[lamarstrehlow74]

Is teams racing the only time between now and the State Titles that I can get my boat measured?? And do I have to have a team to participate in the teams racing??
Cheers James
1421-Son Of Coco

[lamarstrehlow74]

Hi,

I contacted Rob Jackson from Qld Association as we have had no response to these queries as yet:-

1) We have asked Qld Assoc to have the yacht club gate open on the day prior to measurement ie Thursday, to allow boats to be dropped off and trailers to be left there- waiting on confirmation on time windows.

2) Race start times are flexible depending on the weather. NOR states not before 1230 (except when morning race is scheduled). Reason for this is apparently storms come in at around 3pm so we need to be off the water by then, and the seabreeze is due 11am

3) We haev requested Qld Assoc- provide some shade, last time we took our own shade tent- Qld to respond

There are a number of key items which we discussed and recommend all sailors take into consideration before leaving:-
* write boat sail number on trolley for quick collection by trolley dollies
* strong shoes are needed for rough boat ramp
* double shockcord for rudders as jellyfish push rudder up
* extra drink bottles

The Qld committee need volunteers. Any assistance is welcome including trolley dollies !

Hope this helps your planning

Fiona McCulloch
Vic President

[lamarstrehlow74]

Actually the Vic States had an over 85 kilo class last year specifically targeted at this area.

As it turns out the regatta was nice and windy so being 85+ was a bonus for a change.

[lamarstrehlow74]

Dear Fellow Sabre Sailors,

It seems that there has been several comments questioning the ability of Cleveland to hold an excellent regatta. Will the race management be adequete? Will the clubhouse be comfortable? Will the family have something to keep themselves amused while I have a sensational sailing holiday? And other such trivial matters…

I have a deeper, darker concern about the choice of location. A worry that truly haunts my dreams and is slowly wearing me away, decaying my mind and turning me into a wreck of a man. I once again woke last night in a puddle of cold sweat and decided that I can not longer bear this burden alone. The time has come for me to speak up and share my feelings about the location.

We have been blessed over the last four years. Travelling around Australia, slurping the delights of Coopers from Adelaide to Cascade from Hobart. Sailors have had big happy smiles on the late nights out. Not anymore.

The biggest problem with Cleveland is that it is in Queensland. The biggest problem with Queensland is that they drink XXXX beer. How is that we go from the Mecca of beautiful beer, Tasmania, to a place where they call their drink “XXXX” because they can’t spell “beer”??? It is a cruel world. We shall be like flies to wanton boys…

I have heard some terrible tales about the horror of XXXX. Stories about Sailors having their hair fall out, extra limbs growing and one particularily nasty story about a male sailor becoming pregnant due to the nasty XXXX poison.

In the past we have braced ourselves before clenching our teeth and heading into shitty-beer territory. We suffered the consequences. Enough is enough.

There were twenty Tasmanian sailors at last year’s nationals. Rumour has it that no permanent Tasmanian residents will be making the trek to Queensland this year. I have heard stories that it is because of work commitments, family commitments, distance problems and the greatest excuse of all: “because I’m building a house” from our favourite Sabre Sailor with a walking frame, the Almighty Nanna.

These are only stories created not to offend the Queenslanders. The real problem is the beer, the Tassie boys want to ensure that they remain fertile.

I plead with the regatta organisers, please do something. Last time I woke up after a night on the XXXX, it felt like a rat slept in my mouth.

Please save us from this terrible fate.

A concerned sailor.
See you at Cleveland.

[lamarstrehlow74]

Those kits look really good.

Would be interested about the average time to put it together for the home handyman.

[lamarstrehlow74]

How have you been going with this project.

Have you had a chance to get an estimated price together.

Also if you were running a school on how to build a Sabre, would you be able to record some of the process on video. It may be a great aid to support the building notes and would help with sale of the kits.

Just a thought.

[lamarstrehlow74]

Theres not enough encouragement for sabre kids to sail there boats more anyway at out club there are around 6 kids that have sabres while there are 3 kids that sail lasers, only 2-3 kids sail there sabres often while 2 of the 3 lasers sail all the time, while the other one barely turns up as he learnt to sail in a laser and so really didnt learn how to sail, those two other kids that sail lasers have moved through the sabres before getting the lasers, using the sabres as a stepping stone, or to bridge the gap, without the sabre those kids would probably still be struggling tacking and gybing. any way i think that perhaps there could be something like those training weekends happening more regularily, like 3-4 times a year if possible, at different yacht clubs around the place. this may encourage the kids to sail a lot more and offer the rest of the fleet a lot more competition
with a lot of good kids sailing them it might force people to notice the class

[lamarstrehlow74]

Its an interesting question sometimes when you scratch the surface of our governing bodies.

Its funny that you look at why these organisations exist such as the VYC.

One of their main supposed missions is to “Promote Sailing and Encourage Participation.”

Yet on the other hand they then actively discourage the Sabre class, one of the cheapest most accessabler classes for the average joe to have a sail in, particularly at a junior level.

We do not participate in Sail Melbourne (not invited) nor are our juniors allowed to come to vyc junior training unless they have lasers.

Many clubs around the bay find kids join sailing minnows , sabots and now optimists in large numbers.

Yet when the kids turn to mid teens they encourgaed by the VYC to buy a laser, otherwise they get no training or encouragement. As a result they leave their home club and sail at another club which has a large laser fleet. Their success ( or welcome) at the new club will in turn affect their continuation in the sport.

This is counterproductive to a home club developing its numbers and staying healthy. This is not just a class issue it is also one for the clubs to consider.

Sailing numbers are declining as a sport. This sort of policy is not helpful to keeping our sport going. Sailing is a sport the whole family can particpate in on the one day.

Last time I checked not every one wants to be an olympic champion. Kids used to sail for the enjoyment, new skill, increased social interaction and fun. If your having fun it doesn’t matter what boat your in.

Im not against training kids to be better sailors, however I am against exclusion due to the right equipment.

Its impossible for a family with limited money to build a laser cheaply in the back shed to help their kids go sailing. At least in the sabre class they have this option.

I know these issues have been raised before by many in the Sabre community such as Steve but nothing really seems to change. Its a shame because it doesn’t just hurt our class it hurts the sailing community in general.

I’m sure many young sailors leave sailing because the laser (and its olympic win at all costs image ) is not to their liking. Given their are plenty of other sports they can play why stick with sailing.

I think it is about time we put the fun back into sailing not just trying to raise olympic champions. Its should be about numbers to keep our sport growing and thriving. Olympic champions will always be their regardless of boat type.

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