Apollo Bay Sailing Club

Tell Tales

Welcome everyone to the start of the ‘23/’24 Sailing Season!

There’s been a swelling of activity and excitement at the club over the last few weeks as boats arrived at the harbour, masts rigged and erected, lines run and bottoms polished. There has been much talk who is sailing and what’s going on with the keel boats etc, etc, etc.

Sadly, we wish to pass our condolences to Wendy Caddy & fam on the passing of Syd Caddy last week. He loved being a part of the sailing club, & especially supported & encouraged the younger sailors. Even after he could no longer sail/attend the club, he always wanted to know how everyone was going, again especially the younger sailors.

On Friday afternoon the Junior Sailing Program kicked off for the first time this season. It was fabulous to see the young sailors so eager and happy to be learning about sailing together. After cleaning the boats up a cheerful and playful group took a boat for a sail through the carpark and up onto the golf course! Sailors enjoyed the theatrics of sneaking up and calling starboard on the senior sailors fiddling in their parked boats on the hardstand in preparation for Saturday’s long-awaited season opener. Up on the top of Pt Bunbury, we enjoyed a 10 knot southerly as we played with sail setting and revised land marks and the name of all boat and sail parts. Milo was one of many who couldn’t resist the curiosity of what might happen if the boat went over the edge. So we took the sail out of Octavia’s boat ‘Bad Wolf’ and shot Otto over and down the steep vegetated slope. It was hilarious as he crashed in to the shrubs below; unharmed! Next we sent the whole learn to sail group down the slope in Octavia’s boat together. It was crazy good fun to share the excitement and anticipation of these antics with a bunch of pumped eager kids who cannot wait to start sailing on the water next week!! Bring it on!

Saturday was looking to be a great start to the season with 10-15 kt southerly predicted and lots of crew ready to go. As the wind dropped so did the faces of those sailing. The big boats 10+1, Boheme, John Sanders dropped out after struggling over the start line. The Flying Fifteens then made a start with Ziff catching some wind and making a great start, and new comer Skiffle Beat taking a handy second followed up by April Dancer, Euffamism and Fern Elisabeth.

As the wind dropped off more April Dancer snuck passed Skiffle Beat and the race was shortened. After 2 hrs with Ziff just about to cross the finish line the race was abandoned by the duty boat crew, with no results recorded for the day.

Thank you to everyone that attended the working bee last weekend to prepare the club, boats and gear. A big thank you to Ken, Pauline and the Goodison’s for hosting another preseason dinner, Uncle Ken’s famous seafood paella! Amazing once again!

Also, thanks to the Committee, Race Committee and members for all their work during the off season. Welcome aboard to our new Committee members and Club members and thank you to those disembarking.

We are looking forward to an exciting fun season of sailing. Come on down Saturday’s and say hello, possibly jump on board. Keep an eye out for upcoming events and BBQ’s. All welcome.

Life is good. Come Sailing!

To find out more please see our Facebook group - Apollo Bay Sailing Club.