BSC Cruising Division

History of the Cruising Division

In 1995 a community based group took over the lease for a premises at the foot of Water Street, Birchgrove, previously known as The Balmain 12ft Skiff Club – to become the Balmain Sailing Club.

The club house and deck were in disrepair and a fundraising and building programme was organized. Many enthusiastic and hardworking volunteers were to transform the club into the facility it is today.

In those first months the deck was too dangerous to use, and it was not possible to hold dinghy races. The first race was soon held, and is now celebrated with the Birthday Plate – won by “Layla” – a Hood 20

Comment from a club member:
I was among the first wave of members and recall, among other things, the early working bee in which we turned over the deck timbers as the undersides were in good condition while the exposed surfaces had deteriorated badly. As we toiled with the crowbars and large hammers, one of the female members leaned out of the upstairs window and claimed she could "smell the testosterone from here!"

There was a group sailing on Mondays from Birkenhead Point – the Birkenhead Yacht Club - and, as this club disbanded, a lot of members joined Balmain Sailing Club. The club was underway – with the rebuilding of the deck, the inclusion of dinghies and the establishment of a sailing school. Under the guidance of the first office bearers and committee, the club began to grow and is still growing today – yet to reach a plateau.

Some cruising activity was enjoyed with picnic BBQs at Store Beach, the ‘Two Cats’ Race/Cruise (Tiger Town to Lion Island) and the annual Easter cruise. A cruising captain’s role was established and became part of the sailing committee. Sailaways were held to locations within Sydney Harbour, and there were always members undertaking longer voyages.

At present the BSC enjoys racing fleets of up to 70 boats on Friday twilights, and 30 boats on Sundays, and has an active cruising division. This division rounds out the Club’s activities.

The Cruising Division’s mascot is the Dugong, and the members like to call themselves Dugongs.

Meetings are held informally every five weeks at different locations such as: a local pub, a member’s boat etc.

Regular cruises, information nights, social events, and a book club are held for members and visitors.

The Cruising Division communicate by email, the Club’s website and forum and, through the "Undercurrent", Balmain Sailing Club's newsletter.

On the water, communications are initialised on 27MHz Channel 88 and VHF Channel 16 – the division’s call sign is ‘Dugong’.

For the information of Members and Guests
Balmain Sailing Club
Address: Water Street Balmain NSW 2041 (PO Box 653 Rozelle NSW 2039)
Telephone: 61 2 8710 2086 Fax: 61 2 9818 8850
Email: bsclub@tpg.com.au