The latest updates from Australian Sailing's General Manager - Western Australia - Kate Wearn

Please click this link to find all past WA General Manager's Updates. 

General Update

Welcome to the February update, from the Western Australian office. 

Welcome to the first update from the WA Office for 2026, and Happy New Year! 

We hope you all enjoyed a break over the festive season and found the time to get out on the water in the way you enjoy. I was lucky enough to enjoy sailing a Windrush 14 on the waters of Geographe Bay, in Quindalup, arguably one of the best places in the world to sail! 

The year has started strong for sailing in WA, with SailGP a real spectacle and showcase of our sport to the wider community, along with other high profile and exciting events, from the Pelican States at South of Perth Yacht Club, to the F18 Worlds at Jervoise Bay Sailing Club.  

In mid-January we welcomed CEO Malcolm Page to Perth, ahead of SailGP, and were grateful for the opportunity to catch up with Malcolm and follow up his October visit Club meetings. 

Jade spent the recent long weekend in Denmark, bringing together the Great Southern and South West Clubs Denmark Sailing Club, Princess Royal Sailing Club and Walpole Yacht Club. This catch up was further enhanced by National Race Officer and Yachting WA President also in attendance.  

As I write this update, Tait and Jade have been supporting Jervoise Bay Sailing Club on the ground, as they deliver the Formula 18 World and Australian Championships.  

We love getting away from the desk and visiting Clubs across WA, the conversations, support and engagement these opportunities enable are second to none. If it has been a while 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 - From Saturday 26 September @ Nedlands Yacht Club 

Stay tuned as we also share a number of capacity building and professional development opportunities for people and organisations within our community. If there is something you would like to see delivered in 2026, or a topic of interest, please share it with us. 

Australian Sailing Volunteers’ Forum – 2026 Championships Debrief 

The first PD opportunity for volunteers, an event open to anyone working to facilitate our sport, will take place as follows: 

• Date: Tuesday 3 March 2026 
• Time: 1800 to 2000 
• Venue: Perth Dinghy Sailing Club  

Please register here: https://www.sailing.org.au/events/336441. 

The purpose of this Forum is to catch up following the 2026 championships period, discuss topics which have arisen, share learnings and knowledge. Topics to be covered include those related to race documentation, protests, redress and measurement, safety and volunteers in general. Time will be provided for general networking and socialising, the bar will be open, and some food will be supplied at the conclusion of the formalities. 

This event is open to anyone supporting sailing events, including, but not limited to: 

• Race Officers 
• Start/finish boat personnel 
• Mark layers 
• Safety Boat operators/crew 
• Jury members 
• Protest Committee members 
• Umpires 
• Measurers 
• Equipment Auditors 
• Administrators 

The purpose of this event is to educate, provide networking and mentoring opportunities, identify pathways to qualification and develop a support network. 

An online attendance option will be facilitated, for those in regional locations or unable to attend in person. The link to join online, will be circulated prior to the Forum.

2026 Course Schedule 

A full schedule of Instructor, Coach and Officials courses has been published for the year, with a wide range of courses to suit people at the beginning of their journey, or those looking to upskill. 

Visit our Course Finder page HERE to view a course in WA this year, in your chosen discipline. If the course you seek has not yet been scheduled, please reach out to Jade, Tait or myself, or complete an EOI form HERE. Likewise if you cannot view and opportunity in your region, please reach out. 

A suite of excellent online learning resources are available via the Australian Sailing Learning Centre HERE. 

Funding Opportunities 

The 2026 Ron Tough Yachting Foundation Grant applications are now open. 

Applications are open for individuals, Clubs and Class Associations, with the deadline set for 6 March 2026. 

Please visit the Ron Tough Yachting Foundation webpage for all information and to apply. 

Department of Transport Update  

A reminder that the WA  Coastal Calendar for the 2025/26 season has been approved, with all information available on the webpage here.  

Clubs operating in Fremantle Ports Waters have been contacted separately, to ensure the lines of communication are open between the Harbourmasters Office, and the Clubs conducting events. Please speak to Kate or Jade for more information on this topic. 

The Department of Transport exemptions for the next two years have been approved, a copy is available here. The current exemptions are applicable to all participating in events, recognised and approved by the Swan River Racing and Coastal Calendar process. 

We thank Clubs for their ongoing cooperation, to ensure the timely and accurate sharing of information, which facilitates our ongoing relationship with the Department of Transport and ensures the safety of all activities on the water. 

The DoT have shared a feedback form, which can be completed to report incidents and issues on the water. Any near misses, safety concerns, complaints about other water users, etc. can be reported, which will allow the Department to address any concerns or ongoing issues. Please view and complete the form HERE. 

Incidents that are contravening a law should be reported via the following:  Report a boating or marine incident | Department of Transport. 

Sinking or grounded vessels can be reported via the Deckee App, or to Navigational.Safety@transport.wa.gov.au, provided it is not an emergency situation. For emergencies please direct reports to Western Australian Water Police - 08 9480 9924. 

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. 

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