Even still those not sailing were welcomed joining in rigging craft, catching up and socialising.

Ian Richardson invited a bunch of WETA sailors to the club in preparation for the world masters coming up in Auckland next month. The 7 WETA’s with the 9 catamarans showed promise of a great racing spectacle out on the Lake.

A local couple from over Primbee way utilised our beach with their hover craft before departing on the near glassy smooth waters of Lake Illawarra just before lunch.

Once rigged a couple of the visiting WETA’s chose to go out early, however not getting too far in the light breeze.

The following regular catamaran sailors also rigged up:- Les Porter, Ross Boyd, Paul English, Ralf Steyer, Jody Mathews, Hugh Lewis, Bill Ledger, Jack Kroek and last but not least young Ross Fyfe

At briefing it was announced to allow the WETA’s to get 2 races in a WETA division was added at the beginning of the starts (they would have a short windward return race 1) and then the WETA’s would have another race after the rest of the divisions had started.

The beach was pretty washed out and rutted so you had to pick your way down the bank. Upon the water getting out into the middle of the Lake was a very gentle affair. Once past the head land a light SE approx. 8 knot breeze kicked in making a nice little ride. It was whilst waiting for the start sequence that the wind dropped and direction changed a number of times. Richard Hipsley and crew doing duty ended up being a challenge. The start was deferred and re-positioned from next to Gooseberry Island to back over to the shallows near the Holfuy mudstick.

Sailing craft spread out around the lake. A number of sailors checking out the large catamaran (I am guessing around 50 foot?) anchored in the lake at the moment. Reportedly it’s mast had been removed so that it could motor under Windang bridge from the open seas.  As you can see looking at the Holfuy history is that the wind was very light and moving around. The sailing craft milled around for around an hour or so waiting to see if the wind would kick in. A few deciding to call it quits early, the rest staying on patiently.

To mix it up Billy Ledger called out to me and we had an impromptu race between ourselves over to the holfuy mudstick and back to the starting area whilst we were waiting. After around an hour or so it was decided to call off the race and the start boat blew the race cancellation hooter. Everyone started the slow long slog back. Gradually the response boats and TY’s progressively towed boats to shore. When it was my turn we set up a daisy chain with 3 craft tied 1 after another towed back to the shallow water near the beach.

After assisting each other back onshore and de-rigging the majority having a shower and light refreshment discussing the day that was. A tinge of disappointment at not getting a race in today, but that’s sailing!

Ian Richardson and a couple of the WETA crew staying overnight to try their luck on Sunday. The morning ended up being quite light but they did finally get a sail Sunday afternoon, Richard Hipsley coming down to lend a hand setting a course.

Aaron Weare’s catamaran sailing career was short lived when he picked up his gumtree Windrush 14 freeby from Gerroa. Deciding to donate the newly nick named “yellow submarine” for spare parts, deciding the effort to repair ready to sail too great to warrant doing so. Likely that Tony Sanderson will store I suspect pending permission from the boss. Anyone interested in any components feel free to ask.

Hopefully next week we get more favourable winds and even a rain free day!
Regards Hugh Lewis
Small Cats delegate.

I spent some time with my son Jared at Coolendel. Met a bushie called Troy who breaks in horses and shoes them etc. He mentioned he was a PKSC skyrider junior and progressed through various stages of sailing craft including catamarans. He remembered Richard Hipsley and Tony Zahra. It is certainly a small world.
 Report this week in part care of post wrap discussion with Tony Sanderson. A 25 degree day with a light ESE, E to NE breeze as per BOM at Albion Park below. Holfuy data for Saturday had gone by the time I had opportunity to take a snapshot.

Nine (9) catamarans competing this week (3 large cats and 6 small cats). Myself and Jodie away this week and Paul Monaghan having just worked night shift dropped by to say hello.
Leo Mavromatis and Bill Ledger on duty setting the course.

One particular event of major significance is the fact that Ross Fyfe celebrated his 80th birthday doing what he enjoys most, out on the water sailing. Last week over a quite cold drink Ross expressed concern that he might have to miss a sail due to birthday celebration commitments, as you can see his desire to sail won out. I only hope to be as able and fit when I am 80. Well done Ross and congratulations.

In the light conditions Ian Richardson on his Weta “Bio Hazard” obviously enjoying the lighter conditions in particular downwind with the spinnaker. Ian getting his desire to practice and tune his craft in light wind conditions before sending his boat over to NZ in a container in a couple of weeks for the Masters Games.

Out of the rest of the fleet Tony Zahra on “White Wave” putting in a solid performance leading the Small Cat fleet across the line by a good margin. Early on Tony Sanderson on “Groove Thing” was able to point high with good speed keeping close touch with “White Wave” however as the race progressed “White Wave” slipped away from his other competitors. The wind was not quite strong enough to get out on the wire so the focus was on leaning and putting weight over the front hulls. Good to see Paul Leaudais after a few weeks off was back on the water. Also Ralf back after being away for a couple of weeks.

Results for this week were as follows:

Looking forward to catching up next week.
Regards Hugh Lewis
Small Cat Delegate

Cloudy 23 degree day with a light to moderate S to SSE breeze between 3 to 13 knots made for pleasant sailing conditions, interrupted by the occasional shower.

Back with 10 catamarans competing this week (5 large cats and 5 small cats). Even with regulars like Ralf Steyer, Jack Kroek , Paul Monaghan, Paul Leaudais and Tony Zahra away.

The heavy rain last week combined with the reed blocked drain causing flooding has washed away the beach access to the lake making launching and boat removal a challenge.

After rigging and catch up it was time for a burger and briefing. Jack Kroek taking over as Trevor was down at the Basin regatta with the TY’s. With all the Ty’s away meant that we dropped division 1 start and started with division 2 mono’s.

Ian Richardson and Micheal Mazono doing duty this week. Setting a port course start line out in front of the club house, windward mark out towards the middle of the lake and wing mark down towards the shallows entrance to IYC.

After watching the mono’s start Billyo recognised a healthy port bias on the start line and headed to the port pin followed by the rest of the small cats.

Billyo liking the look of the lighter conditions blitzed the start hitting the line right on the hooter, This week Hot Pepper hot on Billyo’s heels across the line. The rest of the fleet in close pursuit. Billyo immediately started pointing much higher than the rest of us and started to establish a good lead and was never headed for the rest of the race leading from the front. The 1st port work heading up the lake proved a little challenging with the wind being a little shifty and the cloud cover and odd shower cutting down visibility so it took a while before the windward buoy came into sight. Majority of the time enough wind to trapeze. A couple of strategies played out with some choosing to tack off earlier and cut through the middle of the lake whilst others looking to work up high enough to make it across to the windward mark on one tack. Groove thing, Hot Pepper and Yabby rounding fairly close together. A nice reach was had down to the wing mark then round the wing mark down to the bottom (start) mark was a bit tight for those wanting to get maximum speed (at around 90 degrees to the wind). Hence some drove down deeper before gybing whilst others headed over towards Gooseberry Island before tacking again down to the mark. Again Groove thing, Hot Pepper and Yabby rounding fairly close together. Windward return saw Hot Pepper slightly ahead of this pack. However the more experienced pair clawed back the lead picking better wind pressure to take the lead again. The final run to the X and then the line saw Hot Pepper go deep so as to be able to head straight across to the X the other 2 tacking off earlier again picking a faster route. Other achievements of note were that Jody was out on trapeze for the 1st time during a race improving her skills getting confidence in the light to moderate conditions.

Scratch times(not adjusted) across finish line were as follows:
15:47:49 Bill Ledger 182 "Billyo" Nacro 14 sq
15:53:37 Tony Sanderson 6392 "Groove Thing" Windrush S/
15:54:13 Ross Fyfe 6421 "Yabby" Windrush S/Sloop
15:56:36 Hugh Lewis 6327 “Hot Pepper” Windrush S/Sloop Sloop                
16:19:37 Jody Mathews 629 “Blue Tongue” Windrush S/Sloop
 
Pointscore and Championship results can be viewed here.

I won’t be around next week due to family commitments but enjoy and I will catch up the following week keen to hear the tales of the day.
Regards Hugh Lewis

This week a cooler 21 degree day with a moderate S to SE breeze around 10 to 15 knots. The wind having dropped off a little from the morning. Numbers where down somewhat with only  four (4) catamaran sailors (2 large cats and 2 small cats). With regulars like Jody, Ralf, Jack, Paul M, Paul L, Bill, Ross F, Les, Bob P and Greg either away, repairing boats or off sick. Plus Kurt and myself doing duty. (So we were short by around 11 catamarans this week).

A new person Phil coming down expressing an interest in joining the catamarans and his kids learn to sail also had a chat to a few people.
This week a new after the burger and briefing it was time to set the course. Kurt and myself setting a Port course. Start line out in front of the club house, windward mark out towards the middle of the lake and wing mark down towards the shallows entrance to IYC.

With the largest class being 3 ty’s we ended up setting a fairly short line.
Start sequence getting away on time. Tony Zahra on White Wave getting the jump on Tony Sanderson Groove Thing. They both started on starboard tack heading towards the reef before tacking to the middle of the lake. The moderate breeze allowing both to trapeze on their work legs. White Wave pointing slightly higher and furling his jib sheet when working. I didn’t see them round the windward mark but they stayed pretty close together. A nice broad reach down to the wing mark then gybe followed by another nice broad reach to the starting buoy. White Wave just ahead closely followed by Groove Thing. In a game of cat and mouse each chose slightly different paths at different stages however when rounding the marks were still quite close. On the final race to the line White Wave led the final charge however Groove Thing was only a matter of 35 seconds behind.

Scratch times(not adjusted) across finish line were as follows:
15:30:13 Tony Zahra 526 "White Wave" Maricat S/Sloop
15:30:48 Tony Sanderson 6392 "Groove Thing" Windrush S/Sloop                

Regards Hugh Lewis

A 25 degree day with a moderate SE breeze around 3 to 10 (actual up around 10 to 15 knots) with up to 18 knot gusts greeted thirteen (13) keen catamaran sailors. I think the Holfuy weather station may have had some wind shadow effect as on and off there were a few white caps and trapeze on the wire was the order of the day. See below for holfuy (left column is average wind speed in knots and next column is gusts in knots).

Sharpie sailors Brad Curry and Hayden Sellers offered to relieve me of duty this week, as they were down a crew member and couldn’t sail. I offered to fill in next week instead. Hence at lunch time I headed home and returned with my catamaran. Jody Mathews still doing duty with the experienced pair.
Whist setting up his craft, Paul English not letting a slight mis-adventure damaging his trampoline stopping him from sailing,  borrowed some tape for temporary repair. The onshore breeze reasonably stiff at times whipping up a few white caps across the lake before race time. After a trusty burger, drink and briefing the catamaran sailors went out carrying out the final touches before setting sail. Once out on the Lake various sailors headed out checking out location of the buoys before congregating out near the start between Gooseberry Island and the club house. This week a port course was set starting between Gooseberry Island and Club house, windward mark out towards the mid shallows near Holfuy mud stick and wing mark over near the entrance to Illawarra yacht club.

A short, stiff shower washed down the craft as they waited. As the countdown got to the last minute the small cats started moving toward the line. Once the start hooter went they got away without incident on starboard tack parallel to the shore line. Most getting out on trapeze for this first leg heading toward the reef. One or two tacking off early to get clear air. The majority tacking once they got to the reef. A good work was had up to the windward mark a bit shy of the lay line, hence another tack was required to make the mark. Once around the top mark an excellent broad reach was had directly down to the wing mark, flying along parallel to the shallows. Plenty of speed seeing spray flying with small cats jockeying for positions. Once around the wing mark another great broad reach was had back along the shore to the start buoy. The majority of the small cat fleet still hadn’t spread too much and was within reasonable striking distance of each other. Once around the start buoy a short work up towards Gooseberry Island then tack and work over towards the shallows. The good wind strength allowing a nice trapeze leg then tack up towards the windward mark. The windward return leg followed a similar path with broad reach towards the reef and then gybe back along the shoreline to the starting buoy. The final triangle saw Chesha have a slight mishap going for a dip, tiller extension pole being a casualty. The final run from windward to X and finish saw a great broad reach run down towards the reef before gybing and heading along the shore to the X mark. Depending on how deep you went determining if you could make it directly to the X or had to gybe again to make it around the X. When heading around the X mark to the finish line the wind started to pick up making for a lively work to the line. As can be seen below there were some tight tussles all the way to the finish line.

Scratch times(not adjusted) across finish line were as follows:
15:37:28 Tony Zahra 526 "White Wave" Maricat S/Sloop
15:37:47 Jack Kroek 6306 "Jack Pot" Windrush S/S
15:38:38 Ralf Steyer 6286 "Dark Horse" Windrush S/S
15:39:07 Tony Sanderson 6392 "Groove Thing" Windrush S/Sloop                
15:41:50 Hugh Lewis 6327 “Hot Pepper” Windrush S/Sloop
DNF:      Paul Monaghan 3112 "Chesha" Windrush S/Sloop                
DNF:      Bill Ledger 182 "Billyo" Nacro 14 sq.
DNF       Ross Fyfe 6421 "Yabby" Windrush S/Sloop
DNC       Greg McPherson Windrush              

Because the majority of the field finished fairly close together it was pretty congested heading back to shore with various craft milling around and waiting in the shallows for their turn to get onshore . The freshening onshore breeze not giving much room for error. Yabby having to take evasive action when a canoe or kayak crossed his path causing him to nudge the foreshore timber wall. Chesha similarly over shooting slightly near the rocks.

As the last of the small cats were brought up onshore and were starting to derig dark clouds and a thunder storm came thru complete with lightning and a stiff 30 knot breeze and heavy rain. On seeing the nose of Ralf’s craft lift up (thinking it was being blown over) I race over pulling the nose back down. Ralf then looked up asking what are you doing as I realised that he was crouched under the front of the trampoline removing his beach wheels. Initially the lightning was a reasonable distance away however it started to get closer and closer and the rain heavier. One particularly close lightning strike Ralf could see sparks on his rigging and myself and Les Porter feel a slight tingle through our hands contacting the rigging. This prompted a retreat to the club house to let the lightning storm pass over. The heavy rain filling the drain and it flooded flowing over the rigging area . A sheet of water flowing over the rigging area several inches deep washing over the shoreline making the rigging area look like a lake.

As we looked out from the club house the visibility dropped off noticeably and then we started to hear hail slowly at first then developing into a thunderous roar bombard the club house roof. And also all the cars and craft. Hail up to around 20c in diameter thundering down. Some of us with newer vehicles wincing helplessly at the thought of hail damage. Solid streams of water was spraying out of the new Hayden down pipes.

The only folks struck out on the Lake in these horrendous conditions were the duty crew and the TY’s no doubt feeling a little vulnerable in the strong wind, rain, lightning and hail.

There was various tales to be told including Kurt Griffiths rescuing my tiller extension before it was washed into the lake. Junior sailor Caiden offering a hand which was used as a safe place to climb rescuing a lizard before it was washed into the Lake.

Hopefully next week is a little less tempestuous. Looking forward to seeing you all again.
Regards Hugh Lewis

A hot humid day reaching 27 degrees with a moderate NE breeze around 12 to 15 knots with up to 19 knot gusts. . See below for holfuy.

Nine (9) multihull craft setting up today including Ian’s WETA. Ross Boyd and Paul English doing duty. Regulars Jack Kroek and Paul Leaudais (with Trevor on his Ty Frou Frou) were away. Early on Bill Ledger and Tony Sanderson rigging up around 10am taking out a two parents of our learn to sail kids for a bit of adult learn to sail. In the morning the breeze was a bit lighter. Both under tuition took the tiller and had opportunity to get out on the wire. Once back onshore both had big smiles and really enjoyed themselves. Thanks to Bill and Tony for giving them the opportunity to go for a sail. Hopefully fostering some new adult sailing members of the future.

It was particularly warm out in the rigging area and it didn’t take much activity to work up a sweat. Les on his flying A Class going out a bit earlier to test the conditions. Once up and foiling Les’s craft put on quite a show with terrific spurts of acceleration gliding effortlessly across the lake. A retired couple (the wife said hadn’t sailed for 30 years) dropped in to check out the craft and were impressed by Les’s Flying A Class and chatted to a few friendly folks on the foreshore and in the club house.

Jody on Blue Tongue also going out in the morning. She was intent on getting out on the wire. Slight trapeze wire length adjustments with a few tips and a practice run on land she proved to be some what more nimble than say myself. Armed with this confidence she set off and was seen practicing out on the lake. The big smile when she returned saying trapeze isn’t all that hard, said it all.

With Club Captain Trevor and deputy club captain Jack Kroek away I filled in. Basically there was no TY’s (all down the coast at St Georges Basin Regatta) and it ended up no large cats racing so we just had 2 starts.
The NE breeze picked up once you got away from the shore and you could get a fast ride and excellent reach out to the start line.
A Port course was set. Start out near middle of lake, windward mark over near entrance to Lake Illawarra yacht club and the wing mark out in front of the club house near Gooseberry Island.

The multihull start got away well. Ian’s WETA not pointing as well as some of the cats but having good boat speed. However the rudders didn’t like jelly fish and popped up when they were hit.

At the start , most got away well with with a few boats spread out along the line. I hugged the start boat following Ralf and Tony Zahra. Majority working down toward Gooseberry Island on starboard tack some choosing to tack off earlier. The moderate breeze making excellent trapeze weather. The moderate breeze creating some waves but not too big as we were on the NE side of the Lake. At the windward mark I was still in touch with the leading craft of Dark Horse and White Wave. The next leg was a lovely broad reach to the wing mark that could be made in a direct line. With 15 knot breeze this was a particularly quick leg. I was able to make up ground on the leaders and rounded directly behind White Wave. The leaders pinching a little working the angles. I chose to bear away a little further and go for speed. After gybing back across to round the mark I was still able to keep in touch. Most choosing to stay on port tack working over to the shallows (roughly to the HOLFUY mud stick ) before tacking down to the windward mark. It was either on this windward return or the last triangle Yabby broke the halyard line and his main sail started to come down. He soldiered on but wasn’t able to keep up the pace. On the final run to the windward mark Dark Horse tacked a little early not making the mark so had to tack again. As did White Wave. Groove Thing capitalising getting past Dark Horse. Hot Pepper seeing their lay line tacked later and was able to get a full power/speed run making up plenty of ground on this leg. Once around the windward mark it was back to the X mark and to the line. Hot Pepper stayed out on the wire just dropping the traveller out about half way cracking on the main sheet. By standing on the back corner screaming down to the X making up ground on the leaders. Working the mainsheet when the stronger gust came through. Out in front of Dark Horse, Groove Thing had a trapeze wire failure dropping Tony into the water. When he tried to get back on board his craft capsizing. Hot Pepper making up plenty of ground
 
 Regards Hugh Lewis

A warm day reaching 25 degrees with a nice SE breeze around 14 knots with gusts up around 18 gave some great sailing conditions. Having dropped off a little from the morning but pretty much held in for the afternoon.

A good turnout of thirteen (13) catamarans came down to participate. Nine (9) small cats and four (4) large cats. This week Todd and Brad Curry setting a starboard course. Start line between the club house and Gooseberry Island, windward mark a hundred or so metres past the holfuy mudstick along side the shallows and the wing mark back towards the middle of the lake. For the cats they set a great course, the angles particularly good for both reach legs.

At the 12:30pm briefing Brad Curry acknowledged the great results the juniors had achieved during the Christmas break in Manly juniors and Flying 11’s.

Trevor then gave the briefing and we went about final preparations and we set off. Discretion the better part of valour due to the lively wind conditions Jody decided to get a ride on a TY and Bill stayed ashore to sail another day.

The SE breeze made launching fairly simple and you were able to take off straight out into the lake. A nice wind strength of around 14 knots allowing you to get out on the wire. A few white caps and small waves around 300mm to 400mm made for plenty of spray. The cats milled around the northern side of Gooseberry Island waiting for the start. The start small cats got away cleanly without incident, Hot Pepper hanging back a little managed to point a little higher and appeared to get a lift a little further out from the shore. Hence able to sail up to the southern side of the reef before tacking. With this advantage hot Pepper was able to make good progress being up near the leaders of the pack rounding the windward mark.
After the starboard rounding the reach over to the wing mark developed some excellent speed as the angle was a near perfect 80 to 90 degrees (thanks toTodd and Brad). Once around the wing mark again a near perfect reach was had back down to the start buoy. By this stage the pack had started to spread with Dark Horse pushing out near the front. The work back to the windward mark saw a couple of strategies. Majority chose to head along the northern shore, if able to hold high enough get over the top of the reef, if not go under before tacking and getting a good run along the shallows to the windward mark.
On around the second rounding of the windward mark,  Ralf on Dark Horse gave up the lead when he dipped the nose of his craft and even with releasing his mainsheet was not able to prevent a capsize. However afterward Ralf advised that he was able to right his craft very quickly with little fuss (still managed to get a Lake Illawarra Choc top). He managed to get going again only losing a couple of positions. Interestingly it was on this same leg that Wilbur the flying A Class also capsized. Other than that no other mishaps to report. As can be seen by the scratch times White Wave came across the line 1st with Jack Pot very close behind. Then Groove Thing closely followed by Dark Horse (even after capsizing). Next was Silver Fox, Hot Pepper and Yabby.
 
 Scratch times(not adjusted) across finish line were as follows:
15:38:24 Tony Zahra 526 "White Wave" Maricat S/Sloop
15:38:31 Jack Kroek 6306 "JackPot" Windrush S/S
15:39:09 Tony Sanderson 6346 "Groove Thing" Windrush S/Sloop                
15:39:58 Ralf Steyer 6286 "Dark Horse" Windrush S/S.
15:42:28 Paul Leaudais 6308 "Silver Fox" Windrush S/Sloop                
15:45:25 Hugh Lewis 6327 “Hot Pepper” Windrush S/Sloop
15:50:21 Ross Fyfe 6421 "Yabby" Windrush S/Sloop
                                         
General:.

1. The handicap starts planned for this week have been rescheduled to 18th of March so as not to interfere with club championships. Also there are still a few spots that need to be filled for upcoming duties. Tony Zahra is ok next week with Amie making a comeback to assist. I have volunteered with Jody for Feb 18th 2017. We need to fill the other spots. Maybe think about and we can chat next Saturday about who might be able to assist and when. I will then let Trevor know so he can fill the duty roster.
   
2. A few small cats people have expressed an interest in participating in the Australia Day Regatta at the Illawarra Yacht club Thursday 26th January 2017. At this stage the plan is to rig here at PKSC and sail around to IYC start. Plan is to open the grounds around 9am to give time for rigging as the race is scheduled for start 11:00am. Normally once rigged the group or a representative drive around and fill in entry forms and listen to briefing etc. at IYC.
   
3. Australia Day - Jody has expressed an interest in camping after the race and sleeping overnight. Any like minded folks feel free to discuss with Jody.

Regards Hugh Lewis
Small Cats Delegate