Early in February, John Chapman from Perth was visiting Maroochydore and on a Sunday afternoon indulged in his passion of photographing Sailing Boats using his drone.
He caught a excellent picture of our Chambers Island base, and some great pictures of the action on the water.
Thanks for sharing, John!
Out There Sailing is an Australian Sailing Learn-to-Sail Course for Teenagers. Our Tackers boats are great for young children, but young bodies grow, and Tackers and Optimist dinghies are not really suitable for teenagers!
Out There Sailing is designed to introduce 13 - 16 year olds to Sailing. We use our larger two - three person Pacer Dinghies, more suited to larger bodies!
The focus is on Learning to Sail, but the participants enjoy a range of water-based activities over a three day Course.
Our latest Course ran over three consecutive days and was enjoyed by the 8 participants.
Everyone approaches their first capsize drill with apprehension, but “having a swim” is part of dinghy sailing, and practising the technique for a quick and safe recovery is a necessary part of any dinghy Course. The camera was on hand to capture the recovery drill!!
Thanks to coaches Casey, Cody and Henry!
If interested, contact the Club and we’ll pass your expression of Interest onto the Co-ordinator, Bruce!
A cloudy grey morning gradually turned into a sunny afternoon on a busy Sunday 6 April.
Following a morning session of Green Fleet Training, members were joined by the latest group of Tackers 3 Graduates for the Completion Presentation , Welcome to the Club and BBQ Lunch. They then launched to join the Afternoon Fleet for their very first Club Race round the buoys, assisted by their Instructor, Caitlin, and our on-water Support Boats. A light Easterly Breeze and little tidal run at first, made conditions ideal for their first attempt to race round the Marks.
They impressed with their enthusiasm, and their determination, particularly as the the tide started to run later in the afternoon.
We hope they will continue with some Green Fleet Training sessions, to refine and further develop their skills!
Following a few days of heavy rain, the ebb tide on our Maroochy River was re-inforced by flood run-off.
The light westerly breeze did not provide enough power to make way against the tide.
With boats drifting down-stream, our rescue and support boats had a busy afternoon towing everyone back to our Chambers Island rigging lawn!
Hopefully April will bring some more pleasant sailing weather as 3 out of the 5 scheduled days for March have had to be abandoned because of adverse weather!
Next week, 6 April, Long Course Racing with Green Fleet Training (Morning), Tackers 3 (Afternoon), and Out There Sailing for Teenagers (Day 2 of 3)
Quite a few opportunities for Maroochy Sailors and friends from other Clubs to develop their Sailing skills over the next few months!
On Saturday 22 March, Laser sailors will work with Australian Sailing Team member, Mitch Kennedy, at a Skill Development Day.
The Laser sailors will share the waters in the afternoon with a 6 keen young sailors particpating in their Tackers 3 program - usually held on Sundays afternoons, but Cyclone Alfred created the need for a catch-up!
Sunday Mornings see an Opti Green Fleet Training group developing their skills before joining in the Sunday afternoon Race.
A 4 day introductory Tackers 1 Course is scheduled over the School Holidays just prior to Easter - where a dozen youngsters will start their sailing journey. This Course was SOLD OUT in less than a week, from those who had registered a prior interest through our Tackers Page.
Over May and June, on Sundays, some of our Youth will participate in our Mooloolaba Youth Development Program where they will enhance their open-water sailing skills under the watchful eyes of coaches. This program is close to fully booked!
It is hoped to offer a Tackers 2 program in the coming months for those children who have already completed Tackers 1.
Meanwhile many of the Club Sabre sailors head to the Darling Point Sailing Squadron for their annual Queensland Class Championships.
A busy end to the Sailing Season with the Sunday Racing program finishing early in May for the Winter Break.
Five Saturday morning sessions at Mooloolaba Bay to improve your open-water sailing.
Cost $260
Enhance your open-water sailing skills with this Course on Mooloolaba Bay.
Great day on Sunday for our Annual Head of the River.
Over 30 boats launched for this unique race , with a tide that was just starting to ebb, and a light to moderate ENE breeze. As usual, breeze strength varied along the river, particularly along the Bli Bli reaches on he western side of the Motorway Bridge. Sailors soon found that if they avoided the tidal run by hogging the bank, they were punished by finding a “parking spot”!
Good competition in all Divisions with young Maroochy sailor, Jack Rae leaving the Novice “Green Fleet” sailors home, while Visiting Open Skiff sailors, Nathaniel McCarthy and Leon-Wei Petit led the strong Optimist Fleet. In the Senior Division, Holly Ranson in her Laser Radial led Maroochy Sabre sailors Ilan Scofield and John Ladewig who were barely separated by a couple of boat lengths during the 2 hour race.
Full Results here
Thanks to all who competed, and also the volunteers on and off the water who made it such a great day!
We have several keen photographers out on the water, and they shared some amazing pictures of the action on the water.
Sean’s Photography David’s Head of the River Innessa’s Video
Our Summer Sailing Season starts on Sunday 19 January with a Fun Race - a River Runners Event- usually a few short races round the marks to loosen the tight muscles after the Christmas Break and regain that magic touch on the tiller extension. Briefing at 12.45pm with racing to start at 1.30pm.
The amended version comes into effect on 1 January 2025 and will be current through to 31 December 2028.
Sailors participating in Racing should have a knowledge of the Rules so that they can compete fairly and safely on the water, both for themselves and their fellow competitors.
Usually the amended Rules are not radically changed, but rather minor amendments are made to improve clarity and address issues that have become apparent!
Such is the case this year, with quite a number of clarifications, and re-wording of definitions. Actual Rule Changes are relatively few.
PLEASE CHECK OUT AT LEAST THE CHANGE DOCUMENTS BEFORE OUR SAILING RE-COMMENCES IN MID-JANUARY.
Recently there has been some discussion about the early days of the Maroochy Sailing Club on Chambers Island. An video made from 8mm film originally shot by George Coulson in the 1960’s has been re-edited by David Thompson and posted to Youtube for all to easily enjoy!
The Notice of Race (NOR) and Sailing Instructions (SI)
for our 2024 -25 Sailing Season are now available.
Copies are posted on Our Documents page.
While we sail under the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) prescribed by World Sailing and Australian Sailing, the NOR and Sailing Instructions define our local Club rules and requirements. Racing sailors need to have a knowledge of our local rules!
Maroochy Sailing Club accepts Fair Play Vouchers as payment for both Membership and Course Fees.
If you have children who have a Fair Play Voucher, please contact us for advice as to how you can best utilise this Voucher to participate in our Club Program or Training!
For further information contact Registration Officer, Peter
FAIR PLAY VOUCHERS WELCOME
