Off The Beach News
G'day gang.
Well, what a great way to return after Christmas. As it wasn't part of an official series, more of a welcome back day, we decided to have a bit of fun and mix things up a bit. After due deliberation (about 5 minutes), we chose a bunch of short, one lap races with the emphasis on pushing the start line. Sound good? Was good! RO Bill M with Unca Dunc Mc set a nice short triangle for the monos and opted for two windward/ return laps for the cats and fast monos. We had two of those, Luke M in his Moth and Mat W and Greg in a 49er. Unfortunately, they didn't make it to the start line. A shame as that would have really made things interesting on the short course.
The breeze was up around 15 knots-ish from the South West, straight over the hill, and with the course close to shore, those gusts and bullets would play merry hell with your tactics. The only mistake Bill made was letting the cat out of the bag that there would be no general recalls for breaking the start. Rock and roll everybody! With a single start for all the monos(17 of them), it was game on for the first race, with more argey bargey than a Myer's door buster sale! (Ask your Mum kids). And yes, those gusts did come into play- a lot. Take your pick, left or right, it made no difference, you were bound to get lifted, knocked, left in a hole or shot past your nearest rival at some stage. But the good thing? it didn't matter. As the races only lasted about 10 minutes, scratch the bad one or put the good one in the bag and line up for the next.
By the time we got to race three everyone had calmed down a bit, so Bill confused us all by changing the start order, moving the cats to second as they were a bit quick. Ewan was having a field day in his A Class, leading A Class Anthony all day. I think Mark L in his Windrush did as well( stick to the course Tony!). Likewise, James E and Erik M in the Tasar had the scoop on Scot and Ryan in the other Tasar. But hey, they are only going to get better.
As for the rest of us, we were battling it out with a different result every time, with all nine Sabres swapping places every race. I think everybody beat everybody else at some point (I even beat Rick P once!!). The 420s and the Laser of Grace L chased each other around with mixed results and Glen L and Wayne J did a lot of complaining about not being able to get past the Sabres on a reach, no sympathy there I tells ya! Six races (yes SIX) and around came Ross M and Simon H in the RHIB to say "One more race, and this one is two laps". Ripper way to finish!
Seven races down, back to the beach. Great weather, great wind- perfect days sailing. To all those that were there, especially our four heros on the race crew, thank you for making this one to remember. All agreed that this was a good format to throw in now and then for a bit of fun as well as great start practice. And for those that weren't there? Sucks to be you!
Next week we are back to regular racing with the start of the Lions Club series. RO Rick P will be on the job with Super D on Start, Katrina M with somebody TBA on Woodsy and James E with our favorite bald guy, Rob C in Sutherland. 1.57 first warning, be there or be square
Cheers for now, Pete Chippy
This Week’s Racing - OTB
Sunday 18th January 2026
Lions Club Series - Race 1
| First Warning Signal | 13.57H |
| Race Officer | Rick Potter |
| Assistant | Deirdre Snooks |
| Duty Boat Woodsy - Driver | Katrina Mackie |
| Duty Boat Woodsy - Swimmer | TBA |
| Duty Boat Sutherland - Driver | Rob Campbell |
| Duty Boat Sutherland - Swimmer | James Everett |
OTB Boat Storage
A kind but firm reminder please that a new yard storage application is required every season. Storage cannot be assumed year on year.
This also allows contact and insurance information to be relevant and ensures boats in the yard are used regularly and have paid yard fees.
For a volunteer organisation chasing up owners for storage is exhausting. Please help us by emailing a new application to the yardmaster if you haven’t already done so for this season.
Demand for storage this season exceeds capacity and those not using boats regularly are asked to remove boats ASAP. In parallel there are discussions about how best we increase storage capacity, but that will likely involve stacking, and obviously has operational issues.
Upon submission of your storage application, a decision is made to accept or not, based mainly on availability. An invoice will be sent once accepted. Click this link: Yard Storage Application Form
Regards and Happy New Year
Yardmaster & House Committee
Junior Sail Training
Our current training program resumes this Sunday 8.30am - 12, with another 2 more sessions scheduled on 18th Jan & 25th Jan. The next training program begins on Sunday 1st Feb 2026. So, if you have any juniors who would like to join the fun, please register on the following link, Junior Sail Training Feb - Apr 2026
Keelboats
This Week’s Racing - Keelboats
Friday 16th January 2026
Twilight Pursuit Series #2, Race 1
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Race Start Time (AEDT)
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17.30H Pursuit Start
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Race Officer
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Amanda Malin |
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Duty Boat
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Running Bare |
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Set Up/Results
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Amanda
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Sunday 18th January
Sunday Summer Series Race 4
| Race Start Time (AEDT) | 09.55H Tower Start |
| Race Officer | Amanda |
| Duty Boat | |
| Set Up/Results | Mellisa Kelly |
Australia Day
If you would like to participate in the Annual Schnapper Point Race on the morning of Australia Day please get your entry in via THIS LINK
Sail Peninsula
Sail Peninsula will be held over the weekend of 20th to 22nd of February.
Save the date and get your crew, family and boats ready for a huge weekend on the water. With great racing across Keelboats, Trailables and now Off-The-Beach classes for the first time, this year’s event offers excitement for all levels. Add to that the famous SP vibe—food, music, entertainment, a relaxed summer atmosphere—and you’ve got a weekend everyone can enjoy.
“Join the action. Something for everyone”
The NoR is available on the SP website or can be FOUND HERE
Entries are now open for keelboats - ENTER HERE
ORCV
The Port Fairy Yacht Race on Friday 13 February is a much-loved offshore event sailed in favourable summer conditions. The 135 NM course delivers a mix of coastal scenery and classic offshore racing, finishing with warm hospitality, all-weather berthing, and great camaraderie at the Port Fairy Yacht Club.
For those focused on preparedness and safety, our Safety & Sea Survival Course returns on Sunday 1 March. Delivered by highly experienced offshore sailors and aligned with Australian Sailing standards, this course is ideal for sailors planning offshore races or coastal passages.
ORCV’s very popular annual Port Phillip Heads and Rip Tour will be held on Sunday 22 March, departing Queenscliff at 12 noon. During the tour, a highly experienced navigator provides expert commentary on navigating this gateway, where underwater reefs limit the navigable entrance to just 0.6 nautical miles.
Australian Sailing
Sail Pass – Turning Visitors into Members - Rod Austin Australian Sailing GM VIC
Sail Pass was promoted by AS nationally this week and it has sparked some debate. We all know membership is the lifeblood of clubs and that clubs only work when people feel they belong. Sail Pass is designed to help make that transition.
Some commentary suggested Sail Pass exists purely to boost participation statistics. While it does assist with understanding participation, its primary purpose is helping clubs retain visitors and convert them into members—something every club grapples with. Importantly, several clubs now report that a significant proportion of new members now come via Sail Pass.
I am often asked what are the T&C’s of Sail Pass. Note there is no single Sail Pass model in this regard. Clubs set the fee and the number of permitted sails—commonly 6 or 10 per year, or up to 30 over two years. Fees range from free to around $25, with many clubs deducting the Sail Pass fee if the sailor joins.
Club members need to understand that Sail Pass also reduces risk and ambiguity—around insurance, racing responsibility, liquor licensing compliance, and fairness in sharing club costs.
So used well, Sail Pass isn’t about statistics—it’s about belonging, protection, and sustainable membership growth. Click here for more information on Sail Pass
Upcoming – VICTORIAN Interclub/State/National/International Events up until 30/4/2026
- 11-16 January Minnow Australian Championships , Gippsland Lakes YC Click Here
- 18-22 January RS Aero Australian Championships, Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron Click Here
- 19- 23 January 420 Class Australian Championships Albury Wodonga Sailing Club Click Here
- 24-26 January Festival of Sails , Royal Geelong Yacht Club Click Here
- 23-26 January Pacer National Championship, Albert Park Yacht Club Click Here
- 24-26 January Int. Flying Dutchman Australian Championships Click here
- 24-26 January East Gippsland Etchells Championships Click Here
- 7-8 February Eastern Regional Regatta, South Gippsland Yacht Club Click Here
- 1 February Val Hodge Trophy. Race 2 Port Phillip Women’s Championship Series. RYCV Click here
- 2 February GIRLSAIL Davey’s Bay Yacht Club Click Here
- 12-15 February Musto Skiff Australian Championships , Mornington Yacht Club Click Here
- 14-15 February Sayers & Co Schnapper Point Regatta Mornington Yacht Club Click Here
- 14-15 February Inverloch Classic Wooden Dinghy, South Gippsland YC Click Here
- 14-15 February Yachting Western Victoria Training Weekend – Stawell Yacht Club.
- 14-15 February Victorian Minnow Championships – Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron Click Here
- 14-15 February Victorian Trailable Yacht State and Sports Boat Championships – Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club Click Here
- 20-22 February Sail Peninsula 2026 – Safety Beach Sailing Club Click here
- 21-22 February Adams 10 Victorian Championship Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron Click Here
- 21-22 February 2026 ILCA VIC Masters Championships – Mordialloc SC Click Here
- 21-22 Victorian Open Skiff Championship - Somers Yacht Club Click Here
- 1 March WISC, Race 3 Port Phillip Women’s Championship Series Sandringham YC Click Here
- 7-9 March J/70 Cup Royal Geelong Yacht Club Click Here
- 7-9 March Victorian Pacer Championships Davey’s Bya Yacht Club Click Here
- 15 March Jennifer Goldsmith, Race 4 Port Phillip Women’s Championship Series RMYS Click here
- 21 March Around French Island Catamaran Race. Cowes Yacht Club Click Here
- 27 March Making Waves Charity Regatta Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron
- 1-7 April 2026 Australian Hansa Class Championships Ballarat Yacht Club Click Here
- 3-6 April Metung Easter Youth Regatta. Metung Yacht Club Click Here
- 9-12 April ZHIK Victorian Youth Sail (Coaching Clinic & Championship) Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club Click Here
Sail Peninsula 2026 Regatta Clothing – Pre-Orders Now Open!
We’re opening a short pre-purchase window for official SP26 polos and tees, giving sailors the chance to secure their preferred style and size ahead of the regatta. Perfect opportunity to outfit your crew in advance.
Orders close Sunday 11 January
Due to production timeframes, this is the only opportunity to guarantee your size. After this date, clothing will be whats available on the day only while stocks last.
Pricing
- SP26 Polos – $55
- SP26 Tees – $35
Important
Please take a moment to carefully check the measurement guides when ordering to ensure the best fit and correct size.
Order via the try-booking link below
Pre-orders are open for a limited time only — don’t miss out!
Club Merchandise
We currently don’t have anyone overseeing merchandise for the club, and this is an important role that needs ownership. While our current stock is modest, it has strong potential if it’s marketed well and made easily available for purchase when needed.
At the moment, the opportunity for more members to proudly wear club merchandise is largely untapped. We’re looking for someone who is willing to step in, take initiative, and help grow this area for the benefit of the club. With the right care and ideas, merchandise could become a visible, valuable part of our club culture. If this is something that you have time to take on, please contact our secretary Veronica by email
Help with Risk Management
Our Risk Management documentation provides an analysis of our risks as well as guidelines to manage those risks and keep our members, volunteers and visitors safe.
The Executive Committee is seeking expressions of interest from members to assist with bringing our Risk Management documentation up to date to satisfy new government policy and add necessary detail relating to our Sail Training program.
We appreciate the work done in recent years by the previously formed RM Committee and invite those volunteers to continue their work and invite others to join in.
Bruce Mansfield has great experience in this field and has started assessing our needs but needs a committee in support.
If you are willing to join this committee or would like more information, please email our secretary at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . You do not need any experience to help.
Thank you in anticipation.
SBSC Executive Committee.
Photo of the Week
Tom McCulloch keeping an eye on the fleet on Sunday with Jill by his side - Photo by Lori.
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