Welcome to Lake Keepit Sailing Club
If
you like water – and most Australians do – then you’ll enjoy sailing.
Sailing provides all degrees of excitement - from the adrenalin, high
performance of sporting boats to the comfort and convenience of the
cruising yacht. All have a place and can be fairly raced by a
handicapping system that takes account of each boat’s known performance.
As with most recreational sports, sailing is an acquired skill, best
learnt in a club environment where experienced people can help; and
safety issues (rescue boats etc) are addressed. In the beginning, most
sailors just want to get on the water and indulge in that greatest
pleasure of all, just “messing” about in a boat. However, as has
always been the case, if two sailing boats are heading in roughly the
same direction, there is a “race” on. You do not have to own a
boat. Crewing positions are always available and this is a good
way to get started. The Club has a small fleet of boats available
for members to use. The clubhouse itself is a fabulous facility and
this available to club members and their friends.
Lake Keepit sailors really enjoy their weekend racing, despite more
than their fair share of very light winds. When questioned,
sailors respond with “it is a challenge to get around the course
because it is different every time to get that puff [of wind] before
the other boat”. A comment from a keen sportsman trying sailing
for the first time on a very light [wind] day, recently summed up the
situation nicely. The racing was close with the lead changing
with every little puff [of wind], ‘it’s sort of slow excitement, isn’t
it?” Friendly rivalry at its best, and quiet drink after is
enjoyed as the race is re-run on the Club balcony.
At Lake Keepit, it’s not all light weather conditions. Sailors
experience delight at the performance of their craft. There is
nothing so exhilarating as a fast ride in a responsive boat, downwind
under spinnaker in a good, stiff breeze.
Inter club competition lifts the standard of racing, adds variety and
helps both clubs. New England Sailing Club which sails on Malpas
Dam near Armidale, competes with Lake Keekit Sailing Club in the
Thunderbolt Regatta. Travelling to regattas on the coast, in
different lakes, and on different rivers and bays, adds to the
experience.
Social occasions abound. The
twilight series is sailed late on an occasional Saturday afternoon and
this invariably leads to a barbeque, refreshments and campout at the
clubhouse. Sailors are ready to go sailing (racing) again on
Sunday. River trips are always a favourite. Camping in a
quiet bay over night and then bacon and eggs cooked by the camp fire in
the morning – what a way to go.People from every walk of life, young or
mature, can enjoy sailing. The companionship of like-minded
people is hard to beat. TRY IT!
