Families that sail together stay together - just ask those whose enthusiasm for sailing has rubbed off on the younger generation and other family members at Airlie Beach Race Week (ABRW) - among them is Geoff Dews, whose family have joined him for a special celebration.

“I turned 70 yesterday, so they all came to race with me,” Dews says of wife, Karen, his brother Peter Dews and Peter’s son Matt. We had a few wines in our apartment last night to celebrate and swap stories. I really like sailing with family; we are pretty close.” 

On their first race at Airlie Beach Race Week Festival of Sailing, the Whitsunday Sailing Club’s marquee event, Dews said, “We went around the track, tacked in front of a few boats and a few tacked in front of us. It was a beautiful day though and we love being here. 

Hells Bells - Karen and Geoff Dews on left Matt second from right Peter at end - Vampp Photography pic

The Dews’ are sailing their Hells Bells in the Performance Racing division, where another likeminded family or two are racing. Sailing identity Paul Heyes bought Road Runner, a Thompson 920, in partnership with Peter Geddes this past March.

Heyes has wife Sharon aboard, while son Zac, who did his first Hobart with Dad in December, will join the family on Monday. Geddes has his son Lucas aboard, so it’s a two family affair.

“This is why we bought this boat; so we can sail with our families. We bought to sail at Lake Macquarie together. We did the Port Stephens Regatta in April and love the family sailing thing,” Heyes commented. 

The Road Runner crew having a fast and fun time - Shirley Wodson pic

Luke Ratcliff has older brother Paul sailing with him on Re-Heat, an REO 7.2 in the Sports Boats division. The Sydney brothers were born to sail, both parents were stalwarts of the Vaucluse 12 Foot Amateur Sailing Club where as young boys they wet their racing feet.

“We’re very competitive. We’re here to try and win. We’ve sailed together a lot over the years both offshore and at regattas. It’s second nature to us,” Luke says.

In Performance Cruising Division 2 you will find a famous name, Ragamuffin III. She originally belonged to the doyen of yachting, Syd Fischer and was built in 1975. These days she is owned by Stuart Tivey, who uses the yacht for racing and charters. 

“I’ve got my son teenage son Fletcher sailing with me. We’re having an awesome time down here at Airlie,” said Tivey, from Townsville. 

“The aim is getting an old boat with history, keep it going, keep it alive and if we do any good here, it’s a bonus, but it’s more about having fun.”  

On Remco Pen’s Beneteau Oceanis 45, Bigger Day Out, is Victorian couple, David Sudano and Kristen Buckland. Suds, as he is known, is well known in the yachting scene and spends most of his time looking after and racing on John Newbold’s Primitive Cool.

The couple enjoys leaving the cold of Melbourne for a stint in the sun at Airlie Beach, where they are sharing a start line with Ragamuffin III. 

“Suds is a great supporter and I learn something from him every time we sail together. The biggest thing is, I trust him, he’s a brilliant sailor,” Buckland says. I also enjoy sailing with him, especially at Airlie. It’s always a pleasure to come to Race Week, it’s got something for everyone on the water and onshore.” 

David and Stephen Grundy are brothers who own the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409, Minnow, which is racing in Performance Cruising Division 2. David is missing in action, attending a wedding in Dublin.

“Unfortunately, I can’t be there, but our other brother Richard is there instead. I hope Race Week is going well,” he said.

Minnow on the course on Day 1 - Shirley Wodson pic

There are many others here too, this is just a snapshot of family life at Airlie.

Day 2 racing at ABRW was due to start at 10am today. However, WSC Event Chairman, Ross Chisholm said, “Due to a very light forecast and a variable breeze, the AP has been raised ashore and we will keep monitoring conditions.”

It’s another lovely sunny day here all the same and sea breeze is due to kick in this afternoon.

Airlie Beach Race Week Festival of Sailing is being held from 11 to 18 August. 

For NoR, entry and all information on Airlie Beach Race Week, please visit: www.abrw.com.au or www.whitsundaysailingclub.com.au 

By Di Pearson/ABRW media