LATEST NEWS
YOUTH SAIL QUEENSLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026 A fantastic week of racing has wrapped up at Youth Sail Queensland 2026, hosted by Keppel Bay Sailing Club, with a strong contingent of SYC Academy sailors travelling north to represent Southport Yacht Club across multiple classes. The Championships delivered some outstanding results for SYC, including overall victories, podium finishes and strong performances across the fleets. The event also incorporated the 2026 Nacra 15 Queensland State Championships, with SYC sailors claiming both 1st and 2nd place. A special congratulations to our 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers: 1ST PLACE Harry Hogan – 1st Overall, ILCA 4 Jack McGuire – 1st Overall, Optimist Open Nathaniel McCarthy – 1st Overall, Techno 293 Leo Sparshott & Ella Ware – Nacra 15 Queensland State Champions Lyla Greenwood – 1st Female, Optimist Open 2ND PLACE Alexander Macpherson – 2nd Overall, Techno 293 Alex McDonald & Teegan Mitchell – 2nd, Nacra 15 Queensland State Championships Evie McGuire – 2nd Female, ILCA 4 3RD PLACE Addison Greenwood – 3rd Female, ILCA 4 ILCA 4 – 36 Boats 1st – Harry Hogan 6th – Evie McGuire (2nd Female) 7th – Addison Greenwood (3rd Female) 8th – Max Latter Also competing: Xavier Edmondson, Jessica Sinnamon & Andy Liu Optimist Open – 14 Boats 1st – Jack McGuire 4th – Lyla Greenwood (1st Female) 7th – Jack Sturm ILCA 6 – 18 Boats 7th – Joe Thompson Also competing: Bentley O’Sullivan & Finntin Griffin RS Feva – 8 Boats 4th – Daniel Thompson & Lincoln Hortz Also competing: Mariella Brady & Adam Hardy, Sunny Mara & Angus Hortz Optimist Intermediate – 26 Boats Also competing: Jasper Moore, Owen Davies & Caleb McCarthy 29er Also competing: Jozee Fowler & Keira Ruch Open Skiff – 24 Boats Also competing: Jack Kavanagh A special mention also goes to our first-time competitors taking part in Youth Sail Queensland. Raiden Tonin competed in the Open Skiff, while Byron Di Bella, Davina McPherson, Thomas Stanton, William Stanton and Zachary Spalding joined the Optimist Green Fleet. It was a fantastic milestone for our newest competitors and a great opportunity to experience a major regatta environment alongside their fellow SYC Academy sailors. Congratulations to all of our sailors on a fantastic week of racing and for proudly representing Southport Yacht Club at Keppel Bay.
FINN QUEENSLAND STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS – GOLD COAST A fleet of 25 Finns took to the water off the Gold Coast for the 2026 Finn Queensland State Championships, with Southport Yacht Club hosting a fantastic weekend of offshore championship racing. With a strong fleet ranging from Olympic sailors to weekend competitors, and the Gold Coast coastline providing a spectacular backdrop, the championship showcased the quality and depth of Finn sailing in Queensland. QUEENSLAND STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PODIUM 1st – Brendan Casey – Queensland State Champion 2nd – Rafa Trujillo 3rd – David Ellis Congratulations to Brendan on being crowned Queensland State Champion, and to all competitors who took part in a memorable weekend of racing. Southport Yacht Club extends its thanks to the sponsors, competitors, race officials, volunteers and support teams whose efforts made the Championship possible. Full Results: View Finn Queensland State Championship Results
PAPER TIGER QUEENSLAND STATE TITLES 2026
The Gold Coast turned it on for the 2026 Paper Tiger Queensland State Titles, with the fleet heading offshore for a fantastic weekend of racing.
With fast boats, close competition and a class where many owners have built their own boats, the Championships delivered a great test of skill off the Gold Coast coastline.
Congratulations to our returning Queensland Champion, Phil Kellond-Knight, and all competitors who took to the start line.
OVERALL RESULTS
1st – Rumpleteaser – Phil Kellond-Knight – Queensland Champion
2nd – Gotanudawoody – Kelvin Holdt
3rd – Monster – Robert Engwirda
A huge thank you to the sponsors, competitors, class association, race officials, volunteers and everyone behind the scenes who helped make the weekend possible.
Full Results:
View Paper Tiger Queensland State Titles Results
UPCOMING EVENTS
THE YACHT SALES CO. SAIL PARADISE REGATTA 2026
FRIDAY 2 – MONDAY 5 OCTOBER
Entries are now open for the 17th Sail Paradise Regatta, returning to the Gold Coast this October. Four days of racing, great competition and the Gold Coast as your backdrop – get your crewtogether and join us for one of Southport Yacht Club's signature regattas.
ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN – ENTER HERE
TREX WELCOME PARTY – SAIL PARADISE 2026 We’re kicking off The Yacht Sales Co. Sail Paradise 2026 in true Gold Coast style with the TREX Welcome Party! Competitors, crews, family and friends are all invited to join us at Southport Yacht Club for a great evening ahead of the weekend’s racing. With the theme Dress for Paradise, break out the Hawaiian shirts, tropical prints and island vibes and join the Sail Paradise fleet for a relaxed night by the water. Friday 2 October 2026
From 6:00pm
Southport Yacht Club – Main Restaurant, Bar & Main Deck We look forward to welcoming everyone to Sail Paradise 2026 and kicking off a huge weekend of racing on the Gold Coast!
2026 JOHN McNAMARA MEMORIAL RACE SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2026 Entries are now open for the 2026 John McNamara Memorial Race, taking sailors around Peel Island on Moreton Bay. Join us for this special annual race as we remember John McNamara and bring the fleet together for a great day of racing on the Bay. RACE AROUND PEEL ISLAND
SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER ENTRIES NOW OPEN – REGISTER HERE
2027 AUSTRALIA SAIL GRAND PRIX | PERTH 20–21 FEBRUARY 2027 Planning a trip to Perth for SailGP? Limited VELA Beach Club and Waterfront Grandstand tickets remain for the 2027 Australia Sail Grand Prix. Queensland sailors heading west are encouraged to secure their tickets early to avoid missing out. SECURE YOUR TICKETS HERE
NAVIGATION AND CRUISING EVENTS Next Cruising Event Next Navigation Event
RACING RESULTS 2025/26
CLUB RACING Latest Division Coverage:
ACADEMY NEWS
SAILOR OF THE WEEK:
This week’s Sailor of the Week is Noah Rorvik, who first joined us through our School Holiday Sailing program before signing up for Teens Learn to Sail in Term 3. Since then, it has been fantastic to watch Noah continue to build his skills and confidence on the water. After completing his Learn to Sail program, Noah has now signed up to join our Teen Fleet for Term 4, taking the next step in his sailing journey. It has been great to watch Noah progress through the Academy programs and continue his love for sailing. Well done, Noah!
SAILING AT OXENFORD – by Ashlea Kernahan
We are now in the final week of School Holiday Sailing at Oxenford Watersports Centre, with over 250 sailors joining us across the two-week program! It has been fantastic to welcome so many new and returning sailors to the Academy, enjoying plenty of time on the water throughout the school holidays.
As the holidays come to an end, we are getting ready for the start of Term 4, with our Kids and Teens Learn to Sail programs kicking off next weekend. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back and seeing our returning sailors continue to build their skills, confidence and progress through their sailing levels.
It is also great to see sailors continuing to progress through the Academy pathway, with a number of our Learn to Sail participants moving into Fleet sailing for Term 4.
SCHOOL HOLIDAY SAILING ALMOST OVER! Our Final Week September School Holiday Sailing sessions are open for bookings at Oxenford Watersports Centre! Dates: September 21st – October 2nd Days: Monday to Friday Half Day: $65 per sailor Full Day: $95 per sailor Whether they’re trying sailing for the first time or coming back for more fun on the lake, our School Holiday Sailing sessions are a great way to keep the kids active and out on the water these holidays. Book your session here: https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/southportyachtclub/items/575498/?full-items=yes
Upcoming Academy Programs School Holiday Sailing – Spring Oxenford Watersports Centre Monday to Friday – September 21st to October 2nd Half Day & Full Day sessions available https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/southportyachtclub/items/575498/?full-items=yes
Kids Learn to Sail – Term 4
Our Kids Learn to Sail program returns for Term 4 with our 2 for 1 promotion – two kids can learn to sail for the price of one!
Ages: 7–12
Price: $440 total – 2 kids for the price of 1
Duration: 7 weekly sessions from October 10th
Saturdays: 8:30am–11:30am
Sundays: 12:30pm–3:00pm
Location: 33 Watersports Lane, Oxenford
Teens Learn to Sail – Term 4
Our Teens Learn to Sail program is back for Term 4, giving young sailors the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of sailing and build their confidence on the water.
Ages: 12–17
Price: $380 total – 7 sessions
Play On! $200 vouchers accepted
Duration: 7 weekly sessions from October 10th
Saturday Morning: 8:30am–11:30am
Saturday Afternoon: 12:00pm–3:00pm
Location: 33 Watersports Lane, Oxenford
Adult Learn to Sail – October
Our next Adult Learn to Sail Beginners course kicks off in October, with three full-day sessions designed to introduce adults to the fundamentals of sailing.
Dates: Sundays October 11th, 18th & 25th
Time: 9:00am–3:00pm
Duration: 3 full-day sessions
Price: $440 per person
Location: Oxenford Watersports Centre, 33 Watersports Lane, Oxenford
Accreditation: Adult Learn to Sail Beginners Certificate