Since December 

Xmas was Fun? (Well that’s a long time ago)

Washouts, blow outs and stalker cyclones. January & February have been busy but not for sailing.

The first race for the season, Fitzroy Island was blown out, strong wind warning, so the first race for the season was the Lindsay Joice race on Sunday 3rd March.

Lindsay Joice

This was to be a bay race but due to uncertain weather conditions it was turned into a modified WAGS course. The Inlet lived up to it’s indeterminate reputation with most boats sailing backwards after the start in occasional zephyrs and a strong outgoing tide. This didn’t help the bigger and heavier boats until a Nor-Easter came in at 15+kts propelling the fleet around ‘Outer Red’. Optimism and enthusiasm prevailed and the event organisers called for three laps of the course. Unfortunately the weather Gods were listening and decided to frustrate the fleet by re-establishing the doldrums at the Marina. Adrift and powerless at about one-and-a-half  laps the organisers called for a shortened course of two laps. Unfortunately, the lightest boat, Out of the Blue, almost completed two and a half laps so the course was shortened to two and a half.

Much hand wringing and vexation was put to rest with hearty liquid refreshments at the Boat Shed. At least our sailing season had started.

Results on corrected times were…

1st – Out of the Blue – 3:04, 2nd – Volare – 3:32, 3rd – Wee Wish Dragon – 3:36, 4th Centinella – 3:47

SAGS

On the other hand a re-vamped SAGS (Sunday Afternoon Gentle Sailing) has got off to a great start with invitations to all comers filled and some new faces and boats. This is a relaxed format is an opportunity to sail in company for all comers especially those new to the sport. There is no racing and no rules except to have a fun and enjoyable day on the water, try out a spinnaker or different sail combinations, no pressure. 

If you want to join in, anyone is welcome usually on a Sunday in the middle of the month. The next one is on Sunday the 17th and costs just $5 per head ($25 non members) to go towards a BBQ at the Boat Shed after.

School Team Sailing

With only a month since school went back we have had several schools getting ready for the School Team Sailing event held on Sunday the 10th.

Two teams from Atherton, the Blitz & Thunder came down from Tinaroo to battle the tides of the Inlet. Saint Augustines provided two teams and one from Trinity Anglican School. A Cairns team made up of various schools keen to try the sport composed the final team.

15 races with six boats in each did battle against a ebbing tide and variable winds. Fortunately the wind cooperated unlike previous years where it deserted the course and left dinghies drifting out to sea.

Results…

1st – Atherton Blitz, 2nd – Atherton Thunder, 3rd Saints 1, 4th – TAS

Massive hamburgers were prepared by keen volunteers to fill the voids that are hungry sailors stomachs. We were all indebted to their efforts.

A big thanks to Scott and his team of volunteers that managed to glue and screw the ageing Pacers into some semblance of a racing fleet. Scott’s talent (and commanding voice) for organising the dinghies over the past five years is well recognised and appreciated. His reward? Eight new pacers for next year. Yes, we have ordered eight new ready to sail pacers. They are being built in Malaysia and should take five months to be delivered. Wahoo!

Keelboat Learn to Sail

The keelboat learn to sail in “The pink J” is well subscribed with increasing participants keen to try out a bigger boat. Please contact Margie at the office 07 4031 2750‬ or email cyc@cairns.net.au

Coming UP – This Month

Sunday March 17th – SAGS – Sunday Afternoon Gentle Sailing – $5 per head, $25 non members.

Saturday & Sunday 30th & 31st March – Ellis Beach opening regatta, all welcome, camping available in the beautiful beachside grounds.

Saturday 6th April – Discover Sailing Day (To be confirmed, watch Facebook)

Sunday 7th April – Lady Skipper’s Race – must have a lady on the helm for the duration

WAGS – Every Wednesday. Yep, still going so no excuses for not sailing. A fun sailing day with others, stress-free and a chance for non-members to sail for the day, just $20 gets you on a boat. Be at the Boat Shed at 12. No need to call anyone, just turn up. Backpackers welcome, the best value day out on the water you can have in Cairns.

Tackers Fun Friday – 4-5:30 pm very Friday

Trackers sailing program

The Tacker Fun Sailing program is romping along every Friday from 4pm to 6pm thanks to Riely and his team. We get “kids” of all sizes and there’s room for more. Bring your kids and grandkids down to the Boatshed and celebrate the end of the working week

The club bar is open so while the kids are out having fun you can sit back and have a wine and watch them sail.

Riley Munro, Harrison and Daniel Brace are there to run the show – bring the kids or the grandkids 4pm to 6pm 
www.revolutionise.com.au/cairnsyc/events/23610/

New Pricing for a New Season