Author: TVSC

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A Little Bit On for the Second Day of Racing in the Summer Series.

At the briefing, with an average reported wind speed of 21 knots, but gusts reaching 29, we decided that racing was on! Eight boats with 19 crew readied up on the beach, including two junior crews in their Flying Ants, who could just not be dissuaded from having a go.

Eight rigged on the beach, who will make it all the way?

However, before the start, three boats were already out with capsizes and gear breakages.

Sid and Skye, in Sid’s Flying Ant, made it to the top mark of the first leg. A tremendous effort.

Every boat went for a swim, except for the Weta and Mark and the crew on the Corsair, Keenas.

The across the line finishers were Monique and crew on the Corsair Swell Lady, followed by Dave and Isaac on the Hobie 16, followed by Keenas. Three finishes. Total.

Look how dry everyone is!

See you next time!

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Sheoak Shack Cafe Celebrating 20 Years

The Sheoak Shack Cafe is having their 20th anniversary this coming Saturday.

Our club started in the sheoak and they have always allowed us to hold meetings there and stayed open late on race days.

Go along and show your support!

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Juniors Squad on the Road

This month the TVSC Juniors packed up the boats, loaded their tents (and their families) and headed south to the mighty Clarence River for the first of a series of Australian Sailing run Youth training camps. The venue was the envy of all sailing clubs, especially “container club” TVSC. The brand new club house at Big River Sailing Club in Harwood with camping in the spacious club grounds by the river was ideal. The kids were also impressed with their young kiwi instructor, George Martin – he did an excellent job along with assistance from TVSC’s Nicole Bushnell with the race training group who sailed in their first full length race on the Saturday afternoon.

Morgan and Miles Bushnell (13 & 10) from Eviron had their Manly Junior “M&M” flying. They’re looking forward to being joined on the water at Fingal Head this summer in the TVSC’s newly acquired fleet of 6 Manly Juniors. Kynan Luescher (12) from Fingal made a big step up from our X3 training boats to a 4.7 Laser (smaller sail than a full rig Laser) and Konnor Wheeler isn’t far off doing the same.

Lots of new sailing buddies were made and our youngsters learned a lot from George and all the other sailors. It was a great experience for them and a fun weekend for all the families too.

Back on the Tweed, we’ve had our AGM and the committee welcomes new Club Secretary Garry Bargh from Ocean Shores.

Our “She Sails” Rep Monique Smith would also like to hear from you if you’re keen to join some women’s sailing events this season – there’s always room for more!

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Winter is Over

Thanks everyone for a great Winter 2019 Season! Here’s a collection of photos from various events held during the season.

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Winter Sailing

Despite the cold weather the “Try Sailing” session on Sunday 23 June was fully booked. Three Corsairs were kept busy racing up and down the river with keen new crews getting an exciting first sail in 18 knot gusty winds. All are keen to come back for more action to crew in the remaining 3 winter races at Fingal on 14 July, 11 & 25 Aug.

The big Winter event is the Tumbulgum Passage Condong to Fingal Race which finishes off the season on Saturday 31 August starting at 10.30am at Clarrie Purnell Park in Condong – it’s a fun day for spectators to follow with great viewing from Tumbulgum, Chinderah and Fingal.

Juniors & Teens Sailing will continue in July and then take a break in August. There are big plans for the 2019-20 season for our young sailors with Australian Sailing qualified instructors coming on board and a fleet of six Manly Juniors soon to be arriving at the club ready for race training sessions with an option of attending the MJ National titles in Sydney in January. These boats have been fully funded by the MJ Association – thanks to their generosity and to the determination of our soon to be competition coach, Nicole Bushnell, for making this happen.

We’d also like to welcome out 100th member for the 2018-19 season, Dan Watts and family from Burleigh Waters. With a growing membership, 8 year old Tweed Valley SC has been impressing the sailing community far and wide – famous for our friendly and fun spirit. TVSC is really proving that sailing isn’t an exclusive sport – it’s available for anyone who wants to have a go.

Congratulations to members Alison Blatcher and Robert Preston who have both made it to the shortlist of finalists in Australian Sailing’s annual awards; Alison for volunteer of the year award and Robert for Sport promotion award, the only regional club to be represented at the NSW awards.

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Sailing at Fingal Head last Sunday

Last Sunday the Tweed Valley Sailing Club hosted the 2nd race of its 2019 Winter Series. It was a lovely sunny autumn day with a gentle North westerly breeze and a flooding tide all afternoon.

Today’s event consisted of 3 short races (Sprint races). 17 boats with 38 crew competed in 3 major divisions, including 5 single handed Lasers, 5 two handed NS14’s and 6 three handed Corsairs.

The easy and pleasant sailing conditions contributed to the racing being extremely close.

Fastest boat on the course was Dave Chester in a Hobie 16 winning race 1 & 2 with Race 3 going to NS14 “Flight 12” (Adam Hurt & Tom Busbridge)

Fastest Mono Hull in Race 1 was NS14 “Pura Vida” (Robert Preston & Hannah Witten) while 30 seconds back was “Impulsive Max” (Matt Andrews & Igor Prado)

Fastest mono-hull race 2 was NS14 “Impulsive Max” and 20 seconds back 2nd place was NS14 “Flight 12” (Adam Hurt & Tom Busbridge)

Fastest in race 3 NS14 “Flight 12” and 18 seconds back “Impulsive Max” getting 2nd place.

Fastest single-handed Laser was Gary McCrohan winning races 1 & 2 with “Bluey (Kate Yeomans) getting Race 3.

Corsairs were again the biggest class. Winning all 3 races “Minnow” (Bill Fenelon, Deb Flannery & Ami Spicer) The sailing clubs next event will be held next Sunday the 2nd of June.

Bill Fenelon – TVSC Commodore.

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Welcome Back!

Greetings all – please take a minute to read this…

Our “month off” is nearly over, not that we haven’t been busy in April, with three excellent weekday sessions for juniors and teens.Lots of new recruits – so a BIG WELCOME to all the new families, we are looking forward to seeing you at our regular events starting next Sunday.

The Winter Calendar (draft) is now available.

We have a new short term boat hire agreement and hire fees in place, for those wanting to use club boats

Our next Committee Meeting will probably be on the 11th of May

  • START OF SEASON WORKING BEE – Proposed Date Mornings: Sat 11 May or Sat 18 May or Sun 19 May – please advise availability. Hoping to do some more planting around container as well as a big tidy up.
  • ANNUAL PRESENTATION DINNER  – all welcome – family friendly, not a late finish. Venue and date should be finalised next week – aiming for 15 or 16 June – alternative date Sunday 15 July.
  • Try Sailing dates will be announced as they are scheduled,  by email. (we need skippers & someone to organise these)
  • Duty Officers – please book yourself in for a race date or 2.  
  • Sorry no Juniors/Teens session next Sunday morning (5 May) but all welcome to find crew spots or skipper Sabots or X3s in the afternoon race.

and …..Get involved – the more people who get involved, the less we all have to do and the better our club will be.

It is too much for the current small team so take on a small responsibility… and then train someone else to do it.Here are some of the things you could do

  • Race Duty Officer Roster manager (making sure we have a duty officer for each race)
  • Catering Team – need a roster manager for Race BBQs
  • Forms “Office Manager” (making sure we have copies of indemnity forms, parent consent forms, etc etc)
  • Two more EMAIL Secretaries – to respond to enquires etc
  • Juniors Team Roster and dates organiser.
  • Juniors Bookings – via gmail reponses onto a Google Spreadsheet
  • Annual Dinner organising Team
  • Race results entry to Halsail
  • Tumbulgum Passage Race Team (Race Sat 31 Aug)
  • Skippers to do Try Sailing sessions – + a Try Sailing Organiser.
  • Committee Secretary … not a big job, but the club doesn’t run without one.
  • Merchandise – Back up Membership Officer- ready to take over in October?
  • Back up Treasurer – ready to take over in October?
  • Boat maintenance (repairs to trailers/Corsairs etc)
  • and many more fun ways to be involved …… what about a trip to a trivia night

Big thanks to Liz Grace who has been reorgansing all the life jackets each week … bottom rack Juniors, Top rack adults .. order: small – Large. Anyone want to look after the Wet Shoes ? …need to be taken home every so often for a good wash.

Enjoy your week and see you next Sunday.