ORCV Racing Season 2019/20 Suspension to Winter Series

Dear Members,

Fortunately, the government's financial support has ensured clubs like ours remain viable and our staff can remain employed, which we very much appreciate. We have used the time well, to review and refine our systems and processes and do some much needed maintenance. Not to dissimilar with boat owners who are no doubt using this down time to work on their own maintenance list.

We are starting to see positive signs with the trending down of new Covid19 cases and discussion about a gradual lifting of restrictions. We cannot wait for that time, when we can don the wet weather gear, head out on the ocean and feel the wind in our face once more. Until then, we must respect the government's directives, particularly as they apply to amateur sport. Until we see the lifting of travel restrictions and the lifting or clarification of the current social distancing rules, the club will not be running racing.

So in summary, the suspension of racing will continue, including the start of the Winter Series. If the government advice is that we can safely commence racing again, we will run what we can when we can. When we do, we commit to giving people plenty of notice so they can enter and have time to prepare their boat and crew. The ORCV office will remain operational during this period, if we can help you during this time don't hesitate to contact us.

Meanwhile we are working on a number of initiatives including the Pacific 2022 race concept you may have seen online and we encourage you to provide feedback here. We are also working on some exciting new online training initiatives focused on navigation and tactics, more on that later. We can't wait to see you back on the water, until then stay safe and stay connected.

Yours faithfully,

Martin Vaughan 

ORCV Commodore

Race to the Pacific in 2022, the dream.

If you’re sick of thinking about Covid –19 and can’t wait to go sailing again, let’s work on where, somewhere which is warm and tropical. What started out as a chat between friends has built momentum and as the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria, we feel this is a great idea.

But where is the question. With exploring the options of a race to the Pacific, we’d like your input. Where do you want to go? When in 2022 do we go? How serious do we want the race to be? Do we offer it as fully crewed or short handed?

Realistically we want to keep the race to no more than two weeks, the focus is on the destination and the socialising at the end of the race. So destinations need to have facilities, ideally a club that would welcome hosting us. Places like Noumea, Vanuatu, Fiji but if you have other thoughts then share them with us.

Heading back to Australia, we know people want the ability to visit some of the Pacific “must see” locations like Chesterfield reef. So do we race back or cruise? Do we tie it back into some of the other “must do” destinations such as the Airlie Beach, Hamiton Island and Magnetic Island race weeks?

Collect your thoughts together, generate some extra chatter by commenting and then put your feedback and thoughts on down completing the short survey here (link)

Turn on the heater, pop on your board shorts and hat, pull out the deckchair and pina colada and let’s start dreaming to “Take me somewhere warm please” by sailing there.

Take the survey here 

Commodore's Update

26th March 2020

Re: Remainder of ORCV 2019/20 Summer Racing Season Cancelled

Dear ORCV Community,

Since our letter announcing the suspension of training, the Covid-19 pandemic has moved fast. Our Government’s, both State and Federal, have announced various measures to control the speed and extent of spread of the virus including shutting down non-essential services and travel.

As a result, all sailing events of which ORCV is the Organising Authority taking place between today 25th March 2020 and end of May 2020 will be cancelled with immediate effect. This includes ORCV Coastal Race 3, Double Handed Race and Apollo Bay.

The ORCV General Committee will revisit the position on sailing events beyond this date in four weeks’ time – which will allow us to make a call on the Winter Series.

Entrants in ORCV Coastal Race 3, Double Handed Race and Apollo Bay are eligible for a credit on future racing or if needed, a refund. If you do need a refund please contact the ORCV office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

While our short and medium-term plans are on hold we are looking at initiatives to offer some of our ORCV training courses online.

The ORCV office will remain contactable via phone and email and our Web site and Facebook page will remain live.

Stay safe and look out for each other whilst we look forward to the time when you can cross the start line of your next ocean race or attend an ORCV training course,

Yours faithfully,

Martin Vaughan 
Commodore
Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV)

Message from the ORCV Commodore.  March 18th 2020

Re: ORCV and the Covid-19 restrictions

It is certainly an understatement to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an effect on us all. As I write this I am sitting in Inverloch, having yesterday just cut short an NZ sailing holiday to get back to Australia before the borders shut down, I now face two weeks isolation, when I left a week ago, Australian’s main concern was toilet paper supply. For those who are unwell, or who have loved ones who are unwell, or are concerned about vulnerable people close to them, our thoughts are with you.  Similarly, our thoughts are with those whose work, retirement investments and livelihoods have been impacted. The key message is that the ORCV is still open for business, but the way we operate will change and the activities we undertake will also need to change, and perhaps your approach to racing could change too.

Ocean Racing is a pastime we enjoy when times are good. Yacht racing can also be a welcome relief, something to look forward to when times are tough and we have therefore reviewed our programs in the context of the need for sustainable measures which may be significant in the nationwide effort to slow the spread of the virus. The easiest approach for the club to take would be to cancel all events for the foreseeable future. We would like to challenge people to consider alternatives.

At this stage, we will not cancel or postpone racing, unless we are advised to by Governments we believe it is needed for community well being.  We note our previous push for two-handed and four-plus autohelm racing, perhaps that provides a viable alternative for those with concerns. We will review all events and associated plans, most likely curtailing organised post-race functions and limiting competitor interaction. We will consult with competitors but reserve the right to cancel races if competitor numbers are such that a race is not viable. We will conduct the races with increased emphasis on the honesty system to limit requirements for personal interaction and travel. We believe people need and want the opportunity to go sailing and enjoy getting out.

We have decided to postpone all Training related events until authorities indicate it is safe to run them.  Some events like SSSC we are unable to run as the school facilities will not allow it.  Others such as Rip Tour, it is prudent not to have groups spending time together in close proximity, especially given the age demographic of participants and volunteers. We will also limit all club social activities and in-person interactions such as meetings, conducting them online where possible. Our office remains open, however not physically. Our staff will be working remotely so all interactions will be by phone or online.

These policies will be reviewed regularly and any updates will be communicated to the ORCV community via our web site and Facebook Page.  We are fortunate that careful management of the club over a number of years has built up strong financial reserves, these will be used if necessary to ensure stability of employment and the future of the club.

The storm will take a while to pass, but like all storms, it will pass and there will be blue skies ahead. For now, we must batten down the hatches so to speak.

Martin Vaughan

Commodore,
Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV)