Yachting News

CAT WEEKEND

Cat Weekend is this weekend! Sailors are gearing up for two great days of racing this Saturday, 7th and Sunday, 8th February 2026 at Southport Yacht Club. Racing details are here.

With competitive fleets expected across divisions, sailors will be racing for podium places as well as Perpetual Trophies awarded to overall winners. Entries are now open, and we look forward to seeing a strong fleet on the water for a fantastic weekend of catamaran racing.

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SURF TO CITY YACHT RACE

The iconic Surf to City Yacht Race returns this Saturday, 7th February 2026, celebrating its 33rd anniversary. Starting off the Gold Coast near the Southport Seaway and finishing off Shorncliffe in Brisbane waters, the race truly lives up to its name — from Surf to City.

Southport Yacht Club is proud to support this event alongside the Queensland Cruising Yacht Club and the Multihull Yacht Club of Queensland. Featuring both inshore and offshore fleets, the race brings together monohull and multihull yachts and remains a qualifying race for the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race.

Entry & Notice of Race:
https://surftocity.com/

JULIAN ROCKS YACHT RACE

Our final Offshore special event race of the season, Julian Rocks is on next month 14th March! Julian Rocks is Race 2 of the new combined club Queensland Offshore Sailing Championships, and Race 4 of our own Coral Sea Pointscore Series. Entries are now open here. Don’t miss it!

2026 TED ELKES MEMORIAL REGATTA & GOLD COAST IRC CHAMPIONSHIPS – WRAP UP

What an outstanding weekend of racing at the 2026 Ted Elkes Memorial Regatta & Gold Coast IRC Championships. Two excellent days on the water delivered competitive racing, great conditions, and fantastic camaraderie across the fleet.

A huge thank you to all volunteers for the time, effort, and commitment given over the weekend — these events simply do not happen without your dedication. Thank you also to all competitors for supporting the regatta and contributing to two high-quality days of racing.

Overall Results

Performance Division – PHS

• 1st – Blue Eagle – PHS Perpetual Trophy Winner
• 2nd – Cyclone
• 3rd – Renee

Performance Division – ORC

• 1st – Cool Change – ORC Perpetual Trophy Winner
• 2nd – Blue Eagle

Rating Division – PHS

• 1st – Aramex Shinning Sea
• 2nd – Black Diamond
• 3rd – M52

Rating Division – ORC

• 1st – Let’s Get It On – Ted Elkes Memorial Regatta Perpetual Trophy Winner
• 2nd – TREX
• 3rd – Aramex Shinning Sea

Rating Division – IRC

• 1st – Aramex Shinning Sea – Gold Coast IRC Championship Trophy Winner
• 2nd – Let’s Get It On
• 3rd – TREX

Congratulations to all winners and podium placegetters. We look forward to seeing everyone back on the start line again soon.

Full results available online:
Rating Division results:
http://files.southportyachtclub.com.au/…/series.htm…

Performance Division results:
http://files.southportyachtclub.com.au/…/series.htm…

AUSTRALIAN 18 FOOTERS LEAGUE SEASON POINTSCORE – SYDNEY

Well done to SYC Member Joel Turner and Team in an extremely competitive competition on Sydney Harbour this week! An outstanding victory by the Brisbane, Queensland GC Sails team of Scott Cunningham, Joel Turner and Dave Cunningham in the Australian 18 Footers League Season Point Score, Race 17 on Sydney Harbour today, produced an incredible record for the class as it is the first win by a Queensland team since at least the 1950s. With two of the three crew members based in Victoria, it is certainly the only time that has ever happened in the 134-year history of 18ft skiff racing.

words by Roderick West

SUMMER ON THE LAKE – EVENT WRAP UP

Summer on the Lake was another outstanding success, with over 760 participants joining us at the Oxenford Watersports Centre for our annual Discover Sailing Day.

Families enjoyed a full day of free sailing, free SUP and family-friendly fun, creating a vibrant atmosphere on and off the water. It was fantastic to see so many people on the water experiencing sailing and enjoying a great day at the Club.

UPCOMING NAVIGATION AND CRUISING EVENTS

OPEN SKIFF – RESULTS

The Kitchen Maker 2026 Australian O’pen Skiff Championships were held at Manly Yacht Club, with two Cadet sailors representing Southport Yacht Club against a strong national fleet.

Nathaniel McCarthy, sailing Biccie, delivered an outstanding performance, finishing 4th overall and 3rd in the U17 division.
Travis Pinter, sailing Shore Thing, finished 35th overall, gaining valuable championship racing experience.

Congratulations to both sailors on their results and for representing the Club at a national championship.

ILCA NEW ZEALAND – RESULTS

The 2026 ILCA National Championships were held in the stunning Bay of Islands from Wednesday 14th to Sunday 18th January 2026, attracting a strong international fleet from across New Zealand and overseas.

Southport Yacht Club was represented by Jackson Black, who delivered an excellent performance against top-flight competition, finishing 9th overall and 4th in the Youth division.

Congratulations to Jackson on a strong international result and for representing the Club on the world stage.

SYC ACADEMY

Oxenford Sailing – by Ashlea Kernahan

School Holiday Sailing has now wrapped up at Oxenford Watersports Centre, marking the conclusion of a busy holiday period on the water. It has been great to see sailors of all ages building confidence, developing new skills, and enjoying their time sailing with the Academy team.

The Academy has also just wrapped up our largest signature event, Summer on the Lake, which welcomed over 760 participants to Oxenford Watersports Centre for our annual Discover Sailing Day. With free sailing, free SUP and family-friendly activities, the event once again showcased sailing as an accessible, fun and inclusive sport for the wider community. Thank you to all staff, volunteers and supporters who helped deliver such a successful day.

Our Learn to Sail programs commence this weekend, with both Kids Learn to Sail and our Level 2 program getting underway. Demand has been strong, with the Level 2 course now fully booked as we head into the start of term.

Our Adult Learn to Sail – March course is also now fully booked, and we are looking ahead to our April intake, as interest in adult sailing continues to grow.

We look forward to welcoming sailors back on the water for another term of learning and progression at Oxenford.

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