Junior Week: Chaos, Camaraderie, and the True Spirit of DQSC

Published 21:09 on 2 Aug 2025

Junior Week is not everyone's cup of tea and I can understand why. For some members, the idea of dozens of Juniors running riot, trailing water through the clubhouse, screeching, hollering, and generally making merry chaos, might be less than appealing. But what a week it was.

This week, DQSC showed off the very best of what it means to be a community.

Getting 100 people onto the water every day for five days is no small achievement. Its taken planning, patience, dedication and a whole lot of heart. We welcomed 51 Juniors and their families, with countless other members volunteering their time, energy, and enthusiasm to support something truly special. And as Galley Lead for the week, I had the absolute privilege of seeing it all from the centre of the action.

Each day, I was joined by an amazing team in the kitchen. Some are familiar faces I see regularly at the club; others I hadn't seen since last years event. But as ever, we clicked right back into rhythm chopping, stirring, washing, laughing. The sound of laughter ringing from the Galley has been one of my personal highlights, and I'm so grateful to every volunteer who rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in.

For me, this week has been more than just about sailing. Its been about community. Watching our children my own included, now 13 and 9 follow instructions, work as a team, mix with new friends, try unfamiliar foods, and simply grow before our eyes its been emotional and what an opportunity these Juniors have had, and to say they have made the most of it would be an understatement!

Food is far more than fuel. It brings people together. Every afternoon, the air in the clubhouse buzzed as Juniors, Instructors, and volunteers gathered around the table, sharing stories of capsized boats and new skills, chatting about the next day's adventures. Mealtimes became a daily celebration of effort, of friendship, of fun. Food builds community, and this week proved it.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without our incredible leadership team. A heartfelt thank you to Graham Causer, our JW Lead and organiser extraordinaire, for his tireless work behind the scenes. To Sarah Haig, Chief Instructor Sailing and steady hand at the helm your passion and expertise shone through. Our instructors, ranging from 15 to 50 (yes, I'm being kind, husband! Ed note: there's a 63 year old too!), all pulled together as one cohesive team. That mix of youth and experience created such a brilliant, supportive environment for the Juniors.

Personally, I've done the shopping, recruited extra hands to shop, stirred more pans than I can count and I wouldn't change a thing. I may be physically shattered, but my cup is overflowing with pride and joy. What we've created this week is more than just a series of sailing sessions. We've given our Juniors memories to last a lifetime, and hopefully inspired the next generation of sailors and club volunteers.

So, well done Dell Quay Sailing Club. You've outdone yourselves. The air has been buzzing with energy and positivity all week, and I truly believe Junior Week showcases the very best of what DQSC has to offer.

Now if you'll excuse me I'm off for a hot bath and the earliest of early nights.

Louise Hitchin
Galley Lead JW 2025

Note from the editor: A massive thank you and congratulations to Louise for such a sterling job as galley lead!