Saratoga Sailing Club

The Burgee
Before the sailing clubs were incorporated as they are now in modern times and associated to the YAI (Yachting Australia Inc) known as the YA (Yachting Association) and also known Internationally as AYF (Australian Yachting Federation) the SSC had a Constitution and the original flag was just the black letters SSC.This changed to a pale blue and white flag with a stylised skiff in the center.

Since 2008 and a modernisation of the club colours and logo, a new red white and blue Burgee was selected from many designs submitted and this incorporates the Australian flag colours and takes with it the old logo to ensure links to the past are retained.

The Clubhouse
A likely position for a new club house was sought in the late 70's and the SSC moved operations to the Saratoga Oval and leased from Gosford Council, storage shed adjacent to the existing tennis courts for some years. This acted as a canteen and storage area for the club Sabots. It was in the era where Australia had "Dunny Cans" (lavatory). "The 'Dunny Man' would come very early in the morning to change cans, the contents of which he sometimes spilled on the back lawn.

Timing had to be right when visiting the dunny if the dunny man was due because he would usually only give a quick knock on the back of the dunny before quickly removing the full pan and replacing it with a new one."
The dinghies were wheeled over the Saratoga oval and the young lads used to ensure local neighbours some entertaining antics.

In the 70's, 80's and 90's there were always lots of junior sailors, particularly on regatta days. The Canteen would be run by the dedicated mothers and wives of the sailors and a beer keg was the popular beverage of the day.
1975 - The days of the Gough Whitlam, Prime Minister from December 1972 to November 1975 brought a massive and highly stimulating Regional Employment And Development (RED) Scheme. It is under the program that funding was acquired and labour available to assist with building the existing club at its current location on Crown Land to the Saratoga point. A local shipwright supervised the building of the club at the location in the late 70's.
Importantly the club was assisted after the May 1976 State election by the late Brian McGowan the former Labor member for Gosford and Gosford City Councillor. Brian donated a boat and is now remembered as you cross the bridge running to the large sports stadium (Now Bluetongue stadium) in Gosford which is named the Brian McGowan Bridge, recognising his commitment to the local area.

The slab for the club was a community event with the Sabot kids wiring the reinforcing for the slab prior to concreting. In the first construction the club had a very high ceiling so that a second floor could be built at a later date so there was only a concrete bottom floor and a canteen. To help fund and build the second floor the club sold bricks at $10.00 a brick.

A second floor was always wanted as in those days all the club houses had a traditional clubhouse style with boat storage under and meeting / social area upstairs.

Incorporation
On the 8th November 1990 the Saratoga Sailing Club became incorporated as the Saratoga Sailing Club Inc. A set of rules governing the incorporated association was developed. At a later date a set of Duty Statements for each position was declared and detailed.

Club Management
The club has a dynamic, enthusiastic management committee that meets each month or more frequently as required. Elections are held at each AGM.

The Sailing
The course configurations had became extremely complex until early 2000 when the Hartley's (Hartley TS 16) joined the club and had some influence on the course with a change to sailing an Olympic course with a triangle, windward leeward and triangle.
When the TS 16 arrived it is rumoured that a "Finn" sailor, king of the heap, took on all comers and beat a Hartley 16 then the second time he was soundly beaten and never seen again.

There have been various "starters" boats and Mick Carr brought his boat the "Saratoga Princess", a clinker launch as the first real tender. A lot of kids grew up sailing sabots flying 11's and 12's and as they started going to Universities to attain a higher education and many sailors were lost to commuting and work out of the district.

The club had sabots and other classes, available for sailing on a "one-off", weekly or season basis by arrangement. Today in 2014 the club primarily is about Hartley TS16 trailer sailer boats and Lasers. All are welcome with any craft.

The Club Today
Today competition is not so competitive on the water as it is against the ravages of Internet Gaming, X-Box, Play stations, Wii, other electronics, Nippers (Surf), football, rugby, cricket, tennis, school sports and the list goes on.
All sailors and visitors are welcome.

Sailing operates on most Sundays in the sailing season which commences the 2nd weekend in October and finishes the weekend after Easter. The club takes a short break over Christmas and resumes racing and sailing activities on the third weekend of January.
Whether racing around marks in glorious weather or pottering up and down on a sunny day, Saratoga Sailing Club can provide an opportunity to sail and enjoy fine camaraderie with like minded people of all ages. Away sailing events are also a feature for the clubs Hartley TS 16 trailer boats.
After the sailing finishes the club operates after race functions on the deck overlooking the Brisbane Waterway which has views across to Gosford and beyond.

The deck view is a fabulous spot to bring relatives and friends. Everyone is always made welcome. Feel free to drop by and take a look if you are in Saratoga on a Sunday.

The Commodore is Wayne Butler and extends an invitation to come down and visit.