Club Newsletter - revolutioniseSPORT

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au

P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

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Club Newsletter 26/3/19

Trailer Sailor Report (Colin Hinwood)

Really hot .. like when does Summer end ?? When do we see Autumn breezes, - at least BOM’s 15 to 20knots NNE [as in hot and gusty] didn’t happen. Breeze started off light and East, gradually swinging more North, and about 10knots with odd 14knot gusts .. not too gusty for the dinghies. Run out tide so .. up the other end. Hangin out for a nice Nor Easter down to Missingham …

A good Start Line by Roland, spread the fleet nicely along the Line, with starting well & deciding on a righty to the extra pressure,, and starting well the other end for a lefty to better [but weak] tide.… and the answer first cross .. by a boat length. Nice to see some “normal” sailing in our river. Cool.

, , the 550s, .. ,.. then and the RLs. Check the Results .. the handicapping is now leaving only seconds between the boats, so worth trying for an edge.

Commodore Phill Robbins 0466668541 Vice Commodore Jonathan Horsley 0412798505 Rear Commodore Chris Hallett 0414866998 Secretary Nola Hallett 0414866999 Treasurer Norm Hunt 66291366 Class Reps Gennakers – Duncan Dey Catamarans – Col Woodbry Trailers – Ian Michie Monos – Graham Hams Rowing Officer Gerald Anderson Webmaster Mark Pierce Training team Graeme Turner

ALL EMAIL

CORRESPONDENCE TO: [email protected] CONTENTS 1. Trailer Sailor report 2. Catamaran report 3. Gennaker report 5. Monohull report 7. Get to know a club member 12. Harwood Regatta race report 13. Seniors race postponed 14. Changes of courses 14. NS14 Training Weekend 15. Rowers Content 16. Race Fee Changes 16. Club Weather Station 17. raceQ’s 19. Use of club tractor 19. Club Shirts 20. Idle Gossip 21. Upcoming away events 22. Wotif Offer to the club 22. Crew available/crew wanted 23/24. For sale/wanted/free

http://www.rrsrc.com.au/


mailto:[email protected]



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The whole fleet finished within a minute on corrected time, even would ve ..but

disagreed with the Course, so added the little dinghy leg at the bottom Mark, or Marks in ’s case. Everyone else did a Windward Return, 3 times bottom then home, slightly delayed with it’s addition to the Course…. each time … First lap, the wind was a bit light down there, and Patchy, but as it built a tad, and swung a bit North, the 2 Spiders got going and away from the fleet. The Course is all right under 20knots, but getting a flogging and maybe a bit tired. We know that track too well. It’s a challenge for the Race Committee to create a “different” [didn’t say better] Course on Pointscore days, for 4 different fleets on such a tiny river, but .. let’s see …no whingeing tho if it is too tricky for some …..

drew away from , and and stayed close all race long, very evenly matched for speed in these moderate conditions. prevailed in the end to cross the Line 43 seconds ahead of , but the winner on Corrected. First lap, it was , and bunched up, and racing well together, until found its feet and ran away. Cleaner Mark roundings from 2 sail against 3 sail with a poled kite, made all the difference in the light winds and adverse tide … then it was a reach to the Finish with ahead and same speed as so .. gotcha .. Of major concern on was to moderate liquid consumption in the heat, as a night afloat was planned. The thought of running out of liquids before passing out that night, would have been very stressful. Nice little sail .. CC next Sunday hopefully with full fleet.

Catamaran Report (Nola and Chris Hallet)

Left the beach in a light wind with 30 slow minutes to get to the start line and what a relief to see the Trailer flag flying! A few tacks here and there and away we went with 8 cats through the start. Leading was Michael in the class followed closely by , , , ,

, and all trying to find the best wind. Most of the fleet followed the north side to get the tide advantage with choosing the south side to get cleaner air to be 2nd around the 1st mark. The tussles continued throughout the race with &

very close and interchanging positions while the class stayed in the lead. Mmm who put that marker buoy in that position with no wind and raging current ??? Oh well, had to slowly manoeuvre around two monos who were struggling near that dreaded buoy and let most of the cat fleet pass by while we were basically going backwards with a smirk from Col. After that, wind picked up and got their act together and gained ground to come a close 2nd to Michael over the line, then and then , and within 3 seconds of each other followed by and . Unfortunately Norm retired before the race and he thanks everyone involved with packing up his boat. Thanks to Roland and duty officers.




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c

Gennaker Report (Michael Wiley and Duncan Dey)

A strong fleet of four 15’s and three RS100’s fronted the starter for the gennaker division.

The strong outgoing tide, large fleet of combined monos and gennakers and light winds made for a very challenging start. To their credit (although accidental if you believe them), Laura and Francine in pretty well got the best of it down the port end while everyone else fought for the starboard end advantage. Most of the gennakers got away well, except maybe for Michael and Tara in who were a tad second rank. However, with their superior speed all four fifteens quickly managed to pull away into clear air from the chaos of the combined fleet with the RS100’s not far behind them.

It was a difficult task to pick the optimum path to the first mark. The tide suggested you go left, but the boats going right often found better wind and and a Northerly lift and came out ahead. By going right Garry in soon found himself leading the RS100 trio.

Out front, and Barry and Anna in settled down to their usual very close race with many changes of lead as close covering and gybing duals became the order of the day.

Initially Daniel and Steffen in kept up with the leading pair, but soon fell back into a comfortable third spot, while found itself dicing with the RS100’s.

As the race progressed Duncan in managed to work his way back to the front of the RS100 pack.

The dramas increased on the third and last run where a couple of powerful gusts drove and into the shallows inside the red channel markers. lost a lot of

time needing to douse its kite and reach up to go outside the mark while lost even more time capsizing on it as it struggled to claw it way around it with the kite up.

’s problems should have seen get a commanding lead. Instead it found itself rounding the last bottom mark hot on the tail of . It was then a drag race to the finish, with every gust, lift and knock producing subtle changes in the boats’ relative positions. The finale to a nail biting finish occurred when was forced low as it traversed the Ramada wind shadows leaving it needing to tack into the finish, while managed to stay higher for a direct line to the buoy. In the end, managed to tack across the bows of and take the gun by a few seconds.




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also managed to claw its way back to the front of the RS100 contingent on the long last

work, but not by enough to recover its handicap position, leaving to take the overall first place on handicap. Further back had a more difficult time traversing the unpredictable winds of the Ramada wind shadow, resulting in several capsizes and difficult recoveries. To their credit, Laura and Francine persisted to still score a fourth on handicap.

Thanks to those laying the marks for keeping the windward buoy 100m away from the Services Club building. How about also keeping it 200m away from the despicable new even-taller waterfront building on Kerr Street. And how about the Club lobbies Council to prevent the next tall waterfront building?




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Would racing be feasible on this stretch of the river in Northerly and Easterly courses if the shoreline fills with these large buildings?

Monohull Report (Dave Scott)

Note from Newsletter editor: Many thanks to Dave Scott who jumped in to write this report with no knowledge of this prior to sailing the race. Newsletter editor was unable to race due to riding out the storm of an unwelcome stomach bug. Dave Scott: Lovely day but not much wind so a bit of a mission to get to the start, which was way up the river towards the ferry. Oh for a spinnaker! - although even the F15’s weren’t making a lot of headway! The Trailer Sailors got away and then it was the mono’s turn – but hang on, the flag on the rescue boat was a C!! I assumed the starting order had been changed and I just hadn’t heard about it, but a couple of other mono sailors asked me what was going on, so who knows. Anyway the cats got away and then it was our turn. Instead of my usual analogue watch with a second hand I was wearing a brand new digital watch with a countdown function. Woohoo! However, despite practicing how to set it a few times when it arrived in the mail a couple of weeks earlier, of course I’d forgotten, and with no second hand the start was all a bit rough as far as I was concerned. It certainly got a bit congested at the starboard end of the line –just on the start I was jammed between a Pacer to windward and Duncan charging through from behind and below in his RS100 and couldn’t move. Oh well – didn’t need the watch anyway. First lap the wind was light. Not much tide as yet. Graham Hams was out front early and stayed there for the duration. Behind him was Charlie, the other NS14’s and the MG. Cameron was leading the slower boats (Aero, Impulse, Laser, Pacer etc).On the first down-wind leg Graham took




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the port side of the river hoping to avoid any current. Most others followed him but didn’t seem to get much advantage if any. Roy on his downwind speed machine came flying through the fleet as usual but underestimated the tide and touched the buoy. I understand someone else did also but I’m not sure who. I nearly capsized on the gybe due to the extremely long vang sheet on Mark’s Laser forming an ugly knot with the mainsheet. I have Mark’s permission to lose a couple of metres! As far as I could see the race was pretty much a procession from then on – though a couple of times I wondered what Grace and Graham were up to in their MG! Didn’t see any capsizes. After the last lap and beat to the line the wind had picked up and seemed to have swung to the north a little, which made it possible to pinch past the buoys and head straight into the narrows. As usual they provided us with the usual challenges ranging from no wind at all to shifty gusts from a range of directions. Luckily the tide was on our side so we kept moving in the right direction in the lulls and we sneaked over the line in front of the clubhouse. Overall it was a great day’s sailing for all concerned - a range of wind strengths, not much current, good fleet numbers and a lovely sunny day. Anything we would rather have been doing? I doubt it!!! Congratulations to Des for his much deserved win. He’s getting better every week! Look out Cameron!! PS I wasn’t expecting to be writing this so didn’t take a lot of notice of what everyone was doing and I didn’t discuss the day with other sailors after the race, so my apologies for what I expect to be many omissions.




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Get To Know A Club Member

Every newsletter will feature an interview with a different club member The questions are designed with a focus on sailing experiences. This week we have the pleasure of finding out a bit more about club ex-commodore Graeme Fleming.

Name: Graeme Fleming

Type and name of boat raced at club:

Spider 550 –

Number of Seasons at RRSRC:

Been a member since 1978 missing about four or five seasons (raising children) so approximately 36 or 37 years.

Roles in the Club (now and previously): Commodore for eight seasons – through the 90’s and into the 2000’s On the club committee for about twenty years Life member

Where did you learn to sail? In what class/classes of boat? When I was 12/13 years old in a VJ on Upper Sydney Harbour and also in Toukley on the Tuggerah Lakes




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Graeme on the right

Have you been a member of other sailing clubs, if so, which?

Toukley Sailing club Port of Yamba Yacht Club

What class or type of boats have you sailed in your life?

VJ, Cherub, NS14, Spider 550, Hartley TS 16, Dufour 40




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Favourite and why?

Spider 550 – an old man’s NS14. Don’t have to hike too far, goes fast. Fun to sail.

Best sailing experience?

Queensland NS14 titles at Mooloolaba. There was a three metre swell and a 25 knot southerly. We cartwheeled. It took the top off the mast. I lost my keys. I got seasick being towed back in.

Worst sailing experience?

As above

Have you sailed at any state or national titles? If so, what ones?

State and National NS14. State and National Hartley TS 16

Best results Hartley – first in Nationals on handicap and third on scratch in NSW titles. Won the veterans Qld State titles.

Best results in a series at RRSRC?

Won nine club championships, mostly in the NS14, plus the trailer sailors.




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Suggestions on how sailing as a sport could be improved?

At Ballina, maybe removing the Mobbs Bay wall would help

Why do you go sailing?

I love it. Great you don’t need a motor. Great sport.




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Apart from the cheese/dips and crackers why do you sail at RRSRC on a Sunday?

It’s the only place to go – nearly. Always sailed there, can’t go anywhere else – except Yamba.

Are there any sailing dreams you aspire to?

To keep doing it.

Any boat you aspire to?

I have the ones I want, the ones I like.

Any advice for up and coming sailors?

Don’t yell at your crew

Any superstitions or customs in relation to your sailing?

No

Would you like to share anything that people at the club might not know about you?

I’ve just been appointed Vice Commodore of Yamba Yacht club

Graeme onboard Inci Winci with current crew, Fiona Cormack




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Harwood Regatta Race Report (Michael Wiley and Duncan Dey)

The new Harwood clubhouse

The weather was true to forecasts, light and multi-directional. The large mono fleet headed down-river towards Iluka in a flotilla with the tide and a slight tailwind. There were eight competitors in our Division 3 (yardstick <113). The three F15s took the lead over three RS100's, plus an Aero and an NS14. Spinnakers for much of the first leg got us round the Iluka buoy in an hour or so. By then, Michael & Tara in F15 had opened up a sizable lead, having found a private channel of wind on the eastern side of the river on the leg north to Brown's Rocks and then succeeding on carrying a spinnaker much further on the next leg east to the buoy. They were equally able to round the Iluka buoy and carry the spinnaker back to near Brown's Rocks. Barry & Anna followed in F15 but they'd only gone a few hundred metres when they found a knock and then a hole which backed the spinnaker and then turned them around in a circle before they could continue on their way with Daniel & Francine in F15 now not far behind. As the fleet approached Brown's Rocks and the leg south on the return journey, it entered a giant hole with a multitude of stationary Herons, Lasers and Impulses littering the course and drifting slowly back with the tide. started to pick its way very gingerly through, although having entered the near-death zone first, it's sizable lead was soon whittled away.

Behind her, found its own hole and place of prolonged zero wind torture near Browns Rocks Wharf. She sat there completely stationary watching as first and then the RS100's and all the other fast mono's perceived her distress and circled around the hole to overtake her. Garry in RS100 had rounded the Iluka buoy 6 minutes behind Duncan in but left his kite up like a genoa for the return west, as one can in light airs. He closed the gap and then passed Duncan. Duncan returned 's earlier favour from the turn south, overtaking to again lead the RS100's.




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As the wind filled in, the boats behind were advantaged, compressing the fleet, meaning that Casper crossed the finish line close enough to the F15's to take the race, with Garry second. The course had been shortened to cut out the sector from the club west to the bridges and back, but still took 3.5 hours or so.

Paul Greer in RS100 #272 was sporting new sails and ropes. He paced Garry down to Iluka but then lost out in the dead patches to miss third overall by only 15 seconds. Third went to Mike & Tara.

We sat around all Sunday morning waiting for wind, solving world problems and buying ropes from BoatRopes.com.au. The nor'easter arrived as the presentation finished and we hit the road for home.

Accommodation on the club lawn was wonderful as usual and crowded. The new clubhouse is great and we look forward to our next visit (in October or so).

Seniors Race Postponed

The club committee discussed the particulars of the seniors race last Monday. The race had initially been set for last Sunday in the calendar.

The committee decided to hold the Seniors race on 7 April, seniors are to sail their own boats (all crews must be seniors as well) and it will be handicap start based on age of skipper and the boats handicap (as set by the club handicapper). Seniors race briefing to be held at 11:00 with race start at 11:30. Short race of about ½ hour in length.


BoatRopes.com.au



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Change of Courses for Outgoing Tides

This year the regulations around Aquatic Licences was changed. We are now responsible for setting the rules to our Aquatic Licence rather than have them set in stone. The past rules are to be our guide in this.

Until now we have followed the rule about not going east past the green channel marker when there is a run out tide. Last Sunday we sailed in the usual ugly NE wind up river with large buildings shadowing our top mark. After that race several of us sailed down to the mouth of the river and discovered a beautiful 10-17 knot breeze.

At our exec meeting on Monday we agreed to relax our strict rule about sailing downriver during an outgoing tide.

NEW GUIDELINES We can sail downriver of the green channel marker during outgoing tides if:

• The forecast wind for the race period is not less than 5 knots and not more than 20 knots.

• The outgoing tide is not a massive runout. Sailing committee will make a call based on the conditions and forecast before the briefing.

The goal is to avoid a condition where the rescue boat cannot rescue all the boats in trouble and some end up being sucked out of the bar. I believe we can safely avoid this happening while improving our sailing conditions.

NS14 Training Weekend




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G'day NS14 sailors at RRSRC There will be an NS14 training weekend on 6-7 April at Harwood. Peter V has won a huge string of state and national NS14 championships but is also an excellent trainer. Robert Preston is helping organise and hoping to get boats from as far away as Brisbane and Taree. Here is the link: https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=485005& Cheers, Duncan

Rower’s Content Welcome

As this club is also a club for rowers an official newsletter welcome is sent out to any rowers in the club who would like to contribute anything rowing related to the newsletter. Even just a nice photo of the sunrise on the river would be enlightening for most of the sailors who more than likely have never been to the club that early. Such a thing would enrich the newsletter.


https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=485005&



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Race Fee Changes

New Race Fee Process Race fees are as follows:

• $7 for members sailing their own boat

• $15 for member sailing a club boat From now on please use the following process when signing on and paying race fees.

1. If you have paid for race fees yearly; write a Y in the Paid column 2. If you are paying casually, write the amount in the Paid column. Eg $7 or $15 and put the

cash into the race fee container. This will allow the treasurer to check that the fees collected matches the amount stated. Thanks. Phill

Club Weather Station The clubhouse now has a Davis weather station on the roof, with a display panel in the clubhouse. There are two ways you can access our weather station. Firstly, you can find our weather station online at www.weatherlink.com. Log in with the following:

User: RRSRC

Password: (email Phill if you haven’t yet received the password.)


http://www.weatherlink.com/



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Secondly, you can download the WeatherLink app for iPhone or Android.

Download this app, set up your account and search for our weather station by map of Ballina or by name:

“Richmond River Sailing Club.” - Phill

raceQ’s

From Graeme Fleming FYI We used this app at the Sail Paradise regatta as it was compulsory for all Yachts. Amazing playback of races

Welcome to raceQs, the innovative sailing program that will change the way you sail!

To confirm you registration please click to link below


http://www.raceqs.com/

http://www.raceqs.com/

http://www.twitter.com/raceQs

http://www.facebook.com/raceQs

http://www.linkedin.com/company/raceqs-com?trk=top_nav_home

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgFoK7K5HF-aLCpzX8yG_g



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Check out this video for a quick demo of the raceQs sailing system.

Download It

Download and register the FREE raceQs app, available in the iPhone store or the Android market.

Go Sailing

With just a push of a button, create your own 3D replays by recording a race with raceQs’ free smartphone app. The app is also a powerful race computer designed

to help you sail faster. Learn More

Watch It After you are done sailing, login to your raceQs account on a computer to view

your automatically generated 3D race replay. Learn more

Share It Easily share your replay with your crew, post it on Facebook, or replay it at

the Yacht Club. If you prefer, you can always choose to keep your replay private.

Need more help now? Check out our website and FAQ. We would love to hear from you with your questions and suggestions by email [email protected]

Thanks,

The raceQs Team


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_rfpXNfLUw

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/raceqs/id605844662?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gsapps.raceqs&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5nc2FwcHMucmFjZXFzIl0

http://youtu.be/qke6JC91xI0


http://youtu.be/auuDhCRRYkA





http://raceqs.com/#TryItOut


http://raceqs.com/[email protected]&key=f9003c90a3d38c16004c728e983ff786



http://youtu.be/bt7ttNkNhkE



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Commonly Asked Questions

Do I need to keep my phone on deck, in view of "open sky" like my GPS?

No, the app will still work below decks, safely stowed in your bag. You can even set it to automatically shut-off when your phone battery reaches various levels.

USE OF CLUB TRACTOR

New Rules re Trailer:

1. At low tide you must ask one of 3

people to supervise (Chris Hallett,

Jonathan Horsley or Col Woodbry)

2. At high tide approved drivers are ok

to retrieve or launch on the ramp.

We will find a process that works and is safe for the RIB.

- Phill

Club Shirts

Here’s your chance to wear the colours of your club, to proudly display what you do every Sunday – wear a club shirt! Royal Blue Club shirts payment required at time of order into RRSRC account with your name as reference BSB: 728728 ACC: 22288328 Email or text Nola with size [email protected] or 0414 866999

Mens Long sleeve polo - $37 Short sleeve polo - $35 Cotton T-shirt - $20

Ladies Short sleeve polo - $31

Kids Cotton T-shirt - $17





Newsletter Items, Idle Gossip, etc to [email protected] (deadline midnight Monday)

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Idle Gossip – Please send anything interesting sailing or club related to [email protected].

Maybe a new approach to the shallows near Missingham when the swell is up?

Video of this ride here. The editor has posted this for the footage, not the accompanying music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5ZLlS71Psc




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5ZLlS71Psc



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Upcoming Away Events

• 4th/5th May – Bay to Bay

• 4th/5th May, Qld Pacer championships. Lake Cootharaba If anyone knows of any more events or would like an event posted please let me know – [email protected]





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Wotif Offer to our Club!

Book your next travel or accommodation with Wotif and quote this code: ASF043153 and we will receive a donation from Wotif. Support our club when you or your family or friends travel.

Crew Available/Crew Wanted

Seamus, an enthusiastic graduate from our last Learn to Sail course, is keen to continue his learning by crewing on any boat available. Seamus has already crewed on a NS14, Nacra 5.8 and Spider 550. Please help him continue his involvement with the club by giving him a place, if possible. Email his mother Jill at [email protected] if you have a spot for him

If you need some crew or are wanting to have a sail in a race please make your intentions known here by contacting [email protected]





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For Sale/Wanted/Free to a Good Home

If you have any sailing related items for sale or if you want to buy something sailing related and want it put in the newsletter please let me know – [email protected]

FOR SALE

Details are: Castle 650, Mr Squiggle, Sail Number 61. Generally good condition. New Doyle Main and No 1, near new No 2 and No 3. Older Main and No 1 (Still usable). Old Dacron Main. Spinnaker with launching shute. Near new 8hp Tohatsu. Trailer in good condition. New complete storage cover/tarp. Price $15,000.00 Neg. Ph Todd Goldsmith 0427002571.





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FOR SALE Anyone interested in buying a Nacra Sirroco catamaran in excellent condition? Asking $4750 ono. Scott Lewin

FOR SALE

Laser Radial and 4.7 rig This laser dinghy has been well maintained and stored under cover its whole life. Turbo wang set up, carbon fibre tiller, stiff dry hull includes 1 training and one regatta sail barely used and laser cover. Price: $4000 For any enquires please call Georges on: 0431 213 774


https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100014139975302&__tn__=%2CdK-R-R&eid=ARB9QwCiG2YYABl2nDKqad036qh2LgnvejN1uVxAcW2mg37pY3TbrirmshAlak78ApCmTTr3ykedFh2d&fref=mentions

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