Set the sails for spring

Budding sailors and bona fide sea-dogs alike are invited to ease their way into the busy summer sailing circuit, as the Australian Sailing and Cruising Club starts its spring season on September 6.
With six official weeks spread out over three months, the spring season has fewer events between races than the summer season, making it ideal for newcomers to get used to the sea life.
A boat is not a prerequisite, although newcomers are encouraged to contact club members in advance to reserve a space.
“There’s going to be a limit of how many places we’ve got free,” the club’s acting vice commodore Neil Cossor said. “So it’s easier if real beginners organise themselves, because we don’t go from a fixed place.”
He anticipated around 12 boats taking part in the upcoming season, with a number of new people. Of course, anyone with their own boat is always welcome.
“It’s a good way to ease yourself in,” he said.
“[Sailing] is very sociable and it’s outdoors. There’s the mixture of exercise and good social company — have a drink or not — and it’s another way to see Sydney.”
Don’t be fooled by the cheese and crackers on board though — sailing is a serious sport.
“It can be good exercise, though it tends to be in bursts,” Cossor said. “You do a burst of work when you do a sail change or a change of direction and then it’s quiet for a little bit and then you do another little burst — which could, of course, mean getting another glass of champagne.
“We try not to take [racing] too seriously. There are always some more competitive people in any group but a lot of people in mainstream boating have been put off by the shouting and screaming and super-serious nature of it, so we try not to get into any of that. We discourage any type of inter-boat contact or collisions. It’s very relaxing, non-stressful and embracing — not like many other clubs.”

info: For more on the Australian Sailing and Cruising Club visit www.ascc.org.au.