The latest update from General Manager Annie Watson 

Please click this link to find a copy of all past Queensland Regional Managers Updates. 

General News

In case you missed the announcement, Mara Stransky from Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron picked up the gong for Female Sailor of the Year at the 2022 National Sailing Awards.  Michael Robinson from Keppel Bay Sailing Club took out the 2022 National Sport Professional Award, and the Mooloolaba Women’s Keelboat Regatta took out the 2022 National SheSails Award.  Congratulations to Michael and the team from Mooloolaba Yacht Club. Congratulations also to Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron for being a National Finalist for Club of the Year, to Mike Middleton from RQYS for being a National Finalist for Sport Promotion, to Scott Davis from Cairns Yacht Club for being a National Finalist for Instructor of the Year and Neil Rowsthorn from Southport Yacht Club for being a National Finalist for Para Sailor of the Year. 

I caught up with Neil at the recent Para Sailing International Championships held at Southport Yacht Club as part of the Virtus Oceania Asia Games. Inclusion through sport is such worthy cause and it was great to spend the day with the incredible people who have such passion in this space.  If you are wanting to integrate para sailing as part of your club sailing please let either Alison or Grant know. 

Grant has been to North Queensland and to the Whitsunday region visiting clubs over the past month attending the Mission Beach Regatta and Sail Bowen. If you would like one of the Queensland team to be part of your upcoming event, please reach out and will see what we can do to help.   

We had the Yachting Queensland AGM last month with a good turn up both in person and online. The General Meeting held after the AGM continued the discussion around the de-registration of Yachting Queensland.  If you have any questions about the de-registration conversation, please talk to any of the YQ Board members – you can contact them here: https://www.sailing.org.au/qld/qld-board/  

Have you considered including foiling at your club?

Adding foiling to what your club offers doesn’t need to be difficult or expensive.   

With ‘Learn to Wing’ and foiling programs set to be rolled out at various Discover Sailing Centres and clubs in 2023 this is a great opportunity to order equipment with discounting as much as 55% off RRP. 

All Australian Sailing Foiling Coaches will be provided access to special discounted rates and Kite-foiling gear will be included in the discounted offering to clubs. 

Sailors who complete one of Australian Sailing’s foiling programs will now also receive a special Australian Sailing certificate to receive a discount on foil gear via the new partnership. 

Why not bring this to your next committee meeting and start the foiling conversation.  We are here to help and this partnership with North Action Group is a great opportunity.  

You can read all about it here: https://www.sailing.org.au/news/north-onboard-as-official-foil-gear-supplier/ 

Aquatic Event Permits

Maritime Safety Queensland has asked me to remind clubs, of the importance of obtaining and complying with Aquatic Event Permits.  

Ensure you lodge your Aquatic Event Application a minimum of 30 days prior to the events or series of events taking place. 

• Ensure you send the appropriate money, for each application. 

• Provide as much information as possible to support your safe practices and good cooperation with other waterway users. 

Aquatic Event Permit information can be found by clicking this link. https://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Waterways/Aquatic-events  

Queensland Event Calendar

Just a little reminder to check that your upcoming special events are in the Queensland Event Calendar for the new season.  

This calendar is driven by you, and for you, so please take the time to check the calendar and make any adjustments as necessary.  

Don’t forget, Class Associations have a link to see the calendar.  Hopefully this will help them make decisions about holding their events in conjunction with an already existing event or choose an area and club that is not busy on their preferred weekend. 

By adding your event to the calendar it will also stop the possibility of events clashing in your region.  

If you have misplaced the calendar link so that you can add your events, please  get in touch. 

https://www.sailing.org.au/qld/qld-events-calendar/

Upcoming Events

SYC – Queensland Yachting Championships – 19 & 20 November https://southportyachtclub.com.au/offshore/  

SYC – John McNamara Memorial Race – 26 November https://southportyachtclub.com.au/offshore/  

RQYS – Sail Brisbane -10 & 11 December  https://www.rqys.com.au/sailbrisbane/  

RQYS – Brisbane to Paradise – 28 & 29 December https://www.rqys.com.au/brisbane-to-paradise-yacht-race/  

Upcoming Courses

Want to help your club?  Get qualified and get involved! 

National Equipment Auditor – 29 November https://www.sailing.org.au/events/163684/  

KBSC - Assistant Dinghy Instructor – 3 December https://www.sailing.org.au/events/152968/  

KBSC - Dinghy Instructor – 3 & 4 December https://www.sailing.org.au/events/161721/  

Safety Boat Operator – 3 & 4 December https://www.sailing.org.au/events/156947/  

SYC - Assistant Windsurf Instructor – 10 December https://www.sailing.org.au/events/152968/  

SYC - Windsurf Instructor – 10 & 11 December https://www.sailing.org.au/events/152963/  

If you have any questions about these items or more, please contact one of our Queensland team members below. 

Contact: 

Annie Watson – General Manager Queensland                                              

Phone: 02 91706929, Email: annie.watson@sailing.org.au  

Grant Willmott – Club Support Officer 

Phone: 02 91706930, Email: grant.willmott@sailing.org.au  

Alison Turner – Club Support Officer (Monday to Thursday) 

Phone: 02 91706931     Email: alison.turner@sailing.org.au