Commodore's Address

Hi Va12sc crew!

I hope everyone had an awesome Christmas and is kicking off the New Year with a bang! The day I’m writing this feels like a great one, so fingers crossed the night turns out just as awesome.

It was fantastic to see so many of you making the most of the club on Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve. Remember, this club is yours, so let’s keep it in top shape and enjoy it for years to come!

Now, a quick bit of housekeeping:

• Please leave the club just as you found it. Last weekend, Lionel’s locker and the kitchen were left open. Since the club can be accessed from the water, it’s super important to lock everything up when you’re done.

• On December 29, a group of people climbed onto the deck and jumped off the deck and ladder. Unfortunately, the ladder got damaged. If you spot this happening, kindly ask them to stop—we all need to pitch in to keep our club in great shape.

Club members out watching the Sydney to Hobart start on boxing day

Holiday Camps Are Here!

Exciting news! Holiday camps are kicking off soon. If you’re keen to join the fun, hit the link for more information and to book your spot: https://www.va12sc.org.au/holiday-camps.

Sydney to Hobart Update (see Below)
Don’t miss the latest from our club members who tackled the legendary Sydney to Hobart race—read on below for all the action and results!

Sabot Nationals Day 1 - including commodores comments on Facebook link (see Below) 
Here’s to an epic start to 2025! 

Geoff

Sydney to Hobart: Triumphs and Tribute

For a Sydney Harbour sailing club like ours, there’s no event more significant than the Sydney to Hobart. This year’s race brought both triumph and tragedy, reminding us of the highs and lows of this incredible sport.

Firstly, we want to send our deepest condolences to the families and crews of the two sailors we tragically lost during the race. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.

On a brighter note, we’re thrilled to celebrate some amazing achievements by our club community:

• Coach Sophia deserves a massive shout-out for her outstanding performance—huge congrats on being part of the Ragtime Crew, 36 overall and 2nd in Div 3 IRC. 

• Jules Hall, a former committee member, sailed Disko Trooper - Contender Sailcloth to an incredible second place in their division. Jules is no stranger to success, having previously won the division. Guess those Flying 11 days prepared him well!

• A special congratulations to Sam Haynes, my personal mentor in business, who claimed the prestigious Tattersall Cup for the overall win. Watching his journey from sailing a humble Cav 28 to conquering oceans around the world—and now winning the biggest trophy not once, but twice—is truly inspiring.

Of course, not every story ends in victory. We also share the disappointment of Comanche Master Lock’s retirement. This legendary boat, with its long connection to the Winning family and our club, has been a proud part of many races. Here’s to next year and another shot at glory!

The Sydney to Hobart always reminds us why we love sailing—its challenges, its triumphs, and the way it brings us together.

Fair winds,

Geoff

Sabot Nationals 2024/25: Off to a Flying Start!

What an awesome start to the Sabot Nationals! Our club is proudly represented by four sailors in the main fleet:

• Emma Badger (Captain of the Southern Zone Team)

• Sol Golovsky

• Lachlan Keyte

• Jones Baker

And in the Junior Green Fleet, we’ve got Talia Golovsky making waves!

There’s plenty more to come, so stay tuned for detailed updates in next week’s newsletter. In the meantime, don’t forget to follow our Facebook page for photos, results, and live updates.

Left: Team Vaucluse parents out on the water supporting our sailors! Middle: Sabot sailors, Sol, Jones, Emma and Lachlan

Help Us Shine on Social Media!
We need your help to get the word out about our amazing club! Like, comment, and share our posts to boost our rankings. The more love we get online, the more people learn about the incredible things happening here.

Speaking of social media, check out my vlogs on Facebook! The latest one takes you onto the water for Race 1, where I had the chance to chat with Makenzie Mayne, our soon-to-be head coach, who was out there coaching the Sabot Southern Zone Team.

The Nationals wrap up on Friday, January 3, so let’s cheer on our sailors and celebrate their efforts. Go team Va12sc! You can view their race results here.

Catch you online,

Geoff

January Summer Holiday Camps - Book now!

Our December holiday camps were a great success! With many enthusiastic young sailors enjoying their time on the harbour! The camps featured adventures to Clifton Gardens and Shark Island, as well as swimming and paddle boarding when they weren’t out sailing.

If you loved our December camps—or missed out—don’t worry! Our January holiday camps are just around the corner, with limited spots available. Our first week kicks off Monday January 6th! 

Holiday Camps are perfect for first time sailors and more experienced sailors alike, as our coaching team tailors the course content to the level of the sailors enrolled. Members and non-members are welcome, from ages 7+ (although members do receive a discount!) Choose your camp duration from 3, 4 or 5 days from our dates below:

Week 3: Monday 6th January - Friday 10th January 2025

Week 4: Monday 13th January - Friday 17th January 2025

Week 5: Monday 20th January - Friday 24th January 2025

All information about the Summer Holiday Camps can be found on the club website here.

Should you have any inquires about the Sumer Holiday Camps or require assistance booking

Our December Summer Holiday Camp participants out on the water

Term 4 Season Wrap!

It’s that time of year when the term has flown by, the club has been busy Saturdays and Sundays non stop since late September. Our sailing school has operated Friday (after school), Saturday and Sunday accommodating our ongoing relationship with Kambala, on Saturdays and welcoming Reddam on Friday afternoons. We are also delighted to have welcomed water front Yoga into the club program with Cara of Inner Space Yoga joining the team.

Race fleet news 

Top Left: Our Sabot fleet out racing

Middle: Impromptu end of year celebration

Right: Our Flying 11s racing

15th December marked the final week of our 2024 sailing season. Many thanks go to our dedicated families who make these days possible and allow the final days to be fun. A small celebration was held on this last day with those present enjoying the treats and food on offer. Many thanks to Anna Story for coordinating and making the impromptu celebration successful! 

Highlights from this term:

• Flying 11 and Sabot fleets on water every week

• 2 Club Championship races completed

• Sabot Nationals training camp (Drummoyne)

• Sabot sailors participation in Round 1 State Regatta 

• Flying 11 development camp (Vaucluse) 

Our fleet has been on the water every week, in all conditions. We have welcomed new sailors into our race fleet building the base for future partnerships, where the kids are learning to cooperate and manage the boats together.

Upcoming: Sabot Nationals

Our Sabot fleet will compete at the Sabot Nationals, hosted by Drummoyne Sailing Club, from 28th December to 3rd January. Spectators are welcome—Drummoyne has arranged a boat for those who want to experience the excitement of junior regattas. Join us to cheer on Team Vaucluse!   

Sailing School  

Our October Sailing School camp enjoying the Sydney Harbour view with a pod of dolphins!

Our sailing school has been busy running learn to sail programs since September, kicking off with holiday camps and continuing through the first half of our sailing season on Saturdays and Sundays. The school program operates in accordance with Australian Sailing guidance with the curriculum and program tailored to the competency of students and conditions of the day.  

Sincere thanks to all our coaches for their ongoing efforts in the smooth operation of the sailing school. Our Summer Holiday Camps kicked off in early December and will continue through January.

Booking are now open for January Camps commencing from 6th January 2025. The camps are always fun and provide a great opportunity to spend time on water and build friendships. Booking can be made online here; or email sailingschool@va12sc.org.au for any enquiries.

Lastly, we wish everyone a safe and happy summer holidays, see you in 2025!

Introducing sunrise and morning yoga in our club!

This season, our club welcomes Cara of Inner Space Yoga for sunrise and morning yoga sessions.  Everyone is welcome, from complete beginners to well-seasoned practitioners.  

New yogis will almost immediately feel the benefits of practicing yoga, including increased energy, flexibility, strength, and general health. Yoga also cultivates peace of mind, relaxation, and a greater capacity to move through life with more mindfulness and ease.  Find out more information on her website here. Yoga sessions will run throughout the year making best use of the beautiful spaces that our club house has on offer.

Commodore's Address

Well, how did we get to December already? Time flies when you're having fun on the water, and what a journey it’s been so far! Firstly, I’d like to offer a big apology for the silence over the last six weeks. Unfortunately, we've had some technical hiccups that meant no Kutti News. But the good news is, we've fixed the issue, and we’re back and better than ever!

The last six weeks have been busy and full of growth at VA12SC, and we are absolutely thrilled about all the progress. Our sailors are improving by leaps and bounds. Five of our talented sailors competed in the Sabots States, and while we couldn’t get any starters for the Flying 11 States this year, we’re gearing up for round 2 in February! We’ve also seen our Flying 11 fleet grow by one boat, and we’re currently in the market for a few new Pacers.

Above: Team Vaucluse sabot sailors participating in the sabot states at Drummoyne Sailing club

Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce a brand new Senior School Sailing Program for Kambala, launching next year. Our goal is to have us ready and raring to go for Interschools by Term 4, 2025!

However, there is one thing we didn’t quite manage to achieve this year—a full social calendar. I sincerely apologize for this, but as they say, many hands make light work. The committee has been working overtime to keep things running, but we need your help! If you have a few spare hours each week, we would love to have more volunteers to help us keep the momentum going and achieve our goals. Please get in touch if you’re able to pitch in!

This weekend marks the last week of sailing for the year, and then we’ll be heading into holiday camps until further notice. Don’t forget, Yoga at sunrise at the club has been a huge hit, and current members can still use the club over the break. Let me know if you’re interested!

Before I sign off, I have one final special request: Please, if you’re on Facebook or Instagram, show some love by liking Va12SC’s pages and engaging with our posts. We really need your support to help rebuild this fantastic club of ours.

Thank you all for your continued passion and support—let’s make next year even bigger and better!

Cheers,
Geoff

Left: Commodore Geoff

Top middle: Kambala Junior School girls attentively listening during a briefing

Bottom middle and right: Kids enjoying their time on the water with our Flying 11s and Pacers

Summer Holiday Camps - Book now!

With this fabulous weather, we are receiving many Summer Holiday Camp bookings!

There are still places available for the camp starting next week Monday 16th December! No worries if you are going away in December, our camps are running all through January.

Holiday Camps are perfect for first time sailors and more experienced sailors alike, as our coaching team tailors the course content to the level of the sailors enrolled. Members and non-members are welcome, from ages 7+ (although members do receive a discount!) Choose your camp duration from 3, 4 or 5 days from our dates below:

Week 2: Monday 16 December - Friday 20th December 2024

Week 3: Monday 6th January - Friday 10th January 2025

Week 4: Monday 13th January - Friday 17th January 2025

Week 5: Monday 20th January - Friday 24th January 2025

All information about the Summer Holiday Camps can be found on the club website here.

Should you have any inquires about the Sumer Holiday Camps or require assistance booking

A Taste of Thai

Sabot Fleet hosted Member’s Dinner - This Sunday 29th October

This Sunday evening, the Sabot fleet sailors and parents will be hosting the first of this season’s member’s dinners at the club.

So, join us for a relaxing evening, watching the sun set, on the most beautiful harbour in the world. Where else would you want to be!

This dinner is Thai themed, and the menu will include Chicken Satay sticks from the bbq, Pad Thai and a Thai Chicken Curry. All should be fantastic!

All members welcome!

The dinner will start at 6pm.

Adults: $20

Kids (17 and under): $10

Families (2 adults, up to 3 kids) $50

To help with catering it would be great if you can purchase tickets in advance:

Purchase tickets here

Tickets can also be purchased on the night.

Beer and wine will be available for sale on the night.

Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

23/24 Club Merchandise

VA12SC season 23/24 club T shirts are now available!

There is only a limited number of these beauties, so get in quick. Once they're gone... you'll have to wait 'til 24/25!

Pre order now for $25, or buy at the club for $30 if they're still available!

Don't be the one at the club without one! Available in White or Royal Blue.

Collection from club canteen.

T Shirts can be purchased here

click here for sizing info

Club Champs - Heat 2 this Sunday

Heat 2 of this season’s Club Championship is on this Sunday!

Sabots and Flying 11s will be racing in races 3 and 4 of the championship, with first start for the sabots at 11am, and first start for the Flying 11s at 2pm.

Wind is looking great, with a seabreeze forecast to build throughout the day, 10kn for the first Sabot start, building to 18-20kn from the NE for the Flying 11 racing. Should be great racing!

Get to the club early and get your gear ready!

Current Sabot Club Champ standings:

You can see all Results here

New-Member Induction last weekend

The first of this season’s New-Member Inductions

23/24 New-Member induction was held last weekend and was well attended by a group of our new members.

The induction went through club house use, a kitchen familiarisation, the club access policy, ramp operation, and the use and maintenance of club RIBs. It also covered important safety equipment location and familiarisation.

Remember, this Induction is a mandatory step for those wanting to use club boats, and access and use the club.

We will be running several of these inductions throughout the season, so keep an eye out for the next one if you’re interested in attending, it will be early in the second half of the season.

Use the change rooms...

The clubhouse is not the changing room, or the locker room, or your bedroom floor.

Please take all your bags and sailing gear, and towels and swimmers, and hats and shoes, into the change room. Use the hooks, hang it all up.

If you’d prefer not to leave your bags in the change room, then pack them neatly, and store them on the shelves to the side of the club.

The upstairs club house floor is not to be covered in sailing gear and bags.

You know who we’re talking to… ;)

Please be considerate of other members and keep the club house tidy.

Thanks.

New Sailor Profile - Jones

Jones is one of our new sailors at VA12SC. He joined as a participant of our Learn to Sail Fleet and, graduated to our race fleet at the end of last season. He is now sailing regularly in the race fleet, and smashing it, giving some of the more experienced sailors a run for their money. Great stuff Jones! keep it up.

Heat 1 of VA12SC Sprint Series

Last Sunday saw the first Heat of the Kutti Cup, the VA12SC sprint series. It was run in beautiful but light ENE conditions. This series sees the sailors race 3 short course races per day, and is a handicap competition. We had 3 different winners over the day with the handicapping system working well, the first 3 boats finished 7 seconds apart in race 1.

Results from Heat 1:

Heat 1 Race 1

1. Chicken Dinner - Lachlan Keyte

2. Bad Boys - Luella Yim

3. Shake a Leg - Emma Badger

Heat 1 Race 2

1. Shake a Leg - Emma Badger

2. Spot On - Rohan Murphy

3. Back in Action - Sol Golovsky

Heat 1 Race 3

1. Back in Action - Sol Golovsky

2. Bad Boys - Luella Yim

3. Chicken Dinner - Lachlan Keyte

Kutti Cup overall as it stands after Heat 1:

1 Shake a Leg & Back in Action - Tied 1st on 8 points.

3 Chicken Dinner on 9 points

All season results can be found here

Post race debrief

Sabot Fleet Hosting a BBQ for all members - Sunday 29th October

Sunday the 29th will see the Sabot fleet hosting a BBQ for all members. It will be on after racing on Sunday afternoon.

So get down to the club, meet some new members, and enjoy being on the best harbour in the world!

FREE Adult Learn to Sail Trial Day This Saturday

If you’ve always wanted to learn to sail, but aren’t sure if the wind and salt air are right for you, then this is your opportunity.

We are running a FREE trial day for anyone who wants to come down and try sailing, and experience one of our Learn to Sail courses.

The trial day will be on Saturday the 21st October and run from 12pm to 2pm.

We think you’ll get out on the harbour and love it! But if you don’t, you still get to have a drink on our beautiful deck, meet new people, make new friends, and watch the Saturday racing on beautiful Sydney Harbour. Come and check it out!

Forward this email to your friends so they can book in as well!

Book your FREE trial day here.

Any questions email sailingschool@va12sc.org.au

New-Member Induction - This Sunday 22nd October

The first New-Member induction of the season is being held at the club this Sunday at 12:30pm, run by new club secretary Geoff Golovsky.

It will provide an overview of club operations, and cover the safe use of the club facilities, including boat storage shed, deck and ramp. It will also cover boat launching/retrieval and vessel operation.

The induction is an important safety step in the process for new members who are keen to volunteer and get involved at the club, and it is also a mandatory step for those wishing to operate club vessels.

If you are a new member this is a great way to meet other members.

Please register to let us know you will be attending. Register here.

FREE Adult Learn to Sail Trial Day

If you’ve always wanted to learn to sail, but aren’t sure if the wind and salt air are right for you, then this is your opportunity.

We are running a FREE trial day for anyone who wants to come down and try sailing, and experience one of our Learn to Sail courses.

The trial day will be on Saturday the 21st October and run from 12pm to 2pm.

We think you’ll get out on the harbour and love it! But if you don’t, you still get to have a drink on our beautiful deck, meet new people, make new friends, and watch the Saturday racing on beautiful Sydney Harbour. Come and check it out!

Forward this email to your friends so they can book in as well!

Book your FREE trial day here.

Any questions email sailingschool@va12sc.org.au

Get involved at VA12SC!

The club is looking for some volunteers to help run the canteen and social committees this season. If this is something you’d be interested in helping out with please let us know here

If you’re keen to volunteer at the club, but not sure how to help, take a look at our volunteering page, and let us know how you’d like to get involved here

We’re looking forward to a great season at VA12SC and we’d love you to be involved!