Off The Beach News
Howdy gang.
Well, this is becoming a bit monotonous, isn't it? Another wild blowout on Sunday, bracketed by great sailing weather on Saturday and Monday. What's really irking me at the moment is that the BOM are getting it spot on with their seven-day forecast, meaning that rather than living in hope all week then being crushed on Sunday morning, now I get to be miserable for the whole week! It's enough to drive a man to drink, or golf (not sure which is worse, one is an unhealthy outlet and the other is a good way to spoil a nice walk. If you don't agree, you obviously haven't seen me play golf!)
Back to Sunday. Cancelling racing for the day is not something done on a whim, or because the race team don't want to get wet. The phone calls start early and the apps are consulted, but in the end its eyewitness accounts of the sea state at Safety Beach that count. The RO is generally at the club early and it's only after due consultation that I send out the 'Be prepared' text. Then a lot more soul searching happens before the ' Pull the plug' message goes out. Unfortunately, Sunday was one of those days. I was at the Club around 1.30 with the only OTBers left. Ross and Luke M along with Garry were holding up the bar (try golf guys), and the view out the window was nasty. Impressively, 5 keelboats had braved the elements and watching them tack around the near mark (about where our course would be) vindicated the decision to cancel, as they were heeled over to the max.
On a brighter note, the forecast for this Sunday is looking excellent! And with Rick P overseas, James T on a RHIB and Fiona M and Di J off at a Sabre event at Somers, I might even have a chance at a podium finish. There I go, living in hope again!
Thanks to the would have been race team last week, RO Gregg L and Super D were ready to go, with Matt W, Abbey E, Scott and Ryan Mc and Luke M waiting with bated breath.
This week is Club Championship race 5,6 and 7, maybe even 8, so get your groove on and be there. Geoff and Super D will be running the show with James T, Simon H, Mark L and an as yet to be determined person manning the RHIBs. It will be a hoot for sure, see you there.
Cheers for now, Pete Chippy
This Week’s Racing - OTB
Sunday 8th February 2026
Club Championship Series - Race 5
| First Warning Signal |
13.57H |
| Race Officer |
Geoff Eldridge |
| Assistant |
Deirdre Snooks |
| Duty Boat Woodsy - Driver |
Simon H |
| Duty Boat Woodsy - Swimmer |
James T |
| Duty Boat Sutherland - Driver |
Mark Lawrence |
| Duty Boat Sutherland - Swimmer |
TBA |
OTB Boat Storage
If you are the owner of one of the kayak's, ski's, canoes in this photo, please contact Andrew Taylor email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and provide ownership details.
Regards and Happy New Year
Yardmaster & House Committee
Keelboats
It was less than five minutes to the start when the rain squall hit. Little Ninjo recoiled in consternation and headed for the relative calm of the marina entrance. During the subsequent race Rawhide blew out a spinnaker. But it was ‘an old one’ so not mourned. Her reserve rudder steered her home to second place in Race 5 of the Community Bank Southern Peninsula SBSC Club Championship series and first under the Australian Measurement System and ORC.
Elaine had set Course 21, taking the fleet around the Mussel Farm and SB1, down to SB2, back to the Yellow Pile, Green Pile, out to SB1 again then home via the Yellow Pile. The wind was from the south-west, providing a beat into a breeze a smidgeon under the Gale Warning lower limit, and a joyful enough run to terminate the life of Rawhide’s already elderly kite.
Six yachts presented themselves to the start area – Unprecedented, Rawhide, Lumiere, Shimmer, Perception and Ninjo. The PHS result was in that order. Before the drop the progressive standings are:
IN THE LINK
For The Friday Twilight Dave had prised his hand from Little Ninjo’s tiller and handed it (the tiller, that is) to Lori and Janine who steered her in turn to a respectable 9th out of 18 boats under PHS (Shimmer as Race Officer and Duty Boat and Di doing the numbers), and 4th under AMS.
The Ghost Mark was avoided, giving Course 20. This sent the fleet out to SB1, down to SB2, then home via the Yellow Pile. The wind was lightish and seven boats out of the eighteen failed to get home before the sunset cut-off time.
A good turnout. The Twilights continue to bring boats out onto the water, but we must try to achieve the twenty mark. If there are any yachts still thinking of rounding out the work (or retirement) week with a jolly jaunt around our beautiful piece of the Bay, now is the time. The Summer is moving along and life is short.
Results
Friday 30th January 2026
Inspire Marine Friday Twilight Series Race 11 - PHS
| 1st |
L’Esprit |
Rick Rogers |
| 2nd |
Perception |
Fiona Jones |
| 3rd |
Marrakesh |
Neil Hawker |
Friday 30th January 2026
Inspire Marine Friday Twilight Series Race 11 - AMS
| 1st |
Perception |
Fiona Jones |
| 2nd |
Mr Bojangles |
Pauline Cleaver |
| 3rd |
Marrakesh |
Neil Hawker |
Sunday 1st February 2026
Community Bank Southern Peninsula Club Championship Race 5 - PHS
| 1st |
Unprecedented |
Andrew McGrath |
| 2nd |
Rawhide |
Cameron Barwick & Graeme Sergeant |
| 3rd |
Lumiere |
Ian Pearse |
Sunday 1st February 2026
Community Bank Southern Peninsula Club Championship Race 5 - AMS
| 1st |
Rawhide |
Cameron Barwick & Graeme Sergeant |
| 2nd |
Unprecedented |
Andrew McGrath |
| 3rd |
Shimmer |
Jac & Steve Twentyman |
Sunday 1st February 2026
Community Bank Southern Peninsula Club Championship Race 5 - ORC
| 1st |
Rawhide |
Cameron Barwick & Graeme Sergeant |
| 2nd |
Unprecedented |
Andrew McGrath |
| 3rd |
Shimmer |
Jac & Steve Twentyman |
This Week’s Racing - Keelboats
Friday 6th February 2026
MUSTANG SALLY TWILIGHT PURSUIT SERIES - PHS & AMS
| Race Start Time (AEDT) |
17.30H Tower Start |
| Race Officer |
Elaine |
| Duty Boat |
|
| Set Up/Results |
Amanda and Judy |
This week we celebrate 16 years of Keelboat Racing at Safety Beach with the Mustang Sally Anniversary Trophy Race. The trophy is a half model of the yacht Mustang Sally (SB1), which was the first boat on the keelboat register at Safety Beach.
We look forward to seeing sailors back at the club for the post-race trophy presentation.
Sunday 8th February 2026
SUMMER SERIES RACE 5 – PHS and AMS
|
Race Start Time (AEDT)
|
09.55H Tower Start
|
|
Race Officer
|
Graham Hopgood
|
|
Duty Boat
|
La Mer
|
|
Set Up/Results
|
Judy
|
Sail Peninsula
Sail Peninsula 2026 is shaping up to be one cracking weekend — but here’s the truth of it: none of it happens without boats on the water.
This regatta is for sailors, friends and all – something for everyone - come and join in the fun.
The racing, the camaraderie, the stories at the bar afterwards — it all starts with you entering and turning up on the start line. So, if you’ve been sitting on the fence… this is your nudge. Rally the crew, dust off the sails and get your entry in. The more boats we have, the better the racing, the better the buzz, and the better the weekend for everyone.
And once you’re back on shore? That’s where Sail Peninsula really comes into its own.
Après-Sail: All Upstairs
For the first time, OTB classes are joining SP26, which means the boat yard will be very much in use throughout the weekend. As a result, all evening dining and entertainment will be held upstairs in the clubhouse — creating a lively, social hub where everyone comes together post-racing.
Because of space limitations upstairs, numbers will be capped.
Please don’t leave ticket bookings to the last minute — once they’re gone, they’re gone.
Friday Night – Buffet Style Dining
Ease into the weekend with relaxed dining and good company — the perfect chance to catch up with mates, talk racing and get in the groove for the days ahead. Enjoy the chilled vibe from local Duo “Kevin and Dee” better known as “The Calmer Miles” with their acoustic favourite's, easy-listening classics and laid-back crowd pleasers.
Saturday Night – Cocktail-Style Party Night
Saturday has had a glow-up. This year it’s a cocktail-style event, designed for sailors who don’t want to be pinned to a chair all night and will feature “DJ Matthew - live saxophonist” - a DJ with a difference. Mixing all your favourite classic hits as he also steps out from behind the decks weaving his smooth, soulful sax lines to a table near you.
Food will be served progressively from 7:00pm – 8.30/9pm, so to ensure you enjoy all the offerings, please make sure you arrive before this time. Late arrivals risk missing some of the good stuff — and no one wants that.
Our trusty SP26 bus will also be available to ferry those who need it back and forth on Friday & Saturday nights so you can all have a good time.
Add live entertainment, a packed room of sailors and that unmistakable Sail Peninsula energy, and you’ve got a night that promises to be one of the highlights of the weekend.
Sail Peninsula 2026 is about great racing, great people and great nights ashore. Whether you’re chasing silverware, chasing laughs, or chasing the dance floor — this weekend delivers.4
So:
- Enter your boat HERE
- Book your tickets early
- Commit to the full Sail Peninsula experience
We can’t wait to see the fleet on the water — and everyone upstairs afterwards, glass in hand, swapping stories well into the night.
The NoR is available on the SP website or can be
FOUND 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.
Submissions
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