Dobroyd News

13th October 09

Ron Montague to compete in the
Sydney 2009 World Masters Games

Ron Montague discovered sailing after losing his leg. Ron took up sailing shortly after having the lower half of his right leg amputated nine years ago.

Today, the 55-year-old from Enfield is counting down the days to the opening of the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games, from October 10 to 18. Mr Montague will compete in the Access 303 sailing class, with races staged from Dobroyd Aquatic Club, Rodd Point.

Mr Montague, who also hopes to compete at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, met the Inner West Courier at the club on Tuesday morning. His trouble began after a car accident in 1972. “I was smashed up pretty badly and the doctors told my mother that they might have to take my leg off,” he said. “The leg lasted another 28 years, but I always had trouble with it. “By 2000, the bone in my heel started to crumble and that’s when the doctor told me that the leg would have to come off.” There were no tears.

After 28 years of chronic pain, Mr Montague said, “it was a relief. “I didn’t realise just how much pain I had been in all that time. “I get around a lot better now so it’s all good.”

After his operation, Mr Montague said, he received a phone call from the Amputee Association asking him if he would like to join them for a spot of sailing. “And I said, sure, and I haven’t looked back,” he said.

Mr Montague is a horticulturist based at Enfield. “I have a prosthetic leg, but I’ve got nothing to hide,” he said. “It’s been a good thing, I don’t have a problem with it. If I hadn’t had my leg amputated I would never have sailed.

“Sailing is the best way to spend a day in Sydney. And now I am looking forward to the World Masters Games and then maybe on to London.”

by SCOTT HOWLETT

1st October 08

Access 3.03's race at Dobroyd in November.

Bill Salmon has confirmed that discussions with the Dobroyd Aquatic Club, to race a fleet of access 3.03's in our very own race was sucessful and the date is set for Saturday 15th November 08.

"We are trying for 14 boats to race (as doubles) and we will be getting other Sydney based Sailability branches involved. The first thing we need to know is how many people we can get to come and have a go. When we have that info, the rest of the logistical stuff will be planned.
 
There are rules in racing, but leniency will be excercised for this one so that we have a fun race, not a squabbly one. (Maybe we can organise a demo derby crash and bash at a later date!)
 
So please answer early to give the organisers a fair go as well. Time really is of the escence. There's lots to get sorted even for one race.
 
After packing away, we have the availability of the club house for our use, so food and drink may well be a part of a social ending of the day.
 
With all hope, without hiccups, this will become a regular feature for those members keen to race a 3.03 access dinghy."
 
The nominal cost of entry is $10 per boat.

10 September 08

Welcome to the
New Summer Sailing Season
at Sailability Dobroyd.

We are having an early start so Sunday 14th is forecast to be warmer (23C) with an increasing chance of showers in the late afternoon.
The wind should be around 20kmph from the NNW.
Low tide is at 13:09 (the middle of the day) so watch out for groundings around lunch time.
 
The club will open at 10:00 this season.
We started earlier after the fire, because it took us longer to set up. Now it is quicker, we can go back to our original time. Sailing is usually better in the afternoons.
 
Mid-week volunteers needed
We are continuing our successful schools sailing projects during the week.
Holroyd sails on Wednesdays.
We are setting up Tuesday afternoon sailing for boys from Balmain Secondary College. The boys have Aspergers syndrome, which is a form of autism. Some of these kids enjoyed a sail with us on a Sunday last season. Their teacher has been involved with Sailability in Victoria previously.
If you are available, or know of anyone who could help, please contact Peter Williamson on 0401 020 520.
 
BBQ volunteers
Jenny will not be running the BBQ this season, so we are looking for some volunteers to man the BBQ.
Wayne will be organising the BBQ to start off the season on Sunday.
Please see Andrea or Kate on Sunday if you are willing to help.
 
See you there!
 
Rob
8382 9334 (W)
9874 3642 (H)
0416 144 141

9 September 08

The NSW Access Championships will be held at Lake Wallace from 21st to 23rd February 09

31 August 08

It was announced last night that Summer Racing with DAC will be every Saturday from 6th Dec 08 till 25th April 09

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