President's Message 2025/26 Season

September 2025

Dear Members and Friends,

Welcome back to Largs Bay Sailing Club for another fantastic sailing season. 

It’s now just under a month until we celebrate the season Opening Day on Saturday 11^th October.  As always, Opening Day is a day of celebration where everyone is welcome to join in and toast the success of the upcoming season.  We’ll acknowledge our newest Life Member, Matthew Carter and salute the Flag Officers at the Sail Past.  Dress up your boats for a chance at the Gordon Luxton Memorial Trophy.

On reflection, the 2024/25 season was an enormous one for Largs.  We held three national championships, major state championships for several classes, the State Youth Championships and coaching clinic, as well as a full sail training program and the Optimist Girls Clinic. 

There were so many successful events that I’ve probably forgotten some! Consequently, we are very well represented by finalists at the SA Sailing Awards to be held this Friday night.  Subin Wright-Simon is a finalist for Instructor of the Year, Finlay Bunt as Volunteer of the Year, Fraser Baker and Will Gaylard as Youth Sailor of the Year, and the Club as Club of the Year (Category A).  Keep an eye on Facebook for news of the winners.

This year the Club is hosting a smaller number of major events compared to last year.  The most significant being the 60^th Hartley TS16 Nationals in early February sponsored by “Caravan Storage Adelaide”.  Outside of this, you’ll see a regular program of Saturday afternoon Club Racing and the occasional Sunday when the club will host Class State Heats. Check the sailing program on our website.

Our Sail Training Programs are expanding and filling fast.  As well as the typical Saturday morning Tackers, Little Tackers and Green Fleet programs, we are launching a school holiday program for Teenagers and an Adult Introduction to Sailing course.  Please promote these to your friends and family and get more people into our great sport.  There are also plans for a ladies only course, as we aim to support and increase female participation.

Australian Sailing have chosen us to be part of the “Sail Our Way” project.  This is a federally funded program aiming to build, expand and improve sustainable club coaching and participation programs, with a particular focus on building female participation.  Australian Sailing will support us in reviewing coaching programs and developing the skills of club coaches.

The algal bloom currently affecting our beach is at the forefront of our planning.  At this stage all our sailing activities are going ahead, but of course we will follow the advice coming from the Government, SA Health and Australian Sailing, and review the situation regularly.

Volunteering is a core value of our club, and with the season approaching there will be lots of roles that need filling.  If you can help in the canteen, please contact Sue on 0439 701 088.  If you can help on the water (eg, rescue boat crew) please contact Esho on 0411 823 508.  You don’t need to commit every weekend – every little bit helps.

We welcome some new Members onto the Management Committee this year. Please introduce yourself to our new Secretary, Angela Petts, Rear Commodore, Mitchell Baker and Building Chair, Simon Jones.  Also Daniel McLaren has recently filled a casual vacancy as House Chair.

We still have a casual vacancy for the role of Treasurer and desperately need fill this position.  If you think you can help, please get in touch to discuss.

The social side of our club continues to go from strength to strength.  The Friday Night Members Jackpot Draw is very popular and has got up to some big totals, but you’ve gotta be there to win it!  Recent live music afternoons have also drawn a good crowd.

We invite all members and their guests to attend the Commodore’s Ball on 25th October.  This will be a great night of food, drinks, dancing and fun with a live band.  Tickets will be on sale soon and you can book via the club website.

Did you know the Largs Bay Sailing Club is celebrating its 100th Birthday in 2027? 
Planning has already begun to make this a very special year.  If you have any old club memorabilia or stories that you’d like to share, please contact Sam Whitton: lbsccentenary@gmail.com

We’ve got some great sponsors back on board again this year.  Please support these local businesses listed on the bottom of club emails.If you think you can help, and would like a copy of the sponsorship prospectus, please contact Michael Simms on 0418 802 634.

The Club has established some partnerships that can benefit both members and the Club:

    The Zhik Club Rewards Program offers members 5% off purchases, and a 10% credit back to the Club. 
                 Click here and log in to link your Zhik account to the Club Rewards Program.

      Aussie Broadband support the club through reduced rates on our internet service. 
                   If you sign up for a service with them, both you and the club will receive a $50 credit. 
                   Quote our Referral code: 14511893

I look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Stuart Emery

President, Largs Bay SC

Stuart Emery
President LBSC
on behalf of the Management Committee