Cruising Section

Liberty fleet rounding the top mark

Every Wednesday we have the privilege of getting people of varying abilities out on the water, whether it be on an Etchel, a Red Witch, a 3.03 Hansa Dingy and power boat.

This year we had a first for our volunteers when the Hansa State Sailing Championships were organised and hosted by Sailability at South of Perth Yacht Club. Eight races were sailed over three days, in what were fantastic sailing conditions at a great venue.

Sixteen of these colourful boats competed, with the vast majority of them either having a skipper or crew with disabilities. Skippers and crew came from as far away as Princess Royal Yacht Club in Albany to compete in what was truly a state event.

In the Liberty fleet the championship went down to the last race with only one point separating second overall, Genevieve Wickham, from the winner Mike Cull. Elliott Coe was third.

In the 303 singles, Robert Crofts was a runaway winner with Chris Oldham from Albany second and Bryce Hinton third.

Two ladies, Jean Gilbert and our own Lorelle Hughes, competed in 3.03 Doubles and were awarded most improved sailor awards. Both had only recently commenced learning to sail and were competing in their first ever regatta.

The feedback from the racers was incredibly positive and we sincerely thank the Flag Officers for making the results part of the Race Day presentations in the club. It was remarked by a few that they had never felt so welcome by a club – that may have been the port that was handed out talking!

We had in excess of 30 different Club members and Sailability volunteers helping out over the four racing sessions, some of whom were there for all three days helping. Without our volunteers there would be no regatta, so many thanks to you all. A BIG thank you for John Hassen for making it happen – the number of hours you invested was just impossible to count.

It takes a village of sponsors to hold our weekly Sailability sessions and the State championships every week and we would like to thank Healthways (a very healthy grant), Nell Grey Fashions (new red shirts), Tyrepower Port Kennedy (trailer tyres), Kelvale Medical Group (Dingy Covers), Guy Skinner (boat signs), Wayne Merry & BPR Engineering (mast repair) , Rick Stuart Perth Sailing Photography, Linfox (our container home), Bunnings (wood etc for shelving), Jenn Simms (logo design), Ironbark Photos, Rod Popham (trophies), Veteran Car Club of WA (wheelchair ramps), our club Bosuns (cause they are awesome) and of course South of Perth Yacht club staff for their support – thank you everyone!

Sailability at SoPYC is run by a group of dedicated and active volunteers every Wednesday morning, giving 30 disabled participants each week the joy and experience of sailing.

We have a waiting list of disabled people wanting to sail but are we limited by not having enough volunteers to assist. Volunteers always welcome – contact Liz on 0419 949 006 or sailabilitysopyc@gmail.com

Liberty fleet on the breeze

Above: Christmas Elves solving a chair problem Left: Jean Gilbert, Rear Commodore Clive Blowers and Lorelle Hughes

He would be the new kid on the block if he hadn’t already been around the block a couple of times so congratulations and well done for stepping up to Carl Pettersson in his new role of Rear Commodore Centreboards. Carl was previously seen dressed in white during the 2019/2020 season as Rear Commodore Regatta so he has had time to draw breath, change addresses and reset ready for another stint.

There’s a fair bit of debate as to whether Carl is retired or not. A typical week consists of the usual maintenance on a Flying Fifteen, checking the fluid and charge levels on a 1985 911 Carrera, various futile attempts to kerb Kristine’s spending habits and struggling to find the time for a game of golf. Work in anyone’s language !

Sundays are spent driving the Flying Fifteen Faffin around the track with Kristine doing all the hard work up front and then reclining in the bar for a post race rosé. They are currently 10th in the Club Championship with visions of improvement towards the end of the season.