What the ORCV does

Racing

The ORCV runs all offshore racing in Victoria. Over the summer season, annual Bass Strait races are run to Victorian and northern Tasmanian coastal destinations and at Christmas time, the “Tassie Trio” comprising races from Melbourne to Launceston and Melbourne to Hobart, by either the traditional Westcoaster route or by the younger Eastcoaster route.

International transoceanic races are run to Vanuatu (M2V) every 4yrs and to Osaka (M2O) every 5yrs.

If you are not yet ready to exit Port Phillip Heads, longer distance racing is also conducted on Port Phillip with the Boxing Day Dash, the Winter Series which culminates in the Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race (M2G) in September and the Latitude Pursuit Race. A Double Handed Race is also held over 25nm in May each year, for those who really want to put themselves under the pump!

And for the women sailors, the inaugural ORCV Women Skippers & Navigators Race was launched in September 2013 as a return passage race from Geelong to Melbourne, with 27 women stepping up to skipper, supported by their female Navigators and Radio Operators and the generous boat owners and mentors. Get the vibe from the experience of a couple of “newbies” who stumbled into the race and will definitely be back for more.

Cruising

Not that keen on racing but love being disconnected from the shore and out on the water? There are many opportunities for crew to join delivery passages home after offshore racing. The advantage is that you don’t leave unless the weather is good, your bunk is always warm and dry and you don’t have to change headsails in the middle of the night. The camaraderie is great, you get to go places few people have the opportunity to experience and you can practise your skills without the pressures of racing.

The ORCV also offer a Cruising Division in their Winter Series on Port Phillip for a more relaxed racing experience.

Social

The ORCV has a reputation for great parties in a variety of exotic locations. From Osaka Japan to Port Vila Vanuatu to the Taste of Tassie in Hobart or the fabulous King Island “beef feast”, to the local get-togethers at the end of the Geelong and Boxing Day Dash races, there is always an excited bunch of sailors at the bar to share your stories with. Don’t like the journey, but love the parties? Come and join in the fun as support to Race Management and pick up some valuable skills along the way. No experience is required as the ORCV will train you for the job.

Training

The ORCV provides extensive training for all sailors throughout the year to help prepare you for your offshore voyaging, with courses for your personal preparation (Sea Safety & Survival, Apply First Aid & CPR, Radio Operators practical courses), to dealing with Weather and exiting the Rip at Port Phillip Heads.

One of the most popular activities is the Latitude Series, a combination of two off water seminars prior to a weekend of racing with a short “Ocean” race from Queenscliff into Bass Strait to a designated latitude and back to Portsea on the Saturday, followed by a “Bay” Pursuit race home from Blairgowrie to Sandringham on the Sunday. This event provides unique tactical & navigation challenges for ocean racers of all levels coupled with a competitor support program and mentoring support for ocean racing beginners, to transition from 'Round the Sticks' Bay racing to Ocean Racing. Highly recommended for a great fun weekend on the water.

For the transoceanic races, Long Distance Ocean Racing Seminars are run in the lead up to assist all sailors with all aspects of planning and preparation for such voyages.

Getting involved

Keen to join a crew or become involved in the ORCV?

If you are looking for a crew position, or are a skipper looking for crew, either for racing or delivery trips, register on the ORCV Crewfind Register.

Keen to be involved in Race Management? Theory training sessions are provided as well as the opportunity to work alongside experienced Race Directors in a variety of different races and locations. Go to the Race Management Training Register to register your interest.

Any queries or problems with registering, contact committee member This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or sailing administrator This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Membership

Membership of the ORCV confers significant benefits including discounts on all training and crew fees for racing as well as a free copy of the ORCV Yearbook. This excellent publication is updated every year and is the most comprehensive manual you will find as your guide for sailing in Bass Strait and beyond. All contributions come from experienced ocean sailors within the organisation, all of whom are happy to share their knowledge with you. Don’t leave home without it!

For only $250 per annum, join up now.

Support for Women

We are keen to assist you with discovering the joys of ocean racing: “seize the opportunity in the lifetime of the opportunity”! (Chay Blyth, British Steel Challenge). Contact one of our active “Ocean Girls” to chart your future course.

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The Ocean Girls Step It Up

The second weekend in September presented favourable weather to herald the celebration of the end of winter for sailors on Port Phillip Bay and although a slight chill was in the air, the 60 strong fleet revelled in the sunshine and a comfortable breeze for the ORCV Melbourne to Geelong race.

Sunday dawned with a light following breeze for the pilgrimage home however there was a difference this year, a nervous tension in the air, as the Ocean Girls stepped up to assume command for the inaugural Ocean Racing Club of Victoria’s (ORCV) Women Skippers and Navigators Race.

If you haven’t noticed yet, there are a number of initiatives being rolled out in Victoria to encourage the participation of women and girls into the sport of sailing so with a gentle nudge from Rosie Colahan, a founding member of Yachting Victoria’s Women and Girls in Sailing committee, the ORCV listened and worked with her to create this opportunity for female crew to step up and improve their skills. Thanks to Lynda Brayton, ORCV committee member for making sure that everyone got on board.

Some close manoeuvring required in the Hopetoun Channel

An encouraging 27 boats participated in the race with helm, navigator and radio operator roles filled by female crew members with a wide variety of experience. More at home on the tiller of her OK dinghy or in a Finn than on the wheel of Calm, Elizabeth Williams, usually the tactician on father Willo’s new TP, was a bit unsure about how she was going to manoeuvre that 52’ of boat on the start line but she handled the big dinghy superbly.

Jason Close and Paul Jenkins didn’t need to look far for skippers as they both have daughters who are passionate sailors. Kate Jenkins didn’t hesitate to take over the helm of Caledonia while Jason’s boat White Noise was commandeered by daughter Emily (16) and her friend Genevieve Cairns (17). These two girls met each other through sailing and recognised the passion they both had for the sport. They are now training for the Christmas Tasar Nationals at Blairgowrie and Emily has big plans for the future, including sailing in the ORCV Melbourne to Osaka race with her father when she is old enough. Emily said she loves learning from the experienced crew on White Noise and her enthusiasm is infectious.

Jason Close with daughter Emily and crew Genevieve on White Noise

The youngest crew member in the fleet was Lisette Allard (11) who took on the role of navigator while mum Sarah helmed. The family always sail together and Lisette is now quite the competent crew on their beautiful 41’ Elan, Saltair.

In keeping with the family theme, the Gtown girls Lynda Brayton and sibling Andrea created a sister act on Samskara and they had altogether too much fun.

Lynda and Andrea aboard Samakara

It was great to see some of the ocean racing regulars take the helm for the first time. Dee Colledge (Dry White), Sandra Robson (XLR8), Cecily Vial (Hush), Maureen Dickens and Jo Morley (Yoko) have been sailing in Bass Strait since last century and this is the first time they have helmed their usual rides in a race. Some of the other skippers like Gaby on Shamrock, Danielle on Afrayed Knot and Deb on Mrs Overnewton were not quite as experienced and welcomed this extraordinary opportunity. There were also some of Port Phillip Bay’s more experienced keelboat sailing women, some boat owners, some not, who took the opportunity to mentor others. Kathy Macfarlane (Children of Phoenix), Donna Foley (Streetcar), Marg Neeson (Wild Child), Vanessa Twigg (Serious Yahoo) and Sabina Rosser (Matrix) are all experienced keelboat skippers who provide leadership and encouragement to women in sailing.

Generally, it is acknowledged that women have more patience in light weather sailing. Four years ago when her partner bought Dell’ Era, a Carver 33, Gemma Coulter started sailing. She was the smallest boat in the fleet on Sunday and unfortunately the clock beat them in this race but partner Mike admitted that Gemma is a much better upwind helm than he, with better feel and more patience. Interestingly, two of their female crew members were invited to join the regular crew through a social networking site for sailors, chosen because “they had demonstrated a commitment to the sport by completing a learn to sail course”, said Mike.

It was obvious from the banter between the boats down the Wilson Spit Channel that the event, while still competitive, was a lot of fun. Research projects such as the 2011 Gemba report, commissioned by the Australian Sports Commission have provided an evidence base for yacht clubs to tackle the ‘barriers to entry’ for women into sailing and to change community perceptions of yachting and club membership. It is exciting to see our Victorian clubs using the talent in their membership to embrace these new initiatives.

Everyone was relaxed and spirits were high as the fleet ghosted along the Bellarine Peninsula in the sunshine with a fickle wind. Although a bit more puff would have been welcomed, it was an almost perfect way to introduce this new race into the ORCV program. Congratulations to the ORCV and RGYC, all who persisted to the finish line and to Sarah Garner and her crew on Outsider for winning PHS and AMS divisions, Primitive Cool for IRC and Calm for line honours.

Information about women in sailing with ORCV can be found through the blue Ocean Girls logo on the ORCV website: http://www.orcv.org.au

2013 Women Skippers and Navigators Race

Entry Available online

Entry is now available for the 2013 Women Skippers and Navigators Race from Geelong to Melbourne on Sunday 8^th September 2013.

This exciting new passage race follows the culmination of the Helly Hansen Winter Series – the Melbourne to Geelong race on Saturday 7^th September.

Requirements for participation in the race will be as follows:

Helm, Navigator and Radio operator positions to be occupied by women.
Navigators are encouraged to submit q log of their passage.
Radio operators to conduct mandatory sign on and radio schedules.

ENTER NOW!