Upcoming regattas

With the resumption of racing, it’s time to start thinking about regatta planning.

The NSW & ACT Laser Association State Championships are scheduled to be held at Georges River Sailing Club on 4-5 December 2021, while the State Masters Championships are scheduled to be held at Bay Sailing Centre, Port Stephens on 5-6 February 2022.

Once again, the club is planning to have a good contingent representing the club at both events. The plan is also to have accommodation arranged for the contingent heading to Port Stephens. As those who attended the regatta in Jervis Bay earlier this year can attest, the State Masters is a great club weekend away.

If you are planning to attend either of these events, can you please send Rod Barnes an email letting him know which event(s) you intend to attend? 

The DBSC contingent at Jervis Bay. Photo credit: Diana Valia Chen

60 seconds with Scott Finlayson

How old were you when you first stepped on a boat?
I was about 10 years old when I first started sailing Manly Juniors at Brooklyn as part of the Hornsby Police Boys Club.

If money (and sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy?
I’m sure I’d end up buying some yacht to jaunt around the place in, but I’m actually very excited about my newly purchased second hand laser.

What is your ultimate sailing goal?
I don’t think I have an ‘ultimate’ goal, but I imagine my short term goal will be to avoid being regularly last around the DBSC course once racing gets underway.

Tell us the story behind the name of your Laser?
‘Fine Wine’ - You’ll have to ask Mark Bethwaite, but presumably it relates to how sailing and wine are both part of what makes life fun.

If you could add any ingredient to DBSC's world’s best toasties – what would it be?
I’m afraid I’m yet to experience a DBSC toastie. I did have a mushroom one from the 18 footers next door, and it was pretty good.

What are your second/third favourite hobbies (assuming sailing is #1)?
I’ve been into running over recent years, and got to complete a few marathons and the like, however these days I just go out for a plodding run every few days. I also enjoy taking my dog out on the paddle board, and I love skiing.

Describe what you do for work in less than five words?
Build actuarial modelling software.

What is the first international destination you will travel to (once we're allowed) and why?
This is a hard question – probably London to see my sister, and Berlin for the fun of it.

What is your favourite TV show, movie, and/or book?
I would say my favourite movie is Local Hero. The books I’ve most enjoyed reading are 100 Years of Solitude and Midnight’s Children. And as for TV shows, I would say Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Tell us something interesting about yourself that members of the club don’t know?
Well my sailing history is basically when I was younger: Manly Juniors, Flying 11s, 470s and then windsurfing. I probably would have kept at it, but I got distracted by other things. I’m a little nervous that I’m going to flounder in the Laser due to lack of sailing fitness, but I guess time will tell.

Coming up next...

Saturday 23 October - Sprints

Saturday 30 October – Working Bee and Spring Pointscore 1 & 2

Saturday 6 November – Club Championships 1 & 2; Learn to Race (am)

Saturday 13 November – Spring Pointscore 3 & 4

Saturday 20 November – Spring Pointscore 5 & 6 || VYC Invitational; Learn to Race (am)

Saturday 27 November – Club Championships 3 & 4

Saturday 4 December – Sprints; State Championships @ Georges River

Saturday 11 December – Tyrell and Rousso Races; Christmas Party

Saturday 18 December – Sprints (Sail GP)     

The club calendar can be viewed (and subscribed to) here.

Return to racing!!!

HOT OFF THE PRESS!!!

Following clarification received by Australian Sailing from the NSW Government, we are thrilled to announce we are permitted to run races provided that: 

• no more than 20 people are “gathered” in the park while rigging, and

• the 4m2 rule is observed in the clubhouse.

For this coming weekend (Saturday 16 October) the club will run sprint racing.

Please note, only those who are fully (double) vaccinated are able to attend racing on Saturday under the COVID-19 restrictions.

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*** Make sure you are familiar with the following guidance ***

To ensure we comply with the rules, the arrival and start times will be staggered.

Standards rigs must be at the club by 1pm and must splash before 1.30pm (later is not permitted). 

Radial and 4.7 rigs must not be at the club before 1.30pm and may splash once rigged.

To avoid congestion, please get changed BEFORE you start rigging.

There will be no off-water briefing before racing.

The standards will race from approx. 1.45pm, and the radials will join once on the water.  The PRO team will determine whether or not to conduct separate starts in consultation with the Commodore (so watch the flags).   

Standard rigs will finish racing at 3.45pm, and the radials will continue for another (approximately) 30 minutes. 

Please ensure separation of the fleets upon return to shore. There are to be no radials on shore until all standard rigs are packed away.

After sailing please do as much changing OUTSIDE the change room as possible before showering to avoid congestion – get in, get out!

It is important before and after racing, that once there are 20 boats gathered near the clubhouse, any additional boats proceed to the far western end of the park. There can be no suggestion that there are more than 20 people in a gathering.

We ask all attendees to be clear on and observe these rules in order to be allowed to race. A CSO will be rostered on to assist with ensuring compliance to these rules.

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Members are reminded:

• You must sign in and provide proof of vaccination on arrival at the club

• A maximum of 30 members are allowed inside the clubhouse at any time.

• There may be no more than 9 people in the men’s changeroom, 3 people in the women’s changeroom and 2 people in the canteen.

• A maximum of 20 people is allowed on the front deck.

• Masks are required to be worn inside.

• You may not attend the club on Saturday afternoon if not fully (double) vaccinated, or if a “close contact”, awaiting test results, or have COVID symptoms.

“Please note, strong wind is forecast for Saturday.  If you are not fit and competent, and/or your equipment is not in good order, please do not race, as we will have limited on-water resources in support.  Your safety is your responsibility.”

Subject to the Public Health Orders, we also intend to run this format on 23 October.

Updates to the season calendar

The season calendar has been updated to accommodate recent disruptions to our regular schedule.

Please note:

• There will be not Pointscore nor championship racing until 30 October (subject to further delays if Public Health Orders require).

• The Spring Pointscore will concludes at the end of January instead of the end of December.

• There will be additional Club Championship races on the 19th of February

• We have scheduled additional pointscore races and a BBQ for 30 April 30. In the event that we have not already completed 10 races required for a Club Championships series, this day will also be used as a backup date for the Club Championships.

• If no weekends are cancelled (due to weather or any other reason), the Spring Pointscore, Autumn Pointscore and Club Championships will all comprise of 12 races.

View the calendar here.

Hoist training

Anyone wanting to use the new boat hoist MUST be trained before using it.

Providing there is enough interest, Rod Barnes will hold an induction and training session at the clubhouse next Wednesday 20th October at 7pm.  
For those that can't make this an additional induction morning will be held on a Saturday before sailing some time in November.
Please RSVP if you are interested in participating. 

Full rig wanted

New club member, David Johnson has just bought a laser at the club and requires a full rig conversion. He is looking for a bottom section and a good sail for competitive racing. If you are interested in selling either or both of these items, please contact him directly. 

60 seconds with Josh Crichton

How old were you when you first stepped on a boat?
Been around boats most my life, first one was probably my grandads fishing boat as a baby.

If money (and sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy?
Wally Galateia 

What is your ultimate sailing goal?
To go one session without tipping in 

Tell us the story behind the name of your Laser?
“Oh buoy!” I love a boat with a play on words name 

If you could add any ingredient to DBSC's world’s best toasties – what would it be?
I’m a plain ham and cheese kind of guy 

What are your second/third favourite hobbies (assuming sailing is #1)?
Surfing and skiing 

Describe what you do for work in less than five words?
I build houses 

What is the first international destination you will travel to (once we're allowed) and why?
Japan, it’s my favourite place 

What is your favourite TV show, movie, and/or book?
Stranger Things

Tell us something interesting about yourself that members of the club don’t know?
I lived in Germany, Singapore, New Zealand and Japan.

Josh also likes surfing!

Coming up next...

Saturday 16 October - Sprints

Saturday 23 October - Sprints

Saturday 30 October – Spring Pointscore 1 & 2

Saturday 6 November – Club Championships 1 & 2; Learn to Race (am)

Saturday 13 November – Spring Pointscore 3 & 4

Saturday 20 November – Spring Pointscore 5 & 6 || VYC Invitational; Learn to Race (am)

Saturday 27 November – Club Championships 3 & 4

Saturday 4 December – Sprints (State Championships @ Georges River)

Saturday 11 December – Tyrell and Rousso Races; Christmas Party

Saturday 18 December – Sprints (Sail GP)     

The club calendar can be viewed (and subscribed to) here.

Club access from Monday 11 October

It is widely anticipated the COVID vaccination rate will reach 70% in NSW this week which will result in lifting stay-at-home orders for adults who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from next Monday, 11 October.

Once that is announced, for those who members who are double dose vaccinated this will mean:

• You may attend the club with no 5km restriction.

• The clubhouse is subject to the 4sqm rule. This means there may be no more than 30 people inside the club at any time.

• There may be no more than 9 people in the men’s changeroom, 3 people in the women’s changeroom and 2 people in the canteen.

• It will be possible for up to 20 people to socialise on the deck.

• 20 boats can be rigged at once in the park, and 20 boats can be in proximity on the water.

• If there are 30 people in the club or 20 boats in the park, you need to wait your turn.

• You must be able to show your proof of vaccination at all times.

For those who are NOT double dose vaccinated you may only attend the club if you live within 5km of the club and for the purpose of exercise only. Furthermore:

·       You may only enter the club to retrieve and return your boat.

·       You may not enter the club or rig your boat if that would result in more than two boats in the park.

Everyone is reminded: 

·       You must wear a mask inside the clubhouse.

·       You must check in using the Service NSW app.

·       Do not attend the club if you are (a) a close contact, (b) have symptoms, (c) are awaiting a test result.

·       As the club will not be officially open, we ask people to self-enforce these rules.

Please note, community sport will not be allowed until the vaccination rate reaches 80%. There will therefore be no organised racing until that time. An updated racing calendar will be published next week in anticipation of season commencement on (to be confirmed) on 30 October.

For those who are not fully vaccinated, the Government has announced that restrictions will be relaxed from 1 December. 

We can’t wait to be racing again and look forward to seeing you at the club soon.