Commodore’s message
Well, here we are, at the beginning of August and quickly approaching the start of our 24/25 sailing season. Given the recent weather the Western Cape have been experiencing, it seems as though our decision to postpone most formal activity to August was a good one. Our Academy and junior sailing events have been continuing during the off season however, having to dodge bad weather and get as much training done as possible. Hopefully you would all have received (in some form or the other) and managed to browse the first draft of the SBYC calendar for the coming season by now. Your committee is hard at work finalising plans for all the diarised events on what is a very full calendar. Our new coordinated communication strategy across the various media is nearing completion and hopefully, as previously mentioned, this should go a long way in ensuring that all members are kept up to date with regard to the various planned activities and projects.
Exciting news on the project front is that work has begun on the refurbishment and the extending of our main jetty. Which has been the subject of much debate over recent times. More news on this will follow directly from our outside house team of Diekie, Andrew and Wilhelm. We apologise in advance for the inevitable inconvenience that this will cause from time to time. This is a big project and target for completion is the end of September.
Further good news is that the port of Saldanha Bay has once again been established as a Port of Entry. This now negates the requirement for international visiting yachts having to enter and clear out of Cape Town. As a result, we expect to receive an increased number of overseas visitors to our beautiful part of the world, which we support and encourage. We learn a lot from these short-term visitors and look forward to meeting them and hearing the stories of their adventures.
I have been out of the country for most of the month enjoying the English summer and visiting some great boat festivals and spending time on the canals. However, I do look forward to returning to Saldanha in the next couple of days and seeing you all on the water.
Take care
Peter
Academy Report – Audrey Redmond
The SBYC Academy was only a dream a few months ago. We are happy to report that we have a dynamic sub-committee in place to facilitate the growth and development of this new venture. Team members include Wendy Swanepoel (Compliance and Communication), Elize Herbst (Finance), Darren de Kock (Fleet management), Alistair Drake (Fleet maintenance), Andre Besta (Training), Vera Plint and Les Arends (Parent Reps).
There are creative training concepts, protocols and structures that are being developed to ensure that the Academy supports the development of newcomers to the sport. We hope to promote good sportsmanship and a great deal of fun as we explore the possibilities available to us. The existing SBYC members are invaluable to our growth. We would love your input through talks/ideas/time/skills/tall stories/racing knowledge and anything else you have to offer. Please contact Audrey (0767675046)
Junior sailing
Due to a very wet and windy July our training schedule was modified to include relevant indoor activities and games. Nautical terminology, rigging, hull types and parts of sail was taught. Under the guidance of Andre Bestha, some junior instructors were given the opportunity to practice the skill of teaching and demonstration. A very good start for the Academy! – Audrey Redmond
Grounds and sea
“We have begun the restoration of the jetties. Two jetties are being stored, while the remaining ones are under construction and will be back in the water soon. We plan to expand the mooring spaces. The sail covers for the Mirrors have been completed and are already installed. The new rack for the Oppis on the new ground will be in use shortly, with the materials already available” – Dieke Schoeman
Cruising and Racing
In July, there were no cruises or races at Saldanha Bay Yacht Club. However, we’re excited to announce that we have a full slate of events planned for the near future! To stay up-to-date with all our upcoming cruises and races, be sure to check out our calendar regularly. – Diana
Story from a member
“I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship” – Louisa May Alcott
1 June 2024 will be remembered as the day we experience the first of what it really means to truely live aboard our vessel.
Having decided to enjoy the calmess of the sea, it was decided to head out and take Champagne for a cruise around the bay, with a line thrown in the water in anticipation of a catch. What more could one want…..
Well, to our surprise we were given an experience that has now became an extremely important reality check. As we approached Skaapen Island, the reel made that familiar sound, fish on!!! Whilst being distracted by this excitement our focus shifted to the dinner awaiting us without realising Champagne was left unattended and was heading for shallow waters and then that sound, THUD! It was not an alarming noise and it did not really concern us except for the fact we were grounded and needed to wait for rising tide. Knowing this was not going to happen quickly we opened the Genoa to glide us off what was holding us back and so we continued with the day, headed off to enjoy Kraalbaai, with no fish.
It was only when we returned to the Club, under motor, did we realise the port propeller was missing. The first indication something was not quite right. On anchor, it was decided to trust our guts and do an inspection on why we kept hearing that swishing noise. Lifting the first floor board revealed a large volume of water, our bilge pump had not activated and the hull was filling up at a very uncomfortable pace.
We were now very uncomfortable and uneasy which made us nervously call the Club Manager . From there we were pretty much at the mercy of stresses neither of us have ever been through. Champagne was taken out the water, lifted by crane and gently placed on the hard, which happened over a course of two days. Sounds relatively basic, however seeing your home swinging through the air, hanging on chains is not for the faint-hearted and then to top it all off, seeing the damage done and not having the faintest clue on where to start the repairs.
Fast forward to what will be four weeks on the hard, we have learnt a few things:
- It hurts to hurt your vessel but accidents do happen
- Patience
- Previous damage was noted of which we would not have known if we didn’t go out
- Blue anti fouling sanding dust stains everything
- Fibre glassing
- Emotional meltdowns are ok too
We have felt incredibly overwhelmed at the enormity of the situation but when you stand back and look up at what you are repairing, it’s a yacht, our yacht ,which is going to treat us to the most memorable time’s of our lives and we are reminded of how beautiful this lifestyle can be. A storm does not have to be through weather but what one experiences in order to learn.
Heartfelt tokens of love and appreciation need to be extended to Eddy for his quick reaction to our problem and created a solution to get us out the water, to Steve whom gave up his spot on the cradle. Andrew for being so patient through what we felt like was a minefield and keeping us sane with his “don’t stress”, “it’s fine!”, smile and laugh! And to Craig for being a Fatherly figure to us both with guidance, sharing of knowledge and trusting that we can do it! As well as to everyone whom has passed a joke or comment that this is quite normal….buy a boat!
Saldanha Bay Yacht Club has been remarkable, thank you does not nearly cover what we need to say.
With appreciation,Sholto and Wendy
August 2024 Events
Stay in the loop with all the exciting happenings for August 2024! Click the button below to explore our full calendar and mark your schedule!