- Canberra Yacht Club
by Admin · Published April 20, 2016 · Updated December 21, 2016
Members of Canberra Yacht Club were responsible for bringing the Seafly Dinghy to Australia. In a “50 Year History of Canberra Yacht Club”, the Club historian, Peter Forster, wrote:
| Of the club’s foundation yacht classes, the Seafly dinghy was the most interesting, most successful and most enduring class. The Seafly was introduced into Canberra (and Australia) in 1964 largely through the enthusiasm of British diplomat Gurth Kimber. By 1970 some 40 boats were based in Canberra. |
The same article quoted two newspaper/magazine articles from the 1960’2. First The Canberra Courier (16 September 1965):
| The Seafly has become one of the largest classes in Canberra. It is a racy craft yet completely stable. Measuring 14’9″ it has a beam of 5’8”. It carries 255 sq ft of sail, including spinnaker. The Seafly is suitable for sailors of all ages. It has a racing crew of two, can carry a family of four with safety and can have an outboard motor attached. It sells for about £350 complete. |
The second article quoted was from the Australian magazine Power Boat and Yachting (November 1968):
| The Seafly class has been one of the pioneer racing dinghy classes on Lake Burley Griffin. It has regularly provided the strongest fleet racing on the lake, with an average sized fleet in the Canberra Yacht Club races on Sundays of about 20 boats. The Seaflies also pioneered winter sailing in Canberra and in 1968 sailed the fourth winter series. Races are conducted by the class association on specially selected short courses on alternate Sundays starting at 12 noon. An average of about 12 boats compete during the winter for the Kimber Mug. Rod Dalgleish, of 505 fame, takes advantage of the winter racing to keep his hand in by sailing a borrowed Seafly. The standard of racing is indicated by the fact that Dalgleish does not always call the tune and has been beaten boat for boat by several skippers in the fleet Dalgleish confirms that the Seafly is a safe, stable and quite fast dinghy compared with similar dinghies. |
The CYC Clubhouse is situated on Lotus Bay, Lake Burley Griffin, here are some photos from the early days (from P. Fullagar):
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Lake George is unusually full and that's pretty special considering its history
Bearing witness to the annual avatars of the enigmatic Lake George has been a mix of work and pleasure for one Canberra geologist.
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Brad Pillans has seen the lake disappear and reappear over the decades, from family boating trips in the '60s to his current repository of leading research which includes trends dating back millions of years.
Lake George is also called Weereewa, meaning "bad water" in Ngunnawal language, owing to its muddy and salty waters.
"It's muddy because it's very shallow and the wind stirs up the mud on the lake floor very easily," Professor Pillans said.
A significantly wet November and December helped the lake stay full through summer.
The Bureau of Meteorology said the total rainfall around the region was at least 50 per cent above the January average which has added to the lake's depth.
"It really does look like a proper lake now," Professor Pillans said.
He said this season's abundant showers had reduced the amount of water usually lost by evaporation. He explained water falling directly on the surface of the lake immediately contributed to how deep it would become.
"The water level rose by 12 to 15 centimetres over the course of those wet weeks. In between, we had a dry period in mid December, where we had no rain for a couple of weeks, and the water level dropped by eight centimetres," he said.
"So the water level can fluctuate by something like a centimetre a day. Either down if there's no rain or because of evaporation, or up if there's rain over a few days."
How deep is it?
At present, at its deepest point, Lake George is 2.9 metres deep according to the researcher's latest measurements which he takes every one to two weeks.
"We keep a close record of how the water level changes and it changes a little bit from week to week, depending on the rainfall," Professor Pillans said.
"The lake reached a maximum of 3.1 meters in November 2022, after three very wet years, and since that time it's been generally falling."
Since evaporation is always higher in summer because of warmer temperatures, the water level which would typically fall has been at this level for nearly 18 months.
"That's quite unusual in recent times," Professor Pillans said. "The water level to be as deep as about three meters is quite special."
When was the last time the lake was this full?
The geologist said the lake's water level is less than three metres 75 per cent of the time gauging from records stretching back 200 years. The last time it reached this level was in 1994 for about a year, and before that in 1976.
In the 50s and 60s, the lake had been consistently at a depth of four and half metres for more than a decade. At this point, Lake George apparently contained more water than Lake Burley Griffin.
This would lead to occasional flooding on the federal highway before it was made into a dual carriageway and raised to the level it is now.
"I can remember in the 1960s, when I first came to Canberra, the water would flood across the road near Collector," Professor Pillans said. "I actually learned to water ski on Lake George. It was quite a popular place to take boats and sailing boats as well."
Before Lake Burley Griffin was filled up with water, the Canberra Yacht Club was based at Lake George.
Most weekends back then had hundreds of people in sailing boats, in little fishing boats or picnicking along the edge of the lake.
"There didn't seem to be any particular rules in those days. People just drove out there and backed their trailers off the highway down to the lake and launched their boats," Professor Pillans said.
Are there fish in the lake?
The short answer is yes. But if the Lake George has no streams where do the fish come from?
"People used to wonder how the fish reappeared in the lake after it had been dry. I heard stories when I was young that that fish were brought in by pelicans," he said.
Professor Pillans didn't know if this was true. But he could say with certainty Lake George was stocked with fish in the 1950s. It was then that people released Murray Cod into the lake for the purpose of having fishing.
"Native fish and other fish too can survive in the creeks that flow into the lake even when the lake has next to no water in it," he said.
"They'll always be a pool of water somewhere where small fish can survive, and once it fills up, those fish will breed and it'll take a few years but the likelihood is that there'll be fish to be caught in another 12 months.
"I can remember lots of people fishing out there but I don't think they were much good to eat. I think people just enjoyed the pleasure of catching them."
He said fish like carp loved muddy water and would naturally breed a lot in the lake.
The lake rests on Crown land and is often leased to local farmers when it's completely dry for grazing of sheep and cattle. But the professor said this was not particularly good for the lake's ecosystem.
How safe is Lake George?
While the lake is relatively accessible and shallow now, it is not necessarily safe to go swimming or fishing.
One of the earliest tragedies recorded on the lake happened in July 1956. A group of Royal Military College cadets from Duntroon drowned in the lake after their boat capsised. A combined search operation ensued to find the bodies of the cadets but only one was found.
Professor Pillans said storms would cause conditions on the lake to change quickly after which the waters would become quite rough.
"There have been a number of drownings over the years, sadly. As long as you're sensible and take notice of the weather then you should be safe enough," he said.
Spectacular views on the lake
The lake is also a popular site for paragliders when it's dry. People love to enjoy excellent views of the inland terrain but it's uncommon now as some gliders prefer not to land on water.
"Paragliders would launch off the hill just near the highway where the Weereewa Lookout is and it could be quite spectacular. There would be several paragliders in the air soaring over the lake," the professor said.
Artists have also found inspiration in Lake George. In 2010, Alan Aston transported four fibreglass zebra sculptures on the completely dry yet muddy floor of the lake.
It was sensational. They were named Stopper, Reviver, Surviver and Dasher. The inanimate creatures were posed to look like they were naturally grazing, and soon a calf was added to join the dazzle.
Will Lake George stay full?
The lake, without inlets or outlets, completely at the mercy of rain, has been a topic of curiosity among all who know of its vanishing acts.
So is Lake George going to stay a while longer or is it going to disappear again?
"The answer to that is in the weather and depending on how wet this year is... I'd like to see the lake stay for a while," Professor Pillans said.
"There are conflicting predictions as to whether we might get more or less summer rain and that will probably determine whether we have a lake for another decade or not."
Bageshri Savyasachi
I am a general reporter with an interest in health, crime, transparency and issues affecting Canberra's diverse communities. Contact me at [email protected] or send confidential tips to [email protected]
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Canberra Yacht Club. Canberra, ACT, AUSTRALIA - Sailing and Yacht Clubs on Waymarking.com
| WM9QDM Australian Capital Territory, Australia 09/19/2010 6 ) Address of Facility: Lotus Bay Alexandrina Drive Canberra, ACT AUSTRALIA 2600 Fees: 0.00 (listed in local currency) Public/Private: Public? Clear overhead clearance at ramp for mast: yes Good trailer/rig parking: yes Good dock alongside of ramp: yes Overnight docking available: yes Good staging area for rigging boat: yes Clubhouse facilities: yes Racing committee at facility: yes "On the hard" trailer/boat storage: yes Website of Club: |
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Canberra Yacht Club in Winter. Club house on Lake Burley Griffin. The Canberra Yacht Club was formed in 1959 in anticipation of the creation of Lake Burley Griffin in the centre of Canberra, Australia, which happened in the 1960s. It is located on the shore in the suburb of Yarralumla . Its members have competed in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
CANBERRA YACHT CLUB HISTORY. The book, Capital Sailing, relates the story of the 50 year history of the CYC, from its origins on Lake George in 1959 through to 2009. The book tells the story of the club as an important part of the social fabric of Canberra and of the achievements of its members. Capital Sailing follows on from the previously ...
Capital sailing 1959 - 2009 : the history of the Canberra Yacht Club 1959-2009 Author/Creator Foskett, Alan Format Book Identifier Sailing; Yarralumla; Lake George Publisher Yarralumla, A.C.T. : Canberra Yacht Club, 2009. Summary History of the Canberra Yacht Club Availability Not for loan.
The Canberra Yacht Club offers Sailability, an international program to assist people of all-abilities to get into sailing. This is by providing an additional level of support, an established network of volunteers, and resources to assist participants. Equipment is provided to assist those with limited mobility to get into and out of boats ...
Canberra Yacht Club, Yarralumla. 1,872 likes · 6 talking about this · 21,773 were here. Canberra's premier sailing club, sailing on Lake Burley Griffin
In a "50 Year History of Canberra Yacht Club", the Club historian, Peter Forster, wrote: Of the club's foundation yacht classes, the Seafly dinghy was the most interesting, most successful and most enduring class. The Seafly was introduced into Canberra (and Australia) in 1964 largely through the enthusiasm of British diplomat Gurth Kimber.
Business. Yacht club. Racing, training courses, adult and children sailing programs, hire of boats to those with some sailing ability.
Yacht Clubhouse from across Lotus Bay, Yarralumla. Several sail boats are anchored in the lake. Availability Not for loan. Copies available for purchase Notes Refer to 'From Lake George to Lake Burley Griffin : Canberra's pioneer sailors' by Alan Foskett for a history of the Canberra Yacht Club.
Yacht Club is closed on Monday and Tuesday during winter, will are open as usual on Wednesday to Sunday 11.30am - 10pm. The Yacht Club occasionally booked for private or Club events, affecting our regular trading hours. ... Canberra Southern Cross Club Ltd (ABN 49 008 488 855) (the 'Club', 'us', 'we', 'our')
The Canberra Yacht Club enjoys a spectacular location on the waterfront at Lotus Bay on Lake Burley Griffin, catering for a thriving membership with a diverse range of boating interests. We provide recreational opportunities as well as organised division racing on Sundays during the summer season and more leisurely twilight sailing Wednesday evenings. Fortnightly autumn […]
The Canberra Yacht Club Sailing School operates a five level Junior Sailing Program. The levels progress from a basic introduction to sailing, to an introduction to racing to finally a full racing program. The first four levels of this program are taught through the school holiday or term time Youth Sailing programs, the final level is taught ...
Canberra Yacht Club's raced sail boats on Lake George in the 1960s. Picture supplied Before Lake Burley Griffin was filled up with water, the Canberra Yacht Club was based at Lake George.
Canberra Yacht Club History The Canberra Yacht Club was founded in 1959 as a focus for people from the ACT and surrounding regions who enjoy sailing. The Club provides recreational opportunities as well as organised racing on Lake Burley Griffin, usually on a Sunday. During the warmer months twilight sailing on a Wednesday evening.
A group for the Canberra Yacht Club community to discuss events, exchange gear, find crew, share photos and tell tall tales of the sea.
Today, we're celebrating 5 fantastic years of Aditya, aka Addy, being part of the Canberra Southern Cross Club. Addy joined us in 2019 as the Restaurant Manager at Yacht Club and quickly moved up to become the Snapper & Co. Venue Manager. Now, he's overseeing both Snapper & Yacht Club as the Venue Manager of the Yacht Club precinct.
Canberra Model Yacht Club. 480 likes · 2 talking about this. The CMYC sails International One Metre and Marblehead yachts. We sail every Sunday in Yarralumla Bay
As the population becomes younger and more sophisticated, we're matching it with our offerings.". Snapper and Co. is open 11 am to 8 pm daily, with weekend breakfast available from 8 am to 11 on Saturday and Sunday. It's located on Mariner Pl, Yarralumla in the Southern Cross Yacht Club. Visit Snapper & Co. for more information.
Chernogolovka Geographical coordinates: Latitude: 56, Longitude: 38.3667 56° 0′ 0″ North, 38° 22′ 0″ East Chernogolovka Area: 2,100 hectares 21.00 km² (8.11 sq mi): Chernogolovka Altitude: 147 m (482 ft) Chernogolovka Climate: Humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification: Dfb)
Chernogolovka is a town in Moscow Oblast, Russia. Center of the town is located some 43 km northeast of the Moscow city limit and 59 km from Red Square. Its population in 2018 was 21,342. Photo: A.Savin, CC BY-SA 3.0. Photo: Svetlov Artem, CC BY 3.0. Ukraine is facing shortages in its brave fight to survive.
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Canberra Yacht Club Menu Racing. Race Information; Duty Roster; Season Calendar; ... Membership; Boat Parking; Community. Sailability; Buoyed Up; News & Gallery; About. About Us; History and Archive; Documents; Member Login ... 2024 REGATTA RESULTS City of Canberra Trailable Yacht Championships REGATTA RESULTS ACT Dinghy Championships REGATTA ...
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