News
General Manager - Western Australia Update April 2026
Published Wed 01 Apr 2026
The latest update from Australian Sailing's General Manager – Western Australia – Kate Wearn
General Update
Welcome to the April update, from the Western Australian office.
As the summer sailing season draws to a close, we reflects on a successful summer, and begin to consider the winter events, training, and sailing opportunities that await. A number of important dates are detailed in this update, please mark these in your diary!
The 2026 Club Survey is currently open, and will close on 30 April. Club feedback plays a critical role in guiding Australian Sailing’s planning and investment decisions. By taking part, Clubs help ensure future initiatives are aligned to what matters most on the ground. Please ensure your Club’s voice is heard. We encourage committee members and administrators complete the survey together, in order to submit one consolidated response per Club. The Club Survey was distributed to key Club contacts in early March. If you require the link to the survey, please reach out.
The past two months have included some great initiatives, both locally and further afield, some highlights include.
- A Tackers program at Exmouth Yacht Club saw two Perth-based Instructors deliver a week of training to a group of locals, boosting the Club’s participation programs.
- The Participation Plan for sailing in Australia was launched in late-February, presenting a whole of sport roadmap designed to make sailing more accessible, welcoming and flexible, and to grow participation through to 2032 and beyond.
- In early March, following the long weekend, the first Volunteer’s Forum was held, with the purpose of sharing knowledge and networking, following a busy championships period in WA.
- Tait spent a week on the ground in Busselton, assisting Geographe Bay Yacht Club to deliver Discover Sailing experiences to over 150 secondary school students.
- Kate and Jade attended the WA Sport Awards, and saw Zac Littlewood recognised as a finalist for the WA Sport Star of the Year.
- New Instructors and Coaches were accredited, at courses from Princess Royal Sailing Club in Albany to Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club in Perth.
- A Nacra 15 Clinic was held at Esperance Bay Yacht Club, benefiting a number of regional sailors and coaches.
It is pleasing to see that the damage sustained by our Gascoyne region Clubs in last weekend’s cyclone was minimal, and we wish the Carnarvon and Exmouth Yacht Club locals all the best with the recovery from the weather.
As the Easter long weekend approaches, we hope everyone enjoys their chosen activities, and we wish safe travels and good luck to those competing in events over the break.
We greatly enjoy and appreciate all of our interactions with Clubs across WA. If it has been some time between visits, or if your Club or Association has a big event on the horizon, please do not hesitate to reach out to Jade, Tait or myself for support or to book in a visit.
2026 Dates
Planning is well underway for a full schedule of events for 2026, which will hopefully appeal to everyone involved in our sport, at a range of levels.
Our major events for 2026 will take place as follows:
- WA Sailing Summit - Saturday 25 July @ Perth Flying Squadron Yacht Club
- Training In Focus - LIVE - Saturday 29 August @ Royal Perth Yacht Club
- WA Sailing Awards - Friday 11 September @ Fremantle Sailing Club
- Zhik Youth Sail WA - Saturday 26 September to Thursday 1 October @ Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club
WA Sailing Summit
We look forward to welcoming Clubs and Class Associations from across WA to the WA Sailing Summit in 2026, to be held at Perth Flying Squadron Yacht Club on Saturday 25 July.
Attendance is free of charge, with morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea provided. Registrations are now open here.
The WA Sailing Summit provides a great opportunity for Clubs and Classes to share information and ideas, and learn the latest from Australian Sailing on new initiatives, resources, and projects. Hear from content experts as well as those within Clubs, Class Associations and Discover Sailing Centres who have a great idea, resource or success story to share.
Agenda items will include the Participation Plan, the successful SailLAB STEM Program for school student, a participation panel discussion, Australian Sailing update and other relevant topic.
Register today, and stay tuned for updates.
Training In Focus – LIVE
This ever-popular event for Instructors and DSC Principals is back this year, to be held on Saturday 29 August at Royal Perth Yacht Club.
Again, registration is free, with all food included. Register today here.
This practical, in-person workshop provides an opportunity to connect with other instructors and centre leaders, share ideas and explore ways to strengthen training programs and participation at your Club or DSC.
The day will include a mix of practical sessions, facilitated discussion and peer learning, with contributions from industry experts, Senior Instructors, Chief Instructors and Australian Sailing staff. Participants will gain practical ideas, coaching techniques and program insights that can be applied directly within their own training environments.
Zhik Youth Sail WA
Due to a change in circumstances, this year’s Zhik Youth Sail WA event will be held at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club. This change was established after careful consideration, and consultation with both last year’s host, Nedlands Yacht Club, and RFBYC. We appreciate NYC’s efforts and the successful hosting of the event in 2025, and look forward to continuing to support the Club, and the opportunity to work with the NYC team in the future. We welcome RFBYC as the 2026 Zhik Youth Sail WA event host, and look forward to working with the Club to deliver another great event in late-September. Please stay tuned for information and registration, available via the Zhik Youth Sail WA website.
2026 Training Calendars
Our 2026 training calendars for Coaches, Instructors and Officials are available to view. Winter is a great time to gain or upskill your qualifications, with a number of courses on offer in Perth metro, and regional locations.
Please search for an Instructor, Coach or Officials course, via our page here.
Please note, there are opportunities for Officials to upskill, with Regional and National level Race Officer, Umpire and Judge courses scheduled.
2026/27 Water Space Calendars
Australian Sailing facilitates the collection of all relevant on-water activities, providing them to the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure for the purpose of obtaining Aquatic Event approvals. This important role is delivered via the Swan River Racing Calendar and WA Coastal Calendar.
Both are now open for the upcoming season, with the appropriate contacts at Clubs informed, and working collaboratively to ensure all events are captured.
Sailing Administrator and DSC Principal Forum
The next forum to conclude the 2025/26 season will be held as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Time: 12:30pm to 2:00pm
Venue: Australian Sailing Conference Room at Royal Perth Yacht Club (or on-line)
Please view the agenda, and RSVP here.
The forum presents a vital opportunity for WA Sailing Administrators and DSC Principals to network, discuss both the issues and successes they have experienced, as well as share ideas and collaborate on future initiatives.
Funding Opportunities
Sail Our Way Participation Grant Program – Round 2 – Australian Sailing
Following a highly successful first round, the program continues to support Clubs and Class Associations to deliver impactful initiatives that increase participation and create inclusive environments for women and girls.
Clubs can apply for up to $1,500, for initiatives to grow and support female participation.
Please view all information and apply here.
Game On, Girls – WA Government
Game On, Girls is all about boosting participation, retention and engagement of girls aged 13 to 17 in club sport.
Clubs can access grant funding and tailored capacity-building support designed to help create inclusive environments and programs where girls can truly thrive in sport.
Through the Game On, Girls initiative, Clubs can apply for grants from $1,500 up to $5,000.
These grants can assist your club in developing innovative and inclusive programs, adapting formats to better meet the needs of girls, and providing resources that make participation fun, safe and sustainable.
Please view all information here.
If you have any questions on the above topics please contact the General Manager - WA, Kate Wearn at kate.wearn@sailing.org.au.
We look forward to seeing you on the water, or at your Club soon!
We are grateful for the support of the WA Government in delivering events and initiatives. The State government is a major supporter of Australian Sailing in Western Australia. Sport and recreation builds stronger, healthier, happier and safer communities.
Keep In touch
All members of our team are available to answer your queries by phone, face to face or to meet via Microsoft Teams online.
|
Kate Wearn |
Jade Lane |
Tait Kunzli |
You can find a full list of Australian Sailing Contacts – here.
