Angela Catterns elected commodore of BSC

Following a trend that is seeing more women filling lofty positions in once male-dominated yacht clubs, Sydney media personality Angela Catterns has been elected Commodore of Balmain Sailing Club -- a highly active community-based club located in Birchgrove, opposite Cockatoo Island.

At the club’s AGM on July 28, Ms Catterns was elected Commodore, with Simon Oliver coming in as Vice Commodore. Other members of the club’s committee are Michael Meehan, Secretary and Arthur King, Treasurer. Committee members are Charlie Chan, Lyn Evans, Chantelle Hodgson and Campbell Reid.

Ms Catterns, a life-long sailor, grew up on the shores of the Parramatta River, and comes from a sailing family. "Balmain and sailing is in my blood," she says.

"I grew up on the Parramatta River sailing on anything and everything from moths to pearling luggers. My late father Basil -- a life-member of the Sydney Heritage Fleet -- was born in Balmain in 1918, and was himself the son of a ship’s captain."

In recent years, Balmain Sailing Club (BSC) has been successfully growing its sailing and shore-based activities.

Every year in late October, it hosts the Balmain Regatta -- dating back to 1849 -- which sees several hundred yachts racing the waters of western Sydney Harbour, in a sparkling celebration of the area’s boating heritage.

It has a very active racing calendar, including Friday twilight races during summer, and weekend racing every second Sunday.

BSC’s most recent initiative has seen it join together with Drummoyne Sailing Club and Greenwich Flying Squadron in the inaugural Western Harbour Winter Series -- attracting up to 80 boats across five classes for highly competitive winter racing.

The club also works hard to attract newcomers to the sport, through its popular Balmain Sailing School, which trains people in the basics of sailing, then provides a path to sailing dinghies and yachts with the club.

"Our 2013-14 committee will be working hard to further build on these highly successful activities," Ms Catterns said.

"We are looking to grow the club’s profile in the local community, introducing more new people to this wonderful sport, and the fantastic friendly and social atmosphere that we are fostering here.

"We are always happy to welcome new people – particularly those who have had no or limited experience of sailing.

"People can simply turn up at our clubhouse in Water Street Birchgrove -- especially on race days -- and we can talk to them about ways in which we can help get them out on the water and having fun."

Further information go to: www.balmainsailingclub.com.au.