The latest updates from Australian Sailing's General Manager – Western Australia – Kate Wearn

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

WA Staff Update

I am happy to announce that Jade Lane has joined our team, as a Club Support Officer.

Jade is an active and talented windsurfer, sailor and paddler, competing internationally in dinghy racing, match racing and windsurfing. Jade also possesses a strong background and knowledge of working in our sport, having worked and volunteered in many roles, and will therefore be no stranger to many of you.

Jade’s previous employment was in the education sector, and prior to that Jade was a member of the Sail Training Centre Team at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club.

In Jade’s new role, she will utilise her networks and knowledge of the sailing community, Clubs and Associations to work closely and achieve successful outcomes, across a range of areas. I am very excited to welcome Jade to the team and look forward to witnessing the undoubtedly positive impact she will have upon our sport and working alongside Jade.

Jade can be contacted via email at jade.lane@sailing.org.au or via phone at (02) 9170 6902.

I would also like to announce with mixed emotions that Libby Boyd will be leaving Australian Sailing, to commence a Masters degree in teaching and workplace placement within a local secondary school. Libby has been a significant contributor to the WA team and has worked tirelessly to advance and promote our sport. I am grateful for all of Libby’s support and efforts and know I am not alone in extending best wishes and congratulations to Libby on this exciting new pathway. We look forward to Libby remaining involved with Australian Sailing in Senior Instructor and Instructor roles.

Libby’s final day with Australian Sailing as a Club Support Officer will be Friday 1 November.

Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Jade and thanks and farewell to Libby.

Yachting WA Update

The Annual General Meeting of Yachting Western Australian (Inc.) was held on Tuesday 1 October.

The Board now comprises of the following members:

Emily Jones                    President           

Warren Drew                  Vice President  

Denise Luscombe           Treasurer           

Michael McAullay            Board Member

Jenn Taylor                     Board Member

Andrew Rose                  Board Member

Congratulations to the new President Emily Jones and welcome to new Board Member Andrew Rose. Thanks also to Warren Drew, who had been acting in the role of President.

For further information on the Board, please click HERE.

Instructor Courses

Work is now underway on the 2025 Instructor Course schedule. Should you have any requests to run Keelboat, Powerboat, Dinghy or Windsurfing Instructor courses at your Club, please reach out to Jade Lane - jade.lane@sailing.org.au, with your preferred dates.

Zhik Youth Sail WA 2024

Mounts Bay Sailing Club hosted the annual Youth Sail WA Coaching Clinic and WA Youth Championships from 21 to 26 September.

It was exciting to see 123 sailors involved in the four-day Coaching Clinic, the biggest number in recent years. The Green Fleet program, hosted by Royal Perth Yacht Club, was very well attended, with 36 sailors joining the fun for three days. Thanks to Yachting WA who made this possible, with a heavily subsidised registration fee.

106 sailors participated in the WA Youth Championships, held on the final two days.

Highlights of the event included a presentation to the senior sailors from sports scientist Dr Sacha Fulton, on the ‘Sport Ready’ sailor, along with the Olympic athlete meet and greet and dinner. Thanks to Matt Wearn, Nia Jerwood and Conor Nicholas who made this experience possible.

We enjoyed spectacular weather for the event and are grateful for the assistance and hard work of everyone who made the event a success, from the Coaches, to the host Club, Mounts Bay Sailing Club and all Clubs across Perth who loaned RIBS.

View the highlights and images from Youth Sail WA on our Facebook page.

2024 WA Sailing Awards

Members of our WA sailing community were honoured at the WA Sailing Awards, on Thursday 26 September, hosted by Mounts Bay Sailing Club.

We congratulate all winners and finalists and thank the Clubs for the nominations.

Please read the full review of the evening and all winners HERE.

Please view images from the evening and the announcement of all finalists, via our Facebook page.

It is exciting to see nine WA finalists represented in the National Awards, which will be presented in Sydney on 1 November.