Organisers said training was free and inclusive to all as sailing is a sport for young and old. 

Entrants were met with near-perfect conditions as a steady breeze and calm water made for excellent sailing.

The training covered the basics of leaving shore, keeping the boat moving, and returning to shore.

The club intends to continue offering free lessons every Saturday morning, so that more people can try their hand at sailing, with a spokesman saying it is a wondrous and joyful sport. 

Organisers said it was great to welcome everyone along and share their skills ahead of regular competition racing on the water. 

Seventeen boats contested two Pointscore races, in a steady South-Easterly breeze. 

The spokesman said there was close racing throughout the fleet, with a lead group including the NS14s of Josh Dorrough and Tony Hastings, Rob Morton’s RS100 and Geoff Boulton’s Devoti D-One.

“This group was chased by the Laser radial of Gote Vikstrom, in turn closely chased by the Sabres of Terry Kirby, Neil Fisher, Wendy Miller and Bob Harris,” the spokesman said.

“We also welcomed the Caribou trailer-sailor of Brian Wright, Dennis trailer-sailor of Ian Curtis, and doing well to complete the course was Lily Fisher on the club’s Pacer.”

The Maricat of Terry Ubrihien and Windrush of Jeff Hope contested the multihull division.

Tony Hastings and Luca Dorrough on NS14 “Superfly” won both races.

“We had the vang on tight, which helped us point higher than the other boats upwind, and then flicked the outhaul off on the reaches for depth of sail – which made us faster off the wind,” Hastings said.

Terry Kirby finished second in both races, sailing faultlessly.

Josh and Cassia Dorrough scored third in race one, while Rob Morton claimed third in race two.

Terry Ubrihien won both races in the multihull division after some fantastic racing. 

Members thanked Ian Wood and Alan Holbrook for giving up sailing to act as Officers of the Day, running the races.

Officials said the first sailing session and race meet was a fantastic return to the Lake with members enjoying a few cold drinks in the club house after the racing. 

Saturday will see the club host its next sailing school training session from 9am until noon with two handicap races to follow. 

For more information please see the website wlbc.org.au