A record-breaking regatta, an international windsurfing championship on Western Australia’s Mid West coast and a world-class Finn series headline the Sport Promotion Award at the 2026 Australian Sailing Awards. 

Sail Port Stephens (NSW/ACT), Paul van Bellen (WA) and Stuart Watson (QLD) have all made invaluable contributions to promoting sailing. 

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

The Finalists: 

Sail Port Stephens 

The 2026 edition of Sail Port Stephens became Australia’s largest sailing regatta by boat numbers, attracting 271 boats and more than 2,600 sailors and supporters across 11 race days from 13 April to 3 May 2026. 

Delivered in-house by a small Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club team, the event’s promotion generated 1.15 million organic social media views from 142 posts, up from 73,000 in 2023, with 53% of views coming from people who don’t already follow the event. The event had mainstream exposure includingcoverage on NBN Television News, ABC Radio and various sailing media. 

A major innovation was live Facebook coverage of 49 divisional starts across the 11 race days, with expert commentary, drone footage and graphics, generated more than 41,000 views. Another great addition was the new CrewConnect WhatsAppannouncement group that gave Regatta HQ a direct line to 760 crew and supporters.  

Grandstand seating on the Nelson Bay breakwall drew around 500 spectators to the starts and a community street party attracted around 3,000 people. The event generated an estimated $9.36 million in overall economic impact.  

Grown from 60 entries a decade ago, Sail Port Stephens now heads into its 20th anniversary in 2027, with 95% of surveyed participants likely to return. 

Paul van Bellen 

Paul van Bellen created and directed the second Wave Rally World Championships at Coronation Beach near Geraldton in January 2026, showcasing windsurfing as exciting, inclusive and accessible to participants, spectators, media audiences and commercial partners. 

The event attracted 73 competitors aged from 14 to 72, including 17 international sailors from eight countries. Overall, 44% of competitors travelled from interstate or overseas, bringing a genuine national and international field to regional Western Australia. 

Professional photography, video and online storytelling drove a 702% rise in Facebook views to 814115, while YouTube views grew to 50100, extending the reach of windsurfing and the Mid West well beyond the beach. 

Wave Rally also delivered measurable commercial and regional growth. Independent research estimated the event contributed more than $126,000 to the local economy. In addition, Bendigo Bank Geraldton has already renewedits sponsorship for 2027, demonstratingthat Wave Rally created genuine commercial value.  

Delivered with the Geraldton Windsurfing Club, Windsurfing WA, the Australian Windsurfing Association, volunteers and local businesses, Wave Rally shows how a regional event can grow participation, publicity and commercial support. 

It gave local sailors the opportunity to compete alongside visiting athletes and promoted Western Australia’s coastline and sailing conditions to national and international audiences. 

Stuart Watson 

Stuart Watson was a driving force behind the 2026 Australian Finn Championships, Finn Gold Cup and Finn Masters World Championship at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, a series that produced one of the most successful sailing marketing campaigns in Australia. 

Stuart coordinated an international container logistics program with the International Finn Association, national class associations and shipping partners, making it easier and cheaper for overseas sailors to bring their boats to Australia. The Championships delivered the largest Finn National Championship fleet ever assembled in Australia. 

The campaign generated more than 5.1 million digital impressions and international television coverage across Australia, Europe and the United States. A live entertainment program, including the Manly Harbour Boat Club rock concert, generated more than 800000 online engagements, introducing sailing to audiences well beyond traditional marine and sporting markets. 

The Championships delivered strong value for sponsors and government partners including Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Government, record patronage at RQYS throughout the regatta period.  

Stuart’s logistics model and incredible media exposure and event promotion provides a new benchmark for future international regattas hosted in Australia.