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Another fabulous day on the river.

Our first race of 2018 couldn’t have been better. Plenty of breeze 15 to 26 knot SSE and a strong outgoing tide to make us all really work hard.

A long race so a special thank you to our support team: safety boat driver Bob Ormsby with crew, first time out, Bunnings BBQ catch – Paul Whitehead + Suzanne Blatcher & Kurt Luescher timekeeping. Big thanks to Marg Walgers for feeding us all after the race and Lex Branch and Adam Busbridge for photos.

Keeping out of the tide on the upwind leg.

So down to the details : 21 Boats made for an impressive and interesting start. Lots of right of way and look out calls but thanks to some good sailing there was not 1 collision (as far as I know) – plenty of very close passes though – good work everyone! The Corsair Class Champ had a record 9 entrants thanks to the Commodore’s hard work rigging 3 Corsairs to make sure both club boats got out on the water today.

Big welcome to lots of new sailors – Rhonda & David Stevens who came to try sailing in the morning ; Corsair Nimbus’ new crew (and new TVSC member) Sally Machray & John; James Rothwell crewing on Bills Corsair with Junior Tully Andrews (her first race); Tully’s brother Rigby also in his first race was with Azo Bell on Club Corsair 107 + visiting from Big River SC, Denise Bruschweiler; and last but not least welcome to experienced sailor Rachel O’Hagen, new to the Tweed and missing her old club at Williamstown in Victoria. Rachel sailed with recent recruit Horst Tietze and another visitor from Victoria , Richard Lawton on club Corsair 266.

Bill on Minnow

The results speak for themselves. Bill handicapped himself with extra crew and followed the rules with a 360 for causing someone to alter course (unlike Wild Oats in the Hobart) – so Minnow was at the back of the fleet for a change.

Tim, Matt & Tom Busbridge (J) kept them company with Azo, Denise & Rigby having some trouble with an unfamiliar boat (with every rope the same colour blue!);

Keenas, Melita IIi & Nimbus made up the middle of the fleet all using their spinnakers and fighting for the lead every lap. Well done to Mark Reynolds, Craig Foley & Taj Krasna (J) for taking a well deserved 3rd place in the Corsair fleet.

Corsair winners, Odin.

Out in front was Swell Lady but even with Matt back on board they couldn’t catch Daniel, Adrian & Tamara on Odin. So that’s the Corsairs …maybe we’ll have 10 boats next time!

The Lasers were missing Mauri but had Peter Redmond & Michael Mills filling the gap. A close race between Macca and Millsy.

Division 2 needs some more boats – Rainer on the Access took first place (being the only boat in the division) – handling the strong breeze well especially considering its only his 3rd time out.

Rainer in the Access Dinghy and Tim in his new Impulse.

Congrats to corrected time winner Tim Brown on new Impulse “Itchy Coo” (maybe get a flower sticker on the boat for every win she has Tim? ) and Handicap winner Paul Uhlmann & Ian Lomas on Tasar “Wingover”.

Great to see father and daughter team Mike and Imogen on the club Tasar and also Andrew J with Mark Storrier on club NS14 Blutack were having a ball by the looks.

The multihulls fleet was down to 1 – so hard to do class champ results – Hobie 16 Sledder entertained us as usual, this time the crew skippered most of the race (well done Isaac) but Dave didn’t do so well as crew , falling off the boat at the finish line.

Taj trimming the Jib on Keenas.

We were all off the water by the time the 30+ gusts came in!

Not long to wait for the next race – come down to Fingal and watch the action next Sunday 21 January – briefing at 12 – race start at 1 – finish between 2.30 and 3.30pm. Thanks folks.

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Local Sailors Hit Sail Paradise

Tweed Valley Sailing Club were proud to be represented by 5 of their members crewing in the races at the Sail Paradise Regatta week at Southport yacht club this year. Experienced sailors Craig Foley from Tugun on Stormy Petrel V & Deborah Flannery from Bilambil on Shirley Valentine & John Pring on Wildflower 2 have been regularly sailing on the “big boats” during 2017. Their experience on dinghies on the Tweed River gives them a head start on other potential crew. Even with only a few months of sailing experience with TVSC Andrew Jaggers from Chillingham and Jessica Normand from Byron Bay found spots on KD Girl and Ramble Tamble respectively and had the time of their lives in the winds gusting to 20 plus knots.

Stormy Petrel V, KD Girl and Shirley Valentine on the start.

There were other TVSC connections though. One of the club’s inital start up members back in 2011 – Rob Westmorland from Bilambil still sails his Laser dinghy for fun but now spends his spare time on some of the best yachts in Australia. His love for sailing has really paid off and he and John Pring have started 2018 on a real high.

Andy on KD Girl

The yachts competed in 5 races over 4 days with TVSC’s best result being Wildflower II coming FIRST in their division and Stormy Petrel V coming in 2nd in the Cruising Yacht Spinnaker division.

Jess at the helm of Ramble Tamble.

I think we’re likely to see more TVSC members up at this great regatta in 2019. in the meantime they have a year to practice with competition no less fierce (but friendly!) on the Tweed with another club race with TVSC at Fingal Head this Sunday afternoon.

If you too would like to have a taste of sailing contact the club by email tvscmail@gmail.com or call club Commodore Bill Fenelon 0411 123 405.

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Juniors in the Morning and Heat 3 of the Corsair Class Champs this Sunday

Greetings Sailors,

I hope you all had an enjoyable and relaxing break over Christmas.

We can now get on with the business end of the season with 3 Corsair Class Championship races remaining and two NS14 / Laser Championship heats to go.  

The season ends with race 10 on the 25th of March, now little over two months away.

Remember the very important date coming up in March, The Harwood Regatta on the 10th & 11th of March. We are hoping a big fleet of TVSC Corsairs will attend this regatta and we can establish the East Coast Corsair Championship.

Bunning’s BBQ

Big congratulations to Kevin and Jenny for a superbly organized Bunning’s BBQ. And a big thank you to all who participated and help raised $1500 for the club.

This was a highly successful day and we may have some new members from it.

Racing on Sunday

Get ready for an epic Corsair Race this Sunday. This will be Heat 3 of the Corsair Class Championship and anyone could win.

We now have 13 Corsairs registered with the club. This is amazing to have such a large fleet of one design 3 handed boats. Nearly all are using spinnakers! We also have some quality boats in our fleet.  I think this is the best racing I have been involved in and I’m really looking forward to Sundays Race.

Corsair Class Ranking List

So far this series, after two races, three boats share equal first place, Epic, Odin and Minnow. Only one point behind in 2nd place is Keenas, 3 points behind Keenas in 3rd position, Swell Lady, equal fourth but 10 points back with 2 DNF’s is Capers and Melita. Next with a DNF & a DNS is Swallow, then the next six boats have all recorded two DNS’s (worth 15points) Nimbus, Peggy, Dominatrix, Rockin Robin, and Corsair 616.

This Sunday’s race will feature the return of Monique’s legend sheet hand, Matt Andrews and we can expect to see fireworks from Swell Lady, as Monique will try to salvage her season. Odin will be very fast and will go well in the fresh breeze, Keenas has been very fast in all races and got the bullet in Race 2, Peggy will be making an appearance and we can’t wait to see it go ! There’s a rumors they have a new “Big” kite!  And previous Class Champion Kevin Burke will be also in the hunt. It promises to be a great afternoon

Looks like we will have a stiff breeze of between 15 & 20 knots, (36kmh) shifting from NNW to SE during the race. At start time the tide will be in full ebb flow and will continue and slowly slacken, so we better hope the wind stays in the North.  Lucky its Corsairs cause it’s going to be very shallow at the finish.

Juniors 

Juniors will go ahead this Sunday, starting at 9am. All members are urged to get involved with helping out at juniors,  and rescue boat drivers are needed. It’s a relaxed morning and a chance to get some experience driving the rescue boat. Plus there’s time to get to the She Oak for Breakfast before the afternoon race.

I look forward to seeing you there on Sunday.

Bill Fenelon   TVSC Commodore. 

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Bunnings BBQ – Great Result and a good time had by all.

The Temperature reached 34 degrees … but thankfully that didn’t put people off buying hot sausages – over $1500 raised by a huge team of sizzling TVSC members expertly organised by Kevin Bourke & Jenny Bankier.

30 members including 4 of our keen juniors – Taj, Rigby, Tom & Kynan were involved with making this a fundraising success – a real credit to our club.

Special shout out to Josh Ferguson & Kynan who did double shifts.

Thanks everyone , it was a great fun day – let’s do another one (when its cooler!)

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Last Race of 2017, Sailors Face Strong Wind

On Sunday, Tweed Valley Sailing Club conducted its 5th race of the Summer Pointscore Series with strong winds reaching 26 knots at times on the Tweed River.

14 boats, sailed by 25 crew, battled the windy weather with many giving up and retiring early. Only 6 boats completed the course.

It was exciting sailing for the survivors, with a strong flood tide against the wind, creating large waves in the river which enabled boats to surf and gain speed.

Line Honours John & Saffron Cook on Scored a Tri in front of Sledder.

1st Finisher, Weta “Scored a Tri” (John & Saffron Cook), completing the 10km course in record time of 70 minutes. John and Saffron were very happy with their afternoon, winning their first line honours result this season, edging out perennial winner Dave Chester & crew Kynan Luescher with Daves Hobie 16, who lead the fleet by 3 minutes after the first lap but was forced to retire following a capsize early into the second lap.

Line Honours in the mono hulls went to NS14 Tornado, (Bill Fenelon & Taj Krasna) beating second placed Laser “Siesta” (Gary McCrohan) by 2 minutes and third placed Laser “Bluey” (Kate Yeomans) only 9 seconds behind.

The two big events this Sunday were the 3rd heat of the North Coast NS14 class Championship series and the Tweed River Laser Class Championship.

3 boats started in the NS14’s with only one completing the course.

30 years old and built on the Northern Rivers, NS14 Tornado was skilfully sailed and avoided damage to complete the difficult course and take the bullet. Tornado show exceptional boat speed on the fast reaching legs and lead for most of the race. New sailors, Andrew Jaggers and Jessie Normans sailed NS14 “Blue Tack”, but withdrew after numerous capsizes, while Tasar “Hippocampus” (Mike & Imogen Mansted) was also forced to retire early with a broken mast while actually leading the fleet. It was a disappointing result for Mike & Imogen as this would have been their first race win.

Laser `Bluey` (Kate Yeomans)

3 single handed Lasers competed in heat 3 of their Class Championship, with only two finishing. 1st placed Laser, “Siesta”, had a very close race with “Bluey”, with Gary finishing only 9 seconds ahead of second placed Kate Yeomans. Kate lead for the first 2 laps & showed incredible courage to continue racing despite the strong wind and multiple capsizes.

Racing in the Clubs Summer Pointscore series included 3 Corsairs, 1 Impulse and 1 Access 303.  First to finish in this group was “Swell Lady” (Monique Smith, Deborah Flannery & Craig Foley) .

First Corsair Swell Lady (Monique Smith, Deborah Flannery, Craig Foley)

It was a great day out for Monique and her crew, and one of their strongest performances, as they battled & survived the winds and beat second place Corsair “Peggy” (Josh Ferguson, Tim Molloy & Grant Banning) by 8 minutes.

This was the last race day of the year and the club will now take a break for Christmas. Next race at the Tweed Valley Sailing Club will be Heat 3 of the Northern Rivers Corsair Class Championship, conducted on the 14th of January 2018  Race Briefing will be at 12:00 NSW Time and Race Start will be at 1pm.

The sailing club is in need of volunteers to drive our rescue boat. It’s a fun afternoon on the river and everything you need is supplied. Please contact Club Commodore Bill Fenelon 0411 123 405 if you would like to try out. Boating licence is required.

Likewise, if you’d like to crew or learn to sail, then please get in touch.

Junior Sailors in the morning Taj Krasna & Tom Busbridge sailing a club X3 dinghy
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Invitation to End of Year Picnic Buffet and Winter Series Presentation

All sailors, past sailors, future sailors, supporters, friends and family are invited to…

TVSC’s 7th WINTER SERIES PRESENTATION 

& END OF YEAR PICNIC & FUN SAIL

Sunday 17 December

Fingal Head – Marquee Tents on the point by the boat ramp harbour entrance.
12.30pm NSW Time – Delicious Buffet lunch $10 Adults $5 Children
 
Please RSVP by Wednesday 13 December for catering purposes + dietary requirements
BYO plate, cutlery (+ a chair to be sure of a seat – we do have about 20 chairs)
 
WINTER SERIES PRESENTATION before 1.30pm

Sail in the morning from 9.30am to build up an appetite … or after lunch to work off the desserts!
High tide 9.50am and Low Tide 4.20pm running out fastest between 12 and 2 pm – so suggest
sailing before 12 or after 2.

The vee jays will be out to entertain us – and BOOK NOW to enter the Sabot Relay races.

Thank you to all who have sailed, supported or been involved with the club in any way for our 6th
year, we hope to see you all on the 17th.

Season’s Greetings & Merry Christmas to all
Your TVSC Committee

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Last Race of the Year this Sunday

This Sunday the 10th of December is our last race of the year.  Juniors and Try Sailing are on in the morning.

We’re also looking for safety boat drivers.

Please get in touch with us if you’d like to attend or can help with our safety boats.

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Summer 2017/18 – Race 4 Write Up

Tweed Valley Sailing Club conducted its 4th race of the Summer Pointscore Series with testy
conditions on the Tweed River.

Sailing in a strong flooding tide and a light fluky South Easterly breeze with occasional nice gusts, a
big fleet of 18 boats sailed by 33 crew had an enjoyable afternoon sailing in crystal clear water on
the lower Tweed.

Overall Placings

Habitual winner, Dave Chester, with crew Isaac Poulsen, again got line honours on Hobie 16
“Sledder”, completing the course in only 61minutes, second place finisher was Weta “Scored a Tri”
John and Saffron Cook.

First Mono hull to complete the course was NS14 Radical Phase sailed by Glen Slight and Kynan
Luescher, beating second finisher, Laser “Siesta” sailed by Gary McCrohan by 2 minutes.

Class Championships

The big race of the day was heat 2 of the North Coast NS14 14ft dinghy championship, contested by
6 boats, all sail two handed.

Also raced was heat 2 of the Olympic Class “Laser” Championship, sailed 5 boats.

In the NS’s, first to finish was “Radical Phase” (Glen Slight & Kynan Luescher), getting home 3
minutes ahead of “Zarzan “ (Adam Hurt & Tom Busbridge), with “Tornado” (Bill Fenelon & Taj
Krasna) coming in 50secs behind Adam in third place.

Glen and Kynan got away quick at the start and lead the entire race.

In the Lasers, getting the bullet today was “Siesta” (Gary McCrohan), beating “Silent Partner” (John
Heywood) by 1 minute and third was Maurice Meyer, 30 seconds behind John.

It was a close contest in the Lasers, but after the first lap, the boats spread out into the finishing
order.

NS14 Zarzan Adam Hurt & Tom Busbridge

Summer Pointscore Handicap Series

Winner of the Point score series was Tasar “Hippocampus” (Mike & Imogene Mansted), second was
Weta “Scored a Try (John & Saffron Cook) , third went to Laser “Vickie 2” Sailed by Maurice Meyer
and 4 th was Corsair “Epic”(Peter Skinner, James Nickless and Caspian Nickless)

The next race conducted by the Tweed Valley Sailing Club will be Race 5 of the Summer Point score
series, and Heat 3 of the NS14 & Laser Class Championships, held at Fingal Head on the 10th of
December.

NS14 Tornado with Bill and Taj
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Summer Series Race 4, Juniors and Try Sailing

There are only two Juniors and Try Sailing days left this year! This Sunday and also Sunday 10th December. These sessions can fill up very quickly so be sure to reply to this email to book a spot. See details below race notice.

Race info & roster below – weather forecast is looking really nice. Race 2 of the Laser and NS14 Class Championships.

NOTE – We need everyone to help out with launching, retrieving, loading and unloading the rescue boats as Bryan is currently unable to.

URGENT – Safety Boat Drivers needed for the rest of the season –
We are down to 1 regular driver (thank you Bryan). If you would like to drive a safety boat for our races this season we would love to hear from you. Once a month would be ideal – or more or less, whatever suits.
Training given + Australian Sailing courses.
If you know anyone who might be able to help please ask them to get in touch.

SUNDAY 26 Nov – POINTSCORE RACE 4 + Lasers and NS14 Class Champ Race 2 

  • DUTY OFFICER – Dave Chester 0431 316 574
  • Contact Duty Officer before Sundayif you want to sail as crew or need crew for your boat.
  • Briefing (Compulsory) 12pm  at Fingal Head Boat Ramp – Car park opp. Sheoak Cafe
  • Race Start not before 1pm
  • Contact duty officer if you can help with any support roles. 
  • Non-members:New Adults complete indemnity form . 

RACE ROSTER

  • Race Briefing – Bill Fenelon
  • Safety Boat Drivers – Bryan Townsend + 1 other driver required * if you miss a race to do Safety boat/on shore duty you STILL GET POINTSin the series.
  • Safety Boat Crew -Safety Boat Crew needed 
  • Start Flags/ TIMEKEEPERS – Suzanne Blatcher  + Assistant needed  NOTE – Spectators are welcome in the timekeepers tent but be considerate of the 2 or 3 people assigned to timekeeping and do not distract them – they may be being trained and so need to practice without extra assistance. 
  • Results & Handicaps – Adam Hurt
  • Sign on TABLE  2 needed 
  • Photographer – TBC (can go on safety boat or be based on shore)
  • Banking– Craig Foley (Alison Blatcher back up)
  • Merchandise– Monique Smith + assistant needed for sales before briefing
  • Spectators …. always room for more 

NO BBQ this week so make sure to bring some lunch.  Debrief at the Sheoak Shack Cafe. 

Need a Boat?

Club Boats – 2 Corsairs,  NS14 , a Laser , Tasar,  a 470 and Juniors Sabots and X3’s available for members to hire or long term loan.

SCORING

For those new to the club – every race of the season goes towards the Pointscore Competition (with 1 discard) and both skipper and crew get points. There are also class championships for Lasers, NS14’s , Corsairs, Multihulls and any other class with 3 or more boats that are run concurrently with the pointscore races – 5 races for each class champ – so check your dates.

Forecast & Tides link:

http://wind.willyweather.com.au/nsw/far-north-coast/tweed-river–cave-point.html

 Juniors and Try Sailing – Sunday 26 Nov

  • Start 8:45am NSW (7.45 QLD)
  • Booking required – reply to this email to ensure a space is available beginners welcome.
  • Meet : TVSC container – Fingal Head Boat Ramp car park
  • Approx 11am : Pack up. Juniors to assist with boat rigging and unrigging and washing.
  • Finish 11.30am (10.30 QLD)
  • Cost per session:  $5 per JUNIOR / Gold coin donation concession –  All proceeds to boat and club maintenance, safety boat fuel etc.

NB Attending for the first time? complete a Parents Consent form (attached) for each under 18.

What to bring:

Anyone sailing –  bring:

  • footwear that can get wet, 
  • hat, sunscreen
  • a change of clothes , 
  • water bottle and a snack. 
  • The club has PFDs for loan for children over 40kg
  • Footwear (not thongs) is compulsory when sailing.

Jobs for Parents + Sailing

Please help with – Sign On/Off, general setup/pack up , 

crewing on safety boats.

Depending on numbers there may also be opportunities for adults to sail.

Facilities 

  • Note we do not have a club house. The container is for boat and equipment storage and juniors are not permitted to enter the container unless helping with carrying boats.
  • Public toilets close by – juniors to go in pairs please
  • Refreshments – Sheoak Shack Cafe opposite boat ramp car park and shop 100m further down the road + club sells drinks and snacks.