St G.S.C.

How did it all start?

It started with the sale of my MG. I contemplated getting a 49er, however I also always wanted to sail a Moth. The Moth was a cheaper option so that’s what I got.

I saw an opportunity to introduce the Moth class to St George as the club didn’t cater for any single handed classes. This effectively meant that anybody who wanted to sail without a crew was forced to leave the club (probably joining the Laser fleet at G.R.S.C.).

With a number of other sailors keen to race from St George, I felt that we could get 4-5 boats regularly racing at the club. For the start of the 04-05 sailing season I wrote to the club and proposed they put a ballot to the members, allowing a new “open class” to race during the 04-05 sailing season.

The idea behind the open class was to sugar coat the idea of an ‘out there’ sailing class joining one of the most conservative skiff establishments in Sydney. It’s not the first time the Moths were seen as bit of a freak-show that didn’t really fit the club’s image.

There were a number of key people that made the Moth flee sustainable in the early years sailing under the ‘open class’ banner. They were Bruce McLeod, Phil and Andrew Stevenson as well as Kylie Lowry. Our regular racing drew new people in, and we soon had 8 boats keen to sail in 05-06.

For next sailing season, Moths applied to be a class on its own, eligible for prize money and other benefits that come with being a St George registered section. Our proposal was excepted and the class grew to attract sailors like world champion Chris Dey. The section also purchased their own inflatable boat for the purpose of training new sailors.

The start of 2010-11 sailing season has been the most exciting so far with 5 brand new boats being launched in preparation for the world championship at Belmont. Our fleet now consists of 15 registered boats with about 8-10 regulars.

Why join St.George?

It’s the cheapest Moth sailing club in Sydney with the bigest boat shed in Australia.  Flat water (most of the time and there is plenty of parking too.

Where is it?

St George Sailing Club it situated in Sydney’s southern suburb of Sans Souci, about 30minutes drive from CBD.

St George S.C.
Riverside Drive, Sans Souci
Tel: 9529-4911

http://www.stgeorgesailingclub.com.au/

2010-11 Season positions

Organiser:                Phil Stevenson
Race secretary:        Phil Stevenson
Measurer:                 Andrew Stevenson
Publicity Officers:    Steven Donovan