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Meet new people, go to new places, learn a great new sport and keep
informed. Welcome to Getaway Sailing Adventures.
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SSSC - Pre-Race Whole Boat Drill |
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Familarise your crew with your boat and replicate actual Abandon-Boat and Man Overboard recovery.
As a skipper/owner this is the ultimate in your due diligence for safety procedures.
Ideal for any category 1 or 2 race entrant or any offshore passage
For more details look under Safety Courses.
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Have you thought about personalised training on your own boat? |
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Not performing as well as you could?
Why not improve your boat & crew performance this winter through our specialised instructor’s assistance!
We can tailor a program and training schedule with your crew so that you see huge improvements in performance while still having fun!
Give the office a call and have a chat for this coming winter series! (02) 9181 1911
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Sydney Hobart 2008 – Craig Gleeson |
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A dream comes true!
For me the Sydney to Hobart is my Everest! This opinion was formed as a kid darting around the Parramatta River in dinghy’s, spending more time in the water than on top of it. I would right the boat and as I bailed it out, I would daydream of one day doing this all in Bass Strait in the big race…. naive I know!
I was lucky enough to be given this rare opportunity by my employer Amgen Australia when they decided to sponsor the Volvo60 in conjunction with our corporate charity Careers Australia. I was fortunate enough to be picked as one of the Amgen representatives.
The night before the race I did not sleep a wink. I tried everything to take my mind from what laid ahead but to no avail. The dawn broke to a perfect day, the weather reports had been favorable and by all accounts it would be a quick race in the Volvo.
My confidence had grown over the previous month sailing and preparing with Goldy and the Getaway crew. I felt like we could take on anything. My Everest was getting quite a bit smaller. When I hit the marina and witnessed the hive of activity, I knew the Volvo was ready, I knew the rest of the crew was ready and I was certain I was ready.
We waved good bye to the land lovers and headed out for the adventure of a lifetime.
The start could only be described as organised chaos. All the boats jostled for the last piece of real estate, even when there was none to spare… Just ask the crew off Gold Finger! (I would hate to do the entire race without a windex) A short trip up the harbour and we were free, heading for the open ocean on our way to Hobart.
This was my opportunity to tick a lot of boxes, one that stood out for me was sailing at night with no moon (that’s right NO moon). It is something you have to experience to appreciate. As the boat surges off one wave onto another and then another at 20 – 25 knots all you see is the white water the boat is making, it is PRICELESS. My hat is off to anyone who has the nerve to steer a boat in these conditions!
Before you know it you are east of Eden and only Bass Straight is between you the Derwent River and Hobart. This is what I have been waiting for. Taking on the Straight, that piece of water 40deg south where the weather can change in a heart beat. The Bass was very good to us and we cross it without too many issues, although I was glad the kite unzipped just after day break and not before.
And then off to the right you see Tasmania and your goal is in sight. Tasman light appears in the distance, Storm Bay and the Derwent and then you’re done... You are tired but not long now…. Its just coming on dusk when we travel up the Derwent and the surrounding country side is breathtaking as the sun sets over the ridge. Hobart in the distance, a welcoming sight.
A couple of boats shout encouragement and cheer as you cross the line and finally you celebrate with the crew. Fists are thrust into the air, backs are slapped and maybe even a tear or two is shed. We made it! Just when you think you can collapse you hit the dock and the waiting crowd fills your sails and you get your second wing. You quickly pack up the boat, between downing the cold beer which is the best you have ever had, then it’s off to the Customs House to share a rum or three and tell some sea stories.
Truly an experience of a lifetime!
To Goldy, Sammy, Polly and the rest of the guys at Getaway Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! We will take on the seas together again, count on it! You are all very special people in my book!
To the rest of the crew and to all those that supported us before and after the race, you all helped me achieve a life long dream, you are all friends for life and never to be forgotten!
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Sydeny Hobart 2007 - Richard Davies |
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Sydeny Hobart
Note the intentional spelling error! I had always wanted to do this race, ever since I was a kid sailing Mirror dinghies on the frigid seas of South Wales back in Pommy land. In the excitement of the week leading up to the race I hadn’t even noticed the spelling error on the crew shirts. Who cares, the shirt has gone into the draw marked “hallowed T shirts never to be worn in case they fade or get lost”.
I got back into competitive sailing this year and hadn’t realised how much I had missed it in the last 20 years. Is it that long, yes, from a successful sailing career as a kid and then university student, career and family took over and racing was consigned to a quick flick through the mags when in the news agent.
Arriving in Sydney, meeting Goldie and the crew at Getaway Sailing was about to change all that. Peter runs a tight ship and with the Volvo 60 and the Sydney 38 in the stable he as something to offer everyone. Typical of me it was go big or go home so started off with the wild ride on the Volvo 60 that was Sydney Southport. Awesome fun and something that needs to be a different story. Those that were there, and you know who you are, will remember it for ever. Followed this with the winter series on the Sydney 38 and then the blue water classics on the Volvo, but it was my first Hobart I was after.
We agreed to go for a 38 campaign for the race, after all, eleven boat fleet racing for 650 miles couldn’t be ignored. A great crew was assembled, Sammy and Jay in charge. Mid December disappeared in a blur of training, new sail testing, boat prep and food prep. Yes my wife Liz had kindly agreed to sort out the food.
Before we knew it race day was here. Slept well Christmas night but must admit woke with some trepidation on Boxing Day. Checked forecast, fresh nor’easter promised for at least first 48 hours followed by a weak southerly front. Kissed the wife good bye, last coffee, stowed the last pieces of kit, last photo, lines off and we were away.
Sails up, check the start line, eat a sandwich and we were on for the count down. Tried to see which boat Liz was spectating from but it was all too hectic. It is hard to describe the start. I have done dinghy championships with over 200 boats on the line, but nothing prepared me for this. It was the noise from the helicopters, the spectator fleet, you couldn’t hear yourself or the crew, the wash, the vibe, the moment, call it what you will be it is very very special. With 2 minutes to go a hole opened briefly at the favoured end of the line, and Sammy deftly flicked the boat into it. We went for speed build and had just the most awesome start allowing us to realise goal 1, top three out of harbour. Right turn at the Heads mark, kite up, Hobart here we come!
We settle into the race quickly finding the rhythm of the waves and hold our own as sunset beckons. First sched and we are doing well, in the hunt with the other 38s, no one breaking away. Wind increase to over 20 knots, competition amongst the drivers and trimmers to see who get highest numbers. 11 knots, 13 knots, big wave and a big gust, trim hard, yes 17 knots! Check with Sammy to see what wind speed the kite is rated to, “Sammy what wind speed is…..” big bang, bits of spinnaker everywhere.
Guess it was only rated to 20 knots and we just had a 28 knot gust! Get the remnants down, wind building, we hoist the chicken chute. The wind builds during the night and a 2am gybe (why is it always the dead of night), we get a big big wrap. Phil the squirrel like bow man (more squirrel than bowman) is sent up to sort it out, but in the rough seas he is almost wrapped in the kite as well. We’re down to last choice, Sammy is sent aloft with a sharp knife and another kite is consigned to Davey Jones locker, Goldie is going to go mental! We hoist the number 4 and the off watch finally go off watch. I had the sleep of the dead, and woke to find, no more number 4. It had succumbed as well, splitting pretty much straight up the sail. At this rate all we would have left to sail up the Derwent would be one of JPs tee shirts.
We are now south of Eden and Bass straight beckons. The crossing is in day light, blue skies, warm 15 knot northerly, shorts and t shirts. I know it is not supposed to be like this but dam it was a good day! We park at top end of Tasmania, multiple sail changes, course changes and clothing changes as wind decides to desert, reappear, desert, go up, go down. By the afternoon of day 3, wind finally builds into something solid from the south. It starts to get real. The wind is cold, has weight and bite. The seas are building very quickly. We dive down below and it is all kit on. As we go into night we have up to 30 knots right on the nose. It is a wet and bumpy ride into day four, but closing on Hobart fast. Hobart for late breakfast seems to be the go where upon the wind deserts us yet again. Park up close to Tassie light, sort boat out, eat what’s left of food while finally the wind fills from astern. We hoist our iso, not many running sails left, and have the most wonderful blast across Storm Bay. We nail the ride up the Derwent tracking into a building breeze the whole way. The iso gets a last gasp as we bear away and blast across the line. The finish line was pretty close to the dock and we had briefed on the need to spike the iso quickly so we could get sail down and avoid hitting the last outpost of Australia. Phil heads on to the foredeck spike in hand, “spike it Phil! Phil spike it…. Phil for f**ks sake spike it now!”. With a very really vision going through everyone but Phil’s head (Phil, what does happen in there?), of Sammy driving the boat into Constitution Dock at 14 knots, full sails up, we final manage to get the sail down, luff and miss the dock. Hope Goldie didn’t see that one, it was pretty close.
We find our spot on the dock, people are clapping, beers are thrust into our hands, Goldie strolling down the cat walk (he clearly didn’t see it) and for moments we are rock stars. We did it!
Would I do it again, you bet “sign me up baby”!
Peter and his team at Getaway Sailing did an awesome job of getting two boats and 26 people safely to Hobart. Not only that, we raced hard, learnt tons and had a great time. Fantastic job guys!
For Sammy: keep on rockin, you did a great job.
For Jay: military breeds leaders, no exception.
For Paul: the man that can fix anything and we still hold that speed record!
For JP: huge experience, happy you quit the gaspers.
For Ash: stalwart of the boat…GRIND!!
For Simon: what a great guy.
For Daniel: happiest guy on the boat. Will miss his 2am “what’s new today”.
For Phil: it was emotional
For Wes: don’t worry the puking will stop…some time...
The names have all been changed to protect the innocent, except the above who are all not so innocent!
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Alex Thompson - Vendee Globe Skipper - HUGO BOSS |
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Getaway has had the pleasure of working with Alex on the 2002 Sydney to Hobart Race. Alex has a passion for ocean racing that saw him compete in the toughest ocean race in the world, The Vendee Globe, single handed, non stop, round the world race. We welcome him and his HUGO BOSS team to Sydney this summer for this years Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race. We are proud to be assisting his team in its quest to win this years race. |
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