- Racing
- Social Events
- Membership Figures
- Membership Policy
- Bringing Boats into LBC
- BBQ use and Cleanup
- Boat Covers
- From the Beachmaster
RACING
LBC kicked off this year’s summer racing season with a solid turnout for Summer Series #1 on May 29. Just a few days later, even more boats showed up for our Holiday Series #1 on June 6. For reports and full results, see the Race Results section on the website.
Two more race days are coming up soon. Summer Series #2 is scheduled for June 26—this coming Sunday, skippers’ briefing at 10 a.m.—and Holiday Series #2 for July 1. Come join the fun!
And a reminder to all: This year’s Asian Open Regatta is scheduled for November 12–13.
SOCIAL EVENTS
Our first social event of the year, the Commodore’s BBQ on May 29, was a big success and (we hope) has launched a new custom of holding BBQs on race days, to give tired sailors something to look forward to when they get back to the beach.
Sunshine Island Report. The morning of June 12, our annual Sunshine Island Sail, was wet, windy, and dismal, so after some early morning emails we sent off a Flash calling off the sail. However, have BBQ, will cook. So the Commodore, Social Secretary, and Beachmaster were on hand to provide sausages, steak, chicken wings, and burgers to the hardier members determined to sail. After lunch, the weather turned clear, with enough wind to tempt five boats onto the water. So though we didn’t get to the island, the day wasn’t a complete washout. We also managed a bit of cleaning in the hut and on the beach, thanks to the Beachmaster, and we gave the BBQ a deep clean inside and out. It now shines as new thanks to an amazing gel from Germany that was kindly offered to do the job. — Andy Keith, Social Secretary
Open Day. For LBC’s sailing contingent, this year’s July 1 Open Day will be more low-key than in the past. Since boat parking is already at full capacity, we're planning only an open house and BBQ get-together with LBC members, sponsors, and friends, rather than membership recruitment activities, such as boat rides for newcomers. The paddlers and rowers may do some membership recruitment and offer an introduction or trial rides. The BBQ will begin around 1 or 2 p.m. and is expect to last until about 6 p.m.
MEMBERSHIP FIGURES
LBC now has a total of 279 members, including primary and family members. Of this total, 52 are associated mainly with the paddling section and 15 with the rowing section.
MEMBERSHIP POLICY
A reminder: anyone who participates in sailing, paddling, or rowing at LBC more than three times is expected to join the club as a fee-paying member. LBC fees are extremely low, and out of fairness to other members, everyone who uses our facilities regularly should join up.
BRINGING BOATS INTO LBC
As our boat park has been at or over full capacity for some time, the Committee has adopted explicit guidelines for bringing new boats into the club. Any member wishing to bring in a new boat must notify the Committee in advance, to arrange parking and insurance. New boats may be brought in without waiting for a parking space only if the owner removes an old boat to create an empty space for the new one. In all other cases, new boats must wait for an open parking space, which the Committee will allocate according to a public waiting list. To be placed on the waiting list, contact the Secretary.
BBQ USE AND CLEANUP
The club barbecue was recently left so filthy that the drip tray and hotplate amounted to a toxic biohazard. Our thanks to James Branch for spending much of an afternoon getting it spic-and-span again. From now on, the barbecue will be locked. Keys will be distributed to all committee members, including the paddling and rowing committees. Members wishing to use the barbecue may borrow a key, but they are responsible for cleaning the equipment after use. If you find the BBQ in a bad state, please report this but also clean it before using it. If the gas bottle is empty, please leave it in the hut and inform the Beachmaster or Secretary.
BOAT COVERS
LBC rules state that boat covers must be made of Sunbrella material, which allows water to pass through and prevents mosquitos from breeding. If your boat has a canvas cover, please replace it, so that the Beachmaster and others do not need to dump water off your cover each time it rains. If your cover is old and deteriorating, please take this as an opportunity to replace it. If you do not know where to purchase a Sunbrella cover, the Committee can recommend suppliers.
FROM THE BEACHMASTER
With the return of the typhoon season, please check the area around your boat for rubbish and unused boat parts. Any prevailing onshore breeze blows rubbish from the beach up under and around the boats, and the HKR cleaning crews won’t pick up there for fear of damaging our boats.
On the topic of cleanliness, if you have a party or a few drinks after a good day on the water please clean up after yourself. Broken glass beer bottles left on the floor pose an obvious safety risk. New brooms have been placed in the club house. If you are the last to leave, please take a few minutes to sweep the floor.
Please label any sail boxes or other storage boxes with your sail number or name, for ease of identification. If possible, please slide your sail box under your boat.
Finally, make sure that your contact details in our membership records are up to date. In case of a typhoon, we need to be able to notify everyone to come to the beach to drop masts and move boats to safer ground. — James Branch
