions perfect for racing with the winds settling in e/s/e at around 12/15 knots I decided to send everyone of with a couple of windward leewards first and then a run up the other channel the back to the start for a finish . I was praying for a clean start as I was on my own and wouldnt have had enough hands for the recall flags but everyone behaved and had a generally spot on start . It was pretty close in the first lamp but by the end of the second Greg had gotten in Front with Tom second Steve third and Casey fourth . Tom had lent Greg his carbon top and it really showed especially on the long run up to soverign with greg pulling out a good lead that is until the sand bank bit him and Tom ducked around him . The best battle was Casey 4.7and Steve 5.7 which finished with Steve just beating Casey over the line by 4 seconds , not bad after fifty minutes racing .
Our new youth sailor Tarin tried hard but ran out of puss and Simone and Roger had a good run followed by Charlie . Pat decided to try a radial and you guessed it with no training and little experience the conditions were just to strong bringing him home last .
Upcoming :
February Adult Introduction to sailing course booking essential
June 30th Bendigo Bank Youth Cup
November 2nd Pan Pacific Masters Games
CU on the water
John Murphy