The 2026 Zhik Youth Sail VIC, hosted at the spectacular Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club, brought together an incredible community of sailors, coaches, volunteers and clubs for what was still a highly successful few days - while conditions prevented the regatta from proceeding, the spirit of Youth Sail was very much alive throughout the coaching clinic.

Across the event, 106 boats and 120 sailors participated in the coaching clinic, supported by 25 dedicated coaches delivering outstanding on and off-water learning experiences. From boat handling to teamwork and confidence building, sailors made the most of every opportunity.

Behind the scenes, more than 50 volunteers and staff worked tirelessly to deliver the Zhik Youth Sail event. Their effort, commitment and passion ensured the event ran smoothly and safely, and their contribution did not go unnoticed.

A number of key engagement sessions also formed an important part of the event program: 

Class Association and Parent Meetings provided valuable insight into where sailing can take young sailors, highlighting development pathways, class progression and long-term opportunities within the sport

A Club Representative Forum brought together clubs from across Victoria to discuss the future of youth sailing, with a focus on strengthening inter-club collaboration and shared development initiatives.

A special burger night during the event also gave participants the opportunity to hear from Olympians Tess Lloyd, Will Phillips and Sam Phillips, who shared their sailing journeys, experiences at the highest level, and insights into what it takes to reach elite competition.

With 136 sailors originally registered for the regatta, anticipation for racing was high. While the weather ultimately had other plans, the success of the coaching program and the strong engagement across sailors, coaches and clubs ensured Zhik Youth Sail VIC 2026 still delivered an exceptional experience.

We are truly grateful for everything that went into the event - if only we could have brought better weather, it would have been the best Youth Sail yet!

We look forward to welcoming you to the next one.