TRAINING + DEVELOPMENT REPORT

Optimists

I'm very excited by the progress and growth of our Optimist squads at SoPYC. We are fortunate to have a team of exceptional coaches working with our bronze, silver, and gold fleets.

Each fleet is witnessing remarkable improvement and growth.

The dedication and skill of our coaches, combined with the enthusiasm and hard work of our young sailors, are key factors in the success of our Optimist program.

470 class while also competing in the 29er, benefiting from an innovative and advanced cross-training program. With the Nationals at SoPYC in 2024, it will be an exciting opportunity to rebuild the fleet, again with SoPYC at the forefront.

Lasers

SoPYC is proud to have a diverse group of sailors competing in the Laser class, ranging from our junior sailors in the 4.7 category to those aspiring to be part of the Australian Sailing Team.

Additionally, we have Masters sailors who are actively participating in local and World Championships. The Laser fleet has achieved remarkable results, showcasing the talent and dedication of our sailors across different age groups and skill levels.

Key Results of 2023 2024 for SoPYC Members

F15 – Nick Jerwoord & Brad Sheridan - Worlds 2nd

F15 – Worlds SoPYC Top 4 Sailors finishing 2nd, 7th, 9th & 10th

125 – Ryan Sherburn & Lachlan Putt - Nationals 1st

125 – Ryan Sherburn & Kahree Garnaut - States 1st

125 – Ben Horton & Mitch Stone - States 2nd

125 – Byron & Coel Renfrey - States 3rd

Open Skiff – Bindy Vitale-Jones - Nationals 3rd

Open Skiff – Murray Duthie - States 1st

Open Skiff – Hudson Armstrong - States 2nd

Open Skiff – Flynn Walford - States 3rd

Open Skiff Int. – Skippy Vitales-Jones - States 1st

Open Skiff Int. – Skippy Vitales-Jones - National 2nd

Open Skiff Int. – Oscar Bromberger - National 3rd

Optimists – Murray Duthie - Nationals 2nd

Optimists – Murray Duthie - States 1st

Optimists – Victoria Chernoff - States 2nd Girl

Optimists Int.– Sebastian Buckley - States 2nd

Optimists Int.– Charlie Purt - States 3rd

29er – Axel Fleet & Jamie Randall - Nationals 2nd

29er – Axel Fleet & Jamie Randall - States 1st

Windsurf – Lachlan Putt - State Youth 1st, 1st

Lightweight div

Wingfoil – Oliver Pabruwe - States 1st

Wingfoil – Noah Karantonis - States Youth 1st

Windfoil – Ben Robinson - States Youth 1st

Windfoil – Lachlan Putt - States Youth 2nd

ICLA 6 – David Luketina - Worlds, 2nd Grandmaster

Swan River Sailing State Keelboat Championships –Women’s 1st

The 2023 Power Yacht Season started with the traditional Pre-Season Cocktail Party, which was held in the Beachside Marquee on Friday, April 21st.

The on-water part kicked off on the first Saturday in May. Commodores and members gathered as the 38 boats saluted Commodore Troy Dalglish and Power Captain PC Michael Cook. Among the Past and visiting Commodores, Management Committee, and Section Captains in uniform in the bar, was our new Power Vice Captain, Jason Claricoates. See more about Jason later in this article.

The season has started well, with bottles of port awarded to six new time-triallers on Opening Day. Many of the new skippers and navigators had attended the training morning the previous week. The training presentation has evolved over the years and now, thanks to Dave Markham’s editing, is a slick video and PowerPoint presentation, followed by learning practical on-water skills onboard volunteer skippers’ boats before lunch refreshments. This training morning, along with the buddy system, is a great introduction to time trialling for new boat owner members, who are encouraged to get involved from the beginning of their membership journey. Participation has come into sharp focus recently. Nicole, our Membership Services Liaison, promotes participation obligations to new members, and this is paying dividends. Member Participation is recognized as a key area in the Club's Strategic Plan. We aim to grow our time trialling fleets back to over 40 boats every week.

Prize Night presentations for the season's winners in 2022 were a well-attended event in the ballroom. Maria Cook, the section social and functions representative on

Functions Committee, decorated with the 400 & 401 theme. Dalusional was the 400 champion boat, with Purrfect 2nd and Tikkityboo 3rd. Tikkityboo was delighted to win the 401 Consistency Champion, with Illusion 2nd and M&M’s 3rd. The Aub Berryman Starts and Finishes award was won by Dalusional, and the Greton Trophy for the best first year was awarded to Brian and Marion Boswell on River Run. Season 2022 was another outstanding year of achievements for Troy and Victoria, and Jason and Caroline.

The 2022 Christmas and New Year period saw many of our regular Power Section members with “foot disease” upsizing the lengths of their boats. Jason Claricoates, the current 401 Champion in Tikkityboo, is showing no loss of form in his new Clipper 40, The Dolphin, posting some handy scores. Some other members to upsize or leave the fleet are Dave & Fonny Ewart, who sold their boat Thelissos to fellow Scotsman, member, and Centreboard Captain, Iain Somerville, along with family and friends. The Ewarts and Tracy Leveridge-Smith and Anthony Smith are planning long-range cruising. Dave chose a Clipper 52, and Tracy and Anthony chose a Nordhavn 47; both boats are currently penned on the NSW coast. Kris and Amy Townend have upgraded Manduco and purchased a Nordhavn 76 Spirit of Ulysses in Fort Lauderdale, US. Currently, Kris and eldest boy Liam are sailing her through the Panama Canal. What an experience for a teenager! Dave Millard is still a regular smiling face around the Club, having sold Jola to new member and keen time-trialler Michael Douthie. Leesa and John Spanos sold Accrued Interest to new members, Chris and Jo Patten, and are now enjoying hospitality on friends’ boats. The long-awaited arrival of Mark and Jared’s new custom Integrity 380, with the curious name The Pickled Tickle, joins party boats on Jetty 6. The Section welcomes the new members and boat owners to the Club.

The Power Section members, past and present, have continued to show strong commitment to leadership and willingness to take on volunteer roles in the Club, as flag officers, and by serving on the Management Committee and sub-committees. Troy Dalglish, following in his father PC Frank’s footsteps, has moved through the ranks up to Commodore. Thank you to Doug Smith for filling the role of Power Vice Captain over the past three years, and thanks also to Captain Glenn Swift for leading the section. The end of the 2022 season saw the retirement of volunteer Starter John Meldrum and Power Administrator, Bernie Kaaks, both serving many years in their roles. The Power Yacht section thanks you all for volunteering your time.

Immediate Past Commodore Michael Cook has taken on the role of Interim Captain for the remaining 2023 season. Cookie has the unique title of IPC-IPC. We also welcome Margaret Cooper as the new Power Season Starter. Ma Coops is working with an experienced long-term start team, which includes PC Frank Dalglish, Barbara Dalglish, Steve Wall, Greg and Val Power, and Jenny Pretty.

Our section has a strong five-year leadership succession plan, with discussion and nominations for the upcoming AGM in September. A loyal and growing sponsorship base funds our section account. The funds are used to promote and reward members to help maintain a strong and growing section.

Profile

Born: on June 21, 1970, in Coventry, England

Occupation: Driver, Transperth

Family: Wife Caroline and son James Boat: The Dolphin, Clipper 40; last season, Tikkityboo, Mustang 37

Favorite Food Choice: Anything anyone else cooks!

Worst Food: Sprouts

Favorite Beverage: A good Shiraz

Favorite Restaurant: Cocos

Favorite Movies: The Chronicles of Riddick and any Sci-Fi, Doctor Who, South Park.

Favorite Sport: Anything involving the ocean, scuba

Favorite Sports Star: John Bennett

Favorite Saying: “In a Sec”

What really irks me: Getting a 4 when I know I zeroed it!

Best Time trial Score: 4

Worst score: 683 - Major clock error that day!

Dream Boat: Fleming Pilothouse 54 Most

Admired People: People who truly live their dreams