Hi everyone,
I am really happy to be able to report that three sailors (Mark Durnan, Michael Leydon and Tish Ennis) represented Sailability Batemans Bay at the Australian Hansa Association National Championships held last weekend in Canberra.
As Sue Hart, the Commodore of Canberra Yacht Club, pointed out, three factors are required for sailing; a boat, water and wind. There were lots of boats, enticing water with plenty of space to sail but very little wind.
All sailors had a frustrating three days whilst the Race Committee was faced with the prospect of delaying or abandoning races sometimes after the boats and crews had been waiting out on the water for lengthy times.
On Saturday, the 303 Singles finally sailed over their first Start Line, in very light breeze.It was with some amazement that Tish steered Pumpkin into lead position, and held that for the rest of the first race, followed by Mark Durnan in Poppy (photograph attached).
Michael had difficulty with his poor vision and was unable to see wind patterns or marks on the water but still managed to sail without incident and completed all races to finish in 11th place overall. The next two races that day were in slightly more breeze and all sailors had challenges with congestion on marks (photograph attached).
There were no further opportunities for racing 303 Singles during the weekend so the final results were compiled after only the three races on the Saturday. Congratulations to Chris Symonds from Tasmania (1st place) who narrowly defeated Chris Ruston from Queensland (2nd place). Chris Symonds also dominated in the 303 Doubles Races Full results are available on the Canberra Yacht Club website.
Sailability Batemans Bay now has two sailors in the top ten at Australian Hansa Class National level.
It was great to see so many sailors from different places, and catch up with friends. The competitors also showed the diversity of sailing opportunities available. In the 303 Doubles event, the youngest competitor was ten years old - he was crew for his great grandfather who is 96 years old.
The Australian Parasailors were also able to have their Championships in conjunction with this event, and a description of that is on the Australian Parasailing website. Mark Durnan from Sailability Batemans Bay is one of the eight Parasailors in Australia.
It will be our last Sailing Day for this season at Nelligen on Sunday 11th April. If you are able to assist with towing, please contact Tish (email tish4179@gmail.com or mobile 0403 987 666), otherwise we look forward to meeting everyone beside the boat launch ramp in Wharf Street, Nelligen from 10am onwards. The weather forecast definitely looks better for sailing than last weekend in Canberra!
We will welcome sailors from Sydney and from Canberra to sail the Inside Course at the Marina Regatta held at Anzac Weekend, 24th and 25th April . Launching is from Corrigans Beach and the race area is inside Snapper Island. If you would like to sail in that regatta or volunteer to help on the water or the beach, please contact Tish (details as above).
Best wishes to everyone
I am really happy to be able to report that three sailors (Mark Durnan, Michael Leydon and Tish Ennis) represented Sailability Batemans Bay at the Australian Hansa Association National Championships held last weekend in Canberra.
As Sue Hart, the Commodore of Canberra Yacht Club, pointed out, three factors are required for sailing; a boat, water and wind. There were lots of boats, enticing water with plenty of space to sail but very little wind.
All sailors had a frustrating three days whilst the Race Committee was faced with the prospect of delaying or abandoning races sometimes after the boats and crews had been waiting out on the water for lengthy times.
On Saturday, the 303 Singles finally sailed over their first Start Line, in very light breeze.It was with some amazement that Tish steered Pumpkin into lead position, and held that for the rest of the first race, followed by Mark Durnan in Poppy (photograph attached).
Michael had difficulty with his poor vision and was unable to see wind patterns or marks on the water but still managed to sail without incident and completed all races to finish in 11th place overall. The next two races that day were in slightly more breeze and all sailors had challenges with congestion on marks (photograph attached).
There were no further opportunities for racing 303 Singles during the weekend so the final results were compiled after only the three races on the Saturday. Congratulations to Chris Symonds from Tasmania (1st place) who narrowly defeated Chris Ruston from Queensland (2nd place). Chris Symonds also dominated in the 303 Doubles Races Full results are available on the Canberra Yacht Club website.
Sailability Batemans Bay now has two sailors in the top ten at Australian Hansa Class National level.
It was great to see so many sailors from different places, and catch up with friends. The competitors also showed the diversity of sailing opportunities available. In the 303 Doubles event, the youngest competitor was ten years old - he was crew for his great grandfather who is 96 years old.
The Australian Parasailors were also able to have their Championships in conjunction with this event, and a description of that is on the Australian Parasailing website. Mark Durnan from Sailability Batemans Bay is one of the eight Parasailors in Australia.
It will be our last Sailing Day for this season at Nelligen on Sunday 11th April. If you are able to assist with towing, please contact Tish (email tish4179@gmail.com or mobile 0403 987 666), otherwise we look forward to meeting everyone beside the boat launch ramp in Wharf Street, Nelligen from 10am onwards. The weather forecast definitely looks better for sailing than last weekend in Canberra!
We will welcome sailors from Sydney and from Canberra to sail the Inside Course at the Marina Regatta held at Anzac Weekend, 24th and 25th April . Launching is from Corrigans Beach and the race area is inside Snapper Island. If you would like to sail in that regatta or volunteer to help on the water or the beach, please contact Tish (details as above).
Best wishes to everyone
Sailing Again ! - Sunday 14th February 2021
It was great to see Poppy back on the water at Nelligen last Sunday, even if we had to comply with COVID restrictions with all our activities. No big hugs for Valentine’s Day!
Lachlan Mortimer enthusiastically helped us to unpack from our trailer then he and his mother Elizabeth enjoyed a ride on Squirt, skippered by Peter Withington, whilst Dana, Sandra and Tish rigged Poppy.
Lachlan and Tish then had the benefit of reasonable wind and a slack tide to have some good sailing on the river, with some big waves both from their hands and from the boat, courtesy of the Maritime Police.
Thank you, Lachlan, for tolerating your face mask – it felt strange to be in a boat and not feel the breeze on your face.
Social time was enjoyed by all at lunchtime, when we were joined by Mark Durnan. Mark still had big grins on his face from a successful day at the Canberra YMCA Sailing Club where he had achieved a First Place in the 2.4mR race on Saturday.
Congratulations, Mark! Ever enthusiastic, he was back into the 303 class and had some good, non competitive sailing solo on Poppy, showing us all how smoothly she could handle.
Even though the pontoon and launch ramp were busy, everyone worked around each other with some hands-on assistance between boats.
We also had quite a bit of interest in our activities from members of the public. Thank you to all who volunteered to help yesterday.
Our next day is Sailing day is Monday 1st March – we hope to see you there.
It was great to see Poppy back on the water at Nelligen last Sunday, even if we had to comply with COVID restrictions with all our activities. No big hugs for Valentine’s Day!
Lachlan Mortimer enthusiastically helped us to unpack from our trailer then he and his mother Elizabeth enjoyed a ride on Squirt, skippered by Peter Withington, whilst Dana, Sandra and Tish rigged Poppy.
Lachlan and Tish then had the benefit of reasonable wind and a slack tide to have some good sailing on the river, with some big waves both from their hands and from the boat, courtesy of the Maritime Police.
Thank you, Lachlan, for tolerating your face mask – it felt strange to be in a boat and not feel the breeze on your face.
Social time was enjoyed by all at lunchtime, when we were joined by Mark Durnan. Mark still had big grins on his face from a successful day at the Canberra YMCA Sailing Club where he had achieved a First Place in the 2.4mR race on Saturday.
Congratulations, Mark! Ever enthusiastic, he was back into the 303 class and had some good, non competitive sailing solo on Poppy, showing us all how smoothly she could handle.
Even though the pontoon and launch ramp were busy, everyone worked around each other with some hands-on assistance between boats.
We also had quite a bit of interest in our activities from members of the public. Thank you to all who volunteered to help yesterday.
Our next day is Sailing day is Monday 1st March – we hope to see you there.
Maintenance Day Sunday 15th November 2020
Optimism and energy were the dominant feelings amongst the enthusiastic group who met at the Batemans Bay Sailing Club at Hanging Rock last Sunday. We concentrated on our four 303 Dinghies to make sure that they were sparkling clean, and all the gear was readily available for our next Sailing day on Sunday December 6th at Nelligen.
A special welcome to Mark Durnan who has now moved to his house in Batemans Bay. He brings a wealth of experience with him after sailing competitively in 303s (he is a past National Champion) and in 2.4s, competing in Paraworlds, in Germany and the Netherlands. Apart from his experience on water, he has built up his expertise in boat maintenance and fibre glass work both on his own boats and as maintenance Officer with Sailability ACT.
Our crew also included Boudicca, Craig Allen’s dog, who is improving her social skills before Craig starts her training to become a registered Companion dog. We loved having her toothy grins and tailwags.
Big thanks to our volunteers Allan Rees, Kate and Tara Toyer with Rhian and James, Craig Allen, Mark Durnan. Martyn Lloyd, Christine Vincent, Peter Glen, and Andy Frantz, Damon and Cate McMath, Bob Richards, Dana Strain. Everyone contributed in different ways.
Thanks to for the use of the facilities at Batemans Bay Sailing Club, we really appreciate their support.
Optimism and energy were the dominant feelings amongst the enthusiastic group who met at the Batemans Bay Sailing Club at Hanging Rock last Sunday. We concentrated on our four 303 Dinghies to make sure that they were sparkling clean, and all the gear was readily available for our next Sailing day on Sunday December 6th at Nelligen.
A special welcome to Mark Durnan who has now moved to his house in Batemans Bay. He brings a wealth of experience with him after sailing competitively in 303s (he is a past National Champion) and in 2.4s, competing in Paraworlds, in Germany and the Netherlands. Apart from his experience on water, he has built up his expertise in boat maintenance and fibre glass work both on his own boats and as maintenance Officer with Sailability ACT.
Our crew also included Boudicca, Craig Allen’s dog, who is improving her social skills before Craig starts her training to become a registered Companion dog. We loved having her toothy grins and tailwags.
Big thanks to our volunteers Allan Rees, Kate and Tara Toyer with Rhian and James, Craig Allen, Mark Durnan. Martyn Lloyd, Christine Vincent, Peter Glen, and Andy Frantz, Damon and Cate McMath, Bob Richards, Dana Strain. Everyone contributed in different ways.
Thanks to for the use of the facilities at Batemans Bay Sailing Club, we really appreciate their support.
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