There is a section under Sailing on the GFS website – GFS Women for passing on information – https://gfs.org.au/yachts/gfs-women/
Exciting changes are planned for the Women’s Helm. This year there will be five races, held on the last Wednesday of the month except December. This will provide continuity and mentoring, leading to better learning outcomes.
If you’re an experienced Skipper and would like to share your knowledge, please nominate as a Mentor.
https://forms.gle/VstY9QUnRwFioNaq8
If you’re a woman with some sailing experience who would like to helm, please nominate as a Helmswoman.
https://forms.gle/YqTUmKmvd5rGCsry9
As an added incentive for Boat Owners and Skippers, all entrants in the Women’s Helm will go into a draw. Winners will get the opportunity to have an expert sailor on board during a future twilight race to offer tips and tactics.
Read more about the Women’s Helm here https://gfs.org.au/yachts/gfs-women/ and keep an eye on the website for updates.
Questions welcome and encouraged to either Steve Bradley commodore@gfs.org.au or Leigh McLaughlin vicecommodore@gfs.org.au
The Sail Fast Boot Camp is a new event on the Club calendar to bring members together over winter: Wednesday 20 August, 7.15pm, at the Clubhouse. Learn racing tips; hear from experienced Skippers; meet fellow Club members. Free and open to all financial members.
Whether you’ve been sailing for years or are new to racing, come along and enjoy a fun and engaging evening. Discuss topics such as: Race Day Preparation; Racing Techniques; Understanding Sydney Harbour; Navigating Humbug and more.
Arrive 7.15pm for drinks and light snacks provided by the Club. Session begins at 7.45pm and concludes at 9.15pm…all welcome to stay on for a drink afterwards. Please click on the link below to rsvp
The 2025 – 2028 Racing Rules of Sailing (Blue Book) are now current.
Go to https://www.sailingresources.org.au/rules-hub/rrs/ and download a copy.
You can also view and download a summary of changes from the previous version.
SailSys – https://www.sailsys.com.au/
The club committee after careful review has made the decision to move to SailSys as the club’s race management program. SailSys is an integrated online race management system which has perceived benefits over that used previously.
SailSys is used by many sailing clubs including Sydney Amateurs, Manly, RANSA and Avalon Sailing Clubs which are similar in size and nature to GFS. As well Middle Harbour, Royal Sydney, Royal Queensland, CYCA and Sydney Combined clubs also use SailSys.
At GFS due to our large Twilight fleet this system will save a considerable amount of effort in collecting entries, setting up series and recording and and publishing results. It allows transportable PHS handicaps across fleets, series and clubs.
You may have already received an email from SailSys with a link to allow you to enter. Sometimes this email may go to your email JUNK folder. Please have a look.
The 2025 West Harbour Winter Series race dates. The first race is June 1 (not as listed in the original GFS program).
Click to enlarge
Entries via – Balmain Sailing Club – https://www.balmainsailingclub.com/
or use this link – https://topyacht.com.au/db/kb2/series_select.php?EventID=1804
Sailing instructions and courses are available from – https://www.balmainsailingclub.com/racing/instructions-and-courses
There is no entry cost for current full members of GFS, DSC and PRSC.
There is a link to entries and results on this website – Sailing – Yacht Division Results or here
Please make sure the members fridge is locked after use.
Please, if you use the club barbeques clean them after use. They are cleaned professionally a couple of times during the season but must be left at all times in an acceptable state after use.
Your 2024 GFS Centenary book, a 180-page hard cover book, packed with stories, memories and photos, is now available.
Fifty men and women share membership stories and memories, including how much GFS means to them, their long-distance sailing adventures and a brief history of the different GFS eras. Life Member John Notley kindly wrote the Foreword.
Flip through hundreds of photos that capture our 100-year history – twilight and weekend sails, balmy evenings on the deck, rainy days, Humbug tussles and the very special camaraderie GFS offers over a drink or two post-race. “It doesn’t get any better than this” was a constant refrain in the book – thank you Michael Armati!
See if you can spot yourself … or your boat! Compiled by Ros Bradley, together with John Veale and Steve Bradley and the help of many others.
Limited Edition! Sample copies available to view at the club. $50 a copy; cash/credit card. Available Wed twilights or email Ros Bradley: rsbrad99@gmail.com
The 2025 Greenwich Flying Squadron Annual General Meeting will take place on 8 July 2025 starting at 7.30pm in person and at the Clubhouse.
The following will be sent shortly by email –
- Greenwich Flying Squadron Inc AGM 2025 Agenda
- Minutes of the 2024 AGM
- Annual Financial Report
The Committee encourages members to nominate for election to committee positions. Please refer to the Constitution on the website, including Clause 14, for the details of the necessary paperwork and timing of the nomination process.
This Saturday GFS hosts the annual prize presentation for season 2024 – 2025. At the clubhouse from 3.00pm.
An event not to be missed it is more than recognising individual achievements but a chance to engage with other members of the GFS sailing fraternity.
For recipients of trophies and plates it would be appreciated if you were in attendance to receive your award. These were listed in the May Humbug.
It is with sadness to note the passing of club member and long standing member of the Flair crew Michael Halter.
His presence on Flair will be greatly missed.
To avoid the June Long Weekend the Prize Presentation has been moved forward one week.
The presentation in May 31 from 3.00pm at the GFS clubhouse.
Also a reminder that the GFS Annual General Meeting is 7.30pm July 8 at the GFS clubhouse.
Greenwich Flying Squadron is one of the few keel boat clubs on the Harbour run by its members. We’re a volunteer-run Club with a community spirit that supports safe and fair sailing and enjoyable socialising. The Club is governed by a 19-member Committee with around 50 roles performed by volunteers. Some of our Committee members and volunteers are looking to hand over after many years of service, so the Club is inviting Members to consider stepping up to help run the Club. You don’t need special skills or experience and lots of training and support is available.
As a Committee member or volunteer, you will meet fellow sailors and form new friendships, expand your knowledge and learn new skills. Members who have held these roles talk about how much they enjoyed the experience. As well as committee positions, roles essential to the safe and successful operation of the club include safety auditors, protest committee members, sailing officials, restocking fridges, keeping gas bottles full, putting buoys out, helping Junior Sailing and Women’s Participation, and helping Committee members with tasks and projects.
Please click on the link and complete the form to register your interest. Member Response
Or just give us a call and we can tell you more about it. Please get in touch to arrange a chat. Steve Bradley, Vice Commodore, gfsvicecommodore@gmail.com, 0404 829 108 and Leigh McLaughlin, Twilight Captain, twilightcaptain@gfs.org.au, 0412 234 832
Follow this link to view items on sale from Helly Hansen Today and Tomorrow only.
2025 West Harbour Winter Series dates are –
Click to enlarge
Yachts joining the Saturday fleet for Down Harbour Race 7 on Mach 8 (International Women’s Day) can find their division and handicaps on the Sailing – Yacht Division Results 2024 – 2025 Results – Saturday Down Harbour Series page of this website.
Please note the down Harbour courses are also on the Sailing – Yacht Racing Information page. Starting times and sequence are in the Sailing Instructions on this page as well.
