Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club
website: www.richmondriver.yachting.org.au
P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478
Enquiries: Phone or email Committee members
Commodore
Phil Robbins
The Storm
probbins1@iprimus.com.au
(04) 2871-5849 The Storm - Memories of a Yacht Race by Richard Bowler
Vice Commodore
Geoff Horsley Lying in my bunk my senses take in the noises and movement of Carpe Diem.
(04) 1144-6593
(02) 6628-1353 it’s the first night out on the 54 foot ocean racing yacht I'm crewing on in
ghorsley1@me.com the Sydney to Southport yacht race. I touch the face of my watch and it
Rear Commodore lights up, showing me the time is 11.30 pm. I'm on watch in half an hour and
Rob Crosby after two hours sleep my eyes feel gritty. The red night light in the galley
(02) 6687-8004
rcd@wwwires.com
and the glow of the GPS screen and instruments at the nav table give enough
light to see by. I roll out of my snug warm bunk and look at the GPS. lt shows
Secretary
Jacqueline Heap
our course is 120 and speed 15 knots - we're going very fast in the wrong
jheap@iprimus.com.au
U U direction, something's up. I'm already wearing long thermal underwear, jeans
66280253
and tee shirt. Jumper and polotec jacket are added before I struggle into
0423230840
my wet weather gear. I feel like Michelin man.
Treasurer
With my safety harness done up I slide the hatch open and stick
Norm Hunt
nhunt38@bigpond.net.au
HU U
my head out. lt seems everyone is on deck, the cockpit is crowded. David, the
66291366 skipper, is on the wheel and yells at me to come and take over. What!! - in
Race Committee these conditions, I think, horrified! This is far worse than anything l'd been
Mark Goltz in before, it must be blowing 60 knots and the waves I can see rearing up
mgoltz7@bigpond.com
0427373590 behind David have got to be 5 or 6 metres. Carefully I move down the length
of the cockpit stepping over all the legs and over Vinny, who's curled up
Paul Morris
borrismorris23@yahoo.com.au
HU U
round his winch. He ducks so I don’t kick him in the head and gives me a
66860865 cheerful greeting with a big grin. How a paraplegic
0402453323
with steel rods holding his broken back together can be such an unfailingly
Rowing Officer happy optimist is beyond me. Makes my problems with Parkinsons desease
Leslie Sanderson
sandypegs@bigpond.com seem insignificant.
I slide in beside David at the wheel, attaching my safety tether to a
HU U
0448 878317
Webmaster strong point. David explains there's a problem on the foredeck. They can't
Chris Larsen roll up the genoa and the mainsail won't come down. 'Just keep her flat and
cplarsen@bigpond.com
HU
07 55250896
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level'. He has to shout to be heard above the noise of the storm.
0438250896 As David slips out from behind the wheel I slide in laying my hands on
Training Officer
the wheel and bracing my legs against the roll of the deck.
Mike Wiley 'You right?" he asks. I nod dumbly and he's disappearing forward of
rm_wiley@internode.on.net
HU U
the mast. Who else is up there I wonder? No time to think, I feel the stern
66295881
start to lift like it's caught the express elevator, the bow's going left, I'm
steering right, but too slow, the wave is pushing the stem right and the bow
is still going left. Desperately I steer right using all the leverage of the five
foot diameter wheel against the water pressure on the rudder. Heeled
1 sharply to starboard we career across the face of the wave on the edge of
control, then the bow drops to the right, into the trough of the wave. . I spin
the wheel left to stop it going too far and turning into a mast- snapping gybe.
Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club
website: www.richmondriver.yachting.org.au
P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478
Enquiries: Phone or email Committee members
Then we're surfing the wave like a 54 foot surfboard and the boats log leaps
from 12 knots to jam against the stop at 20.
. Our wake disappears into the blackness behind, from where the waves
rear their foaming heads and descend on us with a malignant roar. We charge
on into the night.
David's coming back along the deck looking very wet and bedraggled and
asks, 'Are you all right?"
"Fine," I nod, ignoring my aching arms and sore shoulders. Bending down so he
doesn't have to shout he tells me, *The genoa is rolled up except for the last
two or three feet. That's ok, we'll need that when we get the main down.
Rob's going up the mast to free what's jamming it.
“Just keep doing ….”. He stops, we both sense the change. We're by the lee.
Listening to David l'd failed to notice the bow moving to the right, as a small
wave nudges the stern left. Now as we look up, the leach of the mainsail
flutters as the wind sneaks round the lee side. Frantically I spin the wheel
left, the mainsheet goes stack, the boom lifts and then snaps back against the
sheet. 'Whew!" –Caught it. As I take a deep breath and settle down again the
mainsail collapses on deck. Rob is ecstatic, as he doesn't have to go up the
mast. Once we had tidied up and hoisted the storm sails we were able to
resume heading north.
David's on the wheel and we're flying, slicing through the waves on a
close reach. The crew, huddled on the rail look like so many soggy piles of wet
weather gear as water cascades over them.
With us going north and the storm tracking south east, we'd parted
company within the hour. I don’t know how the storm felt, but we were
relieved. The drop in wind strength and sea state meant a sail change and we
soon had the main up with one reef and the stay sail set on the inner forestay.
Dawn finds us in much better shape, full main and genoa up, coasting along on
an eight knot north west breeze over a painted ocean. Last night seems like a
bad dream.
Jeff, our nearly blind cook and champion gum leaf player, has the stove
going and is taking orders for coffee. We leam on the moming radio sched that
a number of boats have retired, but we are still in the race and on course for
Southport.
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Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club
website: www.richmondriver.yachting.org.au
P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478
Enquiries: Phone or email Committee members
Announcements
Upcoming Regattas
and Events Season Opener – Sunday 5th September Briefing at 12.30pm
Mass start at 1.30 pm for Photoshoot – 1 lap sprint race and
2nd start at 2pm for one hour race as normal and staggered
start, Trailers, Monos, Cats.
2010-2011 Season
Opener RRSRC Photoshoot for the background to the club sign to be
September 5th done at 1.30pm. We need lots of boats on the water.
Thanks to Armsign who have donated the sign
Graeme Campbell .
Memorial Regatta
CRYC
( Trailers) Prizes to be collected – Unclaimed prize winners from
September 18th Presentation night are: Geoff Horsley, Andrew Green,
Duncan Dey, Rick Woolley, Colin Hinwood, Kev Noonan .
NS14 Qld States (could be more but that is
Wildcat Regatta Wardell Bridge Work is being started on the Wardell bridge and
Wallis Lakes it will not be able to be lifted for some months. So, remove your mast
(Cats) and paddle or motor under the bridge if you are heading upstream.
CRYC Classic Cruise
One Day Club Race Officers Course – Clarence River
(Trailers) th
Yacht Club Grafton. 11 September 9.00 am to 5pm at TS Shropshire,
2-3 October
the Naval Caded Base at Kirchner St Grafton. Cost is $35 per person
and bring a current blue book. Club will provide lunch, morning and
Race CRYC afternoon tea.
th
9 October Classic Please RSVP ASAP -
Learn to Sail Helen McLeod
16th & 17th Oct Race Secretary CRYC
Email: racesec@cryc.com.au
Mob 0409 423 324
Hm. 02 6642 3325
Graeme Campbell Memorial Regatta – CRYC. 18th Sept
Trailerble, keep and multihull yachts.Entry and cost: Eligible yachts
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enter on the attached form to the racesec@cryc.com.au
Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club
website: www.richmondriver.yachting.org.au
P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478
Enquiries: Phone or email Committee members
Why Go Sailing?????
There can be a wide variety of reasons why people go sailing. The sport has a special attraction for
people of all ages. In this section, learn what the sport has to offer and why people are so
enthusiastic about it:
It gives you a different sense of independence.
Sailing can give you a wonderful sense of freedom. It is an ideal leisure activity for people who want a nice and
peaceful Outdoor Getaway. Moreover, it is a nice escape from the busy life in the city, and it is a great encounter
with nature that will give you a feeling of independence.
It is a challenging sport – physically and mentally.
Sailing entails a lot of skills and techniques. Enthusiasts should know the basic principles behind it. Furthermore,
there are many things to carry out and to consider when you are already afloat. You need to know what to do in
almost any situation.
It is for everyone.
In general, there is no age requirement in Sailing. You can do it no matter how old or young you are. Children as
young as five can already try this sport. The good thing about starting young is that you have a lot of time to
enjoy the wonders of the sport.
It is likewise open for people with disabilities. In fact, they can also participate in competitive Sailing. There are
clubs and other associations which have amenities for the disabled people who wish to experience the fun and
excitement that this sport can bring.
It brings you closer to nature which leads you to a rewarding experience.
You will have a better understanding of the natural laws and wonders of the sea. In good conditions, Sailing
enables you to watch the sunrise or sunset as you travel slowly in idyllic waters. The sight is so breathtaking and
will surely leave you in awe. You can also enjoy listening to the sounds of waves and the water as it hits the boat.
Nature’s wonders are too hard to describe. Feel, experience it and you will understand.
There is an endless discovery of valuable information.
There are so many things to know before you can go aboard, and learning does not stop there. It is a never-ending
process. It is an exciting way of discovering how different wind conditions affect the course of the boat,
principles behind Sailing, and how the Sailboat responds to different weather conditions. Every trip will surely be
a learning experience.
It can take you to places and meet a lot of people.
It is always nice to meet people who have the interests like yours. You can meet other enthusiasts with whom you
can share your good, and even the not-so-good, experiences in the water.
Many people love to travel, and Sailing is indeed a great way to reach places and meet a lot of people with
different cultures and lifestyles. You will surely enjoy going to foreign lands, interactingwith other people, and
learning new cultures.
It is a way of life.
To many enthusiasts, Sailing goes beyond being a form of recreation. It is not just an Outdoor Activity or form
of leisure. It is a way of life. To some people, it has become a life-long addiction. Sailing is so exciting and
enjoyable that once you have tried it, you will want to try it again. Many people have been enjoying it since they
were children and they are into Sailing until now
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Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club
website: www.richmondriver.yachting.org.au
P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478
Enquiries: Phone or email Committee members
Commodore Stranded On A Island
Phil Robbins
probbins1@iprimus.com.au
There were three men out sailing, when it began to storm. Their boat
(04) 2871-5849 was wrecked by the storm, and washed up on a deserted Island. They
Vice Commodore
started to walk along the beach and found a bottle. They picked it up
Geoff Horsley and began rubbing the sand off, when all of a sudden, a genie popped out.
(04) 1144-6593 The Genie said "Since you have released me from the bottle, I will grant
(02) 6628-1353
ghorsley1@me.com each of you one wish.”
The first man said, "I really miss my wife and grandchildren. I wish I
Rear Commodore
Rob Crosby were back home." Poof! He was gone. The second man said, "This is
(02) 6687-8004 great! I wish I were in Hawaii on the beach, with a good hot meal to
rcd@wwwires.com
eat." Poof! He was gone, too! The third man looked around and said, "You
Secretary know, it's lonely around here, I really miss those guys."
Jacqueline Heap
jheap@iprimus.com.au
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66280253
0423230840
Treasurer
Norm Hunt
nhunt38@bigpond.net.au
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66291366
Race Committee
Mark Goltz
Weather Forecast
mgoltz7@bigpond.com
0427373590
Paul Morris - mmmm looks like rain.. Wind is looking OK. Get your boat on the
borrismorris23@yahoo.com.au
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water anyway!! North North Westerly 15 knots and decreasing.
66860865
0402453323 High tide at 1.58pm
Rowing Officer
Leslie Sanderson
sandypegs@bigpond.com
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0448 878317
Webmaster
Chris Larsen
cplarsen@bigpond.com
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07 55250896
0438250896
Training Officer
Mike Wiley
rm_wiley@internode.on.net
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Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club
website: www.richmondriver.yachting.org.au
P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478
Enquiries: Phone or email Committee members
Boats and boat bits for Sale
• Local Distributor of boat fittings – phone: 66287361
• PJ- Thunderbolt Fairy is for sale. $1100 – Ideal for young
sailors - Contact Moana on 0266849394 or email
moanapearl@aapt.net.au
• NS14 + trailer. $1100 Call Richard 66877535 or 0414881684
• NS14 Sherlock Force 5 hull, boat builders own boat, ex-club
champion on beach trolley. $4000. Contact Graham Hams
(02) 6628-7436
• 420 2 sets of sails, 2 spinnakers, beach dolly. Lots of extras.
Contact John Phillips 0414866450
• 29er - Mental Decay $5000 ONO Contact John Phillips
0414866450
• Moth (Scow)– needs someone to look after it. $150 contact
Jacq 0423230840
Items for sale Phone Peter 0411 339 083
1. Iridium Sat Phone 9505.Bought $3k 2007, used one voyage.Not
on any plan.
Kept with vague hope of buying new boat - not likely now.
Got cushioned cradle , shore and 12v charger, o'seas plug adapters.
Seen for sale $1,200 I want to get rid of it so $950?
2. Raymarine Auto tiller- ST 1000+
Suit up to 30ft mono - I had it for 30 ft Dragon day sailor. Bought
2008 - never used it.Got books/instructions. $400?
ARMSIGN Crafting Email peter.smailes@googlemail.com
Armsign Pty Ltd
Captivating Signage CREW AVAILABLE
Anyone needing crew on a Trailer Sailer call Peter Smailes
6 Holland Street
Goonellabah NSW 2480 0411 339 083
By Telephone: 1300 726 338
By Fax: 02 6625 2400
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By
email: sales@armsign.com.a