2026-2027 VICTORIAN REGIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (VIC RAC)

Thank you to every club that participated in the recent Victorian Regional Advisory Committee election. The elected members are:

• Cyrus Allen (Ocean Racing Club Victoria)
• Mitchell Bayliss (Melbourne Trailable Yacht Club)
• Cherry Birch (Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron)
• Tony Christmas (Safety Beach Sailing Club)
• Bentley Conn (Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club)
• Scott Watson (McCrae Yacht Club / Parkdale Yacht Club)

They will be joined by appointed members Darren Eger (Sandringham Yacht Club) and Liesl Petterd (Royal Yacht Club of Victoria).

Thank You, Yachting Victoria Committee,

I would also like to acknowledge and sincerely thank the Yachting Victoria Board for its outstanding service and commitment to sailing in Victoria throughout a challenging period of transition. Thank you to Sean Hogan (Royal Brighton Yacht Club), who served as Chair for eight years, along with Deb Parker (SYC), Linda Goldsmith (RMYS), Darren Eger (SYC)and Liesl Petterd (RYCV) for their dedication and leadership.

VICTORIAN SAILING AWARDS 2026 - Fridat 11 September at Sandringham Yacht Club $45pp

This annual prestigious event is a wonderful time to catch up with fellow sailors and kindred clubs. Come and celebrate those Sailors and volunteers recognised for their amazing achievements. Click here to book

Other Upcoming Events - August/Septmeber

TRAINING IN FOCUS – LIVE Saturday 29 August | Royal Brighton Yacht Club Whether you are an Instructor, Coach, Discover Sailing Centre Principal or club volunteer, do not miss one of Victoria's premier training and development events. Connect with industry experts, share ideas with clubs from across the state and take away practical strategies to grow participation and strengthen your Discover Sailing Centre. It is FREE. Register now.

Victorian Club Sailing and Participation Network Meetings - Click Here to book.

22 August – Black Rock Yacht Club, 1-4pm

5 September – Point Leo Boat Club, 1-4pm

19 September – Lake Wellington Yacht Club, 1-4pm

Everyone involved in sailing is welcome. Connect with fellow clubs, share ideas, hear the latest Australian Sailing updates, and take away practical insights to help your club succeed.

Upcoming Feature Sailing Events in Victoria

5-6 Sept City Sail Women and Girls Coaching and Racing regatta Click here

12-13 Sept. Open Match Racing Regatta RGYC

19- 20 Sept Bendigo Yacht Club (Lake Eppalock) - Icebreaker Regatta 2026 Click Here

17-18 Oct Northeast Windsport Club – Discover “Blokart” Land Sailing – Click here

22–25 October – Australian Youth Match Racing Championship (Royal Geelong Yacht Club) RGYC

View all events on the VIC Calendar - Click Here

VICTORIAN SAILING RESULTS Click Here for the VICTORIAN RESULTS Webpage

Special mentions to:

Rhett Gowans (MMYC) who claimed the 2026 RS Aero European & Youth World Championships 19-24 July Travemunde Woche, Germany Click Here Rhett is now a two-time Aero World Champion. Congratulations also to fellow MMYC sailor Glenn Collings, who finished an outstanding 7th overall. The 2027 World Aero Championship will be at Blairgowrie YS Click Here

Mark Bulka (McCYC)

1st Italian Contender Nationals, 1st Dutch Contender Nationals, 2nd Kiel Week (Contender)

2nd Contender World Championships (sailing with a rib injury no less!)

Sporting Club Grants Program. Closes 26 August 2026

Don't let your club miss out. This is an outstanding opportunity for every Victorian sailing club to secure funding through five grant categories: Equipment & Safety (up to $1,000), Volunteers & Officials (up to $5,000), Participation Programs & Events (up to $5,000), Representative Athlete Travel (up to $750), and Governance & Club Sustainability (up to $1,500). If your club has been considering new equipment, volunteer training, participation initiatives or governance improvements, now is the time to act. Australian Sailing encourages every affiliated club to apply and is happy to provide advice and letters of support where required. Click Here for more information and to apply. In the last round of grants congratulations to the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria, who received funding for its Keel Boat Introduction to Sailing Savvy program (KISS) – helping women and girls progress as keelboat sailors!

Discover Sailing Days

While we continue working on improving the overall registration experience, we have created a guide to support clubs when setting up their Discover Sailing Day within the processes that are in place. This guide (Click Here) has been developed to provide clubs with options and guidance to level up their event set up and user experience.

Inland Yacht Club News

Victoria's inland lakes experience dramatic water level fluctuations, creating both challenges and opportunities for sailing clubs. Yet through every season, they continue to create lasting memories and bring friends together on and off the water. The recent rain has been welcome, and I encourage all sailors to sail at one of our 16 inland yacht clubs this season at one of their famous regattas, class training camp or simply for fun.

1. Albert Park Yacht Club - City Sail Women and Girls Coaching and Racing regatta 5-6 September Click here
2. Albert Sailing Club – Click Here
3. Albury Wodonga Sailing Club (Lake Hume) – Sail Country Oct 31 – Nov 1, Cup Weekend regatta Click Here
4. Bendigo Yacht Club (Lake Eppalock) - Icebreaker Regatta 2026 19,20 September Click Here
5. Ballarat Yacht Club (Lake Wendouree) - Click Here
6. Cairn Curran Yacht Club (Cairn Curran reservoir) – Cairn Curran Regatta 28-29 Nov Click Here
7. Colac Yacht Club (Lake Colac) - Click Here
8. Derrinallum Yacht and Powerboat Club (Deep Lake) – Click here
9. Lake Boga Yacht Club – Easter Regatta Click here
10. Lake Learmonth Yacht Club – Click here
11. Lysterfield Sailing Club – Click here
12. Nagambie Lakes Sailing Club – Click Here
13. Northeast Windsport Club – Discover “Blokart” Land Sailing 17,18 October – Click here
14. Stawell Yacht Club, Lake Fyans Click Here
15. Sugarloaf Sailing Club (Sugarloaf Reservoir) - Click here
16. Yarrawonga Yacht Club (Lake Mulwala) – Click Here

Special mention to Lake Wellington Yacht Club Click here