A successful 2017/18 season for Largs Bay Sailing Club, Australia
by John Woollatt 18 Apr 2018 02:17 PDT
National Champion sailor Greg Gaffney © Supplied by the sailors family
The 2017/18 season from October to Easter was very busy for the Largs Bay Sailing Club. Eighty boats sailed in eleven dinghy classes at LBSC this season with an influx of Fireballs and Optimists. With over 300 members, Largs Bay hosted several State championship events and a National regatta. Forty of the Club's sailing members represented the club and our State at Australian Championship regattas. Our sailors travelled to Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland. Twenty six of those were junior competitors.
Our greatest success came with the International Cadet Class where five International Cadets from Largs Bay travelled to Metung, Eastern Victoria, where they competed against other 66 boats from around Australia and Largs youth sailors Brooke and Alicia Gaffney won the Australian Championships. This is a great result for Largs Bay Sailing Club to be able to boast a National Champion in this highly competitive youth class. Brooke (17yo) and Alicia (15yo) went on to also win the SA State Championship in their International Cadet class.
John Heywood and Brett Littledike won the Australian Championship in the International Fireball class. This is third Australian Championship title for John and Brett, but the first while calling Largs Bay their home. They too went on to win their State championship. Largs Bay sailors had success in top placings in several other classes.
Sailing season 2017/18 finished strongly on the weekend of the 24 and 25 March when Largs Bay hosted the South Australian Youth Championships. Over 50 youth sailors competed in five classes of racing dinghy including Optimists, International Cadets, Open BICs, Lasers and 420s. Competitor's ages ranged between 8 and 18.
The best results in the regatta for Largs Bay competitors were Darcy Conry and Aiden Porritt, placed first in the International Cadet class with Jack and Archie Kretschmer close in third place. In the Laser 4.7 fleet Darcy Fewings placed third. In the Optimist Intermediate fleet Fraser Baker placed first with Sailor Cowen second. Junior sailors, Will Gaylard finished first in the Optimist green fleet with Will Clough in third place.
Between October and March Largs Bay Sailing Club's accredited instructors to conduct a weekly "Learn to Sail" program under the Sailing Australia's training schemes to encourage prospective youth sailors plus advanced coaching sessions to improve the skills and knowledge of more advanced sailors.
Largs Bay Sailing Club also hosts pennant squash on two courts and other community social activities. This season the club has established a relationship with SA Kiteboard enthusiasts to host organised kiting events. Our club officials and members are proud to be a volunteer run club and rely on the support of local businesses and the community to ensure our success.
Largs Bay welcomes new members and visitors to share their facilities located on the beach front just north of the Largs jetty. Join us on a Saturday during sailing season or on any Friday evening for a drink and share the Largs Bay camaraderie while you enjoy the spectacular views from the club balcony.