Yachting News
TED ELKES MEMORIAL REGATTA – This Weekend
One of Southport Yacht Club’s flagship offshore events, the Ted Elkes Memorial Regatta, takes place this weekend over the Australia Day long weekend. Offshore sailors are gearing up for a full weekend of racing as they honour a proud Club tradition and compete in one of the Club’s key offshore regattas.
Date: Saturday 24th to Sunday 25th January 2026
Location: Offshore from Main Beach
Entry: ENTRIES NOW OPEN!
SUMMER ON THE LAKE
Over at our Discover Sailing Centre, one of our signature summer events, Summer on the Lake will also be taking place this Sunday 25th January. Sailors, families and the wider community can look forward to a relaxed day on the water, free sailing experiences, and a vibrant lakeside atmosphere as we celebrate summer at the Club.
Time: 9:00am – 6:00pm
What’s on: Free sailing experiences, free SUP, live DJ, pop-up bar and VIP packages available
Free Sailing – Book here:
https://southportyachtclub.com.au/2026-summer-on-the-lake/
COCK OF THE BROADWATER
This year’s Cock of the Broadwater saw over 29 sailors take to the water, with challenging conditions throughout the day as rain passed through and winds dropped in and out across the course. Despite the variable weather, sailors were treated to an engaging and competitive day of racing on the Broadwater.
Adding to the excitement, our Adult Learn to Sail – Intermediate group had the opportunity to experience regatta racing for the first time, gaining valuable learning points through live starts, race tactics, and on-water decision-making in a true racing environment.
Thank you to all competitors, volunteers, and race officials who contributed to another successful Cock of the Broadwater.
COCK OF THE BROADWATER – RESULTS
ILCA 4
- 1st – Max Latter (Kraken)
- 2nd – Matthew Sinnamon (Slippery Too)
- 3rd – Teegan Mitchell (Frostier)
Quest Fleet
- 1st – Phillipa (Quest 2)
- 2nd – Jason Long (Quest 3)
- 3rd – Mackarini Matthews (Quest 4)
Junior Champion Trophy
- 1st – Flynn Hammel (Ocean Spirit) – Perpetual Trophy Winner
- 2nd – Ryan Keegan (Dirty Deeds)
- 3rd – Owen Davies (Axolotl)
Senior Cock of the Broadwater Trophy
- 1st – Joe Thompson (It’s a Breeze) – Perpetual Trophy Winner
- 2nd – Max Latter (Kraken)
- 3rd – Stirling Kelly (Tornado)
2026 MUSTO AUSTRALIAN OPTIMIST CHAMPIONSHIPS – FINAL RESULTS
Southport Yacht Club sailors competed at the 2026 Musto Australian Optimist Championships, racing against top young Optimist sailors from both national and international fleets. With racing now complete, the final results are in.
Intermediate Fleet
- 6th – Jack Sturm (Super Mario)
- 15th – Jozee Fowler
- 31st – Henry Campbell (Sailfish)
Open Fleet – Gold
- 10th – Jack McGuire (Hijacked)
Open Fleet – Silver
- 14th – Lyla Greenwood
- 44th – Flynn Hammel (Ocean Spirit)
Congratulations to all sailors on a fantastic championship and for representing Southport Yacht Club with pride.
18FT SKIFF AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
17–19 January 2026
Southport Yacht Club was represented at the 18ft Skiff Australian Championships, held across Saturday 17th, Sunday 18th and Monday 19th January 2026, by Club Member Joel Turner.
Sailing with Team GC Sails, Joel delivered a strong performance across the championship fleet, finishing an impressive 5th overall at this highly competitive national event.
Congratulations to the team on an excellent result.
THE KITCHEN MAKER 2026 AUSTRALIAN O’PEN SKIFF CHAMPIONSHIPS – Happening now
The Kitchen Maker 2026 Australian O’pen Skiff Championships are currently underway, running from 19–24 January.
Southport Yacht Club is proudly represented by Nathaniel McCarthy and Travis Pinter, who are competing against a strong national fleet as racing continues this week. We wish both sailors the best of luck and look forward to following their progress throughout the championship.
2026 VX ONE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
13–18 January 2026
SYC sailors competed at the 2026 VX One National Championships, hosted by the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, with solid performances across the fleet.
- 14th – Hugo Ralph, sailing BAASTUDIO Architecture (VAUS371)
- 22nd – Emerson Wheeler (S), Myles Wilson & Ross Beedle, sailing 8-Ball (374)
- 30th – Chase Taylor, sailing Counterintuitive (VAUS247
SYC ACADEMY
Oxenford Sailing – by Ashlea Kernahan
We are now in the final week of the school holidays, and it has been fantastic to see sailors of all ages building confidence on the water, developing new skills, and enjoying their time sailing with the Academy team.
Preparations are well underway for the Academy’s largest and signature event, our Discover Sailing experience, Summer on the Lake, taking place this weekend. This flagship community event continues to grow year on year, with over 800 people taking part in sailing alone last year, and many more joining us to enjoy stand-up paddleboarding, live music, and the relaxed lakeside atmosphere.
Summer on the Lake – Event Details
Time: 9:00am – 6:00pm
What’s on: Free sailing experiences, free SUP, live DJ, pop-up bar and VIP packages available
Free Sailing – Book here:
https://southportyachtclub.com.au/2026-summer-on-the-lake/
Looking ahead, we are also gearing up for the first Learn to Sail term of 2026, kicking off on 31 January. Our popular Kids Learn to Sail program is already over halfway booked, with strong demand continuing as families lock in activities for the new year.
Our Adult Learn to Sail courses continue to perform exceptionally well, with programs regularly selling out more than a month in advance. March is already over halfway booked, reflecting the continued growth and interest in adult sailing pathways across the Academy.
UPCOMING ACADEMY PROGRAM
Kids Learn to Sail – 2 for 1 Promo
7 sessions
Cost: $415
Book here:
https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/southportyachtclub/items/575466/calendar/2026/01/?full-items=yes
Teens Learn to Sail
7 sessions
Cost: $365
Book here:
https://www.oxenfordwatersportscentre.com.au/events/320489
Adult Learn to Sail – March Course
Dates: 1st, 8th & 15th March
Cost: $415
Book here:
https://www.oxenfordwatersportscentre.com.au/events/326257
UPCOMING SYC SPECIAL EVENTS
SOLO TRANS-TASMAN CHALLENGE 2026
Entries now closed – 23 Contenders!
Entries now closed – 23 Contenders including 7 Australians!
The Solo Trans-Tasman Challenge, the only single-handed ocean yacht race in the Southern Hemisphere, will finish here at Southport Yacht Club (SYC) in 2026. First held in 1970, the race has long been recognised as a unique test of seamanship, skill, and endurance. The 2026 edition will be the 16th running of the event. Traditionally raced from New Plymouth, New Zealand, to Mooloolaba, Australia, the course has been updated and will run from Opua, Bay of Islands, to Southport.
The Opua Cruising Club is the official Organising Authority for the event, with support from Southport Yacht Club. Commodore Terry Dunn of Opua Cruising Club described the Challenge as “a testament to seamanship and resilience” and highlighted its role in strengthening the maritime bond between New Zealand and Australia. Thirteen yachts have already confirmed for the 2026 race – five from New Zealand and four from Australia – ensuring a true trans-Tasman contest. Kiwi sailors have won the last two editions, while the most recent Australian victory was in 2010.
SYC Member Peter Elkington has entered the challenge with his boat Pacman.
For more information, visit the website at https://www.solo-tasman.co.nz/
GCCM GOLD COAST MACKAY YACHT RACE 2026
EOI is now open for 2026 with 15 boats already on the List! Indicate your intention to race now before the early bird, and help grow this race’s momentum across Australia.
SYC ACADEMY
Oxenford Sailing – by Ashlea Kernahan
We are now in Week 3 of our School Holiday Sailing program at Oxenford Watersports Centre, with our Teens Learn to Sail Holiday Program also running Monday to Friday. Over the past two weeks, we have welcomed more than 195 children on the water, with fantastic participation across all programs. It has been great to see sailors building confidence, developing new skills, and enjoying their time on the water. We are very excited to welcome all of our January sailors as we sail into the new year.
Our December Adult Learn to Sail group will finish up this Sunday before the Academy breaks for Christmas. Thank you to all participants for a great course, and we look forward to seeing many continue their sailing journey.
The January Adult Learn to Sail course will commence on January 2nd at the Hollywell Sailing Squadron, marking the first time this program has run from Hollywell and offering participants the opportunity to experience open-water sailing on the Broadwater.
Meanwhile, our past Adult Learn to Sail participants are getting ready to take the next step with our Better Sailing (Intermediate) program, which will kick off at the Hollywell Sailing Squadron for the first time. This course is designed for sailors who are ready to build confidence in stronger winds, refine boat-handling skills, and develop navigation and race-day techniques as they progress beyond the beginner level. The program will run on Sundays, 4th, 11th and 18th January.
Teen Cadet Holiday Program
Our Teen Cadet sailors will kick off the new year with the RS Quest Sailing Holiday Program, running 5–9 January. Sailors will spend the week sailing our RS Quest dinghies across the Broadwater, focusing on teamwork, confidence, and open-water skills.
Sailor of the Week – Elise Slaven
This week’s Sailor of the Week is Elise Slaven from our Tackers 1 program. Elise has made fantastic progress on the water, showing growing confidence and skill throughout the week. We are excited to see her continue her sailing journey as she moves into Tackers 2. Well done, Elise!
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
School Holiday Sailing
Monday- Friday | 8th December – 23rd January | Full day & Half Day sessions available
Cost: Half day $65, Full Day $95
Fun, hands-on sailing for kids of all levels during the Queensland private school holidays.
https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/southportyachtclub/items/575498/calendar/2025/12/?full-items=yes
Adult Learn to Sail – January Course, Hollywell
Saturday January 3rd , 10th , 17th at Hollywell Sailing Squadron
Cost $415pp
Learn the fundamentals of sailing across three Saturdays — no experience required.
https://www.oxenfordwatersportscentre.com.au/events/306494
Better Sailing (Intermediate)
Dates: Sundays 4th, 11th & 18th January at Hollywell Sailing Squadron
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Cost: $500 (payment plans available, includes race fee and temporary membership)
Outcome: Better Sailing Certificate (Australian Sailing)
Prerequisite: Start Sailing 1 & 2 Certificate
Book here: https://www.oxenfordwatersportscentre.com.au/events/319956
RACING RESULTS 2025/2026
SYC Special Events:
Club Division Results:
- Offshore Division Results
- Thursday Twilight Offshore Series Results
- Thursday Twilight Results
- Inshore Division Results
- Off the Beach Catamarans Division
- Off the Beach Dinghies Results