Apollo Bay Sailing Club

SAILING AT THE BAY
Well, to date the Saturdays’ races have been a bit of a mixed bag. The first two Saturdays with very little wind, were a disappointment, but the following Saturdays were fantastic. A real chance to blow away the cobwebs and experience the exhilaration and satisfaction that comes with a good breeze, a well tuned boat and a great crew. The new race management team led by Ian Learey has been a great success. We are now getting consistently well set courses and a rescue boat crew well drilled in the day’s procedures. The club has now purchased 3 new race buoys to replace the leaking buoys that have been the bane of Russell Smith’s life.

VOLVO OCEAN RACE
If you’re a big boat fan you would realize the Volvo Round The World Yacht Race is about to get under way, with the boats due to leave Capetown on the second leg of the race on the 2nd January and scheduled to arrive in Melbourne on the 16th January. (6,100 nautical miles in 14 days!!!!) It hopefully means they will be passing close to Apollo Bay, and, providing that it’s not the middle of the night or Bass Strait doesn’t throw one of its tantrums, the Moonlight (Apollo Bay Fishing Tours) may be available to give those who would like to get close up and personal with some of the fastest yachts in the world an opportunity to do so. If you are interested please phone me on 52374227.

CRAYFISH CUP
Originally organized as part of the Flying Fifteens Traveller Series with good numbers of Flying Fifteens from all over the State competing, it also enjoyed strong support from the Fireball Association, but with the demise of the Flying Fifteens Traveller Series and a waning interest by past participants it may be time to consider where we go from here. Do we build on the present Crayfish Cup and use it as a foundation to launch an event that we can be proud of, an event that will showcase all the great attractions that the Apollo Bay Sailing Club and the town have to offer? How about some feedback on what your ideas are.

LEARN TO SAIL PROGRAM
Saturday 12th November saw yet again the start of our very successful Learn To Sail program. Matt and Geeks have again put together a great program and their professionalism and skill in this area is most obvious. The club’s new inflatable, which was to be launched on Saturday and unfortunately did not happen because of motor problems, will be a valuable asset to those assisting and running the Learn To Sail program. The old boat, which had more holes than a politician’s promise, was well past its use by date. I know Matt & Geeks would appreciate a hand down on the beach on Saturday mornings at 8 a.m. so if you can, well you know what to do. (Not on next Saturday, due to Crayfish Cup)

TRY SAILING DAY
On Saturday 26th the club will be running a ‘Try Sailing Day’. A day where the club members make their boats and themselves available to take interested members of the community for a short sail. This is a great opportunity for the club to promote itself and the sport of sailing. It will run from 10 am till 11.45 am, followed by a bbq lunch. For this day to be a success we need the support of as many members as possible.

BARE BOATING IN TONGA
The club trip to Tonga was a great success. The four club members thoroughly enjoyed themselves exploring some of the best sailing waters in the Pacific. Situated in the trade wind belt, the regular 10 – 15 knot winds provided perfect sailing conditions, and if one tired of sailing then the snorkeling was pretty good too. The boat, a 41 foot Benetau with 3 double cabins, provided the perfect base for our activities. On the rare occasions that we were allowed ashore by First Mate Mandy Millar (who still thinks she’s the bloody Commodore!) we explored some interesting Tongan villages, local markets and were entertained by the local villagers at a feast put on for our enjoyment. Where to next???

MINUTES IN BRIEF.
At the last meeting we discussed: the notice board outside clubhouse, Crayfish Cup, Learn To Sail– 16 juniors and 4 adults on the list, Sponsorship, Try Sailing Day, purchase of new buoys.

Happy Sailing,

John