Winter

Melissa Yeomans

Winter time job lists

Now that the major regattas are over until next season it is time to work out my winter job list and to try to tick it all off before September. Working out where we will be as DeckHardware next season and what events we will attend or sponsor is a priority so Dad aka Phil and I can plan ourselves.

The big thing I have to schedule in this year is Metstrade in November, as I will once again be heading to Europe. This time I am planning a visit to one of our long-term suppliers as well as the trade show. It is not the easiest time of year to escape the Aussie Sailing season but a trip well worth it to see the majority of our suppliers from around the World in Amsterdam over a couple of days.  I have been racking up the Qantas points to book this soon!

The last few weeks have been hectic as we celebrated Mum’s BIG (Shhhh) Birthday! It was great to catch up with a close group of friends and family to celebrate. We headed to Middle Harbour 16’s for a great lunch as you can see in the photo! We ensured it was a lovely but quiet day for a number of reasons especially as her mum has been in the hospital.

Being self-employed I often have to remind myself to stop and have some fun outside of sailing and it was nice to be at the club for a non-sailing reason!

We have also hosted our very first DeckHardware Ambassador workshop! It was great to spend a few hours on a Sunday with a number of our Ambassadors talking all things sailing. It was great to see how many of them are good friends with Nathan rocking up early to get the coffee machine going plus Scott and a few of the others turning up early for a chat. Watching everyone share their knowledge and experience really made being at work on a Sunday worth it. I look forward to supporting them all next season with so many of them now sailing Skiffs. Who knew this would happen as so many of them have come from other classes when we started supporting them years ago. I have no doubt the next time we do it everyone will have a job list for the Splicing hahahaha.

What else is on the Winter Job List? New Orthotics, getting back into the gym now they have settled in, plenty of work to do on the website, a TAFE Course and more!

 

Nathan leading the Splicing Workshop
Nathan leading the Splicing Workshop
DeckHardware Ambassador Workshop
DeckHardware Ambassador Workshop
Scott demonstrating something
Scott demonstrating something
Nathan working on the Dog Bone Splice
Nathan working on the Dog Bone Splice
DeckHardware Ambassador Workshop
Phil leading the talks
Mum's Lunch
Mum’s Lunch
Melissa Yeomans

Confusing weather and a race start

So is anyone else confused with this crazy weather? Yesterday was AMAZING here in Sydney. Today sitting here at my desk it is bucketing rain and cool again… Any thoughts on what I should plant in the garden? Winter or Summer produce haha.

On Saturday I escaped for a few hours heading out on the MHYC Start boat to watch the Sydney Gold Coast race start. So much sunshine and a light breeze that filled in just after the start. What a magic way to spend a few hours, and wave Hi to plenty of people I have not seen in a while.

It has been a busy few weeks with lots of time spent at the Physio playing with orthotics and doing some Pilates rehab work. Which can be interesting as my muscles are so bad at releasing themselves. Winter is all about finding time to get things done before the summer season hits. It almost has felt like I have been busier with extra gym visits, Dentists, Doctors etc. But it is not long now till the sun will be out for longer each day and the warehouse will be boiling instead of freezing 🙂

 

 

Melissa Yeomans

New experiences and journeys

July has been HUGE.  I had the opportunity to drive to Goolwa South Australia for the Australian Schools Team Racing Championship where DeckHardware was a sponsor and I was an umpire.  I had never driven to South Australia before so it was a bit of an adventurous two days!

I could not believe after hearing so much about the Sturt Highway it was raining for a fair percentage of my drive.  Water everywhere and some green fields! So this is outback Australia? It was fantastic to see them getting some rain even though it did make the drive a little more stressful.  I stopped overnight in Hay but unfortunately only had a limited amount of daylight to wander around. What an experience to be able to see so much of Australia, even if only from the view of the Van.

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Heading to Goolwa in Winter meant ensuring I had my fair share of Thermals packed. Staying warm in a RIB can be tricky as you don’t move around a great deal.  The event was fantastic and if you are interested check out the Down Under Sail Facebook page where you will find some video of the on water action.  To see 24 teams from around the Country participating in some brilliant racing was fantastic.Lucky enough I did not have to drive back, Phil aka Dad took over in South Australia with the van to see some of our DeckHardware customers.  Flying back was certainly much faster!

Just a little rain when I arrived in Goolwa!

The next month is a busy one as an Aussie Sailing Fan. I would like to wish everyone on the Team a MASSIVE Good Luck. I can see increased coffee consumption in my future.

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Melissa Yeomans

Is it that time already?

Over the last few days whilst out walking I noticed a little change. I started to see more colours! This was just the kickstart I needed from mother nature to help me get back on track.  With so much going on and a few injuries it has not been the greatest winter for my fitness routine.  What better way to find the motivation to get going again then the signs that Spring is on the way! Although as I type this I hear it is snowing in Canberra so it might be delayed a little haha.

It is still certainly cool in the mornings. The view however makes it all worth while as well as the great feeling a walk gives to clear the mind and start the day fresh.  Seeing the touches of purple and yellow are just a reminder that warmer weather is on its way. My muscles and joints will be far happier!

 

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Melissa Yeomans

Plenty of thinking time on a road trip north

IMG_1255I recently spent some time at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron for the Australian Schools Teams Racing Championships and Queensland Youth Week. I decided after looking at Flight Options and talking to the DeckHardware customers that I would drive up instead of flying. No packing restrictions and I could take extra product should it be needed. Of course there is also the fact that I enjoy a road trip and had not done the Journey to Brisbane and back for some time. Talk about some road work changes particularly south of Coffs!

I must say one of the biggest debates I had was where to stop along the way. I love stopping by some of the smaller towns and even saw a poster for the Nabiac Caravan, Boat and Fishing Show. I think that might have to be something we check out some time. It is great to see some of the smaller regions supporting the outdoor lifestyle and putting on a community event.

IMG_1269Two of us were talking on one of the days at RQYS about how successful these events were and how great it was to see so many types of boats heading out in decent numbers at Youth Week!

We started talking about how perhaps the sport is changing to be more focused on events rather than club racing? Are you seeing this in your area? If people are more focused on events where does that leave our clubs and how do the youth in particular learn and improve and get the social side to play a big part in the sailing culture they grow up with?

IMG_1264Is it because a days sailing literally does take up the majority of the day compared with other sports?

It feels like Teams Racing in Schools is growing in Sydney as well, school sailing in general which is fantastic especially with what Yachting Australia has been able to be involved in. Passed around at the presentation night for the Teams Racing was a flyer for School Match Racing! What a great idea! It is fantastic to watch the boat handling and skills in these formats of sailing as well as the knowledge of our sport these young sailors have.

There certainly is a lot happening in our sport at the moment. Let’s hope we can keep up the momentum and continue to receive growing media coverage for the success of Australian Sailing. With this will come increased interest and participation in our sport. It is up to all of us to help spread the word about how good sailing is!  After all, what better way to spend a day than out on the water.

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Melissa Yeomans

METS 2014 was fantastic!

Sitting here at the CYCA before the last day starts of the MUSTO International Youth Match Racing event I am trying to remember back to just over a week ago when I was in Europe for METSTrade. METS this year was EPIC! It had been a few years since I had attended and this year Visitors and Exhibitor numbers were cracking some magic numbers which is fantastic for the industry.

METS this year had extended trading hours which I thought I would not need till I found myself still there on the last day almost at close. For people who have not heard of METS it is the Marine Equipment Trade Show. This is an industry event and all about the product and technology in the marine industry. This is simply an incredible event for those in the industry. For those who aren’t I have also had the opportunity to attend a few of the best boat shows in the world. Annapolis, London, Auckland and Dusseldorf which I call the best in the world. I hear Paris is pretty amazing but it is just at the wrong time of the year for me to attempt attending. I often tell people if you ever get the chance check out the Dusseldorf Boat Show. AMAZING!

Back to METS. Before the start of the show I had pre booked meetings with all my suppliers. This was to try to ensure we caught up on as much as possible during the three days and that I did not miss out on seeing anyone.

Day one I managed to get to see a few of our suppliers and get around a couple of the halls.  I didn’t even make it to the hall with the Aussies in it on the first day!  Yes this is how big METS is.  I finished the day with a few drinks at the Allen stand with their team.  It was great to catch up with those I have met and meet a few more of the team at Allen.  They had a few new products on display including one that was nominated for a DAME Award and got a special mention.

On Day two I went to see Forespar and they were so busy we decided we would meet on Day three! To see one of our longest standing suppliers so busy with new customers was fantastic. Art and Bill are two of the loveliest people I have had the pleasure to work with. Both have been with Forespar for over 30 years.

We have also worked with Liros Rope from the beginning and Like Forespar Sven and Uwe have been fantastic to work with and have a long history with their companies.  I also had meetings with PROtect Tapes, Schaefer Marine, Blue Performance, Passage SAS and JDC.  If I were to go through all the new products I got to see and each day at METS it would take me hours hence the shorter version! I will be updating the DeckHardware website with new product details over the next few weeks.

METS has introduced a new Youth Club which is fantastic news! I remember the first time I attended METS as a young female, it certainly was a big step to take.  So to see there is now a group to support the younger generation is fantastic.  It was good to have a place to go and talk to people about the busy days.   The industry needs some youth with new ideas and it is great to see this being recognized. The industry is changing that is something we are all well aware of and METS is certainly adapting to suit the changing marketplace and way of marketing and connecting!  Thank you to the team at METS for the hard work and research you must be doing.  Thank you also for featuring me in the Tuesday Newsletter as a Young Professional.  METS was certainly EPIC this year more than ever.  I have been three times now and each year I seem to be more exhausted.  I don’t know if that is age or just showing how much DeckHardware is growing and how big an effect METS has on us.

This time around I didn’t stay near the RAI.  I wanted to enjoy a short walk each day in the centre of Amsterdam so that it would feel like a holiday even though the days were filled with work.  Enjoying the view on the walk to and from the train station was worth it, even with blisters from so much walking!  It certainly didn’t feel like home hahahaha which was entirely the point.  They say a little change is as good as a holiday right? I was lucky enough to get a deal on an amazing place called the Grand Hotel Amrath Amsterdam.  The Employees were fantastic and it was so nice to be able to have some good food aka fuel to get me through and keep me going.  I certainly would look at staying there again next time!

Thanks to all the DeckHardware Suppliers for the catch-ups.  It was great to see you and discuss what comes next for us all!  Amsterdam once again you were AMAZING and I promise to one day make time to be a tourist in your city instead of flying out the very next day.  Beautiful you were as I was leaving with the sun shining!

Don’t forget: Keep an eye on www.deckhardware.com.au for new products coming soon!

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Melissa Yeomans

Fitness and an Expo

My training partner Cate and I in the rain making it count.
My training partner Cate and I in the rain making it count.

Well if I haven’t been working I have been working out!  That is the story of the last month! Lots of gym time doing Aqua and Pilates Reformer which has seen a massive improvement in my core.  Then throw in walking Long Reef once or twice a week with my training partners too! I am absolutely loving it and just have to be careful not to over do it as I just want to do more.  The last three days have been big ones including supporting a friend of mine doing the Pub to Pub which I want to do next year.  Just one of the many fitness goals I have now that I am getting the Hyper Mobility under control.

The Sydney Sailboat Expo has also taken up a great deal of my time as you can imagine.  It is such an exciting journey and I can’t wait to put it all together to celebrate the sport of Sailing.  Between the Expo and DeckHardware there is no such thing as a day off at the moment but I am finding time for plenty of workouts to make sure I am at my best for everything I am doing.  It is a challenge but I am enjoying it and lucky that I am able to work the flexible times to try to fit it all in.  With the visits to the Physio and Massage also needed to keep me going thanks to my extra special joints.

Summer is just around the corner and the Calendar is filling up fast between all the events I want to do as an Umpire and events that DeckHardware will be supporting.  I can’t wait to get out on the water again.  Having winter off to get all the joints under control has worked wonders and I am really starting to notice a big difference in my overall fitness and health.  I can’t wait for summer and might just have to get out for a sail too!

 

 

My kitten who is 10 months old helping me work on the weekend.
My kitten who is 10 months old helping me work on the weekend.

 

This makes the hard work of getting to the top all worth it.
This makes the hard work of getting to the top all worth it.
Melissa Yeomans

Winter turns on the blues and it is stunning

The winter blue of Sydney really is something special.  Clear air and blue sky with beautiful clouds showing off.   During the week I managed to escape the office for a few hours to go for a walk around Long Reef.  Well worth it for the view, fresh air and exercise!  So good!  It was fantastic to see so many other people with the idea.  Despite it being winter and meant to be a cold day, out of the breeze it was a perfect day causing many of us to feel way over dressed for the walk!  I might just have to try to find a little more time to escape for a few hours when the view looks like this.

 

Yesterday I was back out on the water.  This time watching the start of the Sydney To Gold Coast Yacht Race.  It was an extremely slow start for the fleet taking them well over an hour to get out of Sydney Harbour.   Here are a some of the photos I took from on the water and a couple from the Northern Beaches as the fleet made their way up the coast!

Images from the start

I really am very lucky to live in Sydney.  So many beautiful spots to visit and views to enjoy.
Melissa Yeomans

I love Sydney Harbour

Today I had the opportunity to duck out of the DeckHardware Warehouse and play with a new product.  The Windoo.  Breeze was on the forecast which was perfect to play with this new wind speed device that plugs into a phone or iPad etc.  Being a westerly I quickly grabbed my camera knowing that Sydney Harbour would be likely showing off.  I don’t claim to be a photographer by any means but I do love taking photos and am trying to learn more about it.  Sadly today I didn’t have the time I would have liked to play with the camera settings on such a BLUE day.  After all I was there to play with a new product and get some readings to show up online!  Mission accomplished and just a few quick photos at the same time.  How good does a Sydney Winters Day look!

When I headed to Clontarf to take the last readings and feel the force of the westerly it certainly was cold.  Well worth getting sand blasted to record 30+knots though!  Check out how the new Windoo logs the breeze here with one of the posts I logged on twitter!  What a great looking day to escape the warehouse for a little while to play with something new.

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Melissa Yeomans

Back to taking it easy

I did it well and truly this past week. Just doing normal every day things I managed to put my back out of alignment… This happens when I am weak from exercise and not able to support my joints as much as I need to. It is a tricky situation as to be strong enough to hold myself together I do have to spend time at the gym weakening my muscles to get stronger… As a result I now have a sprained back.

So this past week has seen me able to do very little the first few days. I am now back to walking in the pool at a slow pace and hope to be able to get back into Pilates this coming week as I miss it! The good news is it has been longer this time since I last did it which means all the hard work is paying off and I am improving. I just wish it wouldn’t happen at all! Two trips to the Physio in one week is more than enough!

Lucky for me this weekend is a Long Weekend so I can focus on taking it easy and repairing slowly. This really is so hard to do as I would love nothing better than to go to the gym for a good two hours or even a sail in some good breeze. Instead it is the little things once more that count…

Enjoy the Long Weekend those who have one. Lets hope the recovery time sees me stronger on the other side.