A family centric flexible participation program, STEM learning with remote-control yachts and a free community festival on the water headline three innovative programs set to be recognised at the 2026 Australian Sailing Awards. 

Adelaide Sailing Club Adventure Club (SA), Royal Perth Yacht Club – SailLAB (WA) and Southport Yacht Club – Summer on the Lake (QLD) are in the running for the Innovation Award. 

The nation’s peak sailing awards will be held at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour on Friday, October 30. 

The Finalists: 

Adelaide Sailing Club Adventure Club 

Adelaide Sailing Club’s Adventure Club, led by Matt Young, changes how families first experience sailing. Instead of starting with formal training or racing, it starts with fun, friendship and belonging. 

The program grew from a gap the club identified: children too young to race, younger siblings of sailors, parents new to the sport and former members reconnecting through their children or grandchildren. Adventure Club gives all of them a place. 

It is not class or performance-based. Children can sail different boats, join themed sails such as Santa and Dolphin Sails, play beach games or take part in hands-on physics activities, while junior sailors and Junior Flag Officers lead and mentor. Running on Saturday mornings, it works in all weather and brings families to the club ahead of afternoon racing. 

Its greatest success is turning participation into contribution, with parents regularly helping in the canteen, on the beach, in rescue boats and with rigging. As one parent put it: “Adventure Club is exactly what you want from a fun, family based sailing club.” 

Simple, flexible and low cost, the model needs no new equipment or paid staff and could be adopted by clubs across the country. 

Royal Perth Yacht Club – SailLAB 

Royal Perth Yacht Club became one of Australia’s first clubs to integrate Australian Sailing’s SailLAB program into its education and participation pathway, using sailing as a platform to teach science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 

RPYC expanded the concept with a fleet of DF65 remote-control yachts, allowing students to explore wind, sail trim, tactics and race strategy from shore before heading onto the water, and removing barriers such as weather, confidence and experience. 

The club hosted Australia’s first SailLAB Teacher Professional Development Day, introducing educators to the opportunities of bringing sailing into STEM learning. 

Beyond schools, the DF65s have become a club-wide asset. Coaches use them to demonstrate tactics and starting sequences to Off the Beach sailors before they launch, while Keelboat, Offshore and Power members now participate together through informal racing, coaching and social activities, breaking down traditional boundaries between disciplines. 

Portable, affordable and low maintenance, the model can be replicated by clubs of all sizes, creating a pathway from the classroom to on-water participation and club membership. 

Southport Yacht Club – Summer on the Lake 

Southport Yacht Club’s Summer on the Lake has introduced more than 761 people to sailing and on-water recreation through a free community event designed to break down the perception that sailing is expensive and exclusive. 

Unlike a traditional “come and try” day, the event combines free sailing and stand-up paddleboarding with a DJ, bar, food trucks and club engagement, with volunteers and representatives from each sailing division explaining the pathway from beginner programs through to racing and membership. 

Supported by a $10,000 City of Gold Coast Community Grant and around $20,000 of club investment, the event is delivered by more than 20 volunteers using the club’s existing fleet, facilities and instructors. Exclusive 10% discounts on Kids, Teens and Adult Learn to Sail courses help turn a free first experience into ongoing participation. 

The club sees the return almost immediately in course bookings, with many participants progressing through its programs, becoming members and some buying their own boats. 

The City of Gold Coast has expressed interest in taking the concept on the road as a Summer of Sailing roadshow across various bodies of water across the Gold Coast.