Name and Location of the Club:  Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club, Manly, NSW

Establishment date & brief history:  The Club traces its beginnings to the 1921/22 sailing season when a number of members of the Delwood Canoe Club decided to band together and conducted sailing races on Sunday afternoons.  

Commodore: Grant Windsham 

Membership: 
Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club Ltd has approximately 300 active sailors racing during the summer months. 

Our Junior division is very much mixed with participation of about 50% Male / Female. It is not unusual for female participation to exceed male some seasons. This is also reflected in our youth division (13ft Skiffs). 

The 16ft Skiffs remain predominantly crewed by males, however this is has been changing over the past 10 years with a number of female skippers and crew getting into the class. 

The Clubs facility and culture provides a welcoming environment for all participants, and families.  

Supported classes and types of sailing: 

Sailing at Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club Ltd is focused on our four classes. Part of the Success of the club can be attributed towards the limited number of classes, and clear and consistent pathway from Junior Sailing to our premier class the 16ft Skiff. 

• Manly Juniors 
• Flying Elevens 
• 13ft Skiffs 
• 16ft Skiffs 

Many of our members also sail other classes in addition to the formal Club endorsed classes, and regularly enter events through Australia and overseas. 

Key club events:  Racing every Saturday from the first weekend in September to Easter. 

Sailing programs:

The Club made the decision to adopt initially the F11 as a junior boat in the 1980’s and later the MJ in the 1990’s to provide a pathway through to the 16ft Skiff. In the Early 2000’s a gap was recognized between the Flying Eleven and the 16ft Skiff Division for our youth sailors, and the Club was instrumental in the design and funding of the 13ft Skiff Class.  

The 13ft Skiff Class is managed and supported by the 16ft Skiff Association, and provides an alternative to other similar classes who do not have regular Club Racing or support. 

Club achievements:  

40 Years of Growth, with a successful sailing program made possible by the well managed licensed club.  Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club has achieved success independent of any external support, with the focus on retention and participation rather than high performance sailing, allowing all involved to participate and enjoy the sport.  

Manly has also Acquired St George Sailing Club, saving the club from folding thereby ensuring the future of 16ft Skiff Sailing on Botany Bay. Manly is currently in the process of rebuilding the St George Club.  

The Club is unique because: 

Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club Ltd is unique in that is has a very structured approach to its sailing program especially when it comes to the limited number of classes. The Club is run and controlled by Sailors for sailors, but we also provide a welcoming environment for the public. 

Member achievements: 

Hugh Treharne (OAM) – 16ft Skiff Sailor, was a Tactician on winning America's Cup boat of Australia II 1983. 

Malcom Page (OAM) – Sailed F11s at Manly,  and have taken Gold in 2008 and 2012 Olympics in 470 class.

Olympic silver medallist of Rio 2016 Lisa Darmanin – Learned to sail at Manly and has participated in all our classes. 

Challenges faced by the club:

Continuing to promote and grow our classes, with a sport wide focus on single handed sailing and Olympic/international performance classes. 

Maintaining support for the use of local facilities with the Council, east esplanade park which has become over popular with tourists and locals makes it very difficult to have adequate space to rig. 

Latest success:  

This season we have managed to win all four national titles - Manly Juniors, Flying Elevens , 13ft Skiffs, 16ft Skiffs 

Visit club's website for further information