Commodores Call October 2021
Yacht Sailing under COVID restrictions
Australian Sailing has been doing some lobbying on behalf of sailing clubs and can now confirm that up to 5 fully vaccinated people can go sailing on a boat provided they are from the same local government area and the 4 square metre rule is observed. As far as the 4 square metres rule is concerned this is quite vague, as many boats have foredecks, cockpit, cabin tops and downstairs. As a suggestion I would think boats less than 7 metres long would be restricted to 2 crew, 7 to 9 metres 3 crew, 9 metres to 11 metres 4 crew and longer than 11 metres 5 crew. However, the onus is on you to make up your own mind.
Pointscore Races
As soon as NSW COVID restrictions allow community sport to resume, we will be commencing our pointscore racing at Wangi including our Wednesday & Friday twilight races now that daylight saving is with us. Restrictions will ease further in NSW when 70% are fully vaccinated which is anticipated from Monday 11 October, howevercommunity sport resumption it not scheduled to return until we have 80% fully vaccinated, which is likely to be towards the end of October.There is a possibility, however that sailing races maybe allowed to start a little earlier as it could be considered a low risk sport, so I will keep you posted if this occurs.In the meantime, I believe some yacht sailors intend to go training or cruising locally, so talk to your fellow sailors. Regardless of this, whether training, cruising or racing, you need to ensure you comply with the COVID restrictions that are current at the time.
Sailing Club Booklet
The Booklet and Course sheets are blue in colour this year, so please dispose of last year’s pink documents to avoid confusion, as there have been some changes. We have plenty of supplies of the booklet along with laminated course sheets which can be collected from the sailing club on Saturday morning between 10 and 10.30am.
The Club Booklet and Course Charts can also be lownloaded from the Website under the Club Forms and Documents section
Club Booklet 2021 - 2022
Club Course Chart 2021-2022
Boat Entries
Entries for the various pointscore series are now been re-opened on the club website, so please go ahead and enter ASAP. Please note the entries fees have been reduced since COVID restrictions have delayed the start of our pointscore and as a result in most series less races will be held.
Membership
Please log on to the club website and renew your membership ASAP. This will ensure you are kept in the communication loop. Just a reminder that when racing start, all crew need to be financial members.
QR Codes
Sailors are reminded that when racing resumes, every person of board must be logged on to the club’s QR code. This is not the Services NSW code, as it is a club specific code that requires the Australian Sailing number of every person on board to be included. The QR code is on the website but also printed on the back of the Sailing Club Program booklet.
Category 7 Inspections
Yachts owners are reminded they need to get their safety inspections done. Please download a Category 7 inspection form from the club website, complete the section required from the boat owner, then contact one of the club’s Safety Equipment Auditors to arrange to do an inspection.
Junior Sailing
We anticipate Junior sailing starting on Saturday 6 November with a briefing at 10.05am and race starting at 10.30am. Online entry/membership is now open so please get registered. If you have any queries please contact Joel Skelton, the Junior Club Captain on 0409 361 362 or joel@skelcon.com.auA junior sailing program and sailing instructions will be issued shortly.
SailGP
The last event in the European leg of SailGP is being held in Cadiz in Spain on Oct 9&10 and should be televised live on Fox. After this event, sailors will be heading to Australia for the next leg in Sydney which is on Fri 17 & Sat 18 December. Tickets for the fully catered official viewing area on Shark Island in Rose Bay have just gone on sale with a discount for early purchases.
Anyone wishing to purchase can do using this linkhttps://tickets.milestonetix.com.au/events/30806?dm_i=4ZLB,KIF2,3IN5I8,2GBTX,1
Tickets are quite expensive, but we had a good time last year. Alternatively, there are a number of free viewing areas around the Harbour.
Stay safe, Tony Outteridge
