Club of the Year (Category B) Finalists for 2025 Australian Sailing Awards
Four clubs have been named as finalists for the Club of the Year (Category B) at the 2025 Australian Sailing Awards.
Saltwater Veterans Sailing Project, Port Dalrymple Yacht Club, Davey's Bay Yacht Club and Cleveland Yacht Club have all had outstanding seasons.
The Club of the Year Award is split into two categories (Category A and Category B) in all States except Tasmania. The split allows clubs to be recognised and celebrated for their contribution to the sailing community regardless of size.
The clubs in the running will be judged on their contribution to the Australian Sailing Strategic Pillars of Grow, Support, Win and the six strategic foundations of: Future Focus, Diversity and Inclusion, Environmental sustainability, Innovation, Safety and Partnerships.
The nation’s peak sailing awards will be held at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney on Friday, November 14.
The Finalists:
Saltwater Veterans Sailing Project
From beginning as ‘four men and a boat’ the club has grown into an ACNC-registered charity, an Australian Sailing Affiliated Club, and a Discover Sailing Centre by 2022.
Through the Saltwater Veterans Sailing Project (SVSP), the club has created something uniquely impactful, with participation exponentially growing each year.
The purpose-led, community-first approach drives strong year-on-year growth and high return participation. From just four participants in 2017 to over 1,100 Revsport registrations, SVSP proves that meaningful connection, purpose, and healing can be found - one sail at a time - as a non-bricks-and-mortar club.
The Saltwater Veterans Sailing Project hosted several key events designed to grow and support its diverse membership base. The flagship event, the ANZAC Commemorative Sail, brought together 140 participants and 17 yachts, with strong collaboration from supporting clubs and businesses including Manly Sailing, Manly Yacht Club, Royal Australian Naval Sailing Association (RANSA), and Middle Harbour Yacht Club.
The club delivered programs and activities in Sydney, Pittwater, Gosford, Newcastle, and Mooloolaba, while actively working towards establishing SVSP community sailing programs in Melbourne for 2025-26.
The club is committed to deepening the integration of the Australian Sailing Pathway. The focus will be on growing the number and quality of Skippers, Instructors, and Coaches to ensure consistent, sustainable delivery across all locations and with the support of clubs and businesses. This emphasis on capacity-building is designed to foster long-term sustainability, nurture leadership from within the community, and continually enhance the quality of sailing opportunities for participants—and importantly, support clubs and the wider sailing community through cross-pollination of opportunities.
Port Dalrymple Yacht Club
Port Dalrymple Yacht Club along with its signature regattas, “Northern Inshore Championships” and “Annual Block Buster Regatta” successfully hosted the Tasmanian SB 20 Championships and the Tasmanian LT Windsurfer Championships
PDYC, continuing with its commitment to providing offshore racing opportunities in the north of the state, delivered the inaugural 3 Hummock Island Race, a 211 nautical mile offshore sailing challenge, the only Cat 2 ocean race in Tasmania.
PDYC are committed to raise the profile of all sailing in the states north, on top of our signature regattas, the club will host the Tasmanian State Sabre & NS14 regattas, along with the 2nd 3 Hummock Island Race, ( now a recognised qualifying event for the S2H).
With the acquisition of our ex AS Pacer fleet the club included a "Pacer" division in its annual "Block Buster" Regatta providing an introduction to many of our parents taking the opportunity to sail/bond with their "Tackers" children. The Club is hopeful to progress the engagement with youth in the region through the implementation of an annual Interschool fleet racing regatta based in the pacer class.
Davey's Bay Yacht Club
The 2024–2025 season at Davey’s Bay Yacht Club increased sailing activities from three days a week to five. This was made possible by entering into a Discover Sailing agreement with Australian Sailing and appointing two part-time Instructors.
For the first time, the Club ran 18 AS courses (110 sessions) over the season with 62% club members and 44% female participation rate, exceeding the national average.
Davey’s Bay sailors and volunteers traveled extensively in Australia and overseas to represent DBYC across ILCA, FINN, Fireball, 420, 505, FD, and Couta Boat events.
Davey’s Bay YC is a regional leader working with and providing opportunities for local schools. The schools utilise the club owned Pacers, Ozi Optis, Racing Optimists and Lasers. The school programs and competitions saw an increase in participation in 2025.
The club continued with its plan to provide racing opportunities for club fleets and providing pathways for emerging sailors and members.
Cleveland Yacht Club
Cleveland Yacht Club has achieved record participation through inclusive programming, strategic planning, and a culture built on two core values: Family Friendly and Helping Each Other.
In 2024–25, the club grew membership by 32%, reaching 95 members — the highest in the club's 120-year history and locking in growth in membership of 90% over the last two years. This growth reflects not just numbers, but a thriving community.
The revitalized training program is built on a unique conversion model: trainees become members, volunteers, and lifelong sailors. The sailing committee delivered 30 club races during the Summer series, the Nacra State Titles, and a reimagined Peel Island Marathon — all designed to maximize participation despite challenging weather.
Volunteer numbers grew by 175% this year through a focused program that offers another pathway to get people on the water.
Participation at CYC is not just about activity — it’s about connection, growth, and shared purpose. Cleveland Yacht Club delivered a dynamic calendar of events that strengthened community ties, showcased sailing culture, and attracted new participants.
The flagship event, the Peel Island Marathon, was reimagined to include social activities alongside the competitive fleet. With 10 sailing classes represented — including off-the-beach monohulls and catamarans, windsurfers, trailer sailers, and yachts — the event created a festival atmosphere that welcomed families and spectators.
Cleveland Yacht Club is proudly 100% volunteer-run and this year the club achieved a 175% increase in volunteers. The focus throughout the year was on recognition, culminating in an annual dinner and Celebration of Excellence, where every volunteer was awarded a pair of CYC-themed glasses.
The club has strengthened its train-the-trainer program, expanded mentoring and coaching, and supported members through Australian Sailing training.
