SOUTHPORT YACHT CLUB WINS 2026 NATIONAL INNOVATION AWARD

Southport Yacht Club has proudly received the Innovation Award at the 2026 Australian Sailing Awards, recognising the success of our Summer on the Lake event at Oxenford Watersports Centre.

The free community event has introduced more than 761 people to sailing and on-water recreation, helping break down barriers and showcase sailing as an accessible and enjoyable activity for everyone.

Combining free sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, live entertainment, food trucks and community engagement, Summer on the Lake provides an opportunity for families and newcomers to experience the sport while discovering pathways into sailing, racing and club membership.

This national recognition is a fantastic achievement for Southport Yacht Club and a testament to the dedication of our staff, volunteers and everyone involved in bringing Summer on the Lake to life.

Australian Sailing

COOK ISLAND YACHT RACE 2026

On Sunday, 1 November, Southport Yacht Club hosted the 2026 Cook Island Yacht Race, with a fleet of 10 boats entered for another edition of this offshore racing event.

Congratulations to all participating crews and our podium finishers, with Seaya, skippered by Walter Page, claiming first place under IRC, while Cyclone, skippered by David Chadwick, secured first place in the PHS Rating Division.

A special congratulations to Kerisma, winner of the Navigators Prize, finishing just 2 minutes and 27 seconds from its predicted finish time.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Line Honours – Monohull
1st – Touche

IRC Division
1st – Seaya | Walter Page
2nd – Xvitesse | Russell Bivse
3rd – Georgia Express

PHS Rating Division
1st – Cyclone | David Chadwick
2nd – Seaya | Walter Page
3rd – Xvitesse | Russell Bivse

Navigators Prize
Kerisma – 2 minutes and 27 seconds from predicted finish time.

View Full Results here: 

A big thank you to Document Solutions for their ongoing sponsorship and support of the Cook Island Yacht Race, along with our race officials, volunteers and everyone involved in delivering the event.

Congratulations to all competitors on another successful Cook Island Yacht Race!

ETCHELLS QUEENSLAND STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026

Congratulations to our Southport Yacht Club sailors who competed in the 2026 Etchells Queensland State Championships, hosted by Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.

Two SYC boats took part in the 16-boat fleet, competing across four races against a competitive field of Etchells sailors.

SYC Results:

• 7th Place – Send in the Clowns, skippered by David Tabb

• 16th Place – Gusto, skippered by Angus Jackson

Well done to both crews for representing Southport Yacht Club at the championships!

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

54TH RL24 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS RETURN TO HOLLYWELL

3–8 JANUARY 2027 | SOUTHPORT YACHT CLUB

The 54th RL24 National Championships will return to Southport Yacht Club's Hollywell Sailing Squadron in January 2027, bringing the fleet back to where the very first National Championships were held in 1974.

This special homecoming celebrates the legacy of Rob Legg, who designed and built the first RL24 on the Gold Coast more than 50 years ago. What began as a locally designed trailer sailer has grown into a much-loved Australian sailing class, with competitors travelling from across the country to take part in its national championships.

The RL24 Owners Association of Australia looks forward to welcoming sailors back to Hollywell for six days of racing, celebrating the history, sailors and enduring legacy of the RL24 class.

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY BOAT OWNERS INSURANCE

ENTER 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

CLUB RACING

Latest Division Coverage:

SAILOR OF THE WEEK: ZOE BELCHER

This week’s Sailor of the Week is Zoe Belcher from our Sunday Mixed Group – Kids Learn to Sail Level 1 program.

Zoe has been making wonderful progress throughout Term 4, continuing to build her confidence and develop her sailing skills on the water. She brings a fantastic attitude to each session and has been enjoying learning the fundamentals of sailing alongside her fellow sailors.

It has been great to watch Zoe grow in confidence as she takes on new challenges, and we look forward to seeing her continue to develop her skills throughout the remainder of the term.

Well done, Zoe!

SAILING AT OXENFORD

By Ashlea Kernahan

We’ve reached Week 5 of 7 for Term 4 at Oxenford Watersports Centre, and our Kids and Teens Learn to Sail programs are continuing to make fantastic progress on the water!

With just a few weeks remaining in the term, our sailors have been busy developing their skills, building confidence and becoming more independent in their boats. It has been wonderful to see how far everyone has come since the beginning of Term 4, particularly our newer sailors who are becoming increasingly comfortable on the water.

Our more experienced sailors have also continued to build on their skills as they work towards completing their current sailing levels and preparing for the next stage of their sailing journey.

As we approach the final weeks of the term, we're looking forward to celebrating another successful season of learning, with our End of Term Celebration just around the corner.

It's also exciting to see our sailors continuing to progress through the Southport Yacht Club Academy pathway, with opportunities to move into Fleet sailing at Hollywell as they develop their skills and confidence.

We look forward to another fantastic weekend on the lake as we head towards the end of Term 4!

HOLLYWELL PATHWAY HIGHLIGHTS

It’s exciting to see our young sailors continuing to progress through the Southport Yacht Club Academy pathway, with our Junior Fleet now reaching 15 sailors!

A big congratulations to Hannah (Sound Wave), Elise (Rocket Fuel), Raiden (Sail Fish) and Brooklyn, who have all purchased their own Optimists and are taking the next step in their sailing journeys.

Jack Kavanagh (Verve) has also progressed into our ILCA Squad, while Mariella has purchased her own Nacra 4.2, Sakura, bringing our growing Youth Catamaran Fleet to 10 boats!

It’s fantastic to see so many young sailors developing their skills, investing in their sailing futures and progressing through the Academy pathway. We look forward to seeing them continue to grow on the water!

Upcoming Academy Programs

Adult Learn to Sail – December Saturday’s 

Our next Adult Learn to Sail Beginners course kicks off across December, with three full-day sessions designed to introduce adults to the fundamentals of sailing.

Dates: Saturdays November 28th, December 5th, 12th
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

BOOK ADULT LEARN DEC SAT

Adult Learn to Sail – December Sunday’s 

Our next Adult Learn to Sail Beginners course kicks off across December, with three full-day sessions designed to introduce adults to the fundamentals of sailing.

Dates: Sunday’s November 29th, December 6th, 13th
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

BOOK ADULT LEARN DEC SUN