High Tide Newsletter Autumn 2015
The season, nearly finished…
Welcome to the Autumn edition of the Altona Yacht Club newsletter and the 14/15
sailing season. I have to apologise for not getting out more newsletters this season
so I will try and make up by including all that has happened since last October. I
have also managed to round up some committee reports in this edition. The cover
photo is from the Easter Regatta at Lake Bullen Merri, a report on that later.
Well it’s been a mixed bag of fruit on the wind and weather side of things with fickle
Northerly’s slight Southerlies and everything in between. Early in the season a
number of races had to be postponed due to stronger winds but as the season
progressed we were able to re-sail a number of the postponed races. Ken even
managed to combine the short course racing day in to an Aggregate lost days
catch-up. This year we also sailed a variety of course layouts with windward returns
being the favoured course over the season. The Sternchaser saw a good
performance from the Hobies with I think another win under their belt. Altona also
managed to field 8 boats in the Top of the Bay with 4 finishers.
The weekends have been a ‘buzz’ in the mornings with kids in the Tackers and
Juniors and, a full house of Adults in the senior training course. It all starts with the
dedicated band of merry training volunteers turning up at oh my God its dark hours
(OMGIDH), to set up Opti boats, organise and launch Ribs, put out signs, pump up
buoys open doors and get the Club ready for the day of activity. So far the training
programs have been a roaring success with plenty of active participation from the
kids led by the even bigger kids in Taison and Liam. Parents from Tackers have also
taken up or signing up to the adult program, Tackers kids looking to return to Tackers
Two and maybe Three. Of course none of this success would have been achieved
without all those that get up early and come down to assist every Saturday.
However, more are always welcome, especially if we want to continue to host and
support these important programs. If you want to assist, even if it is just to push Optis
off the shore when the kids sail in ever decreasing circles then please see any of the
Trainers: Taison, Shaun, Steve/Chuck or Gail. Let’s hope the excitement continues to
grow.
The Altona Club has also been well represented in State, National and International
title championships run over the season. Brad Carver and crew managed a very
credible 1st in the State (and I believe National by default) 4.7 Taipan titles held in
N.S.W. Well done the Shooter! Fred and Nick Ackland travelled all the way to W.A.
(Busselton), to contest the Taser Worlds bringing home a flag for 72nd spot and, a
close encounter with a shark. Chris Bick placed 47th in the Foiling Moth titles (Silver
Fleet), and Jim Scott and daughter placed 3rd in the 125 titles. Jim also sailed a
credible 10th in the Sabre State titles. Well done to all and a hearty round of
applause.
Dates to remember: The 14/15 season presentation night will be Saturday the 20th
June and the Club AGM on the 4th July. Watch the web site for details.
Commodores Report
Gail Lines
Welcome everyone to the Club. It’s been a busy season with many activities on the
go especially for the committee and volunteers around the club. So far we have
successfully run Tackers, Juniors and Adult training courses, completed most of the
afternoon scheduled racing calendar and hosted a number of sailing open days.
The club has also purchased two additional Ribs to assist with the on-water training
activities, thanks to Ken and Stellio for scouring the for sale advertisements,
purchasing and delivering said Ribs.
We have been hard at work getting the 2nd Tackers program up and running. The
program has seen quite a few kids enrol in the program and Shaun continues with
the Junior training program. These programs can only benefit the club so a big
thank you to all the volunteers on Saturday morning in all the programs, Tackers,
Juniors and Adults.
The Kia Opua Canoe Club now have a dedicated cage area for their canoes
adjacent the mast up boat storage area. This has freed up space in the mast up
storage area and we have had some enquiries for other club members looking to
join and utilise that facility. A big thanks to all those big muscle men and the local
council grass cutter (plus tractor), for removing the large shrub and small tree
enabling the compound extension to be built.
A hearty well done to all those who participated in and represented the AYC at
State, National and International titles, congratulations on your success/s.
We are still experiencing some difficulty with the membership list so I would
encourage all to login to the Yachting Victoria website and in the area “MySailor”
and ensure your e-mail address is up to date. Once your details are up to date you
should receive both Yachting Victoria and AYC updates. If you have difficulty
please contact Gail. Fred Ackland also attended the Yachting Victoria AGM on
behalf of the Club and was given a demonstration of the database for membership
and invoicing. Whilst some UAT will be needed, watch this space for future ways to
pay membership and fees online.
Lastly, thank you to all the committee members who have taken up the challenge
and, to all the volunteer assistance without whom this club would not survive, your
efforts are very much appreciated. As of May the committee meetings will move to
the 2nd Tuesday evening of each month in lieu of Thursday. Start time remains at
7.30pm.
Club Captain’s Report
Ben Kirk
Well the mast up compound and canoe club extension has been completed,
thanks largely to Peter Dyer. The two security cameras overlooking the compound
have been fixed and are working to guard the area. A whipper snipper has been
purchased for grass keeping in the compound area. When you move your boat
can you please take 5 minutes to mow down the long grass so we can keep the
area neat and tidy.
I have completed a stocktake of the boat storage area with all but one boat owner
identified. Most have paid up both storage and membership fees, those that
haven’t will be contacted to discuss. Work and planning continues as we move
boats and storage areas about to maximise space and attempt to create
additional storage areas for Opti’s, life jackets, training material and the ever
expanding fleet of Ribs and training boats.
A work list has been compiled for the upcoming working bee. If you know of
anything that requires maintenance or repair or would like to volunteer for a specific
task please see me. I would also encourage as many members as possible to
attend the working bee – many hands make lite work!
Sailing & Training Committee Report
Ken Marsh
Hi all and welcome to the closing end of the 2014/15 sailing season. This season we
mixed up the courses a little with a variety of course settings. Feedback from the
divisions has been positive.
Our club training Pacer sails are looking decidedly tired and are past their useful life.
The committee has agreed to the purchase of new sails and upgrade the Pacer
training fleet.
The Club has been approached to host the Taser State titles and the National 125
titles. The committee is in discussion with the respective association representatives.
We need volunteers to bolster the number s for Rescue and Patrol. Also, we need
volunteers to assist with trailering the boats to the boat ramp on race days. Please
see me if you can help.
With the expanding training programs we are in need of members wishing to
instruct. The following table lists the current Yachting Victoria schedule for those
thinking of helping on Saturday mornings. See Gail or one of the training instructors
for more detail or, login to the Yachting Victoria web site; thanks.
8th,
May
May 24th
Dates
10th
9th,
Cost - $320
Dinghy Instructors
Cost - $110
Assistant Dinghy Instructor
June 26th, 27th, 28th
Dinghy Instructors
July 17th, 18th, 19th
July 25th
Dinghy Instructors
August 21st, 22nd, 23rd
Dinghy Instructors
September 5th
September 25th, 26th, 27th
Dinghy Instructors
Assistant Dinghy Instructor
Assistant Dinghy Instructor
Sheep Eetz Resto Report
Mary Hall
As the season draws to a close I would like to thank all the wonderful ladies and lads
who have shone in their undying effort serving everyone wonderful food each week.
However, we need extras to devote some time in the kitchen, so if you or you know
someone who wants to assist please ring Mary on 0490044304, to help out once or
twice a season. Thanks everyone for a tremendous effort.
Easter Regatta Wash-up – Lake Bullen Merri
Located in the Corangamite Shire and just 10 minutes from Camperdown, Lake
Bullen Merri was the venue for this year’s Yachting Western Victoria 54th Easter
Regatta. The idyllic venue is a semi freshwater lake formed in the basin of an extinct
Volcano with water depth in the middle down to 65 metres. The banks are terraced
with ample good green grass camping areas and ablutions and, this year, portable
shower units. At this point I would like to thank our hosts for putting on a great
weekend for all.
And now to more important matters – the fireside marshmallow roasting and
cleansing ale post race wash-up. The sailing on Friday for race one was held in
slightly blustery conditions with a very shifting wind across the Lake. However, this did
make for good reaching conditions. Saturday morning race was held in almost still
conditions and the afternoon races were delayed due to a lack of wind with one
race sailed towards the end of the day. The rest of the day was spent lolling about
in chairs enjoying the Autumn sunshine or, seeing how many people could take to
the water in Awesome Taipan. Kids were duly towed up and down the shore in a
couple of the club Optis preparing then for next seasons Tackers.
Sunday and the Easter Bunny managed to come hop, hop, hopping in to tent city
hiding and scattering chocolate eggs as he went (I think he may have raided
Scott’s tent for a bacon and egg breakfast sandwich but this is unconfirmed). The
weather was a little overcast with the morning race interrupted by a number of
minor storm fronts and wind squalls which made the course even more challenging
with the every changing wind patterns even harder to pick; those of us who are
forced to wear glasses just bumbled about hoping not to hit anyone or anything as
the rain came down. Quieter winds prevailed in the afternoon with only one race
sailed. Notable call-outs to On-Edge for a spectacular capsize, White Pointer for
showing us all the way home by the trail of green cans left in their wake, Awesome
being sailed by someone else and Ken wishing he was someone else on a Taipan.
Monday and the wind was again light with the Sternchaser not getting underway
until after 11am. Many decided to spend the day packing up and leaving for
home, others content to enjoy the serenity and even planning on spending another
day/night in location.
A big thank you to Peter Dyer for the wood supply which kept us all warm, dry,
smoked and happy throughout the evening and into the cold wee small hours of
the morning. The marshmallow toasting crowd were especially grateful. Oh, and
lastly, congratulations to Scott for bring home the title of noisiest midnight Opti
twenty metre (but it felt much longer), paddle in sub-zero temperatures world
champion.
And some snapshots from the weekend…
Sponsors Corner
Once again we would like to extend a big thank you to our sponsors, please support
their services.