Situated in a magical spot on the banks of Hobart’s River Derwent, next to Wrest Point Casino and opposite the University of Tasmania, the Club’s location is really second to none.

The DSS is best known for its sailing program, which features internationally renowned events such as the, Melbourne to Hobart, Launceston to Hobart and King of the Derwent, as well as a full schedule of summer and winter racing for keelboats, one designs and dinghies.

DSS was established in 1906 when on the 15th February a group of Hobart Yachtys, having identified a significant gap in the sailing offerings in Hobart, decided to formally convene a new Sailing Club and named it the Derwent Sailing Squadron. The Squadron members met regularly at various meeting places around Hobart, most notably on the hulk of the Derwent Hunter which was situated at the Domain slipyard – until it was destroyed by fire.
On the 10th October 1953 the club moved to its current location at Sandy Bay with members financing and building a club rooms at Cheverton’s Jetty. The was the beginning of the Squadron’s long occupation of the area and underpinned the Squadrons existing focus of providing its members with outstanding boating facilities.

In 1965 the Squadron members built a new clubroom which remains today. In 1983 the 1st marina, with a capacity of 135 boats was built by members followed by an expansion in 2015 of a further 135 marina pens.

The Squadron is very proud of its outstanding facilities and marine centric services. The culture of the club has always been underpinned by the voluntary member contributions in the development of infrastructure and in fact that much of what has been developed has been physically built by members including the original clubhouse, our existing clubhouse, our 1st marina, our haul-out and slipway amongst many other things.

DSS is now home to a growing contingent of cruising enthusiasts, who delight in being able to explore the hundreds of nautical miles of surrounding sheltered waterways. The Club makes an ideal starting point from which to explore popular locations along the River Derwent, D’Entrecasteaux Channel, Frederick Henry Bay, Wedge Bay and Safety Cove, all of which are within a day’s leisurely cruising of the Club’s marina. From Frederick Henry Bay, the magnificent Tasmanian East Coast is accessible via the Denison Canal, or for the more adventurous, around Tasman Island. For experienced sailors, the world-renowned natural wilderness of Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour – which lie within the Port Davey Marine Reserve and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area – provides an unforgettable destination for an extended cruise.

With it’s friendly and welcoming membership body, combined with its packed calendar of racing and cruising events, expansive marina, smoothly operated boatyard, vibrant sailing school, refurbished bar, dining room and outdoor barbecue area, it is easy to see why the Derwent Sailing Squadron is a hive of activity for young and old, new and experienced sailors alike.

For those who would like to learn, cruise, race or relax, the Derwent Sailing Squadron promises the warmest of welcomes.

Membership:
The Squadron’s has experienced a very pleasing growth in membership over the past 5 years, expanding by 25% over that time to finish the 2019 – 2020 season with 967 members.  The membership base consists of 26% women and 14% young members.

Member achievements: 
•    Paul Burnell – x2 World Champion in the International Cadet Class
•    David Rees – World Champion in the International Cadet Class
•    Sam Abel – World Champion in the International Cadet Class
•    Dave Connor – World Champion in the Fireball Class and Olympic Representative at the  1988 Seoul Olympic Games sailing Flying Dutchman’s
•    Nick Connor – World Champion in the Fireball Class
•    Matt Bugg – Olympic representative in the 2.4mtr class at the 2012 ad 2016 Paralympic winning the silver medal in his class.
•    In 2018 Squadron owners achieved a unique club trifecta winning the overall prizes for the S2H (Alive), the M2H (Whistler) and the L2H (Philosopher) – all races that finish in Hobart in late December yearly.
•    Squadron Members have won the Australian National SB20 Championships over the last 3 years
•    Squadron members have won AS youth championship – 29er girls Alice Buchanan + crew and before her Chloe Fisher + crew

Classes supported and types of sailing: 
The Derwent Sailing Squadron has one of the most comprehensive sailing programs offered by any club in Tasmania and is renowned for its yacht racing quality and professionalism. Most weekends of the year, DSS yachts can be seen battling it out with each other and the elements on the River Derwent. Whilst the Pipeopener Series, Melbourne to Hobart, Launceston to Hobart and King of the Derwent rightly enjoy pride of place in the calendar, there are more than 150 events enjoyed over the course of a season by sailors of all abilities.

• One design classes such as SB20’s, J24’s, International Dragons, Lightweight Sharpies
• Keelboat sailing across all disciplines/types including offshore, inshore, twilights, regatta’s etc.
• Junior Sailing – the Squadron is a very strong supporter of the outstanding junior off the beach club – our partner club - Sandy Bay Sailing Club
• Cruising – the Squadron has established an array of 19 moorings around the East and South East of Tasmania for the exclusive use by our members. The “String of Pearls” offerings member safe mooring when away cruising their boats, with these moorings being situated at some of the more amazing places in the South of Tasmania. Members can book their spot for a stay on a mooring online giving them certainty of tenure at any given time.

Key club events:
The Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race. The L2H, as it has become known, has rapidly become a favourite amongst local yachties, providing an affordable, solid ocean race, with the capacity to be home on Christmas Day with family, yet be part of the joyful New Year celebrations on the Hobart waterfront. This iconic annual celebration of racing sees yachts from all three major ocean races, the Launceston to Hobart, Melbourne to Hobart and Sydney to Hobart, battle together up the River Derwent to the finish line, before tying up at the docks in central Hobart to bring in the new year.
Since 1979 The King of the Derwent Yacht Race has been an exciting event bringing together competitors of the Launceston to Hobart, Sydney to Hobart and Melbourne to Hobart Races. Competition is keen for a lovely piece of silverware to rival the America’s cup and full bragging rights for the winner. Traditionally held on the afternoon of 2 January, the race is open to monohull yachts which comply with the eligibility requirements of the Launceston to Hobart, Melbourne to Hobart and Sydney to Hobart races. The iconic race on Hobart’s Derwent River has been held for more than 30 years, and over that time has welcomed some of the most famous international ocean racing yachts. Overall section and divisional prizes and trophies are awarded to yachts with the lowest corrected times, with the overall King of the Derwent prize awarded in the IRC handicap division. The official presentation of trophies and prizes takes place on the waterfront lawns of the DSS at the conclusion of the race.

DSS regularly conducts National Sailing Championships and in 2018 the DSS jointly hosted the SB20 World Championship on the River Derwent.

Programs on offer:
•    The Squadron is a Discover Sailing centre and offers AS training programs.
•    The Squadron is a RYA training centre.
•    The Squadron offers marine radio, motor boat etc.
•    The Squadron hosts the Hobart Sailability program.
•    Athena program – With the generosity of Greame Wood and Anna Cerneaz who have provided 4 SB20 sports boat the Squadron offers the Athena Program. The program introduces, provides opportunity and empowers women to be confidently participate in sailing.
•    The Squadron hosts the Sailors with disAbilities – now the Making Waves Foundation – when in Hobart delivering the Winds of Joy Programs.

Since inception the philosophy of the Squadron has surrounded the concept that the recreation of sailing is something that should be available to anyone irrespective of wealth or social status, gender, age or physical ability. To this day this culture remains solidly entrenched.

The 1st Life Member of the Squadron, awarded in 1925 was bestowed on Mary Burton for her outstanding services to the Squadron during its formative years. At the time the Squadron no other Tasmanian Sailing Club allowed women to be members, something that did not change for many years.

Today the Squadron still offers opportunities to anyone in our community consistent with its founding participation philosophy.

Current Commodore: Scott Brain