KISS Program reaches its Zenith
by Rosie and David 3 Aug 2022 23:19 PDT
30 July 2022
KISS Passage 360Q Helm Trophy winner Helen Coker on helm of Martilse © Denise Smeaton
The KISS (Keelboat Introduction to Sailing Savvy) program created by Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club (QCYC) reached its zenith on Saturday 30 July 2022, with the running of the inaugural KISS Passage Race and Rally, a 25nm passage from Altona to Queenscliff via the West Channel with women in all lead roles of helms, navigators and radio operators.
With a focus on transforming passengers to active participants, the KISS theory program launched ten weeks earlier had commenced with a diverse panel presenting on "Facing Your Fears" through a series of webinars focussing on personal and boat preparation, navigation, weather, tides and passage planning. Two days out from the on water event, the 25 enrolled female participants from 11 different clubs lined up for the Passage Briefing excited, enthused, with a soupcon of apprehension about the responsibilities ahead of them.
Generous boat owners and volunteer mentors had worked with the female teams over recent weeks leading them through Category 5 Boat Audit and boat operation procedures and now it was the women's opportunity to seize the day and test their new found skills.
For the Altona Bay start, blue skies and a perfect forecast of 10-15kn northerly winds building to 20+kn through the day provided ideal conditions for the women's teams to step up, own their roles and diligently practise and document their newly acquired skills. Radio operators were put through their paces with mandatory radio sign on and reporting schedules, whilst navigators kept busy observing the building weather and tidal challenges in the West Channel and recording and refining their passage plans. The quality of their communications and deliberations were to be judged by on-air transmissions for the Radio Operators and LogBook data recordings for the Navigators trophies respectively. Helmswomen of the day were scored on a time correction factor Performance Handicap to determine their finish ranking.
Having safely navigated the Great Sands at the bottom of Port Phillip, the Swan Spit - West Channel Pile #2 gate finish line was not the end of responsibilities, as continued vigilant pilotage was required to traverse the shared narrow tidal waters of "The Cut" accommodating ferries, pilot boats, dive and fishing boats in addition to the visiting yachts. Reaching the waters of Swan Bay, the final turn to starboard revealed the QCYC wharf with the dockmaster Officer of the Day greeting and efficiently guiding the jubilant crews to their berths. QCYC volunteer members at the clubhouse rallied to provide a warm welcome to all visitors as they awaited the presentation of trophies to reveal the outstanding achievements of the day.
QCYC Commodore Lee Renfree, the visionary behind the development of the KISS program welcomed all groups to the presentation, dominated by women resplendent in KISS aquamarine polos and 'buttercup' beanies to match the beam of their smiles, along with their boat owners and mentors. In her summing up, the commodore commented - "Congratulations to all our Adventurous - Brave - Curious women. We could not be more proud of you all and your achievements."
The local Queenscliff community also endorsed the KISS program with local businesses providing unique individual glass perpetual trophies for the winners in each category.
In the racing division, Helen Coker from Sandringham Yacht Club at the helm of Beneteau 395 Martilse from Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron took out the "360Q KISS Passage Helm Trophy" for the Best Performed female helm on Performance Handicap.
The "SeaRoad Ferries KISS Passage Navigators Trophy" for Best LogBook documentation amongst the nominated Navigators from all boats in the combined Race and Rally event went to Fiona Tremaine from Royal Geelong Yacht Club on board the Beneteau Farr 51 SeConda from her home club.
Hobson's Bay Yacht Club member Vicky Bayly onboard X-yacht DuXelle from Royal Yacht Club of Victoria took out the "Queenscliff Maritime Museum Radio Operators Trophy" for best marine radio protocols amongst the nominated Radio Operators from all boats in the event.
Thanks to QCYC and their dedicated team of volunteers for providing the race and rally passage event and dinner for all crews. Thanks also to our generous boat owners and mentors for providing the equipment, support and knowledge to empower our KISS participants to excel in their roles.
The KISS program concludes on Sunday 7 August with a joint hands-on workshop session with the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria covering general safety, checking of Personal Flotation devices (PFDs), diesel troubleshooting and further radio training.
May the KISS program graduates steer their sailing dreams with confidence and competence on their journeys ahead.
For further information about the KISS program, contact us at .