Name and Location of the Club: Townsville Sailing Club on the foreshores of the Strand, Townsville, QLD

Establishment date & brief history: 

The Townsville Sailing Club is one of the oldest clubs in Townsville and one of the oldest sailing clubs in Queensland. The Club’s current location on The Strand is the latest in a long line of dinghy sailing venues going back over a century. The first settlers in Townsville established the town in 1864 yet as soon as 1895 there was sufficient interest to establish the Townsville Sailing Club.

Commodore: Craig Knight

Membership:

Townsville Sailing Club has around 200 members from 6 years of age to over 60, with a relatively equal mix of females to males. Currently our main grouping is of juniors, although we still have adults that compete at all levels as well.

We have many sailors that compete locally at State Championship and National Championships, but also members who fly around the world to compete at international events.

Although we are a dinghy club, we have many members that have moved into major offshore keelboat racing, competing in events like Brisbane to Gladstone and Sydney to Hobart.

Supported classes and types of sailing: 

Townsville Sailing Club is a dinghy club that involves any and all classes of dinghies, from the well-known Opti’s, Sabots, Laser, Tasers, 125 to the lesser known types like the International Canoe.

We have seen many members grow and progress through the classes, enjoying their time in each.

Key club events:

Each year TSC runs a Sprint Regatta on the long weekend of October. We incorporate State Class Titles at this event which brings many competitors from across the State. Previously we have held Tasar, 125, 505, Sabot, Kite Foil, Arrow, Nacra and others. It is not uncommon for us to see over 100 competitors on the water.

We also run National and International regattas. We have hosted a stage in the International Kite hydro-foiling championships and will be hosting this year’s Arrows Nationals regatta.

Sailing programs:

Townsville Sailing Club is committed to promote all facets of sailing. We have a great Discover Sailing Program, introducing people of all ages and demographics into the enjoyment of sailing. Which includes dinghy and keelboat courses. 

We encourage our female members to participate with SheSails and Women On Water programs.

Then we have a number of activities to build on the sailor’s abilities, from courses for race training to weekend training camps, hosting the YQ Training Development Camps in North Queensland for the last few years.

Club achievements:

Townsville Sailing Club is a not-for-profit organization, run entirely by volunteers, established to foster sailing in Townsville and the region. The Club has provided a healthy, outdoor, challenging sporting environment for children and adults alike, along with given families an activity to enjoy together. We have trained many national and international champions in sailboat racing but more importantly have built the character and self-esteem of generations of Townsville's young adults.

“Sailing is more than a sport. It teaches life-skills, resilience and self determination to all the youth who participate.”

The Club has hosted international events over the last few decades and continues to host such events. Our volunteers are committed to ensure each event is run effectively to ensure a fun time on the water is had by all.

The Club is unique because:

We have some of the best waters in the world to sail on.  Many competitors comment on the brilliant conditions we have with a warm and friendly club environment. Their testimonies are our proof.

Member achievements: 

Many members sail at major events around Australia and the world, gaining their skills from the encouragement of Townsville Sailing Club. Including:

Chelseann Osborne – awarded Disability Sailor of the Year at the 2018 Queensland Sailing Awards 2018 and a gold medallist at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games held in Abu Dhabi

John Byrne – recognized with an Outstanding Services to Sailing award at the 2018 Queensland Sailing Awards

Michael Guinea and Brendan Torpelund regularly compete in the National Nacra Championships, and if not taking out top position, always on the podium.

Challenges faced by the club:

We are currently leasing the land we are on and the lease runs out in a few years’ time.  We are petitioning our local council and political members for assistance in the purchase of land to ensure we are able to maintain long term tenure.
 

Latest success:

TSC was a finalist in last year’s YQ – Club of the year award. During tough times competing with other sporting organizations and activities we are still able to maintain a healthy sailing program, with at times on water activities held five times a week. 

Visit club's website for further information