2017-2018 Abbotsford 12ft Flying Squadron Annual Report and Balance Sheet

ABBOTSFORD 12 FOOT SAILING CLUB
INCORPORATED
Affiliated with the N.S.W. 12 Foot Skiff Association,
the N.S.W. Southern Zone Sabot Association,
the Flying Eleven Association of N.S.W. and the
Yachting Association.
ANNUAL REPORT
2017–2018
★
OFFICE BEARERS SEASON 2017–2018
PATRON: Jim Sinclair
COMMODORE: Tony Mercier
VICE-COMMODORES: Peter Ostara, Neil Hibbard
PRESIDENT: Willem Vervoort
DEPUTY PRESIDENTS: Judy Evans, Lee Dewane
HONORARY SECRETARY: Philip Marsh
HONORARY TREASURER: Gai Dewane
ASSISTANT TREASURER: Neil Hibbard
SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENTS: Robert Reid, Jim Wiley, Rodney Mercier,
Matthew Peat
MINUTE SECRETARY: Tom Biskupic
CLUB CAPTAIN: Christopher Dey
CLUB MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE: Club Executive plus:
12 foot Skiff Co-ordinator: Steven Hill
Laser Co-ordinator: Garry Robberds
Opens Co-ordinator: Graeme Fenwick
Sabot Co-ordinator: Alan Gaha
STARTER AND JUDGES: Marylou McNamara, Annette Vervoort, Gai
Dewane
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LAUNCH CARETAKER: Neil Hibbard
RUNABOUT CO-ORDINATOR: Christopher Dey, Judy Evans
LEGAL ADVISER: Robert Kirby
AUDITORS: Matthew Peat, Tony Mercier
CLUB HISTORIAN: Gai Dewane
OFFICER OF THE DAY: The Chief Starter and Judge of the Day
CANTEEN CO-ORDINATOR: Val Hill
LIQUOR LICENSEE: Gai Dewane
SOCIAL CO-ORDINATORS: Jennifer Dey, Chantelle Munday
WEBMASTERS: Tom Biskupic, Willem Vervoort, Connor McNamara
Annual General Meeting
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General
Meeting of the Abbotsford 12 Foot Sailing Club
Incorporated will be held at the Clubhouse on Sunday,
5th August 2018, at 10 a.m.
PHILIP MARSH, Hon. Secretary
COMMENCEMENT OF RACING SEASON
1st RACE — SATURDAY, 8th SEPTEMBER, 2018
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President’s Report
It has been another busy year at Abbotsford, and as we conclude our
first working bee this winter, I am trying to write this report. The club
thrives with the enthusiasm and the commitment of the members, despite
continued outside pressures. Personally, I missed half a season, because
we were overseas, but it is great to come back to see that the club is still
doing well.
Our collaboration with the Port Neptune Sea Scouts has developed
into a mature relationship, and both sides clearly benefit from racing and
working together. The Scouts are a keen group of sailors bringing diversity
to our fleet and community. I hope that you will continue to make them
feel at home at our club.
It was another competitive season, with several interesting races, but
also such enormous growth in the sailing ability of many of our juniors,
and the sea scouts. In the end, our club’s juniors are the sailors of the
future and this therefore remains a key focus area.
As some of our members will be moving to new challenges in sailing,
life, or to different places in Australia, new members from our Social
Sailing and our junior Learn to Sail programs will always be welcome
and nurtured. We are here to help you with advice on boats, sailing and
options. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.
The completion of the new bottom section of the ramp was a major
project this year, and while it was a significant drain on the club’s finances,
we now have a stable launching platform, hopefully for the next decade and
more. Many club members invested significant volunteer time in making
this project happen, and in name of all other club members, I would like
to once again thank them for that effort.
Similarly, because members invested time in writing and submitting
grants proposals, we are able to buy a new support duck (to replace the
old console duck) for the next season, which will extend our options for
the junior support. Again, I want to thank the members for putting in their
free time to help the club.
A thank you to all the past and present members for all their efforts
and donations: the social and canteen committee, starters and finishers, the
runabout crews and all those people doing little odds and ends around the
club. It is great to see past members or their families (such as the Hubbards
at Presentation Night) continue to come back to the club.
The Abbotsford ferry wharf redevelopment is also being completed
and should be back to normal when our new season starts. Overall it
looks like the change in design will have limited additional impact on
our operation.
The future of our club and the structure, shape, location and
community of our club remains an area of significant focus. It is important
to continue having discussions (both inside and outside the club) of what
our future might look like. Discussions about an Abbotsford Aquatic Club
(that broadens our base to include more types of water sport) are still
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valuable. With the projected growth in the Canada Bay community, the
club should be thinking ahead and be part of the sports club community
around the bay.
With that, please continue to support the club by advertising the Learn
to Sail, the Social Sailing program and by donating to the Club via ASF:
https://asf.org.au/projects/abbotsford-12ft-sailing-Club/. I would like to
thank you all for your support over the last year.
The last thing is that I at this point (end of May) wish Garry Robberds
all the best sailing in the World Masters in Dublin. It is great to see someone
representing Abbotsford at that level! By the time this report appears in
print we will know how he went.
Happy sailing!
WILLEM VERVOORT, President
Secretary’s Report
This season can be considered a successful season for the club with
good fleets and keen competition which has improved both the skills and
enjoyment of those participating which is greatly encouraging for the
club as a whole.
The club held well-attended Short Course race days for both the
NSW Cherub Association and the NSW 12 Foot Skiff Association and
the Parramatta River Championship for the 12 Foot Skiffs.
Our thanks to the trophy donors for the incentive they provide for us
to improve our skills on the water and we look forward to your continuing
support for next season.
Congratulations to all who competed and a great big thanks to those
who provided support launching and retrieving boats, in the canteen,
starters and finishers, support boat crews, social committee and everyone
who has made it possible to ensure that the club is maintained in an
appropriate manner and functions well for us all. This can only happen
through the willing contribution of our members, so thank you all.
To retain the strength of the club we need to maintain and increase our
membership so please make sure you tell your friends and acquaintances
about the club.
I would also commend the club’s Regular Meetings to which all club
members are welcome and also remind members that the Annual General
Meeting is open to all members so, please attend and consider accepting
a role in running your club.
PHIL MARSH, Honorary Secretary
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Treasurer’s Report
Our club has had a year of major outlays with repairs to our launching
ramp costing over $33,149. The season’s balance sheet shows a deficit of
$20,136 after allowing depreciation of $9,126. Apart from the cost of the
ramp our biggest cost was once again insurance, which totalled $11,741.
Our total income was $59,304 while our expenses totalled $70,923. Since
the end of our financial year (31st May 2018) we have received a bill for
$8,250 for an engineer’s report. This cost will come out of next season’s
accounts.
The profit from bar trading was $3,646, the Social Committee
$2,664 and the canteen $2,999. The interest on our investment account
was $3,536.
We received $1,730 in donations towards the ramp fund and had
a surplus of $862 from the Great Duck race that was organised by Judy
Evans and Anne Buchanan. Thank you, ladies, for such a fun event. Thank
you to all members who supported the club in all these areas.
We received two grants totalling $6,500 to purchase a new inflatable
duck to replace the console duck. Due to a couple of occurrences of
misfortune, which resulted in a lot of inconvenience for Neil, the duck
is yet to be purchased.
Once again we are indebted to all trophy donors. Their generosity is
greatly appreciated by the boat crews. It was great to see the number of
people who enjoyed the Presentation Night in May. The Social Committee
excelled itself with the dinner that was served. It was wonderful having
Margaret Duncan and her son John and his young family in attendance to
present the Jack and Kathleen Hubbard Memorial Trophy.
Without all our volunteer helpers our club would not exist. As always
we are grateful for contributions made by all members from Club Captain
Christopher Dey, to our fabulous Scout driver and Race Officer, Marylou
McNamara and her assistant Annette Vervoort, Val Hill in the canteen, Tom
Biskupic for keeping track of Point Scores on the website, Neil Hibbard,
Jim Sinclair, Greg Annesley and Geoff Dempsey who fix things quietly
around the clubhouse as the need arises, Judy Evans and Chris for their
continued input in the Learn to Sail program, Jennifer Dey and Chantelle
Munday for stepping into the role of social co-ordinator and for organising
the social nights and Willem for keeping us informed with his newsletters
and overseeing the Social Sailing days.
Once again I acknowledge Half Moon Bay Yacht Club who
generously allow us to slip ‘Scout II’ on their slipway free of cost. This is a
huge saving for our club. I again thank Matthew Peat and Tony Mercier for
auditing the books and Rod Mercier for the printing of this Annual Report.
The committee is always looking for input and new ideas from
members in regard to investigating ways to increase our revenue.
Remember the membership makes our club, without your help the club
won’t remain viable. With major maintenance required in the next few
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years our reserves will disappear very quickly if we can’t increase our
income.
Please get involved in assisting where you can, manning support
boats including Scout, race management, bar and canteen, cleaning the
change rooms and concrete ramp or anything you see that needs to be done.
Have a good winter and get all those boat repairs completed well in
time for the new season.
GAI DEWANE, Honorary Treasurer
Social Committee Report
It has been a great season off the water as well with the Social
Committee hosting several events. This year we endeavoured to introduce
some new ideas while keeping our much-loved traditions in place.
The Yuletide Evening and Presentation Night were well attended and
enjoyed. Santa’s appearance this year was a particular highlight providing
plenty of laughs for both kids and adults. The Curry Night and Mexican
Fiesta added some variety while the old-fashioned barbeque evenings
remained popular. The Duck Race Dinner allowed celebrations and
commiseration following the inaugural Great Abbotsford Duck Race. Also
our Pizza and Movie night was enjoyed and appreciated by our families
and younger members. Hopefully there was something for everyone!
These opportunities to enjoy the beautiful setting of our clubhouse
and the friendships among club members would not be possible without
our wonderful team of volunteers who plan, prepare and serve meals and
clean up afterwards. My sincere thanks to Chantelle Munday, Gai Dewane,
Val Hill, Lisa Hill, Debbie Bell and Peter Hill for their efforts. Thank you
also to those members who contributed food or their time at these events
to ensure everything ran smoothly.
JENNIFER DEY, Social Committee Co-ordinator
Canteen and Bar Report
The bar and canteen trading was slightly up on last year. The bar
had a surplus of $3,646 while the canteen made a profit of $2,999. Our
sales received a welcome boost by the number of Sea Scouts who joined
our club to race their boats in our racing fleets. They were always very
hungry at lunchtime.
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Thank you to those members who supported the canteen by buying
their lunch each Saturday and their beverages from the bar.
We again catered for the Parramatta River Championship and
provided afternoon tea to the competitors and visitors. The cherubs came
to us for a heat of their state titles and we catered for them at lunch and
post race.
We had a wonderful evening in December when a very entertaining
Santa came to visit us during our Yuletide feast. Many thanks to Paul
McNamara and Scout captain Neil Hibbard for ensuring a successful
Yuletide night.
The operation of both the bar and canteen require a lot of behindthe-scenes
work as well as manning them on Saturday. Any assistance is
always welcome. Please don’t be shy to lend a hand.
Here’s hoping for fair weather and enjoyable sailing for the new
season.
GAI DEWANE, Liquor Licensee
VAL HILL, Canteen Co-ordinator
12 foot Skiff Report
This season the cherubs increased in numbers and displayed more
advanced skills. While Arrogant Frog continued to fly the flag for the
12 foot skiffs the sailors welcomed the Sea Scouts members sailing their
cherub Tiger Strike. Fast Forward was missing for part of the season due
to Willem’s sabbatical in America. Brendan registered Attitude but was
unable to compete.
The McNamara boys sailing Block Party were victorious in the Club
Championship over the Hill boys in Arrogant Frog followed by A Grand
Day Out crewed by Robin Biskupic and Luke Hill. Unfortunately Peter
Hill missed two championship heats due to family commitments. Block
Party also won the Vervoort-Fenwick trophy for best-performing cherub
in the Club Championship.
A Grand Day Out won the Season Point Score with Arrogant Frog
one point behind in second place then Block Party and Tiger Strike.
Throughout the season two of our cherubs, Block Party and A Grand
Day Out, travelled to the various venues including Belmont, Lane Cove,
Vaucluse and Saratoga, to compete in heats of the Cherub State Titles.
They gained much experience as well as having some enjoyable racing.
We hope to see some new boats join the fleet for the 2018-19 season.
On the first Sunday in November we hosted the annual Parramatta
River Championship for 12 foot skiffs. The fleet of 14 boats sailed the
South Easterly course providing a great spectacle for the visitors on the
clubhouse verandah. Brett Hobson and Jeremy Jones in Geotherm won
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12 foot skiffs racing in the “Jack Dempsey Memorial Sprint series”
a tight race, winning the Len Postill Memorial Trophy, with Nick Press
and Andrew Hay in Sydney Sailmakers 10 seconds behind in second place
and Jakub Ronowicz and Craig Nicholson in Stay Connected Electrical
30 seconds later in third place. It was wonderful to see our former club
members, Jakub Ronowicz and Craig Nicholson sailing Stay Connected
Electricall
take out the handicap, winning the Jack and Lenore Dempsey
Memorial Trophy, with our Arrogant Frog second and Gizmo third.
In February we hosted the Jack Dempsey Memorial Invitation
sprints. Nick Press in Sydney Sailmakers was victorious, followed by
Brett Hobson’s Geotherm and then Jonathon Temple’s LCC Asia Pacifi c.
Arrogant Frog performed well with Jack Hill crewing with his Dad.
Club Championship Season Point Score Cherub Championship
1st place
Block Party
(Nathan & Connor
McNamara)
A Grand Day Out
(Robin Biskupic &
Luke Hill)
Block Party
2nd
place
Arrogant Frog
(Peter & Steven Hill)
Arrogant Frog
(Peter & Steven
Hill)
A Grand Day Out
3rd
place
A Grand Day Out
(Robin Biskupic &
Luke Hill)
Block Party
(Nathan & Connor
McNamara)
Tiger Strike
(Sea Scouts)
Sincere thanks to all those members who make our racing possible,
namely the race officials and support boat crews.
STEVEN HILL, 12 foot Skiff Co-ordinator
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Laser Report
I thought about just rehashing last year’s report to see if anyone
noticed but decided against it … We had some good competitive racing
throughout the season. Thirteen lasers registered with fleets of seven or
eight starters being the average.
Lee Dewane sailing Vibe was the winner of the Club Championship,
followed by Garry Robberds in Juz and then Neil Hibbard in SeaCure.
Unfortunately there were not enough Radial rig starters again this season
to have a Radial rig Club Championship but special mention must be made
of Judy Evans (who sailed with a Radial rig all season), running fourth
overall against the big rigs in the Club Championship.
The Season Point Score was won by Neil followed closely by Greg
Annesley in Purple Haze, with Tom Biskupic in Certifi able two points
behind in third place.
Judy Evans sailing Because I Can took out the Short Course series
with Lee in second place and Tom third. There were only four or five
starters in each heat.
I apologise to all but unfortunately the first half of the season came
and went in a blur for me due to family issues. This has not left me with
much to write about, and only a few personal things that I remember.
Maybe that’s just old age as well. I think I need to get in league with
someone who has a better memory than me who might remember more
of the individual races and battles.
It was great to have all the Laser trophy winners up on the Presentation
Night as this clearly showed that the trophies were pretty evenly spread
throughout the fleet. I was taken aback a bit that my fellow competitors
voted to award me the Laser Sailor of the Year Trophy. Thank you.
I want to personally thank everyone again who helped me during
the season.
• Neil Hibbard for taking the day off work to drive me with his trailer in
tow to the central coast to pick up my new boat and getting me such a
great deal, and also lending his trailer later in the season. Thanks, Neil.
• Greg Annesley for doing an excellent job in repairing my rudder blade
and centreboard multiple times during the season. I told you Greg I
am sure that they are just soft blades, nothing to do with my sloppy
handling of them. Thanks, Greg.
• And last but not least Phil Marsh who ‘piggybacked’ my boat to the
major Laser races over the season and drove me around as well, the
State Titles at Double Bay, the Australian Masters at Mooloolaba and
the Metro titles at Drummoyne. Without his help I would not have
accumulated enough points to be offered a spot at the Laser Masters
World Titles in Dublin, Ireland. Thanks, Phil.
As noted Phil and I travelled to a couple of races away from the
club this season. We started at a winter series race at Dobroyd, followed
by some lectures from Brett Beyer at Double Bay. This led to the State
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A B B O T S F O R D 12 F O O T S A I L I N G C L U B I N C O R P O R A T E D
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st May, 2018
2017 2018
CURRENT LIABILITIES
— Accrued Expenses .................................................... —
ACCUMULATED FUNDS
378,602 Balance 31st May 2017 ............................................ 372,358
(6,244) Add: Surplus for the year ......................................... (20,136)
2017 2018
CURRENT ASSETS
31,089 Cheque Account.....................................
17,847
1,100 Cockburn Memorial Trust Fund............. 1,100
146,247 Term Deposits ........................................ 149,783
120 Stock on Hand........................................
100
13,885 Canteen Committee ................................ 16,885
192,441 185,715
FIXED ASSETS
132,207 Clubhouse - Plus Improvements ............ 132,207
7,870 Rescue Boats (at WDV) ......................... 2,003
24,251 “Scout II” (at WDV) .............................. 20,209
15,589 Training Boats (at WDV) ....................... 12,088
179,917 166,507
372,358 352,222
372,358 352,222
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st May, 2018
2017 INCOME 2018
3,383 Clubhouse Committee 3,626
2,387 Canteen Committee 2,999
2,265 Social Committee 2,664
5,120 Shed Rent 5,400
2,855 Trophy Donations 2,670
6,070 Membership and Joining Fees 6,350
3,600 Boat Registrations 4,100
1,255 Donations 450
3,509 Bank Interest 3,536
4,750 Club Boat Leases and Sales 3,400
1,850 YA Membership Fees Collected 2,150
175 Rash Vest Sales —
4,890 Learn to Sail & Green Group Course Fees 4,190
10,000 Sport & Rec Capital Assistance Grant 3,500
— City of Canada Bay Grant 3,000
193 Insurance Rebates —
685 Renovation Fund Donations 1,730
74 Recycling Income 159
— Duck Race Fundraiser 862
53,060 Total Income 50,787
2017 EXPENSES 2018
554 Trophies 737
2,060 Prizemoney 1,885
1,500 Associations and clubs 1,523
1,646 Clubhouse and Equipment Expenses 1,663
5,204 Launch and runabout Expenses 2,976
677 Electricity 1,585
290 Postage, Stationery and Printing 127
373 RMS - Aquatic Licence —
287 Telephone 374
115 Water Rates 130
11,348 Insurance 11,741
2,518 Department of Industries/RMS - Lease 2,024
1,063 Council Rates 1,073
9,126 Depreciation 9,126
54 Office of Fair Trading 45
119 Website —
2,607 Trainer Fees 2,320
952 Legal Fees —
— Banner Purchase 224
104 Liquor Licence 104
18,665 Mens Changeroom Refurbishment —
— Boat Ramp Replacement 33,149
— Loss on Sale of Rescue Boat 34
43 Sundries 80
59,304 Total Expenses 70,923
(6,244)
(, Net Surplus for the year (20,136)
AUDITOR’S REPORT
I have examined the books and vouchers of the Abbotsford 12 Foot Sailing Club Incorporated for the year ended 31st May, 2018 and have obtained all the information required by me and which, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, was necessary for the purpose of my audit.
In my opinion, proper books of account have been kept, and the Club’s Balance Sheet and Income and Expenditure Account were in agreement therewith.
According to such records and to the information given, the Balance Sheet gives a true and fair view of the state of the Club’s affairs as at 31st May, 2018 and the Income and Expenditure Account discloses an operating deficit
amounting to $20,136 for the year ended 31st May, 2018 after allowing for depreciation amounting to $9,126.
Dated at Sydney, 30th June, 2018.
ANTHONY R. MERCIER, Honorary Auditor

Laser Champion Lee Dewane in Vibe leading runner up champion Garry Robberds in Juz .
Titles which were a bit of an eye-opener with the rough and tumble nature
of big fleet laser starting lines. This served to remind us of how different
sailing on the harbour was from sailing at the club on the river. Phil and
I finished all of the races but unfortunately couldn’t get near the leaders.
By this time I had set my sights on trying to qualify for the Worlds
in Dublin. This meant that a trip to the Australian Masters Titles in
Mooloolaba was required to try to get some more qualification points as
starting and finishing in both of these titles was considered a prerequisite.
This was another eye-opener sailing in the open ocean, with two-metre
swells, and a half-metre of wind chop on top of that. There were a few
mistakes made that were valuable lessons in the end for both of us. The
weather was sunny and very warm, especially when rigging up on the
black asphalt car park each day. My personal highlight, apart from the
straw hats that we were given at sign-on, was winning the race back to
the launching ramp on one of the days, passing 30 Lasers coming from
the breakwater into the river and through the marina (river sailors rule,
occasionally).
We finished the season at the Metropolitan Titles at Drummoyne.
Tom Biskupic joined us in this regatta, his first big Laser regatta. What a
contrasting two days, from a light truly river sailing day, to what I would
call a black westerly the next day. This was an all-comers regatta, with
not that many Masters sailors wanting to go up against the youth sailors
and the women Olympic aspirants and their coach boats. Again abiding
12

y the club course rules only seemed to be for the honest. I had a good
first day but got smashed on the second. Gusts of 30 knots will do that to
you, even with a Radial sail. Full marks must go to Tom who finished all
three races with a big sail on the Sunday. That was a supreme effort, and
I know because I was struggling with a Radial sail.
In between there was some club racing, would you believe (I did
say that most of last season was a bit of a blur for me). Congratulations
to Lee Dewane again for winning the Club Championship despite my
improved efforts this year and Lee having a late season bout of peritonitis,
which required surgery and several weeks’ recuperation. I thought I had
his measure in the last race only to use one of my three capsizes for the
season to let him get by and win. C’est la vie.
Congratulations to Mr Consistent, Neil Hibbard, on winning the
Season Point Score in what was no doubt a close championship judging
by the number of different trophy winners at the presentation.
Congratulations to Judy Evans who prevailed in the Short Course
series running all season with her Radial sail. Nobody hikes as hard as
Judy going to windward, I can tell you.
So there it is, another season has passed us by and we wait for the
new season to commence. Despite our best efforts the club is finding it
difficult to attract new members and their boats, so please speak to anyone
you know and convince them to come down to the club.
I am off to the South Pacific Masters Championships in Brisbane in
July as a bit of a warm-up for the World Masters Championships in Dublin
that begin on 7 September. I will be relying on our expat member ‘Bear’
(Robert Tyler) to arrange a week of sunny weather and light breezes, but
he’s not making the right noises at this time as it looks like he booked it
two months early!
Again I need to thank the tireless efforts of the people behind the
scenes that make it possible for myself and my fellow sailors to go sailing
every week at the club, the members of the club committee, the starters
and finishers, the runabout drivers, the ladies in the canteen and my fellow
Laser sailors. Also thanks to anyone I may have missed for your tireless
efforts over the last season.
See you all in a couple of months with hopefully some interesting
stories to tell.
Club Championship Season Point Score Short Course Series
1st place
Vibe
(Lee Dewane)
Seacure
(Neil Hibbard)
Because I Can
(Judy Evans)
2nd
place
Juz
(Garry Robberds)
Juz
(Garry Robberds)
Vibe
(Lee Dewane)
3rd
place
Seacure
(Neil Hibbard)
Certifiable
(Tom Biskupic)
Certifiable
(Tom Biskupic)
GARRY ROBBERDS, Laser Co-ordinator
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Open Class Report
Well done to our Open class. The Opens fleet was made up of both
boats and crews from Abbotsford and the Sea Scouts. The less experienced
2016-17 crews from Abbotsford and the Scouts all showed that they were
able to build on last season’s knowledge and as a result started to hit more
consistent form.
More boats sailed this year with seven boats contesting the
championship heats. Additional Scout boats made occasional forays in the
normal Saturday races as well. Especially in the New Year we regularly
had five or more boats sailing each week. The experience gained by
regular sailing and increasing familiarity with the boats meant that crews
invariably performed better as the season went on. Some highlights from
the season results and newsletters may illustrate the improvement in
sailing ability throughout.
• In the heat of 7 October for instance – “three Scout boats TAG, CostYa
and Red Tasar finished 1, 2, 3. A tremendous effort!”
• Heat 2 of the Club Championship (November 2) saw Conditions
Apply and the Pacer 8 as the only competitors – the breeze being too
fickle for the rest of the Opens.
• From the newsletter of 23 January – “In the open class, Liam and
Alan on Conditions Apply, finished first, followed by Jamie and Ben
in Pacer 8, and Finn and Henri in Pacer 7. It was some good sailing
from the boys in the Pacers.”
• From the newsletter of 14 March – “It was great to see a fleet of 6
Scout boats on the water, and all finishing the race! They even walked
away with several of the chocolates. They are clearly in training for
the Sirius Cup on 17 March …”
• From the newsletter of 29 March – “In the open class, the Scout NS
CostYa skippered by James Ranford came first, followed by Liam and
Coop in Conditions Apply, with only 13 seconds between them. The
Scouts Pacer Attitude came third, 25 minutes later, just pushing out
Finn and Henry. Handicaps were in the same order.”
Well done to Finn McCluney and Henry Wheeler – who have
continued to improve their sailing performance – often pushing the leaders
and giving it a good go. Finn and Henry are moving into a 420 next season
– a more technical boat that they are ready to try. That said, you do need
to pay a little more attention to rigging and unrigging, boys, as the Pacer
appeared to be consuming shackles at an alarming rate.
Jamie and Ben England have also learned well in the Pacer and
improved week by week. Their teamwork will serve them well next year,
where a move to the 420 is rumored to be on the cards.
To all the Scout members who have sailed in the Open races – thank
you for your determination and competitive efforts. We all get better if
we are challenged. Thank you for being a part of our club. Your efforts
and participation are much appreciated.
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Open Champion Conditions Apply, skipper Liam Gaha, crew Cooper Cotterill.
Congratulations to Liam and Cooper, our Opens champions for the
second year running. Next season they move into a new Cherub, Extreme
3059. We look forward to seeing them learn and adapt to the demands
of a higher performance skiff and giving the other four skiffs a challenge
later in the season.
Thank you from all the Open sailors for the support given by the
Laser and Skiff sailors in providing tips and advice, as well as assistance
during launch and recovery. Thank you also to the many who manned
support boats during the season.
We extend special thanks to the crews of the support boats who came
to our aid when we needed help. Thankfully this season, these occasions
were few and mostly due to gear failures, not inexperience. While we
are on that topic, a reminder for all the Opens, that boat and rigging
maintenance is an important off-season activity for all.
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1st place
2nd place
Club Championship Season Point Score Short Course Series
Conditions Apply
(Liam Gaha & Cooper
Cotterill)
CostYa
(James Ranford &
Louie Roberts)
3rd place Pacer 8
(Ben & Jamie
England)
Conditions Apply
(Liam and Cooper)
Pacer 8
(Ben & Jamie)
Pacer 7
(Finn McCluney &
Henry Wheeler)
Pacer 7
(Finn & Henry)
Pacer 8
(Ben and Jamie)
Conditions Apply
(Liam & Cooper)
Looking forward to seeing you all on the water next season.
ALAN AND LIAM GAHA
Junior Report
Another great season for our junior sailors.
Close racing, variable winds, abandoned races and injuries were the
story of this year.
Our club champion was Charlie Dey, who has been close in previous
years, but this year clinched the top prize with consistent efforts throughout
the season. Charlie also won the Season Point Score. Well done, Charlie.
Our runner-up and also Junior Sailor of the Year (as selected by her
peers) was a well-deserving Evie Munday. Evie finished the last half of
the season injured and was unable to sail the last few races – she was very
consistent up to that point.
Last year’s champion Evan Gaha struggled with form this year as
well as struggling to fit into his Sabot after a growth spurt late last year.
He did not race for the last three heats of the championship but had done
enough early on to hold onto third place. Evan is keen to move into the
420 class where some elbowroom will be much appreciated.
Michael Rixon and his sister Amelia sailed 2up in their sabot and
claimed a second place (and the handicap win) in the last championship
heat. Keep sailing you two!
Charley McCluney had several strong showings this year notably
as the only finisher in a short course race on 2 December – on a day
when the second race was abandoned. Charley also won the last Club
Championship heat on 24 March. Charley should be in contention in
2018-19 if that form continues.
Nick Bell was unable to sail for much of the latter part of the season
but when he did, he sailed true to form, quiet, steady and efficient. Nick
was this season’s recipient of the Karl Evans Memorial Trophy.
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Jamie England sailed in Heat 1 of the Club Championship and won
it – there being no other starters, he proved the old adage “you can’t win
if you don’t race”. He also sailed creditably in races four and five of the
spring series before joining his brother in the Pacer.
Orlando Palleschi showed that he has learned well, being just seconds
out of the placings in several races early in the New Year. Keep it up,
Orlando.
Harry Manurung from LTS showed great resolve and ability too when
in the last three weeks of the season he backed up for the afternoon’s races
in a club sabot. Congratulations to Harry who even claimed the handicap
win in Heat 7 of the Club Championship.
Thanks from all the juniors to the parents for assistance with
launching and recovery. Thanks also to race officials and the support crews,
especially Judy and Chris for tuition and guidance. Special thanks also
to Jason Munday and Adrian Bell, who were often trailing our juniors in
the duck to give encouragement and support.
Lastly from me to the junior sailors; thank you for doing your best,
for getting on well together, for helping each other and for being part of
our Abbotsford sailing family.
Club Championship Season Point Score Short Course Series
1st place Charlie Dey Charlie Dey Charlie McCluney
2nd place Evie Munday Evie Munday Orlando Palleschi
3rd place Evan Gaha Nick Bell Charlie Dey
ALAN GAHA, Junior Co-ordinator
Learn to Sail Report
Another successful Learn to Sail program was conducted during the
2017-18 season. We started with seven eager sailors who participated
each week regardless of the weather. It was good to welcome Cameron
Woodcock back to further develop his skills.
Harry and Lewis Manurung, Ethan and Clara Parker, Harry and Max
Bartetzko joined Cameron in all the planned activities and made great
progress throughout the many weeks. As the program continued Max and
Ethan decided that they would like to sail together in a sabot while Clara
and Harry B enjoyed hearing the coaches’ advice from the duck.
Nathan, Connor and Chris did another wonderful job coaching the
sailors and provided a range of water and land activities to teach the
basics of the sport including rigging, tacking, gybing, mark rounding and
de-rigging. Special thanks goes to Liam Gaha and Robin Biskupic who
filled in when the McNamara boys had Cherub commitments.
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There were several high points during the season including the
annual Christmas boat decorating contest and watching all the sailors
push themselves to the edge of their comfort zones on a regular basis. It
was rewarding to watch the skill levels increase as a result of the sailors’
hard work and willingness to listen to the coaches’ advice.
To follow up the program the club arranged a day of holiday sailing
in April and it was great to see how well the sailors managed in a fresh
southerly during a series of short courses around near Quarantine.
Congratulations to Harry Manurung who accepted the challenge of
afternoon sailing on several occasions and finished the season on a high
note by winning the Abbotsford Cove Shield.
Thank you to the parents who assisted their children throughout the
program and we look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new
season.
JUDY EVANS, LTS Co-ordinator
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