A sea of white sails is the vista that confronts you on a visit to Lillydale Lake on any Saturday morning.
A sea of white sails.
The lake is the sporting arena of the Lilydale Radio Yacht Club, whose members partake in waterborne races with their radio controlled yachts.
More yachts.
The yachts vary in size and different sail areas. The Race Officer is the club's handicapper who works out the handicaps to give all yachts an equal chance in any race. He also controls the races from starting them to calling them off for any reason.
Race Officer in his office.
Gary Todd, secretary of the club explains, "We do handicap racing, so that allows boats of various sizes, shapes and builds to race against each other. The handicap system has been built over a number of years to cater for the performance of big boats and small boats and hopefully, we get the right combination."
The race is on.
The LRYC is a not-for-profit club that supports people who like to build and sail model boats - no matter what sort.
A mix of sizes.
Looking after their models.
Most yachts are lovingly built by their owners, but kit yachts can be purchased for those that feel their abilities are sailing, not building.
The racing is close.
Once sailing, the shore-based sailors direct their pride and joy with a complicated control panel that controls sail settings and rudder.
While sailing, the sailors follow their yachts.
They follow their yachts progress.
More yachts and their control unit.
Members meet at the lake on Saturday mornings around 9.30am and finish around 1pm. There is a regular monthly catch up barbeque after racing.
Unusual to find one on its own.
The waters are shared with real ones, but keep their distance.
On my visit, I spoke to Will Charlton, the secretary of the Australian D.F. Radio Sailing Association. (ADFRSA). "This activity that is really good for combating loneliness, plenty of use of the brain concentration with lots of new mates. It's fun! Even for me, being slightly disabled."
Will and his yacht.
If one loses sight of what's happening to one boat they lose speed so easily, let alone dealing with wind shifts. Just coordinating the rudder and sails in or out with the radio controller is responsive."
Rounding the buoy.
If any of the yachts manage to sail out of the range of the remote controllers or capsize there is a rescue service available – a small two-oared powered tinnie.
Going...going...gone...and rescued.
Although the yachts are of various sizes they appear small while sailing around, but when lifted out of the water, many are taller than their owners,
Out of water, some yachts are taller than their sailors.
The Lake is accessible 24/7 with excellent facilities such as toilets, barbeques, picnic tables, shelters, a massive playground and much more. Well worth a visit. Even if just to watch people passionate about their boats.
Lillydale Lake showing sailing area.
They also sail on Tuesday mornings, which is more of a social sail, but still enjoyable to watch. Whatever day, bring the kids as it may inspire them to be the next John Bertrand or Jessica Watson.
Lillydale Lake entrance.
