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SASC CLUB NEWSLETTER

Over the past month or so, members may have noticed a number of small sailing dinghies passing the club, heading out to, or home, from the harbour. Activity in the old MASC shed has increased as the result of an agreement between SASC and SCECGS Redlands and a highly successful refurbishment and cleanout of the shed on Fathers Day.

A squad of 45 students train weekly in twelve International Cadets, six Puffin Pacers and three Ynglings. With colourful spinnakers flying they make a delightful sight as they navigate the intricacies (and ferries) of Mosman Bay. All told, the Redlands school programme caters for 145 students from years 3 to 12, with the Mosman Bay squad being the elite race group to which most aspire. A squad of 40 juniors train with the Northside Sailing School on Wednesdays and another 50 seniors do likewise on Thursdays. Many of these students, particularly the younger ones are now graduating to crewing positions in the race teams. The plan with the Ynglings is to train up crews of students and parents to participate regularly in SASC Friday Twilight racing.

As well as their Tuesday and/or Thursday training sessions, the Cadet and Pacer squads undertake Saturday morning racing in Athol Bay, with up to 5 short races being held. It is a formal points-score series with the winning class crews at the end of the season to be declared school champions. In Term 1, 2005, the school teams will travel to contest a number of inter-school regattas as well as two SCECGS hosted events.

Importantly, having adopted the International Cadet as a training boat, the Redlands Club has formed a NSW Cadet Squadron and eight boats are in hard training for both the National titles in Adelaide at Christmas and the 2004 World Championships immediately afterwards. Already an all-day clinic has been held with two notable inter-state coaches and Rob Brown Yachting will be conducting further clinics as the regattas draw closer. In 2005, the NSW Squadron is to host the first ever International Cadet Nationals in Sydney, out of W.S.C. in Rose Bay.

What we hope will be of benefit to SASC members is the large number of parents who assist each Saturday and who are developing a considerable enthusiasm of their own in taking up sailing. Redlands will do all it can to encourage parents into crewing positions so if any member has an interest in developing new crew, please feel free to contact the sailing master at the school.

Redlands sailing is not just about racing or boats; it is also about history, heritage and assisting youngsters to grow into fine adults. As such, the school is delighted to be able to enjoy so much contact, and subsequent wisdom from members such as the OK dinghy sailors. We would really welcome the presence of, and extend an open invitation to, any SASC member to visit us either on a Thursday afternoon or Saturday morning, to share with us the pursuit and sheer fun of “just messing about in boats”.