It’s here

The 2015-6 Sailing Season has started in Sydney. Last Sunday I went to Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron for the opening of the Junior sailing season. There’s a good fleet of around 30 each of Optimists and Lasers at the club. Open day was organised around having all the boats checked off, paddles etc for the Opti’s, Lifejackets, rack/storage positioning and so on. They also had a number of coaches arranged for the day to get everyone started. The Opti families came and had their boats checked and most left even though it was a great day. The Lasers were split up in to groups with the coaches and they were going to head out when I left at lunchtime.

On Saturday it was Middle Harbour Yacht Clubs turn. Over the last few weeks, the yachts have all had their Category 7 Safeties done and it was time for the Annual Opening Day festivities. The start team regulars, myself, Steve and Toby spent the morning going over HughSGeorge, MHYC’s primary startboat. We cleaned, vacuumed and as we went filled a big garbage bin full of no longer required bits, especially paperwork so we are ready for the regular racing to start next weekend. As such we didn’t get involved in some of the festivities with the exception of the Sailpast. As is the norm, we lead the fleet past the end of the jetty saluting the clubs flags and notable guests and as is our wanting, we blast them with the horns. These are quite loud as you could imagine! Makes them jump!

Melissa also came along and experimented with a live feed of the event on Periscope. This was something new and she had viewers from all around the world commenting on how nice a day it was on Sydney’s Middle Harbour. Periscope is something that I may have a look at using in the lead up to some of the regattas. Obviously whilst we are in sequence I’ll have a bit on – trial and error.

So I’m ready for the season, is everyone else? Bring on Summer.