Off The Beach News
Hey there gang,
here we go again for another few laps around the cans.
After one of the best opening day sails for quite a while, it was followed by another beaut day, albeit with bugger all wind. Then, THEN, we got last week! I couldn’t believe that the BOM actually got it right so far out. All week I reckoned that the good weather would hold in there, but alas that predicted rain showed up right on cue. The junior training moved to indoors but that wasn’t an option for the afternoon session. After a WhatsApp poll came back with enough silly buggers that were prepared to sail, the race crew of RO Dave B, Super D and Ella M on start, backed up by Stu S, Jayden F, Greg L and James E eagerly made their way out out to lay a course.
Nine boats rigged up and headed out into the rain and a surprisingly nice breeze. Joe V didn’t make it very far for his first sail of the season when a wayward shackle brought his mast down a few hundred metres off shore. Funnily enough, there were about ten Coast Guard/ Marine Rescue boats milling around for their anniversary sail past and not one of them showed him the slightest attention so it was left to Greg and James to tow him back home. No damage and he was back out for race two.
Race one was heaps of fun, a single start for everyone with just 8 boats. Yes it was raining, but it wasn’t too cold and hey, you get wet anyway so no biggy. The wind held at about 10-12 knots, comfortable and enough to get Ewan and Nick hammering in their B14. The rest of us, Sabres, Tasars, Impulse, Quest and Luke M in his newly acquired A Class cat all got around with no mishaps. With the Sabres only doing two laps, we were finished first and the wait around was dang cold I must say. The wait wasn’t too long though and RO Dave got us up and going in quick time. The rain had stopped by then and Joe had rejoined the fray so that made 4 Sabres and none of us could catch James T, he was even ahead of Bill M’s Impulse for a lot of the race. Glen L had Grace L as his gun crew so they were out front in Div 2 while all the other boats had their respective Divisions to themselves, go figure.
Race two done, up went the ‘Day’s over folks’ flag. What? No race 3? No complaints from anyone, especially the RHIB crews. Back to the beach and everyone pitched in, the boats were back up in the yard in a flash, a quick wash down and de-rig and up to the bar to polish off the leftovers from the Coast Guard soirée. Thanks guys, you might not have rescued Joe, but the food was appreciated!
That’s about it for this week, don’t forget to join the OTB WhatsApp group for all the latest news and roster info from OTB Captain Ewan Campbell. See you all this Sunday (yes, we are racing this long weekend) and the weather will be perfect!!!
Cheers, Pete Chippy
OTB Roster can be found here:
OTB Roster
Off The Beach course diagrams please follow this link. OTB Course Diagrams 2026-2027
Junior Sailing Program
Sunday’s junior training session was an indoor affair, with heavy rain and strong winds predicted. But a little bad weather wasn’t going to dampen anyone’s spirits!
Most of the group showed up, all wearing big smiles and ready to learn. 😊 After welcoming Nick back and kicking things off with a name game, we split into two groups for a morning packed with learning, challenges and plenty of laughs.
🔹 James’ Group – Knot Tying
James’ group got stuck into knot tying, starting with a review of the different parts of a boat before moving to the tables for some hands-on practice. Juniors and parents worked together, helping each other out and occasionally getting a little confused along the way!
We finished with a knot-tying race, and it was fantastic to see everyone growing in confidence. Remember, everyone… practice, practice, practice!
🔹 Nick’s Group – Goals & Challenges
Nick’s group started by setting goals for the term, with plenty of great ideas shared to help keep us focused and on track with our training.
Things then got physical with our hiking bench, wall-sitting and planking challenges. There was plenty of friendly competition as everyone put their strength and endurance to the test!
🔹 Tug of War – Indoor Style!
We finished the morning with an indoor version of everyone’s favourite game: Tug of War! With randomly selected teams, we battled it out in a best-of-three showdown, followed by the ultimate face-off… kids versus parents, and then mums versus dads!
There were smiles all round, and thankfully, no one needed to get wet to have a great morning! 😂
A huge thank you to our volunteer instructors and parents for making the most of an indoor session.
We’re looking forward to getting back on the water in two weeks’ time. Until then, keep practising those knots and cross your fingers for sunshine and good sailing weather! 🤞☀️
Working With Children's Check
Changes to the Working with Children Check are coming into effect from 19th October 2026.
The driver for these changes is the State Govt’s Rapid Review set up after last year’s revelations of pedophiles working in the childcare sector.
SBSC as an organization does not have a choice here, and the Executive Committee urge the following:
- If have a valid WWC then no action required.
- If your WWC expires inside 6 months, or less than 3 months ago, then strongly recommend doing the renewal before Monday. You will need a Services Victoria account to do this. Its free and pretty easy.
- If no WWC then you can try and apply for one before Monday under the old rules and see how you go. Having said that, getting one after Monday is still not too onerous, involves ~45mins online self-paced training.
After Monday 19th, any renewal or new application will require you to do the 45min training.
To find out more, please read the information attached: Click HERE
Keelboat News
Having spent the past days working on a grant application for my company, I arrived at this morning not being able to remember what I did last Friday evening. Then I remembered – NOT SAILING. I understand the weather was vile, but nonetheless 12 yachts ventured forth from the Tower start line.
Till and his crew seem to be on a mission to bugger up their handicap but so are Paul Copeland and crew on Happy Days, who came second and leads the series by half a point from 11:11 (the half point came from their dead heat for 2nd with Etoile the previous Friday). Third home was Summer Breeze. So big thanks to Lynlee and her Tower crew for a job well done.
As you know, the weather didn’t improve. I slept badly on Saturday night worrying whether our Tower crew for Sunday were aware they were rostered. The system seems to have broken down since Jann Wilson left town, so I’m going to get on the phone mid-week to remind people who haven’t read the roster. I was right. I rang Simon Dryden at breakfast time. He wasn’t aware but said ‘sure, I’ll be there’. Simon is a very experienced yachtie and knows how to work SailSys; he and Mel Kelly looked out through the Tower windows to see wind-driven rain beating on the glass, a strong wind warning southerly with driving rain and Patriot and Shimmer on the water ready to race. So it was on.
Then Little Ninjo emerged hesitantly from the canal. They thought perhaps they could start then retire but forgot the plan. Three yachts made a perfect start. At the Yellow Pile, led by Patriot, Ninjo had to slow down and duck behind Shimmer. We just weren’t going to make buoy room on them. The first leg was a reach to SB1, spinnakers out, then we headed south into a strong but wonderful southerly – a strong but WET southerly. Ninjo had the disadvantage of tiller steering so the helm was unable to avoid the gallons of water that streamed down the main, flowed aft along the boom, and onto his head.
Spinnakers up for the run home, although Ninjo struggled for a time to free a wineglass in her gennaker. The wind dropped out on all of us at the Yellow Pile. Patriot won on corrected time on PHS handicap with Shimmer second and Ninjo 28 seconds behind in 3rd. The positions were the same under AMS and ORC (except Ninjo isn’t sailing under ORC).
So thanks to Simon and Mel. We had a ball!
This week’s racing:
Friday 30th October
Race 1 of the Margaret Hollamby Female Helm Series.
| Tower start |
17:30 |
| Race Officer |
Elaine |
| Duty Boat |
Unprecedented |
| Setup/results: |
Amanda |
Sunday 1st November 2026
NO RACING. SOMETHING TO DO WITH A HORSE RACE.
FOR THOSE SAILING UP FOR THE RACE – HAVE FUN!
Fobs
Thank you to all members that have collected your new fobs on Sunday,
For those who have not collected theirs yet, please come upstairs on Sunday afternoon and a fob / ID number will be assigned to you.
For those not able to be at the club on Sunday, fobs will be posted out.
Their purpose is simply to help identify you as a member, i.e. entitled to the food and beverage discount. There are 2 readers, one at each cash register.
The next few months will be a transition period as the system is bedded in and so any feedback is welcome and encouraged.
Any issues with Fobs, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
🛶 Calling All Paddlers! 🌊
Got a kayak or SUP gathering dust? Keen to get out on the water more often, but looking for some paddling buddies?
Let’s get together and make a splash! Whether you want to explore a little further afield, build your confidence on the water, or simply enjoy the reassurance of paddling with others, it’s more fun to paddle together.
No need to be a pro — just bring your kayak or board, a sense of adventure, and a willingness to get out there!
Join our SBSC WhatsApp paddling group: WhatsApp Group Invite, or get in touch with Christina to join the fun.
📧 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
📱 0414 734 378
ORCV News
Melbourne to Devonport ‘Rudder Cup’
Entries are still open for the 2026 Melbourne to Devonport ‘Rudder Cup’—Australia's oldest ocean race and the first race of the newly launched Bass Strait Cup. Starting off Queenscliff on Friday 30 October, the fleet will race 195nm across Bass Strait to Devonport, where the Mersey Yacht Club will be on hand to welcome competitors. It's also a qualifying event for the Westcoaster, making it a natural first step for any crew with Melbourne to Hobart in their sights.
Click here to enter.
West Offshore Products Coastal Sprints
West Offshore Products Coastal Sprint Race 2 runs on Saturday 5 December. The Sprints are short coastal races conducted in daylight hours and are now classified as Category 4 races with some additional ORCV requirements. The new classification will reduce the cost barrier for those embarking on offshore sailing for the first time. These races are a perfect crew development pathway toward ocean races like the Rudder Cup and Westcoaster, or a great stand-alone coastal race, and you'll be home Saturday evening.
Click here to enter.
Cock of the Bay
Entries are open for Cock of the Bay, ORCV's iconic Boxing Day race on Port Phillip. Starting near Station Pier and running roughly 21nm past Port Melbourne, St Kilda Pier, Brighton Pier, Sandringham and Hampton, it's the perfect way to blow off the Christmas excess. With over 100 yachts on the water in past years, it's shaping up to be another huge fleet. It's also a well-worn stepping stone toward the Melbourne to Hobart for those looking further ahead.
Click here to enter.
Melbourne to Hobart ‘Westcoaster’
Entries are still open for the 2026 Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster, a blue-water ocean classic with more than 50 years of history and the highest-ranking race in the ORCV Offshore Championship. The 435NM course takes the fleet across Bass Strait, south along Tasmania's rugged and remote West Coast—a true test of strategy and seamanship for full crew, 4+ autohelm, and double handed boats alike. Join the legacy of more than 900 yachts and 7,000 crew members who've made this passage.
Click here to enter.
Submissions
If you wish to contribute anything to the Enews, please submit your content to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Tuesday 8pm each week to make the deadline. Please note submissions may need to pass through Executive Committee for approval from time to time. Love photography? Submit your Photo of the Week to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in high res, (and it does not have to be about sailing). Follow us on our socials: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Spotted a mistake or omission from the newsletter.......please let Fiona know as soon as possible to rectify immediately!
