This Week In Sailing - 7th September 2023

2023 HANSA CLASS QUEENSLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

What a weekend!! Some close racing saw the fantastic Hansa fleets achieve some fabulous results in tricky conditions (light winds and pumping tide).

We would love to thank the following which makes these Regattas possible:

The Hansa Association
Sailability Gold Coast
Sailability Volunteers
SYC Volunteers

Hansa 303

1st Chris Ruston – Mandy

2nd Stuart Waters – Mermaid

3rd Martin Holtsbaum – Tiddlywinks

Hansa 303 Two-Person

1st Naomi Ohue & Will Pringle – Mabel

2nd Neil Rowsthorn & Crew – Movie World

3rd Tiarne Burkitt & Crew – Freemason

Hansa Liberty

1st Russell Phillips – Popeye

2nd Ross Manning – Primary

3rd Greg Jacobs – Sophie

Results Link HERE

THIS WEEK @ OXENFORD WATERSPORT CENTRE AND SQUAD UPDATE

By: Amber Hudson

Keelboat Experience at SYC Hollywell

This week we welcomed some of our adult sailors to SYC Hollywell for the first time to take part in a Keelboat Experience. These 2 hour sessions have been set up to provide a pathway for Adult Learn to Sail participants who want to progress beyond sailing catamarans and dinghy’s at SYC Oxenford. They are a great way for sailors to begin sailing on busy tidal waterways and will help build their skills and knowledge if they wish to complete a Keelboat Crewing & Helming Course. The first afternoon was on the Melges 24 with a storm approaching from the West and winds getting to 15-18knots from the NE.

She Sails at SYC Oxenford Lake

On Sunday 27^th August, SYC Oxenford hosted their monthly She Sails event. We welcomed 15 returning and new participants for some fun on the lake sailing Hobie Wave Catamarans and RS Quests. The weather was fantastic and the winds were strong enough to play some games and sail the whole lake. If you’ve never joined us for a She Sails at SYC Oxenford, come and see what goes on and meet some like-minded ladies for a day of sailing fun, followed by drinks and nibbles upstairs in our function room overlooking the beautiful Oxenford Lake!

Next She Sails Event: Saturday 16^th October from noon-3 pm for ages 7yrs+

Secure your spot by clicking this LINK.

Coming Up!

School Holiday Sailing

Week 1 Oxenford:

Monday 18^th – Friday 22^nd September

Session Times: Half Day: 9am-12pm

Full Day: 9am-3pm

Cost: Half Day: $50 ex booking fees

Full Day: $80 ex booking fees

BOOK HERE

School Holiday Sailing Week 2 – Kids Sailing Experience

Where: SYC Main Beach

Tuesday 26^th – Thursday 28^th September

Session Times:

9-10.30am

10.30-Noon

12.30-2pm

Cost: $40 excl. booking fees

BOOK HERE

For more information please visit this LINK

SAILOR OF THE WEEK

Congratulations to Caleb Mitchell who is our Sailor of the Week this week! Here’s our interview with Caleb about his sailing experience…

How long have you been sailing and what made you start? My dad is passionate about sailing and one day we want to own our own Catamaran so I joined Southport Yacht Club and I was so lucky to win a free term in May 2022! That’s when I started Tackers 1 at Oxenford. Then I was so excited to be able to move to Hollywell at the beginning of this year. This made me much more interested and serious about my sailing, as sailing at Hollywell is the real stuff and I love the open water. I’m the first one up in my house on a Sunday morning ready to leave for sailing, even though it’s an hour’s drive from Brisbane.
What boats can you sail? Hobie, Opti
What skills are you working on at the moment? At the moment I’m working on strengthening my skills in the open water – tacking, jibing, lay lines and posture.
What are your sailing goals? To start racing and to be in front of the others. To take part in next year’s Regatta. To sail my very own boat around the world.
Do you love the competitive side of the sport, do you prefer the social side or do you like both? I’m a bit shy but I also like winning and want to come first! But I also really love talking to other kids especially when the more experienced sailors help me with my boat. I would like to make friends who share the same interests as me and want to have fun out on the water.

Thanks for a great interview Caleb, We can’t wait to see where your sailing future will take you!