SYC SPECIAL ANNUAL EVENT
Sail Our Way 2026 is incorporating the 2026 Ladies Day Race Perpetual Cup. Enjoy a great day out on the Gold Coast Broadwater at our inclusive on-water coaching and sailing skills seminar, empowering female youth and adult sailors. This special event is dedicated to giving you opportunities to develop your sailing skills on dinghies and keelboats, help build confidence and explore sailing in a supportive environment.
Entries Open Soon via the following links:
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Hosted at Southport Yacht Club’s venue at Hollywell, your day includes boat allocation, coaching and catered grazing platters following the day’s events at our fully licensed waterfront bar.
A day for fun, growth and development. An action packed schedule with racing for both Dinghy’s and Keelboats.
There will also be a Skills Development Seminar tailored to help female sailors workshop on water scenarios and develop the sailors in attendance.
Coaching will also be offered on the water. At the end of the day will be presentations and celebrations.
Ben Kelly – Sailing & Sailmaking Profile
Ben Kelly began his sailing journey at Southport Yacht Club, Hollywell, at just eight years old in 1986. After completing a learn‑to‑sail program, he progressed into Sabots, where he spent the next decade achieving strong results at both State and National levels.
As he advanced through the sport, Ben competed in a wide range of dinghies and skiffs, including 125s, Cherubs, and 505s, participating in multiple State, National, and World Championships. He also raced in the prestigious 18ft Skiff JJ Giltinan Championship.
Ben later expanded into keelboats, beach cats, and large racing multihulls. Over the years he has contested numerous World Championships, completed three Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races (including two aboard TP52s), and was part of a WSSRC‑ratified world‑record run on the ORMA 60 trimaran Team Australia.
Now recognised as a multihull specialist, Ben has accumulated an impressive 14 Multihull National Titles. He is also a regular tactician aboard Commodore Glenn Burrell’s yacht Black Diamond, competing in major regattas around Australia.
Sailmaking Career
Ben has built a distinguished 30‑year career in sailmaking. He began as an apprentice under Colin Metcher at Horizon Sails before purchasing the business and operating it as Sailtech Sailmakers for many years.
He later sold the loft to Quantum Sails and eventually moved to North Sails, where he has continued to grow his expertise at the highest level of the industry.
Today, Ben serves as the Global Head of the Multihull Segment for North Sails, a role that allows him to combine his deep technical knowledge with the passion for the sport he has carried since childhood.
