Please click this link to find a copy of all past WA General Managers Updates.

Open Skiff National Champs at SoPYC 08 – 13 January 2023

Wow, what a week we've had at South of Perth YC for the 2023 AUS O'pen Skiff Champs. After missing out on hosting the 2021 AUS Championships thanks to Covid, the fleet finally made it to Perth for the Nationals 10 years after WA last hosted the Championships at Royal Freshwater Bay YC. Let's just say it was worth the wait!

South of Perth YC (SoYPC) really turned it on for us. Organising committee chair Ed Armstrong and his team put their heart and soul into what most would say, was the best Nationals ever. A few of Ed's key team members included SoPYC local and renown Race Office Les Swinton, super experienced ex-America's Cup umpire and judge David Tallis, SoPYC Head Coach, Denis Jones and a long list of other, local volunteers. A very experienced team coupled with an amazing location and facilities overlooking the city of Perth made it a fantastic regatta.

With Gold Fleet, the most experienced, consisting of 38 sailors, Silver Fleet the intermediate sailors with 24 sailors and Green Fleet the novice sailors with 6, we had a total of 68 boats on the water over the 5-day Championships. A solid representation of 12 sailors from the Eastern states including QLD, NSW, VIC and Tas, along with 3 sailors from New Zealand, 1 from Thailand and 1 from India.

The regatta kicked off with 2 days of coaching which allowed the sailors to acclimatize to what was generally a winder location for the visiting sailors. Head coach from SoPYC Denis Jones and his team did a superb job, allowing sailors to acquire new skills and acclimatize before the racing started.

Day one started with the Invitation Race, a non-point score race to allow sailors to see where they were amongst the big fleet. They then came ashore and locked in their final fleet selection, whether it be Gold, Silver or Green. The afternoon continued with 2 races, both counting towards the championship.

Day Two was a big day, 3 races in the morning, following by 3 after lunch. The generally lighter morning conditions, with the stronger sea breeze in the afternoon ensured a mix of conditions. Day 2 put the Championships in a good position, only 2 days in and already 8 races in the bag.

Day Three, we managed a light wind point score race in the morning, followed by an O'pen Skiff speciality event, a 2-up Adventure race, a non-point scoring race with some great prizes. The adventure races give the sailors a super fun race without the pressure of having to perform. To make up the 2-person teams, we match the top-ranking sailor from the invitation race with the bottom ranking sailor and work our way to the middle of the fleet. This provides an opportunity for the better sailors to pass on some knowledge to the more novice sailors and encourages them to mix and meet other sailors.

Day Four was going to be windy! Sailors were on the water by 10am and it was already blowing 15 knots. With 12 races done the plan was for another 2 to make 14 which would allow for 3 drops so only 2 races were done on the last day.

The Western Australian sailors dominated in the generally windy conditions, with local RRBYC sailor Brenn Armstrong well out in front to take the overall title. Special mention should go to Kasion Puls, a young sailor currently residing on Christmas Island that was the top U12 sailor and one to watch for the future. The hard luck story goes to Hudson Armstrong (no relation to Brenn Hudson) who had a broken rudder take him out of race 5, followed by a broken rudder pintail that took him out of Race 10. If it wasn't for such bad luck, Hudson would have been on the podium.

It really was a fantastic event, a great mix of superb organisation, impressive high-level racing with a relaxed easy-going vibe. It was so great to see the sailors making new friends and connecting with old. It's been 10 years since Western Australia has hosted an Australian O'pen Skiff Championships, let's make sure it's not another 10 before they host another.

The Australian O'pen Skiff would like to say a very special thank you to South of Perth YC and in particular event director Ed Armstrong for the effort that went into the 2023 AUS O'pen Skiff Champs.

Results are HERE

Save the Date! WA Sailing Summit 13^th May 2023

The Western Australian Sailing Summit is planned for 13^th May 2023. Representatives of all WA clubs, associations and interested participants and welcome to attend at Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club from 9am onwards. Our 2023 Instructors Conference will be the following day, Sunday 14^th May 2023. More news on this will be coming soon!

Inaugural Denmark Yacht Club Optimist Regatta on the 27^th & 28^th January

Denmark Yacht Club uses the river mouth into the Wilson inlets, perfect launching facilities into the water. This area is ideal protected water for rigging and launching boats. If the weather plays ball, the training fleet operates on the river. It is beautifully protected and is a fantastic area for training and racing! Denmark is a beautiful town on the south coast. Often referred to the Byron Bay of Western Australia! All optimist sailors are welcome to join the inaugural Denmark Yacht Club Optimist Regatta on the 27^th & 28^th January.

Use this link for registration.

2023 WA Instructor and Coach course schedule

The Australian Sailing schedule of metro-based Instructor and Coach courses is now available here.

Please note regional course dates will be confirmed in the New Year.

The dates of each course link to the registration and information page. We have also included an expression of interest form for individuals to complete, should the dates available not be suitable.

Places will fill fast, so please book your spot on a course early!

Risk Management Workshop Series - Regional (online)

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) is pleased to announce the delivery of the Risk Management Workshop Series, targeting state sporting associations, peak bodies and recreation sport or recreation clubs or associations. Delivered by DLGSC through Riskwest, these workshops will provide participants with a theoretical and practical understanding of the frameworks, principles and processes which translate into effective Risk Management.

Please consider identifying and encouraging representatives from your organisation to submit an expression of interest (EOI) for the workshops.

This is for small to medium sized regional associations and/or club, peak bodes and recreation organisations.

To be considered for a place, you must be available for both online sessions:

Workshop 1: Wednesday 22 February 2023, 6pm-8pm
Workshop 2: Wednesday 1 March 2023, 6pm-8pm

Please submit your EOI for the workshops here by 5pm Wednesday 1 February 2023. You will be notified of the outcome by Wednesday 8 February 2023.

Please click here for full course details.

For all enquiries, please contact Kelly Waterhouse, Acting Senior Project Manager at DLGSC on 9492 9610 or email industry.development@dlgsc.wa.gov.au.

More Discover Sailing Days!

The Discover Sailing Day presented by SunSmart commenced with East Fremantle Yacht Club on Sunday 23rd October. The aim of the programme is to promote SunSmart behaviours amongst sailors and the sailing community. Any affiliated club that is hosting a Discover Sailing Day can apply for the grant of $1000. Australian Sailing WA provides SunSmart branded merchandise for the Club to use and hand out to volunteers and participants. After the day, pictures are posted to social media to help drive the SunSmart message and hopefully get more people sailing on the water! So far, eight clubs have applied for the grant and four clubs have hosted Discover Sailing Days presented by SunSmart.

The Discover Sailing Days that have taken place:

• East Fremantle Yacht Club, 23rd October
• Koombana Bay Sailing Club, 26th November
• Mounts Bay Sailing Club, 27th November
• Perth Dinghy Sailing Club, 3rd December
• Geographe Bay Sailing Club, 17th December

Congratulations to Geographe Bay Yacht Club who hosted their Discover Sailing Day presented by SunSmart at the end of 2022! There was some fantastic weather and everyone who attended the day had a great time. Check out the photos below and see how SunSmart the participants and volunteers were. Remember: Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide and Sail!

Planned Discover Sailing Days:

• Nedlands Yacht Club, TBA
• Perth Flying Squadron Yacht Club, TBA
• Exmouth Yacht Club, TBA

Your local Club Support Officer will assist you with any questions you may have.

• See HERE for information and guidelines.

Rugged – By Road to Hobart

Legendary WA offshore racer, Rugged, getting ready to strut her stuff at this year’s Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart. Rugged was the winner of the inaugural Fremantle to Cape Naturalist return yacht race in 1954. Rugged remains a treasure in the RPYC fleet. Vistors to the show will find Rugged at Kings Pier Finger 2 – 25. Safe travels Ken Court and team!

More on the Australian Wooden Boat Festival 10-13 February 2023 HERE

Sport & Recreation Events Funding Program to reopen 30^th January 2023

Funding to secure and deliver mass participation sporting events across the State running between June and December 2023.

Sporting agencies of all sizes - from national leagues to community organisations - are invited to apply for the Sport and Recreation Events Funding Program.

Hosting a robust and diverse variety of sporting events will support the WA economy, drive tourism, and allow fans of all codes to watch and take part in their favourite sports.

Grants of varying sizes, up to $50,000, are available for successful applicants. Next round opens 4:00pm 30^th January 2023

See HERE for funding criteria and guidelines

Any questions on the above topics please contact the General Manager - WA, Lawson Dixon at lawson.dixon@sailing.org.au

You can find a fill list of Australian Sailing Contacts – here.