Their 40th anniversary season was marred by droughts, low water levels, blue-green algae and COVID.
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After such a difficult 2019-2020, the Southern Highland Sailing Club (SHSC) is setting sail for a clearer 2020-21 season.
Beginning their season with the first official race meet on Sunday, October 11 at Fitzroy Falls, the SHSC met prior to the race and caught up on how life had been since the last race.
Southern Highland Sailing Club Commodore Kylie Woods said it was a wonderful day of catching up with old friends and getting the 2020-21 season ready to go.
"Last weekend was our set-up day and we had around 28 boats on the water," Woods said.
"We have met twice now before the first race. We regrouped, set-up our boats for the season and caught up on each others' lives. We had an excellent turnout for the set-up day.
"People seem to be looking for local things to do. Entertainment, sport and community.
"It was a really lovely day to head into our racing calendar."
As COVID wreaked havoc with Highland sports, the SHSC is confident in their slight advantage battling the pandemic.
"We have our COVID Safe Plan like all other sporting codes," Woods said.
"But, we absolutely have an advantage. We don't have a clubhouse and we don't have an amenities block.
"We do all our race meetings outdoors. We're all very spaced and safe. On the boats themselves, people are sailing in family groups generally. Sailing Australia have created safe plans to allow people to move around the boat as safe as possible.
"Sailing is a great alternative sport for anyone interested."
Last season for the SHSC was one to be remembered as it was the club's 40th anniversary. Sadly it will be remembered as one of the most difficult seasons in the club's history.
"Last season was absolutely the hardest season," Woods said.
"We got bulldozed by water levels. The drought played a huge part in low water levels. People assume we have great catchment areas, but we have very limited catchment. We rely on water to be pumped up by Shoalhaven.
"When they have no water, we have no water.
"The bushfires came within a kilometre of the club area. When news began to break about COVID, we assumed that would be our season's end, but it was actually a blue-green algae bloom. (Laughs) It was unbelievable.
"It was created due to low water levels and the hot temperatures. The water heated up and ash from the fires created the food. We got smashed (laughs). We only had a third of the season.
"But our club is so easy going and rolls with the punches. So this year everyone is very keen and any day on the water is a great day for us."
In a first for the club, they will be welcoming new activity participators to become members.
"This season we will be encouraging kayakers, canoes and paddle-boarders," Woods said.
"We haven't done that before and we feel it will be an excellent asset to the club.
"We've always only been a sailing club, but this will boost numbers and have more faces enjoying the great environment we use.
"The biggest problem we face is that as a club, we are not allowed in the water to swim.
"We've pushed against it before, but Water NSW do not want us swimming in Fitzroy Falls. So all members need to adhere to those rules."
The first Southern Highland Sailing Club will take place on Sunday, October 11 at Fitzroy Falls.
For all other information regarding the club and races, please head to their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/highlandsailing.
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