​Good evening Risdon Brook Radio Yacht Club Members, past members and associates,
 
Hasn’t the world been thrown upside down in the last few weeks. Something akin to what is spoken about the Great Depression in the late ‘20’s and ‘30’s is on us, where many generations down the line will also talk about the virus and its impact on an already struggling world economy.
 
Your committee were hoping on continuing to host sail days into the future, but it is with much sadness that the committee resolved earlier today to cancel all sailing activities until the end of April, for reassessment at that point in time for the coming winter. We had hoped to provide an outlet for those who needed one and were comfortable with the safety measures we had planned to have in place, but with the social distancing being possible on the river bank, we could not possibly guarantee the same for any rescue boat personnel and the floating pontoon used as a control area on Wednesdays was also a real issue.
 
On top of this, the very recently broadcast government announcement also made it impossible to abide by recommendations, so the decision was also made for us there. The decision on activities come the end of April can also only be considered if the government advice has changed for the better.
 
This will have a massive effect on the club, as it will with so many clubs across Australia. It is a pain that we are all burdened with. There are some things that can be done while we are in a “recess” though.
 
Our AGM is normally coming up soon. Our “year” closes 31st March and we have three months in which to have our AGM, so the committee has resolved to have the AGM, at this stage, on the last Sunday of June. Should things not improve by then, the committee will work through whatever we need to in order to push the AGM back until it is reasonable to come together as a group in a room.
 
Once a fortnight, I hope to be able to put out a communication to everybody, just to keep everybody in touch. Many of our members are either starting yacht builds, or are mid-build as we speak. It would be fantastic if any of these people wanted to share some information in how their build was progressing, especially with some pictures. Furthermore, if there were any people with questions on how to do certain things, please pass them on to me. We have a real wealth of knowledge in the club, and I am keen on leaning on that (as well as google) to find answers to questions and pass them on to the greater audience. Anything that anyone thinks could be useful for such a publication is welcome to send what they have to me and I’ll try to get something together to distribute to the wider membership.
 
We are hoping something like this might keep our interest alive and well, and in turn, maximise the returning sailors when we are able to return to the riverside for some sailing.
 
Lastly, and most importantly, be safe and try to keep in tune with your own wellbeing. This is an unheard of time for the current generations, and is sure to be horribly stressful. Please seek help if you feel you are struggling. We all do at times, and someone to talk to can make a huge difference.
 
Your committee is very keen to see all of you as soon as the sailing is safe and allowed to continue. This club is a great one, and will thrive again once we can venture out again.
 
Kyle Stewart
 
On behalf of
Michael Hickman 
Commodore               
Risdon Brook Radio Yacht Cub

​Congrats today to Andrew Wardrop, really getting that Bantam going well on 0 net points, followed by ever-consistent Wayne Behrens on 4 points, with Paul Jewel rounding out the top three on 6 points. Great to see Paul back after some time away and sailing so well.

​Well, what can we say – IOM Woodies take out the top three positions. Phil Jackman returning to Montrose, skilfully sailing his Idiom into first place on 20 points. Andrew Wardrop came in second just one point behind Phil and Rod Marshall also sailing very consistent coming in third on 26 points. Of note also, Chris Wood’s Woodie not placing outside the top four.
 
Welcome back to Montrose as well, to David Jones, who showed he has lost nothing, coming in fourth place. We also had Justin Rogers returning to IOM racing, after a successful day at the DF65 event the day prior (more to come later on there). Welcome to new member, Phillip Krause, with his first day sailing with us, with the Club “A”. He will soon be a regular as well on our sailing days. Please introduce yourself to him and extend the warm RBRYC welcome.
 
Les Hanson had the Pro hat on again today, and he set about making some good courses in the very light early air – a difficult task. A great field of thirteen skippers were sailing today – a great turnout for a Long Weekend holiday, and makes good the decision of the committee to return to Long Weekend sailing after suggestion by some members. We had stopped the Lon Weekend sailing in the past due to poor turnouts and the perceived reasons of people wanting to get away for those weekends.
 
We got five races in before retiring to the MBYC clubrooms for a BBQ lunch and social chat. From all accounts, a very enjoyable break in proceedings and something we do need to have more often to promote the social side of the club. Thanks to my little sidekick, Ryan, for sorting out the lunch requirements and hot drinks for the sailors during the break. Lisa was also kind enough to share some of the spoils of her victory in the DF65 “Peter Smith Memorial” racing the day prior by breaking open one of her wonderful Puddleduck Red Wines for all to share.
 
After lunch, another five races were completed, with the last a double size course from what I was told.
 
The day – from an outside view – certainly looked very peaceful and enjoyable, and I am sure both, our returning sailors and our newest new member were all made to feel welcome throughout.

On other sailing news;

• The Puddleduck DF sailors had their “Peter Smith DF65 Memorial Regatta” yesterday. It was very well represented, with fourteen skippers sailing. RBRYC was well represented on the day, and the fantastic efforts of Lisa Blackwood (Champion), Phil Turnbull (2nd) and Justin Rogers (3rd) are to be applauded. From all accounts (I was not there, but have heard back from no less than 6 people who were there), the event was run very professionally, with Pro Stuart Harris laying down the ground rules very early at the briefing, and with a few thoughtfully modified rules for the event, made it a very enjoyable day’s sailing, with very few incidents and no raised tones whatsoever. Modified rules being the no tolerance whatsoever for arguing or raised voices(especially important given its family environment and business location). The Pro’s decision was final with no avenue for protest, and the multi heat system used, in my opinion, was better than how the HMS system is actually used. Congrats must go to Colin Johnson for his planning and organisation of the event. Having done similar in the past, I know how much it takes, and how many sleepless nights you rack up wondering if anything was missed. Sounds like you absolutely nailed it Colin. There are definitely some lessons to be learned for other clubs (including ours) from the day, both in organisation and execution. If anyone is interested in having a look at the sailing, the link to the RC Toys Website is at https://rctoystasmania.com/forums/topic/peter-smith-memorial-regatta-puddleduck-vineyard-07-06-2020/

 

• Risdon Brook Dam Update – I have finally received correspondence back from TasWater in regards to the water levels at the dam. Kate (the Community Engagement Officer) received news back from the field team, and they estimate that it will take 3-6 months to get the dam filled back up. How this happens, is that the Bryn Estyn Water treatment Plant prioritises its water to go to the municipal water storages first, and once filled, the spare that is left over then goes to Risdon Brook as the backup storage. As water demand drops over the cooler months, Risdon Brook will start to see increased water levels again. Not sure what this will mean for the entire winter period for us, but we wont be moving from MBYC to the dam until the water is up to a level that is safe for our members to walk to the jetty (and safe to lower/raise the jetty as well).

 

• This coming Wednesday is our regular IOM Handicap as MBYC. 10am start with the first hour being scratch warmup races, and then in to the set of 8 handicap races.

 

• Next Sunday, 15th March is our DF95 Scratch Series Round 2. We are inviting all sailors from other local clubs to also come and sail with us, so are hoping for a great turnout. After today’s well received BBQ lunch, we are planning to do the same. There will be a little organisation needed by the committee around a possible earlier start time to allow for a middle of race day BBQ, but we will confirm that in the next few days.

 

• Coming soon – The RBRYC AGM will be coming up soon, so please have a think about the direction the club has been going in the last little while, with some thoughts on what we have been doing right as a committee/club, and also thoughts on what we could do to improve as well. Any thoughts/comments can be passed to me in confidence if you wish, and can be brought up to the current and soon to be voted in committee for some direction that we may need to concentrate on for the coming year. Please also put some thought into whether you would like to join the committee to help guide the club to be as good as it can be. Fresh eyes and ears are always welcome.

​Missed Wednesdays results sendout. My fault. Apologies. Here they are anyway for your viewing pleasure.
 
Eight IOM’s at the dam today but one didn't get in the water so seven sailing in a moderate southerly breeze which gave some good racing in both scratch & handicap. Peter Germein won 2 races so he was going well. Phil Turnbull also had 2 wins.
 
This was the midweek fleets last sail at the dam due to the very low water so next Wednesday it will sailing at Montrose.

​Below are the results from Sunday’s Long Distance Handicap. Interesting to see three classes represented, and great to see a different name at the top of the leaderboard. Well done Peter, on a great days sailing. Rod Jackman finished close behind for second place, with third taken out by Peter Sylvester – a welcome return to Sunday racing.
 
From all reports, the day was enjoyed with a real nice wind and a distinct lack of weed. Thanks to Les, who filled in again as Pro, rather than sail the day himself.

​Very light and tricky conditions today, given the earlier start to get full advantage of the tides. Great to see some pretty close scoring amongst the modern fleet, with Lisa (15pts) taking the day out from Ray (17pts), with Rod just one behind in third. John Hall sailed his Fuzzy Logic very well to 4th overall and first in the classic fleet, with Phil taking out 2nd, with Les not far behind in 3rd.

​A bit of a chilly start at the dam today for the DF95 fleet with a fairly steady A rig northerly breeze which unfortunately did not last verging into a westerly that meant that mark 9 came into play for a while. 
 
An hours scratch sailing was followed by the handicap series starting with a maximum handicap going to David Jones & Mike Hickman at + 40 secs & at the other end Wayne Turner at -40 secs.
 
A number of courses were tried to try & keep up with the wind changes with the fleet completing 8 races. Ray, Phil & Chris had 2 wins each with Mike looking very consistent .
 
Despite the challenging conditions it was an enjoyable days sailing. 

A windy day at MBYC today. Ten skippers fronted up to start the day, but equipment failure and the heavy weather soon knocked an amount of skippers out of the days sailing. Heavier weather always sorts out the maintenance issues.
Everyone got started on B rigs, but within a few races, most (except for the Bantams) changed to C Rigs. The new Bantams, although overpowered when the squalls came through, performed extremely well in the overpowered environment - a testament to the design and construction. It will be interesting to see how much more they improve over time as well.
We got 10 races completed in the end, and as always, we saw the consistency of Mike and Lisa at the front of the field. Mike taking out first place on 14 points, just one ahead of Lisa, on 15. Stu Dawes came in third, on 22 points with Les Hanson's Cheinz. Thanks Les, for lending it out for the day. Rod Marshall was the first of the Bantams, in fourth, with a really consistent result for the day (lowest completed score of 5th). Andrew Wardrop was ten points further behind in 6th, but for non completed races, would have been neck and neck with Rod.
Thanks goes out to John Hall and Les Hanson for carrying out the official duties on the day.

Wednesday is DF95 Handicap at Risdon Brook Dam, scratch starting at 10am and handicap at 11.