What's On
Off The Beach News
Howdy Cowdys,
We're nearly at the finish line of the 22/23 summer season and we're determined to go out with a bang! Last Sunday's sail was a ripper. While it may have lacked a decent breeze, it was still a glorious day on the water. We had 24 boats out including three visitors from Black Rock in 125's and a Sabre.
The day started early for the race team as it was an on water start for the keelboats which meant getting their start line set for 13.30 and then re-jigging the wing, top and bottom marks in quick time for the OTB start. This was made so much easier by using the BuoyZone app which RO Geoff has taken to like the proverbial duck to water. Once Geoff has entered the course, set the length he wants and the wind direction, he pushes the share button and Zing! its sent straight to the rhibs who just have to drive to where the little blue dot says to go. Just like using google maps, or watching your Uber Eats coming down the street! At this stage we are using member's personal phones but the plan is for the Club to purchase dedicated devices for the job now that we know how well the system works. I'd also like to acknowledge the help of Bruce Mansfield in getting Buoyzone in use earlier in the season. Geoff had been wanting to use it for a while but the extra voice of Bruce with his experience with the app at Williamstown was kick needed to get it going.
As it was a Keelboat start, it was really nice to have a couple of our Keelboat brethren on the rhibs. Steve Daniels is a long time SBSC member and has helped out many times before and with him was our Illustrious Vice Commodore, John Matheson out for his first (but not last) go course laying. Many thanks to those guys as well as Deirdre, Geoff and Drew M, whom I co-opted at late notice so other bods could go sailing in the last Club Championship race.
As I said earlier, it was a beautiful day on the water even though the breeze failed us in the end and after a lot of soul searching we had to abandon race two. Still, having said that, race one was a beaut. Looking on from the sidelines, and watching the clock tick towards the sixty minute cut off, I was sure we wouldn't get a finish. But owing to the breeze picking up slightly nearly all the boats got a hooter( except those that left the beach a bit late- no names but you know who you are Katrina).Even Taipan Tony got around all the marks to lead Div 6 over the finish line. Pity he lead everyone over the start line too, he even beat the hooter and cries of "Come back Tony! " had no effect, He had his eye on the prize and there was no stopping that crazy guy!
Back in the yard and everyone was happy with the day. The Black Rock visitors were by all accounts highly impressed with our club and hung around for quite a while after sailing to chat about our proposed winter series. This seems to be gathering momentum and several other clubs have shown interest in joining in including the Javelin gang that came to play last week. After Mono's chat in the rigging yard before sailing this week lots of you have put up your hands to help run the races as well as sail. This is the only way this series can go ahead as its a lot of work to organize and six people on start / rhibs for a few yachts isn't viable, so thanks to everyone who has volunteered.
Nearly there! One last thing before I sign off. As it's almost the end of the season and as Presentation Day is looming (proposed date being Saturday 1st July), it's time to put your thinking caps on and have a thought about who you would like to nominate for Club Person of the year, both Junior and Senior. There are lots of people who do an extraordinary job all year to make this Club of ours the success it is and now is your chance to say thanks. So please take a moment to recognize that effort and vote for someone that you think most deserves it. They might not win but just being acknowledged is enough to give them the warm and fuzzies. Submit your entries to the club secretary Mem on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
That's all for now, see you all next Sunday for the best sailing day of the year, I promise.
Cheers, Pete Chippy
Yard Storage
Sadly the Summer Sailing Season of 22/23 season is ending on May 8th. We have all had a great year.
As You know Yard Storage also ends on the 31st May.During the winter we allow the grass to grow and do essential maintenance. Therefore we kindly request all craft to be removed from the yard by May 31st.
The exception to this rule is people who will be using their craft during the winter - eg Winter sailing series participants.
Any craft left in the yard after the 31st of May will be required to pay Winter Storage fees, which is the same cost as Summer Storage fees.
Thanks - James Yardmaster
First Aid Course
Hi Everyone,
The Safety Beach Coast Guard is running a First Aid and CPR course on Sunday 7th May starting at 8:00am and going through to 4:00pm. This is a one day course, no pre-reading required, with written and practical exams on 1st Aid / CPR/ Defibulator use with a marine focus. It is accredited by the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Academy Registered Training Organsation.
The full day course will allow plenty of time for questions, practical demonstrations and any knowledge gaps to be addressed before participants sit the written and practical exam. The cost of the course is $175, paid at the door on the day by cash or credit card. Morning Tea and Lunch will be provided. Please bring your mobile phone as you will be encouraged to download some helpful apps.
To attend you will require a Unique Student Identifier (USI) number. The USI number is a requirement of the government and allows the provider to issue a certificare and record your qualification. To obtain a USI number please go to
www.usi.gov.au. USI numbers are free.
Please RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. specifying your name, USI number and phone number.
Your trainers on the day will be Neil Thomson and Mario Cocola.
Many Thanks
Tony
Keelboat News
Another lovely day out on the water albeit a bit light in the wind department. Great to see 15 yachts participating in the last of the 2022-23 races. Big thank you to our Tower Team of RO Judy Rigney and Tom McCullough and Start Boat Crew of Geoff Eldridge and Deirdre Snooks.
Last Weeks Results:
Sunday Club Championship Race
Division 1:
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1st PHD
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Empara
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Peter Jones
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1st AMS
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Empara
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Peter Jones
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1st ORC
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Vincitore
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Peter Russell
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Division 2
Club Championship Series Winners:
Division 1:
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1st PHD
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Vincitore |
Peter Russell
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1st AMS
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Empara |
Peter Jones |
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1st ORC
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Vincitore
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Peter Russell
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Series Winners:
Division 2
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1st PHD
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Fransiska |
Peter Morrison |
Click here for full results.
We look forward to seeing all skippers and crews at the End of Season Presentation Night on 1st July. More details will be available shortly.
View from the start boat on Sunday
Skipper & Crew Meeting
Big thank you to all those Skippers and Crews that attended the meeting on Sunday morning.
The main feature of the meeting was the presentation from Peter Merritt on Sailor App and Club Ops which is the new entry and result system that we will be introducing for the Brass Monkey Winter Series. Peter provided a great insight into the operation of this new system from a skippers / crew perspective. More details will be sent out prior to the first race on the 21st May so that everyone is up to speed on how to use the Sailor App which we believe will be a great tool for the keelboat fleet and also make life a lot simpler for our race management team.
This winter we are proposing some casual style racing on a Friday afternoon. A good level of interest was shown at the meeting. It is envisaged that these races will be a pursuit format and held on alternate Fridays to the BMWS races. To run these races we will be looking to have the Race Officer for the day operating from one of the yachts participating but will also be looking for a volunteer for each race to man the tower – if you are able to help out in the tower please let us know by sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. More details will be sent out shortly.
MOB practice requirements for the 2023-24 were discussed as this will become a mandatory requirement for the 2023-24 summer season.
Brass Monkey Winter Pursuit Series (BMWPS)
Now that the summer season is behind us, we all have a few weeks off before commencing the Brass Monkey Winter Series. For those of you who haven’t participated before, some great sailing can be had in the winter months – it’s just like Friday twilight racing with an extra layer! The Winter Series will be conducted using Sailor App (which you should all have downloaded by now), and this will be a great opportunity for you to become familiar racing with the App before next summer.
See Winter Program on the website, and further details can be found in the Sailing Instructions. Key things to note are:
- Series commences Sunday 21 May
- Fortnightly Sunday morning racing
- Pursuit/Tower starts
- Races will be run using the Sailor App (incl. sign on, course number, your individual pursuit start time countdown)
- Spinnakers may be used, with a 4-minute time penalty added to your pursuit start time
- Short courses – 8 to 9 NM
- Race time limit – 3 hours and 30 minutes
MOB – This is not a Practice
An article worth reading. Brings home how easy it is for things to go pear shaped, and lessons learnt from the rescue yacht perspective. Happened only a few weeks ago off Seattle with 3 people (all from same family) going overboard at once during a broach. All made it ok but it was a close call for one with hypothermia,
click here for full story.
ORCV News
70th Anniversary Apollo Bay – Saturday May 27th
"Sail in company" in the season finale Ocean Race and be part of history and join this 70th-anniversary race. This popular category 3 event is a short coastal race starting off Queenscliff and is an ideal race for those new to try ocean sailing. Stay over and enjoy Apollo Bay.
https://www.orcv.org.au/apollo-bay-about-the-raceORCV Training
Winter is a great time to build your skills and increase your knowledge. There’s a range of courses on: Navionics, fundamentals of navigation, bowman essentials, practical hands-on radio workshop and safety and sea survival courses. Click out the options here
https://www.orcv.org.au/calendar/orcv-training-calendarDouble Handed & Team Racing – Sunday May 21st
The most fun you have sailing is how some see short-handed sailing. The course travels across the bay and has longer legs to allow for variety and experience when sailing short-handed. Sail as part of a team entry or as an individual boat, entries are open here
https://www.orcv.org.au/double-handed-about-the-raceKeelboat Introduction to Sailing Savvy (KISS) and ORCV Supported Program
Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club is excited to announce the second running of their successful “Keelboat Introduction to Sailing Savvy” (KISS) program is back for 2023. Buoyed by positive feedback from the graduates of the inaugural class of 2022 and with a wait list for those who missed the cap of 25 participants last year, preparation for the program is well underway with roll out from 16 May through to 26 August.
https://www.orcv.org.au/club-blog/5411-2023kissSave The Date
Club Merchandise
Club Merchandise is now ready for order. Contact Marg Fleming on her email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss your options. The youth t-shirts (with names on them) will have another order put in soon, so if you missed out on first round orders, please contact Marg to make sure you get one in the next batch, which will be processed by end of March. These t-shirts have been a hit with the juniors and will be great to wear to regatta's etc.
Submission's
If you wish to contribute anything to the Enews, please submit your content to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Tuesday 8pm each week to make the deadline. Please note submissions may need to pass through Executive Committee for approval from time to time. Love photography? Submit your Photo Of The Week toThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in high res, (and it does not have to be about sailing). Follow us on our socials: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok
