Hi club members,
The forecast for tomorrow is perfect for sailing – 23 degC, zero chance of rain, and a steady 10-15 knot (20-30 km/hr) wind. What a way to end the month!
The following Saturday (8 May) will be our last sail of the summer season, after which we miss two weekends before recommencing on 29 May for the winter season.
Sailing is fortnightly during winter.All winter races start at 1.00pm, half an hour earlier than during the summer season.
QR Code
We are now legally obliged to have a QR Code for recording your presence. Antony has kindly set this up for us. There will be two copies of the chart available for you to scan – one in the sign-on book and one in the clubhouse. As most people will not want to take their phones to the rigging area, I suggest you bring your phone to the clubroom after sailing and check in there. For those of you who (like me) have never used a QR Code, you will still be able to record your presence via alternate means, but we very much would prefer you to use the QR system please.
Please can Race Officers make sure that the sign-on sheets are not thrown out and that everyone, whether racing or not, is listed on the sign-on sheets even if not sailing.
New Members
Welcome to another new member, Don M. Some of you may have met him two weeks ago when he was sailing a club Sabre. He will be sailing a club Sabre for a few months.
Since Christmas we have had eighteen new members attending sailing school as well as Kedar, and Sanjay who have joined outside a sailing school introduction. Most will now have met Kedar, who has been sailing a club Sabre. Sanjay, who has not been able to sail so far will likely do same – Antony wants them to get Lasers!!
Just prior to Christmas, John Rx and Dalton, together with their families, became active members which is great to see.
Sailing Instructors / Sailing School
After 20 years, Rob and Herman have indicated that they want to take a step back from running sailing courses. The club is deeply appreciative of all their efforts over a very long time. Mara has agreed to obtain the Instructor qualification and commences the necessary training tomorrow. Paula, John and Jarrod are currently running another six week course on Saturday mornings, the second six week course they have run this year. They have also run two half-day sessions for prospective sailors/students. The club thanks them for undertaking their instructor training and accreditation appraisals which took up a considerable amount of their time. Their efforts have been rewarded by full classes, many participants of which will hopefully continue their membership next year.
Grants
The club is taking advantage of a reduction in Mara’s instructor training fee which Australian Sailing has made available for female participants to encourage more females to sail. John has obtained a grant from the state government to purchase windproof jackets for sailing school participants. This will help new participants enjoy sailing more comfortably, giving them a better feel for the good bits, without having to worry so much about some of the bad!
Congrats to John who analyzed what types of grant applications were likely to be successful and then came up with a successful one.
Whilst wee could do with some new PFDs for sailing school the grant application conditions specifically excluded the purchase of PFDs.
The club will will shortly be receiving a $750 Covid related grant, which is in addition to the $1000 we received back in September.
Financial Position
Members should have received a financial summary in an email circular. This strong financial position reflects, in part, the hard work of our sailing instructors which is a source of revenue for the club. We very much appreciate the role this plays in keeping the club vibrant.
John Rx’s Adventures in Bass Strait
Those of you following the club’s WhatsApp site will have seen the photos and videos of John Rx’s three week trip to Tasmania aboard a 10m, immaculately restored, classic timber yacht. If anyone who is not receiving the WhatsApp posts wishes to, they should contact John Reid who will then send an invitation.
Australian Sailing Club News
The April edition of Club News is available at
https://mailchi.mp/889889731c13/clubnewsmarch2021-299626?e=28fc3c2b94
Regards,
Steve McConnell
Lysterfield Sailing Club