In the aim of boosting participation in Sailing, Hamilton Island, Major Partner of Australian Sailing provided three prizes for Discover Sailing Centres who had the largest growth in participation compared to the previous year. Click here to view competition winners.

Photo: Andrea Francolini

These prizes were broken up into three categories and it was pleasing to see the spread of clubs, in terms of size who have been successful in winning each prize.

Mounts Bay Sailing Club, albeit small, has boosted their full course participants by 1600%. They’ve won a package of 5 nights’ accommodation at the Hamilton Island Beach Club Hotel for two people and a $200 travel voucher.

Larry Smith, Rear Commodore of Sailing at Mounts Bay Sailing Clubs said, “We are thrilled to have won this prize, the hard work of our volunteers and staff has really paid off this season and it's great to have that acknowledged by Australian Sailing. We plan to use the prize at a fundraiser with the aim of purchasing and maintaining the vital equipment needed for our sailing program.”

Just 30km north of Mounts Bay is Hillarys Yacht Club where they’ve had the largest overall participant increase, reaching an impressive 399 new people for the year. They’ve won 2 nights’ accommodation at the Reef View Hotel on Hamilton Island for two people and a $200 travel voucher.

Woollahra Sailing Club has increased their Tackers participants by 1188% and has also won 2 nights’ accommodation at the Reef View Hotel on Hamilton Island for two people and a $200 travel voucher.

Ross Barrett, General Manager of Woollahra Sailing Clubs said, “The success of the Club can be attributed to a number of things. Twelve months ago the Club adopted a new strategic plan, which includes initiatives to increase member and community engagement, improve marketing and online communications, and a commitment to invest in sailing school resources including manager, coaches, and instructors. Special thanks to Dan Smith (Sailing Manager) and Nic Tatalo (Membership and Communication Manager) for delivery on these programmes. The Club will now look at how we best utilise the prize to reward those involved at the Club.”

Australian Sailing would like to thank Hamilton Island for their ongoing support of Australian Sailing and grass roots participation in our sport.

Glenn Bourke, CEO, Hamilton Island said “As a destination with a deep affiliation with all levels of sailing, Hamilton Island is proud to partner with Australian Sailing and their Discover Sailing program. We particularly pleased to see an uplift in numbers this year of 8% through the Discover Sailing Centres, and are excited to watch to the program go from strength to strength as a whole new group of people are introduced to the sport of sailing. I would like to congratulate all of the participants and look forward to welcoming the prize winners to a wonderful holiday on Hamilton Island as a reward for their efforts in the promotion of our sport.”

Hamilton Island Race Week commences on the 17^th August, entries are still open at: https://www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au/.