Februar y 2015 37In 1982 I brought a steel 25 foot yacht
and enjoyed sailing on Pittwater and the
surrounding waterways.
My sailing skills were limited, trial
and error seemed to be my method of
improving these skills. Then, two very
good things happened that allowed me
to enjoy a less painful way of enhancing
my sailing skills. I discovered Cruising
Helmsman at the newsagents; I then
read a letter to the editor written by a
member of the Small Yacht Cruising
Club of Pittwater (SYCC).
The letter spoke of ‘raft ups’ in places
like Jerusalem Bay, Refuge Bay and
Gosford and other activities organised
by the SYCC for the joy of cruising in
company. The author included a contact
number in the letter and a short time
later I was a member of the SYCC.
My experience in the SYCC has made
my time on the water more enjoyable
and immeasurably safer. The common
goal of having fun on the water was
mixed with educational nights, some
held at the raft ups where hands-on
experience was gained in sailing, drills
in man overboard rescues, use of flares
and life raft demonstration. Discussions
about the use of marine radio, rope
and berthing procedures has been an
enjoyable way of gaining important
boating knowledge.
The cruises organised by the SYCC
are quite diverse, regular sailing
activities in the local waterways
are organised fortnightly. Offshore
cruises in recent years have included
Sydney Harbour, Port Stephens,
Lake Macquarie, Broughton Island,
Laurieton and Coffs Harbour. Weekend
navigational exercises, designed to test
GPS and traditional navigation skills
with the winner rewarded a bottle of
wine, always seem to bring out the
competitive spirit.
Our club also has members that look
even further afield, regularly cruising
the Coral Coast, offering other club
members ‘legs’ of the journey as crew to
gain offshore experience.
Multi-sports skilling was witnessed at
the Australia Day breakfast at the sand
flats of Refuge Bay, followed by a game of
cricket and afterwards what we do best,
a good chin wag. The next day saw a brisk
sail back to Towlers Bay. Some returning
to work and other members coming out
on the water to start their holidays.On the club's social calendar there
are a number of ‘landlubber’ events.
T hese have included weekends at
Kiama, Mudgee and the Hunter Valley
for Christmas in July and wine tasting.
The SYCC has no club house, its main
assets are a number of good moorings
located around the local waterways.
It is a good feeling when arriving at a
crowded anchorage with the knowledge
that there is a mooring in that bay set
aside for SYCC members.
Another asset of the SYCC is the
club members. They love sailing and
having fun on the water. There is good
camaraderie within the club and a
wide range of experience where good
help and advice can be found. At the
end of a day's sail it is good to be able
to relax with the crews from the other
club yachts, enjoying sundowners and
watching a good sunset. It is often at
these times when club members have
a good laugh, tell of past cruises and
share their dreams of new destinations.
Inquiries about the SYCC, e-mail:
[email protected]. Phone new
member secretary (02) 4739 6275.Sailing can be a daunting prospect but
David Henderson found a club that
provides not only the help and training but
also the camaraderie and companionship
that sailing in company provides.
David Henderson
David Henderson is the
current Vice Commodore of
the Small Yacht Cruising Club
(SYCC) of Pittwater.
He has been a member of the club for
33 years and enjoyed many years sailing
with this club.Small yacht
cruising
my club: NSW
Lunch on the beach is one of
the favourite pasttimes.
TOP: Rafting up in company
off Lion Island.