Off the Beach Racing
BLAIRGOWRIE YACHT SQUADRON
WELCOME TO THE 2024-25 SEASON CLUB CAPTAIN'S MESSAGE
On behalf of the Sailing Committee welcome to season 2024-25.
The Sailing Committee has been hard at work over the winter to enhance our racing program, making several key changes to ensure an even better experience for all. Among these are updates to the club courses for both keelboat and off-the-beach racing. Off-the-beach sailors can look forward to a second race on aggregate days, with two races on all on-the-wind race days. We’re also expanding our Sunday racing to include sportsboats in addition to the J/70 division. All the details are in this season’s race documents, so be sure to pick up a copy of the Sailing Instructions.
We have a great selection of sail training courses on offer for kids, teens and adults. We love seeing new sailors progress on their learning journey up to joining Club racing and beyond. Whether you’re sailing keelboats, dinghies, or driving powerboats, there’s something for everyone. You can also take advantage of the Club’s SUPs, sailboards, pacer dinghies, and J70s—why not try something new this season?
Our member volunteers play a crucial role across the Club, and especially when it comes to club racing. There are plenty of ways to get involved, whether it’s onboard the start boat, helping with mark laying and safety boats, or assisting in the race tower monitoring the fleet or the radio. Volunteering is a rewarding way to be part of the team, whether you commit to a couple of days each season or on a regular basis. There is training and mentoring available and even the opportunity to work towards national officiating accreditations. If you’re interested in joining us, we’d love to hear from you. Thank you to all our volunteers—you are the spirit of BYS.
In addition to our Club regattas, we’re excited to host the Victorian Championships for the J70s, ILCAs, and RS Aeros. While welcoming visitors, the regattas will provide excellent racing opportunities for our sailors right here at home.
Lastly, mark your calendars for the Club Captain’s Party on 25 January 2025 – hope to see you there!
Richard Backwell, Club Captain
FAMILY | FRIENDSHIP | SAILING
OTB RACE PROGRAM CALENDAR
December 2024
January 2025
February 2025
March 2025
April 2025
May 2025
OTB RACE DOCUMENTS AND ENTRY
Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron uses the BYS Sailing Hub, powered by Sailing Results, as our boat register, for race and series entry, signing on and signing off, results and for our race day volunteer roster. Instructions for setting up a BYS Sailing Hub account and its use can be found on the BYS website under Sailing.
All sailing and volunteering members will need a BYS Sailing Hub account. You account will hold your emergency contact details and medical conditions to assist with the safe delivery of racing. Please keep your details up to date, these are stored separately from your club membership details.
To use the BYS Sailing Hub for the first time, you will need to create an account. After that you’ll be able to log in to add a boat to the boat register, add and remove crew and sign on and off for racing if you are a boat owner or skipper. All crew participating in racing must be signed on, non-members visiting will have a SailPass generated as part of signing them on.
Our race day Volunteer duty roster also runs on the BYS Sailing Hub. Log in to view your upcoming rostered duties including the day, time and task you’ve been rostered for or to contact another member to arrange a duty swap.
BYS SAILING HUB INSTRUCTIONS
SEASON 2023-24
RACK AND GRASS STORAGE
The rack and grass storage allocation for season 2024-25 will be open from the 1st of August until the 30th of November. Late enquiries can be made with the Sailing Office.
Grass and rack summer storage is available to members with off-the-beach boats for a fee. Applications to secure a storage spot open prior to the beginning of each season, with spaces allocated according to level of sailing participation. Where capacity exists, storage space may be available after the initial allocation. Allocations for those registered before end of September, will be announced on the 3rd of October.
Please keep your boat in the area which has been designated for you, and make sure isles and lanes between racks are kept clear.
For further information please contact the Sailing Office.
FEATURED OFF THE BEACH NEWS
BYS Aero Coaching Clinic. Onwards and upwards!
The BYS Aero fleet gathered last Sunday for its inaugural coaching clinic with 11 boats joining in the day’s activities. Our coaches were Rhett Gowans,
Burgee Exchange
John and Jenny Petschel joined very proud parents Jonathon and Lucy Harding at the Reial Club Nautic de Barcelona (or shortened to Real Club Nautico)
Presentation Night & Season 2023-2024 Results
Season 2023-24 SPECIAL AWARDS Bryan McCarthy Trophy – Best 1st year Minnow sailor Natasha Thomas Brown Family Trophy – Junior Sailor of the Year Hugh
Aero Icebreaker Winter Series Heat 1
The first heat of the Aero winter series was held on a beautiful crisp sunny afternoon in a light shifty 8-10K of breeze with eight
