Pittwater Online News

On Friday, January 26th, members will be volunteers helping out at Avalon Sailing Club's 2018 Australia Day Regatta - the two clubs have been sailing against each other, and enjoying sailing together, since the earliest years of both of these on the Pittwater estuary based clubs.

This week a small insight into one of Pittwater's GREAT Sailing Clubs - jump aboard, you won't be sorry getting involved in sailing here - these are great people making sure everyone gets a chance to enjoy the best waterway in the world!

The Bayview Yacht Racing Association (BYRA) is both a dinghy racing and yacht club based on Pittwater, in Sydney's northern beaches. We offer some of the best water access and sailing conditions in Sydney. The club boasts a proud history of producing state, national and world champions and is a friendly family club with a strong sense of community.

We offer dinghy racing on Sunday afternoons and twilight yacht racing on Tuesday nights from September to May. New members and visitors are always welcome to join our existing fleets or introduce a new class to the club.

BYRA has a strong focus on skills development, and offers learn to sail programs, junior sailing on Sunday mornings, introduction to racing, race training and other support as requested. BYRA has an ongoing commitment to supporting junior sailors and fostering their sailing skills, from learn-to-sail programmes through to elite competition.

BYRA is run entirely by volunteers, and we welcome you to get involved at the club, whether in race organisation, on our response boats, in the canteen or in the many other jobs associated with keeping our club operating smoothly.

You'll always recognise a BYRA sailor by their smile and friendly welcome, and that's just as important to us as doing well on the race course.

Established in 1949 BYRA is Pittwater’s finest family sailing club

Join our dinghy fleet races on Sundays from September through to May.

BYRA runs sailing courses for children throughout the season.

Sydney offers many amazing waterways, but Pittwater provides perhaps the best environment for learning to sail. Some of the world's most successful sailors started out at BYRA, but that's not to say we're all about competition. Many of our sailors choose simply to explore the pristine waters of Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury. However, for those with a competitive streak we offer Combined Fleet Racing on Sunday afternoons with the other Pittwater-based clubs. This guarantees a high standard of competition and good-sized fleets.

Sailing courses take place on Sunday mornings and are finished by noon. Ideally students will be competent swimmers, but this is not essential as classes are supported by one or more patrol boats (as numbers require). These are crewed by experienced members.

BYRA can accept online credit card payments via a secure link provided by the Commonwealth Bank. Alternatively you can pay by cheque. See ourPurchases page for details.

• Boat

• Life Jacket

• Experienced Coach and support crew

• Patrol Boat

• A great club with a relaxed atmosphere!

• Hat

• Sun Screen

• Suitable Clothing - one of our long-sleeve rashies is ideal, but otherwise shorts/swimmers and something to cover your arms that dries quickly. You will be getting wet!

• Water and something to eat - or pick something up from BYRA's canteen.

It's never too late to experience the fun and sense of achievement that sailing can bring. Many of BYRA's members found sailing later in life. Find out more about our sailing courses for adults.

BYRA operates regular introductory sailing courses for children throughout the summer. Training is conducted by experienced coaches who love the sport, and their enthusiasm is infectious.

Bring your child down to the club any Sunday morning during the season and someone will be happy to show you around the club and the boats. You can even attend one of our free Discover Sailing days with no obligation to see if sailing is for your child. Check the calendar on the home page for the next one.

Currently there are no Adult LTS course planned.  If there is demand, we can also run Adult LTS from 1-5pm on Saturdays, but we need a minimum of 2 students to make this work. Please contact the club if you are interested.

One Wednesday in 1949, K.C. Dalton Esq. Skipper of the "Owen Davern", and Cedric M Williams Esq., Skipper of the "Christina", sailed a match race around Lion Island. The event aroused so much interest and enjoyment that it was decided to form a yachting association, and so BYRA was born.

The above inscription, which appears on BYRA's perpetual trophy, "The K.C. Dalton Memorial Trophy", states in brief how BYRA began. The first and inaugural meeting to form a yacht club or association was held at the home of Mr Dalton, "Marengo" Fermoy Avenue, Bayview, on the 27th November 1949, and an association was formed to be called - Bayview Yacht Racing Association, BYRA for short. Those who were present or had sent an apology plus those who were elected to the committee at the second meeting were declared to be foundation members, twenty one in all.

 

Mr. Dalton had prepared a cup for the initial match race, won by Mr Williams in "CHRISTINA". The BYRA committee, at the second meeting, resolved that the cup be known as the "Dalton Lion Island Perpetual Challenge Cup" and be open to Auxiliary Cruising Yachts acceptable to the committee. The cup was competed for as a challenge between the holder and a challenger, and is now an annual event open to all Auxiliary Yachts approved by the committee.

BYRA started as an all yachts club, the first race being held on 27th December 1949. The yachts started in the vicinity of Bayview wharf, running free to a mark near Riddle's, thence round a mark in the vicinity of Long Nose, and back to Bayview, three times round. The winner of this race on handicap was "NYRIA" skippered by Mr.G. Solomon.

During 1950 BYRA decided to sponsor the Star class, and Stars were raced at BYRA as the Pittwater fleet until 1958. Mr Dalton had purchased from Melbourne a Star class yacht known as "Tranquil" 2816. This yacht was sailed in all BYRA races for some time and her performance was so satisfactory that other members purchased Stars with the idea of forming a fleet. At a general meeting of the BYRA executive and Star owners in June 1951, it was decided to form a Star Fleet to be known as the Pittwater fleet, and to apply for affiliation with the International Star Class Yacht racing Association of America. The charter was subsequently granted and, at the end of 1951 season, BYRA had ten Stars on the register.

In November 1950, Mr. Dalton launched at Pittwater the first certificated Dragon, D/KA1, "Platypus". Dragon races were conducted during the whole of 1951 and at the end of that year BYRA had three certificated Dragons racing. Several more were in the offing and it was anticipated that the Dragon fleet would keep its flag flying at BYRA. However, during 1952 the Dragon fleet ceased to exist, some going to race on Sydney Harbour, and others not wanting to race on Sunday.

Early in 1952 BYRA was requested to form a V.J. fleet, and, at the end of 1952/53 season , BYRA had the second biggest V.J. fleet in the Sydney Harbour/ Pittwater Zone. The mixed yachts had fallen off by this time, and for a time BYRA consisted mainly of the Star and V.J. fleets, each operating as separate entities.

Vee-Jays rigging and launching at BYRA, 1957.

During 1956, Moths were introduced to BYRA and proved to be very popular, at one time seriously threatening the V.J. fleet in numbers. To boost interest in the V.J.'s the Patron, Major H. Porter, donated a V.J. for a competition in 1961. This V.J. was named "Thoroughbred" and was won by David Robinson. During 1958 the number of Stars dwindled and eventually the Star fleet moved its activities to the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club.

During 1963 Herons made their appearance at BYRA, and were eventually given fleet status. 1964 saw the Commonwealth Heron titles at BYRA, and this helped to build up the fleet, so much so that the increased number of family members brought in with the Herons was a shot in the arm financially for BYRA.

The 1964/65 season saw the introduction of three more classes - the 505, Fireball and the TS16 - and BYRA was really growing fast, with a predominantly family atmosphere. New classes introduced since then were 1967/68 Mirror Dinghy; 1969/70 Manly Juniors; 1970/71 NS14 and GriffinT.S. 17; 1974/75 Solo; 1977/78 Flying Ants, 1984/85 Spirals.

Incidentally:

In the early years (1950/57) a two storey boatshed in the vicinity of Riddles shop was rented from the council for a nominal fee and became the BYRA clubhouse. 

With the advent of the Moth fleet and growing membership it was seen that a bigger clubhouse would soon be needed, and during the 1956/57 season plans were made to extend the clubhouse. Much of the planning and direction was provided by Mr. Henry King and Mr Richard Overy. The necessary money to build was raised at various functions and from debentures taken out by a number of members and interested persons.

The extended clubhouse was opened by the Patron, Mr Dalton, on 23rd November 1957, and was then of upstairs dimensions 40 feet by 38 feet with down stairs accommodation for 40 boats. Eventually hot showers, septic toilets and amenities were installed, making BYRA one of the most comfortable clubhouses in the Sydney area.

With further growth in membership, and the introduction of new classes, the clubhouse was further extended in 1959/60 and capable of storing 72 boats. In the 1966/67 season further extensions were carried out. The 1969/70 season saw the upstairs floor tiled and the interior made more attractive. 

In 1971/72 the upstairs deck was extended and more storage for boats provided downstairs. In the early stages much of the work was done by voluntary labour, the members being very keen, but the later stages were able to be let out to builders owing to the improved financial status of the club from an enlarged membership.

Our sailing club benefits from the assistance of many volunteers to make it the success that it is. We are always looking for people to help in various roles on Sundays during the sailing season, and even a commitment of just a few hours once a month makes a big difference to us. Here's an example of the types of things you can get involved in as a volunteer:

You get to spend the afternoon on the race start boat (a large comfortable vessel) watching the racing up close. The role involves recording sail numbers and finish times of the boats as they cross the finish line. At least one other scribe works with you so you can agree records. You need to arrive at the club at 12:30pm for the BYRA patrol boat to take you to the start boat. At the conclusion of racing (normally by 4:30pm) you will be ferried back to BYRA. No experience necessary and a great way to spend an afternoon!

BYRA operates a patrol boat on the northern course (immediately to the north of Scotland Island) each Sunday afternoon to support the Combined Fleet Racing. The role of this boat is to:

• Lay and retrieve course marks.

• Ferry the Race Scribe to and from the start boat.

• Provide assistance to the dinghys as required.

• The Partol Boat requires a Driver and at least one Crew.

No experience necessary! As crew you assist with mark laying and providing support to dinghies if required. You need to arrive at the club at 12:30pm . At the conclusion of racing (normally by 4:30pm) you retrieve the BYRA scribe from the start boat and return to BYRA. A wonderful way to spend an afternoon and to see dinghy sailing up close!

To drive the boat you require a boat license. Ideally you would serve a couple of sessions as Patrol Boat Crew to become familiar with proceedings first. You need to arrive at the club at 12:30pm. At the conclusion of racing (normally by 4:30pm) you retrieve the BYRA scribe from the start boat and return to BYRA. A wonderful way to spend an afternoon and to see dinghy sailing up close!

BYRA operates a very successful canteen from 8:30am to 1:00pm each Sunday. Volunteers can commit to just a few hours or the whole day - all assistance is greatly appreciated. The canteen is the heart of BYRA and is a very enjoyable place to spend a few hours. Many of our volunteers combine a few hours in the morning with an afternoon as race scribe or on the patrol boat.

If you (or a friend) would like to get involved then contact the club. Visit www.byra.org.au/contact

Will be presented to the Club Member who, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, brought most credit to the Club during the season. Major

consideration will be given to sailing ability, sportsmanship, general demeanour and club service.

Will be presented to the Club Member who, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, has made an outstanding contribution to the Club during the

season. Major consideration will be given to general demeanour, sportsmanship and club service, sailing ability will be included but the award decision will be independent of competitive success.

Shall be awarded to a junior member, 18 years or under, for travel expenses to major interstate or overseas event. Fleet Captains, or members, are invited to nominate possible recipients to the General Committee.

Shall be awarded to the most consistent performer in the Club in Handicap events. The skipper with the best average points will receive the trophy. All heats of the seasons Point Score shall be counted with 10 points allocated for 1st place, 9 points for 2nd place, and so on. In the event of a tie, a count back shall apply. Any Fleet which has an average of less than 10 starters shall have the points reduced proportionally, e.g. Av. Pts = 7.2; av. Starters 8.6; Adj. Ave. Pts 7.2 x 8.6/10 =6.192pts.

Shall be awarded to the most consistent performer in the club on Scratch results. This shall be calculated in the same manner as the Chris Hildebrandt

Trophy.

Shall be awarded to acknowledge success in a new class.

Shall be awarded to the most promising graduate from a training class.

Shall be awarded to a junior member who has contributed to the running of the club.

Shall be awarded to a recent graduate from the training class, who has made an outstanding contribution to sailing activities.

Shall be awarded for the greatest level of effort and progress made by a participant in a junior training class.

• Roley Bernard Memorial Trophy for Fleet Champion (Perpetual)

• Privateer Shield for Seasons Point Score (Perpetual)

SPIRAL

• Spiral Fleet Championship Trophy (Perpetual)

• Hot Jazz Perpetual trophy for seasons Point Score (Perpetual).

• Ruddy Blush Trophy

• Old China Cup

• The Bill Gray Trophy for Twilight series scratch winner (perpetual)

• McCYRG Twilight Cup for Twilight series handicap winner (perpetual)

• Two Island Classique Trophy (Perpetual)

• Ruth and Leon Paul Memorial Barbeque Trophy (Perpetual)

• The Dalton Lion Island Challenge Cup (Perpetual)