Balmain Sailing Club looks to attract newcomers to sailing

by BSC PR Media on 18 Jan 2009 Sydney-based Balmain Sailing Club is working hard to attract newcomers to the sport of sailing with the re-establishment of its sailing school -- aimed at teaching both kids and adults the basics of sailing and sailing safety.

BSC, based in the inner suburbs of Sydney, and one of the oldest sailing clubs in Australia, has re-established the popular BSC Sailing School, offering classes in the waters around the Balmain peninsula.

Already, the BSC Sailing School has run courses during November and December, with additional courses now being offered (from late January) and continuing through the year. The courses consist of a weekly three-hour practical/theory session, and run for four weeks.

Balmain Sailing Club director Nick Evtoushenko, who is responsible for the Sailing School, said the classes were specifically designed for absolute beginners who have no previous experience in sailing.

“Our course is designed as an introduction to sailing; by the end of it participants will have a good knowledge of the basics of sailing and sailing safety,” he said.

“Our aim is to encourage on-going involvement in sailing at Balmain.

“Club membership for the current year is included in the fees, and we are able to offer crewing positions to participants in the course through our racing program, which includes Friday night twilights throughout summer, and Sunday racing once a fortnight,” Evtoushenko said.

“We are also looking at providing Laser dinghies to those who have completed the course, so they can further develop their skills in our dinghy racing fleet.”

The school’s main sailing school boat is Intrepid, a 14-foot timber dinghy built in 1979 by the late Nick Masterman, renowned Balmain boat builder and well-known local identity.

She is gaff-rigged for stability and ease of handling, and meets all safety standards. Intrepid’s clinker construction and varnished cedar brightwork draw many admiring glances from the harbour.

Evtoushenko said the club recommended that beginners start with a dinghy course.

“The techniques and skills learned in a dinghy are easily transferred to a larger yacht – although the reverse is not always the case. If you can sail a dinghy, you can sail a yacht – but if you can sail a yacht, you can’t necessarily sail a dinghy!” he said.

The sailing school is run by Gary Ferres, BSC’s highly experienced sailing teacher and trainer, who has taught numerous young people from Balmain and surrounding areas how to sail over the past 20 years.

Evtoushenko said there had been considerable demand for the course, with the three classes last year being fully booked without even promoting it widely.

“We had groups of young adults, along with families – consisting of parents and two or three kids – and now we are seeing them start to participate in our regular sailing activities.”

The courses, which are a mix of practical and theory, cover:

Rowing a dinghy • Rigging • Going about • Gybing • Reefing • Sailing techniques • Sail setting • Rules of the road • Safety procedures • Parts of a boat • Ropework • Anchoring and mooring • Heaving-to • Winds and tides • Elementary first aid • Basic meteorology.

Depending on demand, courses run both mornings and afternoons on Saturdays and Sundays.

Full course details, along with a booking form, are available on the Balmain Sailing Club website at www.balmainsailingclub.com, or leave a message on 0488 959 659 for more information.