News
Jibsheet January 2025
Published Sat 25 Jan 2025
From the Tiller,
Happy New Year. This jib sheet is full of sailing news and plans for the rest of the season!
Looking ahead we are hosting the 189th Australia Day regatta on Sunday and welcoming back our Blue, Red and Gold groups on 2nd February. We also have a number of other regattas (Classics – Pittwater Yachts, Pittwater Centreboards) in March, a Friday night CPR training course and a deck party.
Looking back there were a good number of members who participated in regattas over the summer, including the big one, the Sydney to Hobart.
As a volunteer club we rely on member engagement to operate our sailing and social activities. Please use sign up or email me commodore@avalonsailingclub.com.au if you can help with:
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Volunteer via SignUp roster (links on the home page) to support sunday sailing (OOD/Canteen/OnWater) and also regattas on Sat 1/ Sun 2 March and Sat 8/ Sun 9 March
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RSA certification
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A Sponsorship subcommittee
Please read through to the end.
Helena van de Linde
Commodore
LOOKING AHEAD
Dates for your diary
Sun 26th Jan – Australia Day regatta
Sun 2nd Feb – Rules of Sailing 2025 Edition
Sun 2nd Feb - Blue, Red & Gold every Sunday
Fri 7th Feb 7pm – CPR/First response skills training at Avalon Sailing Club
Sat 8th & Sun 9th Feb – Pittwater Regatta Yachts (RPAYC)
Sat 8th & Sun 9th Feb - Challenger Head and Akuna Bay Cruise
Sat 1st & Sun 2nd Mar – Classic Boat Regatta
Sat 8th & Sun 9th Mar – Pittwater Regatta Dinghys
Sat 8th and Sun 9 Mar – Refuge Bay/America Bay Cruise
Fri 28th Mar - Deck Party with Band, 6:00pm - 9pm
Sat 29th & Sun 30th Mar – Progressive Dinner @ The Basin
Sun 13th Apr - Club Picnic at Portuguese Beach
Other Regattas
25 - 27 Jan: Spiral Nationals – Saratoga Sailing Club
8 - 9 Feb: MJ States Round 2 - Middle Harbour 16Ft Skiff Club
8 - 9 Feb: Open Skiff – Kurnell Cup
8 - 9 Feb: Spiral TT8/9 – South Lake Macquarie Sailing Club
22 - 23 Feb: F11 States Round 2 – Belmont 16Ft Skiff Club
16 - 19 Mar: Open Skiff States – Belmont 16Ft Skiff
4 May: Peter Loft Marathon – BYRA
Info session on Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-28
The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) governs the sport of sailboat, sailboard and kiteboard racing. It is revised and published every four years by World Sailing. The 2025-2028 version is also available to download, effective from 1 Jan 2025.
https://www.sailingresources.org.au/rules-hub/rrs/
We have a hardcopy of the Racing Rules of Sailing on the bench under the noticeboard and on our website: https://www.revolutionise.com.au/avalonsailingclub/yachts/yacht-racing
Kingsley plans to run a brief session on Sunday 2nd February after sailing on the key changes from the previous version to the current version. If you have anything you want him to run through in detail, please let him know before hand.
189th Australia Day Regatta
The Regatta will be held in Pittwater, the country of the Garigal clan, they are part of the oldest culture in the world. Avalon Sailing Club acknowledges and recognises the Strength, Resilience, and Courage of the traditional custodians;
Guests are welcome anytime in the afternoon. The presentation will take place once all sailors have returned to the club which is expected between 3:30pm - 4:30pm. Drinks and snacks will be available from the bar, tables and chairs available with guests encouraged to bring a picnic and something to put on the BBQ.
Classic Boat Regatta – Yachts and Dinghies 1-2 March
We look forward to hosting the classic yachts for our second year. BYRA is organising the dinghies. Information and registration click here.
Pittwater Regatta - Centreboard
Following the success of RPAYC’s annual Pittwater Regatta for yachts, all local clubs have come together to put on an even bigger event for centreboarders ! We look forward to hosting this event together with RPAYC, BYRA and Palm Beach Catamaran club on the weekend of 8th and 9th March. ASC will host a dinner on Saturday. RPAYC will manage the race entries and we will advertise registration links on our Website and via our WhatsApp groups once it's available.
CPR and First Response Training Fri 7th Feb at 7pm
Did you know that ASC has two AEDs? (Automated External Defibrillator).
1. In the club house on the wall between the men’s bathroom and the chair storage cupboard
2. In the red lidded race control supplies box we take out on Lucinda.
We would like everyone who sails with us to be confident in first response skills, including the use of the AED. We have organised a 1hr CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and first response skills session at the club on Friday 7th February at 7pm covering the most important life-saving skills needed while waiting for an ambulance. The course will be run by Louise Lindop and Mike Stanley-Jones from Bangalley Training and Avalon Surf Lifesaving Club. Louise has offered to run this session on a donation basis (with all donations to go to Avalon Sailing Club). We can have up to 50 attendees. This is possibly the most important self-improvement activity you can do in 2025.
Deck Party - Friday 28 March
Let’s make the most of daylight savings and celebrate the end of the season with another deck party on Friday 28th March. As with our last party we will have it on the rigging deck (weather permitting), BYO dinner with live music from 6pm.
Spiral National Championships
We wish Jeff & Shane Conly, Geoff & Oli Leech and Nicholas Chan all the best representing ASC at Spiral Nationals in Saratoga on the Australia Day weekend.
LOOKING BACK
Sydney to Hobart 2024
We are so very proud (and in awe) of those members and graduates of our learn to sail programs who participated in the 2024 Sydney to Hobart yacht race. It was one of the toughest in recent times and a real challenge for those who participated.
First timers Edward Curry-Hyde and Scott Robinson on Toucan, in the two handed division, sum it up on the dock in Hobart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fbl7XRocs0
Disko Trooper Contender Sailcloth - Jan Scholten (with Jules Hall) - 3rd Double Handed Line Honours (47th Line Honours), 2nd Double Handed IRC (16th IRC)
Toucan – Scott Robertson (with Edward Curry-Hyde) - 6th Double Handed Line Honours (53rd Line Honours), 3rd Corinthian IRC , 5th Double Handed IRC (22nd IRC)
Whisper – Clare Costanzo (with David Griffith) – 6th IRC, 4th IRC Div 0, 4th Line Honours
XS Moment – Chris Zonca (with Ray Hudson), 30th Line Honours, 15th Corinthian IRC (43rd IRC), 10th Corinthian PHS
Pretty Woman – Sarah Parker, Annaliese Scholten, Alistair Read, Juliet Costanzo (with Richard Hudson) - Retired at Port
January Sailing Camp
17 kids enjoyed perfect Pittwater conditions over three days at the club this week. Much fun was had during drills and games and even cries of “can we do it again?” were heard during capsize practice! Lots of time on water learning new skills resulted in noticeable improvements and big smiles all round.
The kids were treated to a ride on the Couta boats Sylvia & Tenacity on the final afternoon. Thanks to Larry, Nick, Peter and Bob for sharing their knowledge and expertise on these “big dinghies”. The kids had a ball and were safely returned to the club before the southerly hit.
Many thanks must go to Kingsley and his band of Instructors and Assistants who delivered a wonderful program meeting each new challenge with expertise and enthusiasm. Thanks also to the parents and grandparents for their assistance and support.
Many happy memories were made this week and the future looks bright for ASC!
Manly Juniors
Alex and Scarlet A attended the Manly Junior class NSW State regatta hosted by RPA yacht club on Pittwater 24 November. In the beginner group. Weather was sunny and slightly gusty with light winds racing off the northern end of Scotland island. They placed approximately seventh in race one and were disqualified immediately after not correctly rounding a buoy in race two. Their first regatta!
Open Skiff
The Open Skiff Nationals were held at Mordialloc Sailing Club, Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, from the 8th to 11th of January with 50 entries from all over Australia and New Zealand. Avalon sailors Ollie L and Emma T travelled down to compete in the Gold Fleet.
The wind conditions over the four days ranged from under 5kts and up to 20kts providing the sailors with the opportunity to show off their skills. The race committee did a fantastic job to run16 races and two adventure races.
Racing in the gold fleet was close racing with the majority of the fleet finishing within minutes of each other. You could see the sailors in the Silver fleet gain confidence each race they sailed in.
Seven girls finished in the top ten of the gold fleet, with Emma’s 9th overall, her best result in Nationals so far. Finishing fourth in three races was a great achievement in a very competitive fleet. Emma was in the green fleet at the 2020 Nationals in Mordialloc, so she has progressed really well and made a lot of friends on the way.
It was Ollie’s first Nationals in the gold fleet, posting consistent results he always finished with a smile on his face and came 18th overall.
The next regattas for the Open Skiffs is the Kurnell Cup on February 8th and 9th, followed by the state titles in March at Belmont 16s. (from Sarah Tallis)
Flying 11s
Avalon Sailing Club was represented at last week’s (14th - 19th Jan) Flying 11 National Championships by Fred Attrill and Emma Tallis who did us proud, sailing well in challenging conditions. Forty boats representing nine clubs competed on Botany Bay showcasing incredible sailing talent throughout the regatta.
The first two days delivered building NE breezes offering great sailing conditions, but with an east coast low and (very) strong southerly winds moving up the coast, sailing was unfortunately cancelled for the next two days. With a lay day in the mix, the fleet finally got back on the water on Sunday with a fresh 15-20kts SE breeze for the last two races. A solid way to conclude a great event.
Host club St Georges Sailing Club provided excellent facilities and a very welcoming atmosphere. A club well worth a visit!
Emma and Fred sailed well and achieved 18th as their best result, finishing up 25th overall, a result they should be happy with considering the experience in this fleet. This was a great regatta experience where friendships were made, and knowledge shared. (from Anja Attrill)
Also read writeup by Jon Drummond, Flying 11 Association Class President:
After day 2: https://www.sail-world.com/news/282873/
Concludes: https://www.sail-world.com/news/282984/2025-Allen-Flying-11-Nationals-concludes
Lowrider Moths
In January I took my Moth to Saratoga to compete in the Australian Lowrider Moth Championships. It started with a day or two of very hot weather and for me it finished in very wet and damp conditions. Saratoga Sailing Club on Brisbane Water is only 17 km ‘as the crow flies’, but it takes a couple of hours to drive there with the camper behind and the boat on top. The club provided convenient camping for the competitors and by the day of the first race there were 39 Moths on the beach ready to roll. They had come from as far away as Western Australia and the Moths themselves came in all shapes and formats. The common values basically amount to the length of the hull and the area of the sail.
The first day started promisingly with a moderate breeze and very warm weather. The invitation race was first up and by the time the last boat crossed the finish there was a much stronger wind. Unfortunately (for me) everything had got off to a slow start with the race starting about an hour and a half late. The invitation race was followed by two long races back-to-back and the wind picking up the whole time.
At this point I should tell you that about 60 percent of the competitors were over 55 years old and it started to show after a few days of winds, that at times, were over 30 knots. Nevertheless, some quite senior competitors placed in the top ten. Not me. Paul Chudleigh, who sailed with Avalon over recent years had a very creditable mid-fleet result. Ten races were sailed altogether, I believe the last two days had moderate winds but I didn't sail them as I had to come home on day three. (from Graham Vick).
A nice video from the event: https://youtu.be/OgvRTvjElM0
The full wrap: https://www.sail-world.com/news/282765/2025-Moth-Lowrider-Australian-Championship
OTHER AVALON SAILING CLUB NEWS:
Happenings at the club over the summer
The Avalon Sailing Club is a very special place and we get many enquiries from people, especially over the summer months:
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Club members have been using the club as a venue for their holiday season gatherings. This type of non-exclusive, low noise and low impact use of the club is free for members for up to 20 people. If you plan an exclusive or larger gathering please enquire with Ralf M at info@avalonsailingclub.com.au
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Such Stuff Productions hired the hall for two performances of King Lear on Sat 11 and Saturday 18 January. Thank you Gary T/Karina C and Ralf M/Heidi M for supporting these events with bar service. Good to see so many ASC members attend.
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On Friday 16 January we got a call from the mother of the groom looking for a venue for their son’s wedding ceremony as they had planned an ‘on the beach ceremony’ and had no wet weather plan. We were so pleased to be able to help them. Thank you Ralf M for managing our info@avalonsailingclub.com.au email - there are many enquiries.
If you're not quite sure what is and isn’t OK when it comes to use of the club’s facilities the guidelines and protocol are detailed on the website: https://www.revolutionise.com.au/avalonsailingclub/members/code-of-conduct
New Cruising Mooring in Morning Bay
We have recently acquired a new cruising mooring in Morning Bay. The mooring is numbered CL2474.2 with Avalon sailing Club clearly written on it.
The moorings are only available to members who have paid the Boat Owner fee with the current year sticker clearly fixed to their boat.
Our other Cruising moorings with exact locations on our website.
Moorings Available at Avalon Sailing Club
We currently have a couple of moorings available off the club. It’s unusual for us to have any free and nobody on the waiting list - so it’s quite an opportunity for you or a new member to get one. Moorings are rented on an annual basis with pricing equivalent to a council mooring + annual service. We also do short term rentals for members & non-members. If you have friends or family seeking a mooring for their sailing boat, get them to contact us at info@avalonsailingclub.com.au
Boats need to be insured & seaworthy. Except for short term rentals, boat owners need to become members, and we prioritise sailing boats and those who participate in events and volunteering activities. Registration and additional fees are on the website. https://www.revolutionise.com.au/avalonsailingclub/registration/
Fundraising, Donations and Grants
Thank you to Glen Attrill who secured a Clubsgrant of $3,000 from Avalon RSL for the club.
James George (your ASC club secretary) is always on the lookout for grants that we can apply for.
Please remember that we are fundraising for the Mens Bathroom renovation. Our target is $30K and we are one third of the way there. Our trusty builders are hoping to complete this project over the winter season so if you can contribute please do so now:
https://asf.org.au/projects/avalon-sailing-club-limited/male-change-room-renovation
Help needed at Avalon Sailing Club
Sponsorship -. We need to form a committee of motivated people who ’know people and are not afraid to ask’ to identify and promote sponsorship opportunities to local or boating related businesses. Please contact Helena if you can help at commodore@avalonsailingclub.com.au
Responsible service of alcohol (RSA) – We had a good number of members with RSA’s, but most have expired, leaving us short on volunteers to call on. Helena recently completed the process via the online provider eot.edu.au for $129.
If you have a current RSA or if you complete one soon please advise Helena so we can call on you to help us provide responsible service of alcohol at our club and external functions.
SignUP: We need Blue & Red group parents to sign up for Canteen and we need OODs for the rest of the season. We also need volunteers to help with Race Control, Canteen and Bar service on our regatta weekends 1-2 March and 8-9 March. Ralf M will set up separate SignUP rosters for those. In the meantime, please sign up for season duties Feb till April:
Mornings: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4AAFAE2EABFFCE9-sunday
Afternoons: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4AAFAE2EABFFCE9-sunday1
Links for all volunteering (including upcoming regattas) are on our home page.
Club Maintenance
The floating pontoon filled up with water towards the end of last season leaving it looking very lopsided. Thank you to Barry B and Garry O for pumping the float tanks dry.
Thanks to Chris Z and Tony C who were spotted by Ian C doing impromptu rigging deck maintenance on Saturday 18 Jan.
Remember to wear shoes if you don’t want splinters !
Red Rib Cover
The loose fitting red rib cover was shredded in the recent storms. Helena & Garry effected a repair with sail tape in December but it hasn’t held. We have agreed to invest in a properly fitted, custom made cover from Glen Salmon to protect this important asset.
OTHER NEWS:
Young Endeavour Youth Scheme have advertised their Voyages for 2025.
NSW Government will issue new Active and Creative kids vouchers worth $50 from January 15, 2025. Log onto your ServiceNSW profile to redeem.
The KPMG Sail Grand Prix will be on Sydney Harbour on 8/9 February. Club members can enjoy the action right up close, by purchasing a flag to Bring Your Own Boat (BYOB) right inside the exclusion zone for the ultimate on-water experience, or by enjoying an all-inclusive summer’s day out on Shark Island.
The RPAYC is hosting the Hansa World Championships from 23 to 30th March 2025. The event includes the World Para Championship and the National Titles. They are looking to charter centre console RIBs from sailing clubs and other groups. If you own a RIB or if you know anyone who owns a RIB and would be able to loan it (on a charter agreement) it to support this event they can contact:
John Sanderson President
Australian Hansa Class Association
Phone 0403 850 552
Email sando3090@gmail.com
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