New blood on the management committee and renewed emphasis on introducing newcomers to the sport of sailing are key new season platforms for the Dunsborough Bay Yacht Club, which opens its 2019/2020 season this weekend with a bang.
Club Commodore Peter Hales says the season ahead promises to be the best ever for the small, volunteer-run club on the foreshore at Quindalup.
The season formally opens with members saluting the Commodore in the traditional sail-past on Sunday, October 27, at 2pm.
The sail past will be followed by the Patron's Cup, the club's first race for the season. It is for all classes of sailing boat.
Club Patron is Busselton dignitary and retired MLC Barry House.
"I'd really like to emphasise that this is a fun day for everyone, not just members," Hales said.
"This year we're taking the formality out of the ceremony and really trying to encourage new people to our club to see what we're about, our amazing facilities, and what a community-based organisation we are."
Activities will kick off at 12.30pm.
As well as an active juniors program for introducing children to dinghy sailing, the club has this season developed a racing skills program to encourage novice adults or newcomers who want to learn how to sail.
"The premise is that if we throw in some one-design racing experience with experienced sailors (into the program) beginners will learn faster," says Hales.
"The program will essentially involve a bit of structured learning and then some learning from experienced sailors in a regatta format."
The club owns nine Puffin Pacers to be used for these purposes.
"The learning from 'the best' will be in seven regattas over the summer season (every three weeks with the first on the November nine) with each novice getting to do at least one race with an experienced skipper per regatta."
Hales says his simple message to would-be sailors is that this will be "the cheapest and most fun sailing course you have every done."
The club is an entirely community-based club with a strong emphasis on families.
With its wonderful on-the-beach location and balcony overlooking the Quindalup moorings, it is also a marvellous place to socialise, and indeed offers the only premises where members and their guests can enjoy a cold Eagle Bay Kolsch or a glass of chilled white wine, on the water in Dunsborough.
For further information: dbyc.org.au
Anyone interested in membership at the Club, either as an Associate or Sailing Member, should email: secretary@dbyc.org.au
