P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478 Newsletter Items, Idle Gossip, etc to … · 2018-12-05 · Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478 Newsletter Items, Idle

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au

P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

Newsletter Items, Idle Gossip, etc to [email protected] (deadline midnight Monday)

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Club Newsletter 5/12/18

Race Reports for December 2nd

Gennaker Report (Duncan Dey and Michael Wiley)

Commodore Phill Robbins 0466668541 Vice Commodore Jonathan Horsley 0412798505 Rear Commodore Chris Hallett 0414866998 Secretary Nola Hallett 0414866999 Treasurer Norm Hunt 66291366 Class Reps Gennakers – Duncan Dey Catamarans – Col Woodbry Trailers – Ian Michie Monos – Graham Hams Rowing Officer Gerald Anderson Webmaster Mark Pierce Training team Graeme Turner

ALL EMAIL

CORRESPONDENCE TO: [email protected]

http://www.rrsrc.com.au/

mailto:[email protected]




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Once again it was a somewhat chaotic start with a line so biased to the port tack it could only barely be crossed on starboard with the assistance of the tide. Although the start was fairly even, Barry and Anna in ‘Secret’ again got the best of it by coming in fast on Port tack and weaving through the line blocking procession of starboard tack boats. Michael and Tara in ‘Mr Bond’ and ‘Secret’ soon broke away from the pack. With 30 degree wind shifts, and ‘Mr Bond’ having tacked to the north while ‘Secret’ kept east, ‘Secret’ held a lead which varied between slight and significant depending on the direction of each wind shift. As ‘Secret’ tacked for the first mark, it looked like they might just clear ‘Mr Bond’ when disaster struck in the form of a broken trapeze ring which dumped Barry in the tide and compounded its effect by the fall breaking a tiller extension. By the time they recovered, ‘Mr Bond’ was almost at the bottom mark, establishing a full leg lead from which ‘Secret’, struggling with its broken gear, could not recover. Indeed at one stage Laura and Francine in ‘Numero Uno’ also overtook ‘Secret’; although the large number of capsizes ‘Numero Uno’ suffered made that a short duration lead. Tom & Brendan flew in MG14 ‘Interceptor’ to the first mark but were competing in the mono fleet, on their (longer) course. Despite that, their speed brought them through our fleet and they recorded a win on corrected time. They have vacated that podium, preferring the busier lifestyle of the Monos fleet. We hope they won there instead. Duncan in RS100 ‘Casper’ made up the rest of the gennaker fleet. He had a rare No capsizes but a common No speed, due to the course being a loose tack eastward and tight run westward. These angles do not suit RS100s. Once again a special mention is due to Laura and Francine who struggled around the course to finish in winds that were much fresher than expected. A capsize while dropping the spinnaker near the rocks caused Michael (the boat’s owner) nearly as much stress as it did the girls. Their persistence, strength and good spirits through every challenge were admired by everyone.




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Monohull Report (Trent Morgan)




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Another super day for sailing and another bumper crop of mono sailors showing up for race five of the club championships, including (at last!), newsletter editor. After an amazingly incident free start where the majority of monohulls started on port, ‘Tinkerbell’, that unusual craft, looking part kayak - part insect took off leading the pack to the first mark. This lead was maintained throughout the race until – like the moth that she is, flying too close to a light, she came unstuck on this scorching day. Capsizes and a DNF ended what started as a lovely and promising flight. Good on you Dave for bringing her out. This of course let podium dweller G. Hams take back his usual spot in the lead – but did he? Enter a major X-factor in the whole she-bang – ‘Interceptor’ the MG, ably skippered by Tom and crewed by his Dad Brendan. ‘Interceptor’ was signed on in the mono fleet for this race despite good results in club championship races in the gennaker division previously. Let’s just say things clicked for them in this race. Maybe the wind angles suited the MG perfectly. Maybe Tom steered liked John Bertrand on the final leg of race seven of the America’s Cup in 1983. Maybe Brendan had eaten just the right food to give him an optimal weight on the wire for those wind conditions? To highlight their speed around the track they ended up winning the mono division over serial first place getter ‘Alter Ego’ by about eight and a half minutes! The question could be asked – why are they considering selling the MG? So….. after ‘Tinkerbell’s’ demise it was ‘Interceptor’, then daylight to ‘Alter Ego’, then further daylight to where the real tussle was being fought out. ‘Puddleduck’, plodding at the back of the pack witnessed Greg in a laser, Cameron in his impulse, Roy in his Aero, and Mark in his D-One all within about twenty metres of each other heading towards the club on the run leg. This close tussle seemed to last for possibly the first two triangles (out of four), viewed from the water. Further mention should be made about Greg. He is considering buying Charlie’s NS14 to race it solo, further bolstering this growing fleet – good news! Greg just pipped Cameron in ‘Hamin’ It Up’, then Roy in ‘Zephyr’, then Graham in ‘Retro’, then Mark in ‘Wing It’ across the line – all within about three and a half minutes of each other – very exciting stuff after four large circuits. It must have been great sailing in these close quarters. Des in ‘Olde Golde’ with new mast settings was only a further few minutes across the line after them, with Trent and Daisy in ‘Puddleduck’ bringing up the rear. Graeme and Grace in ‘Wilful Intent’ started the race but looked to have some spinnaker issues and later unfortunately pulled out. Final results after the magic yardstick formulas had been applied are on the website! One of the joys Trent and Daisy had on ‘Puddleduck’ had on the downwind leg was saying hello to the cat sailors as they went past. Observing Col Woodbry’s casual lying down style, introducing themselves to Geoff on ‘Neo’, hellos to Martine and Jonathon, Norm and Seamus, Tony, and of course Phill. Being out on the course longer than all gave us a great glimpse of all the classes and it was a joy to watch. Some of the spinnaker runs the gennakers and trailer sailors were having from the wall across the river mouth were spectacular to see – amazing speed. Many thanks to Kerrilee and Bill for their great work in the canteen. Many thanks to Rick, Bill and special guest Blade for their work in the rescue boat, and Gunter in the tower.




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Trailer Sailor Report (Colin Hinwood)




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One of the dangers of sailing is .. Xmas do’s & family stuff can seriously muck up a good day. & so it was that on a luverly sunny day, only 3 boats turned up for the CC, & they rest missed a great day.

Ok Bill & Kerrilee were on duty but .. anyway .. ‘Rabbit’, ‘Shades’ & ‘Incy’ stretched out on the Start Line to start miles apart, & soon formed a procession according to performance ratings. Up to Missingham & back to Mobbs .. 5 times around the Top Mark .. then home ..nice sail. Could carry the kite right to the Club finish.

So we made this our day .. watching to see if gaps widened or lessened, to see who was actually … winning. At first Top Mark it would have been ‘Incy’ then ‘Shades’ then ‘Rabbit’ .. & so each Top Mark we could all try to figure who was actually winning. The gaps weren’t actually too extreme .. & mostly anyone’s guess as to a result. The forecasters are having a hard time at the moment as weather patterns change rapidly – I’m trying to be kind .. I mean they only earn a couple of hundred grand a year to do this job … so NW winds 20 going to 30, actually were about 10-20, staying in the North but gusty. These hot gusty conditions played havoc with boats like the 15’ skiffs etc , but we all just worked the tiller like crazy to try to sail with some dignity. Still better than the forecast NW winds & the NW Trawler Harbour course, where we would’ve ended up if the forecast was right..

We all had some good rides offwind, when the dark gusts of ?maybe 20? would hammer down twisting & turning. ‘Incy’ was planing downwind no worries … ‘Shades’ loving the no gybe rides as always, & ‘Rabbit’ .. yup some good rides but … we always seemed to be coming down on a shy, when the fleets of dinghies & cats were coming up … so a stresso until we cleared the oncoming fleets each leg.

Another C C in 2 weeks … be there .. drunk or sober or hungover ..this will be the last race of the year !! huge Xmas break in sailing after this one..




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Catamaran Report

No Catamaran report this week.




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IMPORTANT INFO FOR USERS OF CLUB LASERS

Laser top and bottom sections need to be assembled in a particular way, or the top-section can snap. (See pic) All club Laser mast sections have a blue arrow on them (see pic). For correct assembly, the arrow on the top-section should meet the arrow on the bottom section (see pic). If the arrows on your two mast sections meet, but the sections don’t slot in together, you’ve selected either two top-sections, or two bottom-sections. While the club encourages innovation, this mast

configuration will probably not work! Happy Laser sailing, cheers Mark




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Learn to Sail

A reminder that learn to sail is on again this Sunday! Please arrive by 9am for a 9:30 start. Another reminder:

What to wear –

• Swim wear + rash shirt

• Secure hat (tie on)

• Sunscreen

• Light waterproof jacket if cool day

• Long hair should be tied back.

• Don’t wear jewellery that could get tangled whilst sailing. Life Jackets will be supplied by the club.

Special Club Guests

It seems the feathered friends nesting in the wall have fled the coop! Good luck in the world of rosellas! Chris, do we need to seal it off now? Do any club members have a bird box to perhaps place in the tree near the rower’s shed for the next generation?




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Club Shirts

(As worn by Secretary Nola and Commodore Phill –

reflective safety vest optional)

Here’s your chance to wear the colours of your club, to proudly display what you do every Sunday – wear a club shirt! Royal Blue Club shirts payment required at time of order into RRSRC account with your name as reference BSB: 728728 ACC: 22288328 Email or text Nola with size [email protected] or 0414 866999

Mens Long sleeve polo - $37 Short sleeve polo - $35 Cotton T-shirt - $20 Ladies Short sleeve polo - $31 Kids Cotton T-shirt - $17

Idle Gossip – Please send anything interesting sailing or club related to [email protected].

Some sailing quotes

• "It is not that life ashore is distasteful to me. But life at sea is better."

― Sir Francis Drake

• "The cure for anything is saltwater - sweat, tears, or the sea."

― Isak Dinesen

• "To desire nothing beyond what you have is surely happiness. Aboard a boat, it is frequently possible

to achieve just that. That is why sailing is a way of life, one of the finest of lives."

― Carleton Mitchell






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• "All of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean,

and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And

when we go back to the sea whether it is to sail or to watch it we are going back from whence we

came."

― John F. Kennedy

• "The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever."

― Jacques Yves Cousteau

• "To reach a port we must set sail -

Sail, not tie at anchor

Sail, not drift."

― Franklin D. Roosevelt

• "The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the

sails."

― William Arthur Ward

• "Land was created to provide a place for boats to visit."

― Brooks Atkinson

• "He who loves practice without theory is like the sailor who boards ship without a rudder and

compass and never knows where he may cast."

― Leonardo da Vinci

Upcoming Away Events

• 29th December - 5th January - Nacra Nationals

• 23rd February 2019 – ‘The Great Race’ – Southport yacht Club Hollywell Sailing Squadron to Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron




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• 16th/17th March – BRSC (Harwood) Annual Regatta Sat/Sun

• 4th/5th May – Bay to Bay If anyone knows of any more events or would like an event posted please let me know – [email protected]





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Wotif Offer to our Club!

Book your next travel or accommodation with Wotif and quote this code: ASF043153 and we will receive a donation from Wotif. Support our club when you or your family or friends travel.

Crew Available/Crew Wanted

If you need some crew or are wanting to have a sail in a race please make your intentions known here by contacting [email protected]





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For Sale/Wanted/Free to a Good Home

If you have any sailing related items for sale or if you want to buy something sailing related and want it put in the newsletter please let me know – [email protected]

Gill Boot I can bring them to the club on Sunday so people can try them on pre or post-race - Laura [email protected] Barely worn Size 39 (UK/Australia 5.5) $80 (down from $110) • best trapeze boot out there! • 5mm neoprene for warmth • wrap around super grip sole natural rubber (non-marking) • and reinforcements on toes and heels and sides for protection • non-ferrous zip with Velcro to keep it in place • unisex colours






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More photos from last Sunday Many thanks to Jane for the photos this week! There should be at least one photo in the newsletter of every boat which raced last Sunday.




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Documents

P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478 Newsletter Items, Idle Gossip, etc to … · 2018-12-05 · Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478 Newsletter Items, Idle