The first audit date for the 2025 – 2026 Sailing Season is this Saturday August 16.
The procedure will be to call GFS on channel 72 when approaching the Clubhouse and GFS will call you in when there is an auditor ready to inspect your boat.
Only Cat 7 Safety Audits will be carried out by GFS. Those wishing higher categories will need to be inspected by the club that is requiring the higher category.
Please download the Cat 7 Safety Audit Form and fill out prior to arrival. https://gfs.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Equipment-Audit-Form-25-28.pdf
Wednesday August 20 from 7.15pm GFS Clubhouse
Whether you’ve been sailing for years or are new to racing, come along and enjoy a fun and engaging evening.
Arrive 7.15pm for drinks and light snacks provided by Club. The session starts at 7.45pm and concludes at 9.15pm…all welcome to stay on for a drink afterwards.
Let us know if you’re coming. If you haven’t already done so, please click on the link below to respond
A synopsis if Rosalie’s life and achievements can be found here – https://inthecove.com.au/2025/08/05/vale-rosalie-lucas-2015-lane-cove-citizen-of-the-year/
Rosalie had a long and distinguished involvement with GFS over many years. In the late 1990’s she and her husband Geoff took on the catering for the twilight BBQ for 8 years. This involved sourcing and preparing all the food and drink, a job not for the fainthearted and undertaken today by professional caterers.
In 1999 she published the definitive history of GFS for the 75th anniversary of the club which is cherished by many members. This was a massive work taking two years and capturing so many of the events that have made GFS what it is today. Having some involvement in the development of the 100 year book I can only marvel at the dedication and tenacity she displayed in producing this work.
Rosalie embodied the community spirit and willingness to help others that characterises all that is good about GFS. She will be greatly missed by all of us.
Steve Bradley, Commodore
There are 4 Audit Days in which you can present your boat.
Saturday 16th Aug. 9am till 12.00
Sunday 31st Aug. 9am till 12.00
Sunday 14th Sept 9 am till 12.00
Sunday 28th Sept. 9 am till 12.00
Please note Saturday Series racing commences on September 6th.
This year special attention will be made to
- Anchors and chains (both of which must be on deck).
- Man Over Board (MOB) procedures for retrieval.
- Nav lights. (Some races finish after dark and so working nav lights are essential.)
Personal inspection of life jackets and fire extinguishers are acceptable (see link below for the fire extinguisher check list)
https://gfs.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/amsa707_inspection_of_portable_fire_extinguishers.pdf
The procedure will be to call GFS on channel 72 when approaching the Clubhouse and GFS will call you in when there is an auditor ready to inspect your boat.
Only Cat 7 Safety Audits will be carried out by GFS. Those wishing higher categories will need to be inspected by the club that is requiring the higher category.
Please download the Cat 7 Safety Audit Form and fill out prior to arrival. https://gfs.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Equipment-Audit-Form-25-28.pdf
On the Sailing – Yacht Racing Information page https://gfs.org.au/yachts/racing-information/ please find –
- Instructions how to enter each separate GFS Series
- Racing Rules of Sailing 2025 – 2028
- GFS Sailing Program – Yachts
- GFS Sailing Instructions
- GFS Safety Card
- GFS Cat 7 Equipment Audit Form
- GFS Saturday Course Sheet
- GFS Twilight Course Sheet
These can be downloaded and/or saved to a device.
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 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.
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
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.
