With a bright sunny cloudless sky, and a light north easterly breeze, which later picked up to provide perfect sailing conditions, we were set for an enjoyable sailing day.
Our volunteer team of Warwick, Nola, John W, Guy, Rob, Brian, Michael 1, later joined by Corey, Michael 2, David, Eli, Ivan, Margaret and Jeremy, had our shore support gear set up with 5 boats rigged early, while Warwick rowed out and returned with newly slipped Charlie’s Chariot.
Following our regular pre-sailing briefing by president Warwick, Eli, our longest serving and most revered volunteer, asked to have a few words. Then, to our great surprise, Eli announced that after 33 years involvement with Manly Sailability and Sailability NSW, this would be hers, and Ivan’s last sailing day with our club, as they will shortly be moving to a retirement village at Toukley to be nearer to their two daughters. This was a shock to everyone, especially those who have known Eli for so long.
Eli has been with Sailability from its very inception. She was responsible for Manly Sailability’s commencement and development and has been recognised widely for her hard work in so many capacities helping less abled people enjoy time afloat. Much more praise will no doubt be expressed in coming weeks. However, today Eli, we love you dearly and owe you so much for the successful club you have built. Thank you. We wish you and Ivan a happy, healthy, and hopefully, less hectic life ahead in Toukley.
So back to sailing, where regulars Grace and Shane were out on the water early, soon followed by Far West participants, Eli, Brodie, Michael and Roselea, with Maddy choosing to ride on Charlies Chariot, ably skippered by Warwick and later John with Gary as crew.
With Guy, Rob and Michael manning the pontoon, Nola and Eli registering guests and fitting life jackets, and with veteran radio operator, Corey controlling the fleet, operations went smoothly.
Soon Elizabeth and Ivan were off sailing down the bay, followed by regulars Tareck and James from Northside and later followed by more regular participants Ginny, Rodney and David from Sunnyfield sailing with various skippers, including John, Michael, Jeremy, Brian and David.
While early in the day, Michael enjoyed a long and wide reaching sail with Ivan, later in the morning, (a slightly melancholy) David was lucky to sail with Eli a last time for now. We’re hoping Eli and Ivan will re-visit and sail with us occasionally in the future.
After an easy going day’s sailing for all participants, our wonderful crew managed pack our boats and gear away by noon. Thanks once again to our enthusiastic team.
