The Marina Industries Association (MIA) Club Marine Marina Awards winners were announced at the Marinas19 Gala Dinner held on the Gold Coast this week.

The announcement of the Awards came at the culmination of a most successful Marinas19 International Conference and Trade Show that attracted 300 participants.

South of Perth Yacht Club won two of these prestigious awards which included entrants from Australian and International Marinas and Clubs.

The award winners and finalists for the Club Marine Marina of the Year Awards 2019/20 are;

Club of the Year: South of Perth Yacht Club (WA);
Finalists: Royal Motor Yacht Club (NSW), Broken Bay (NSW) and Southport Yacht Club (QLD)

Best Environmental Initiative by a Marina: South of Perth Yacht Club (WA)

Best Community Engagement by a Marina: Abell Point Marina (Qld)

Best Marina Restaurant: Southport Yacht Club (QLD)

Best International Marina: Bays of Islands Marina (NZ);
Finalists: Sanya Serenity Marina (China) and Westhaven Marina (NZ)

Best Innovation by a Marina: Australian Superyacht Rendezvous at Gold Coast City Marina (Qld)

Best Commercial Marina - Under 140 Boats: Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina (Qld);
Finalist: Rivergate Marina & Shipyard (Qld)

Best Commercial Marina over 140 Boats: Abell Point Marina (QLD)

Best Boat Yard - Up To 20 Boats: Fenwicks Marina (NSW)

Best Boat Yard Over 20 Boats: Rivergate Marina & Shipyard (QLD);
Finalist: The Yard (Qld)

Port Denarau Marina (Fiji) was also awarded entry into the Hall of Fame in the category of Best International Marina.

MIA President Andrew Chapman congratulated all the winners, finalists and entrants that contributed to such a successful Awards evening.

SOPYC also welcomed this week Denis Jones to his new role as Head Coach on Thursday 30th May.

Denis has spent a life time on the water with extensive experience as a competitive sailor and passionate coach across many codes of the sport from beginners to youth sailors, skiff sailing, match racing, foiling, windsurfing and Americas Cup.

With a passion to pass on his knowledge to younger WA sailors, Denis has coached many young sailors to national titles and Youth Worlds selection. He was instrumental in coaching Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinson to multiple Youth Worlds and Open World titles and then as a mentor for their Olympic Gold medal.

In the current Olympic squad, Denis was engaged as the 49er Australian coach in 2017, which included Australia’s best ever 49er squad result with five podium results.

Congratulations South of Perth Yacht Club and welcome to the team Denis.

Written by Warren Erasmus; Australian Sailing - Weekend West - Around the Buoys Column