We’ve been blessed with some great weather to kick off the 2023/24 season, and members are responding with enthusiastic participation across all divisions on Sundays. Blue Group is just about full and the junior centreboard division is bustling with strong numbers in Red Group and kids starting to sail with the adults in afternoon Gold depending on conditions. 

Whilst we did lose a few participants who sold their yachts between seasons, numbers are steady or improving in our yacht racing, and our cruising division had a fabulous long weekend cruise up to the Danger Island Oktoberfest to see the Sauerkrauts. 

Yacht Racing

We have seen some good fleet numbers and tight racing this season with 11 in the Avalon Series, 9 in the Quartet Bowl and 8 in the Blue Water Shield (Combined with PBYC). Sunday’s fleet were treated to a display from a mother and calf right on the course, with Pirihi needing to adjust her course (but not claiming redress….)

Last season we often ran pursuit yacht races as a self start using the mark off the sailing club. This season the committee has decided we have sufficient resources to use Lucinda for all starts (excluding Blue Water Shield and Two Island Series which are run by PBYC and Woody Point respectively). The finishing line will remain as the orange mark off the sailing club. Whilst this will require extra effort and coordination from the OOD and support crew - we are motivated to provide the best experience for our yacht racers. 

Please be mindful and appreciative of the extra load on our volunteers and support crew. The amendment to the sailing instructions is on the notice board at the club and on the website: https://www.revolutionise.com.au/avalonsailingclub/yachts/yacht-racing/

3 Island Race this Saturday 21st

The annual 3 island race is this Sunday. Run by RMYC as part of the Broken Bay Island Series this one is a favourite as it’s the only one where yachts sail around Scotland, Lion and Dangar Islands. The Dangar Island rounding is always the most challenging as skippers need to decide which direction is best with wind and tide to consider. It's typical for 30 - 40 yachts to enter.

Entries are via the RMYC website for the race or entre series: https://www.topyacht.com.au/db/kb2/1689

ASC Success at Australian Masters Games in Adelaide

Jeff Conly & Nick Chan took on the challenge and made the trek down to Adeilade with their Spirals to compete in the Australian Masters Games. Jeff writes:  “The sailing here borders on insane. Launching through the surf is considered normal and when it blows, the waves on the course are so steep that you cannot see the boat in front of you. We completed seven races, three on day one in a very pleasant 10 knot southerly. Four one hour long races back to back on day two in a very testing 20-25 knot hot northerly. Slept rather well after that. We were blown off the water on day three with a 30 knot s/w change that produced a 3m surf and surfers at our launching area. All up, a fun experience. We both ended up with third place in our respective divisions.”

Congratulations Jeff & Nick - what a great result in such different conditions, and great to see you had such a fabulous trip away.

Bookoccino - Conversation with David Marr

We are very pleased that our local and highly regarded bookstore has chosen to host a couple of events at Avalon Sailing Club. The David Marr event held on Tuesday 17th was a sell out filling our capacity of 80 guests. It was a great event, with many commenting on our fabulous location. Having the bar available for these events really makes a difference - this cohort consumed all of our Pinot Gris, and very few beers !

It’s fantastic for the club to host these events and support our local business and creative community. The owners of Bookoccino were also delighted with the event, and we look forward to hosting them more often.

Friday Afternoons at ASC

It’s the end of the week, and you're thinking it's time to relax and wind down. Wouldn’t it be great to enjoy a sundowner or two with some good friends on Pittwater ? Maybe even bring something along to throw on the BBQ and let the kids splash around in the water.

What are you waiting for ? We are reserving every Friday afternoon for members to enjoy our fabulous facility and location, and are keen to make Fridays a weekly social event. Bring your own food and drink, we’ll open the bar if you run short. Feel free to invite your friends and family along, I’m always amazed how many locals don’t know we are here - and if they did, I’m sure many would be interested in membership.

We’ve been talking about getting some fun sailing going as well. If there is interest, we could rig up the Pacer Puffins and have some fun “races” around marks. Kids and adults could try sailing in a new class. The idea is to keep it casual, and if there is enough interest get some boats out on the water and just have some fun relaxing on a Friday afternoon.

Christmas Party - Saturday 2nd December

Guess who - don’t sue

Misjudged the tide a little …….

I'd love to include more stories and photos from club members, so If you have something to add to a future Jib Sheet, please email me commodore@avalonsailingclub.com.au

Ralf Moller

Commodore ASC