LATEST NEWS
SAIL PARADISE 2026 – RESULTS Sail Paradise 2026 wrapped up after four days of racing on the Gold Coast, bringing together an impressive fleet across the TREX Rating and Performance Racing divisions, alongside the Australian Yachting Championships. Congratulations to Saltwater Wine, skippered by Tom Woods, crowned the Overall Sail Paradise Champion, while Celestial, skippered by Sam Haynes, secured the Sail Paradise Series Perpetual Silver Sail. Congratulations also to all of our division winners and podium finishers across the event. VISITING BOATS 🥇 1st – 8 Ball – Myles Wilson (RQYS) 🥈 2nd – Stratacare Racing Flyaway Paul – James O’Hare 🥉 3rd – Helsal 6 – Robert & Sally Smith PERFORMANCE RACING – DIVISION 2 ORC 🥇 1st – Blue Eagle – Stephen Brough PERFORMANCE RACING – DIVISION 2 PHS 🥇 1st – Destiny – Mark Sanders 🥈 2nd – Helsal 6 – Robert & Sally Smith 🥉 3rd – French Kiss – Michael Hinde PERFORMANCE RACING – DIVISION 1 ORC 🥇 1st – Xvitesse – Russell Birse 🥈 2nd – Old Bushranger – Kevin Miller 🥉 3rd – Shock Therapy – Jason Chipp PERFORMANCE RACING – DIVISION 1 PHS 🥇 1st – Esprit – Rod West 🥈 2nd – Xvitesse – Russell Birse 🥉 3rd – Not Guilty – Jamie Rendwick Michael Daly Award – PHS Results Winner: 🏆 Esprit – Rod West TREX RATING DIVISION – DIVISION 2 PHS 🥇 1st – Kerisma – Chris Larsen 🥈 2nd – 38 – Greg Tobin 🥉 3rd – Georgia Express – Tony Shaw TREX RATING DIVISION – DIVISION 2 ORC 🥇 1st – Saltwater Wine – Tom Woods 🥈 2nd – Trouble and Strife – Matt Williams 🥉 3rd – Seaya – Walter and Maclean CAPE 31 OF THE WEEK 🏆 Celestial – Sam Haynes TREX RATING DIVISION – DIVISION 1 PHS 🥇 1st – Wedgetail – David Rose 🥈 2nd – Road Runner – Paul Heyes 🥉 3rd – Aramex Shining Sea – Chris Noyes TREX RATING DIVISION – DIVISION 1 ORC 🥇 1st – Celestial – Sam Haynes 🥈 2nd – Game On 31 – Jullian Newton 🥉 3rd – TREX – Bob Engwirda AUSTRALIAN YACHTING CHAMPIONSHIPS Sail Paradise 2026 also hosted the Australian Yachting Championships within the TREX Rating Divisions, with Celestial and Saltwater Wine crowned the respective Division 1 and Division 2 Champions. TREX RATING DIVISION 2 – IRC 🥇 1st – Saltwater Wine – Tom Woods 🥈 2nd – Trouble and Strife – Matt Williams 🥉 3rd – Seaya – Walter and Maclean TREX RATING DIVISION 1 – IRC 🥇 1st – Celestial – Sam Haynes 🥈 2nd – Stratacare Racing Flyaway Paul – James O’Hare 🥉 3rd – TREX – Bob Engwirda SAIL PARADISE SERIES PERPETUAL – SILVER SAIL 🏆 Celestial – Sam Haynes SOUTHPORT YACHT CLUB WINNING CLUB CHAMPION 🏆 Xvitesse – Russell Birse Awarded to the first-placed SYC boat on PHS with the largest winning margin across any scoring system or division. OVERALL SAIL PARADISE CHAMPION – GOLD TROPHY 🏆 Saltwater Wine – Tom Woods Congratulations to all competitors, skippers and crews who took part in Sail Paradise 2026 and the Australian Yachting Championships. A fantastic four days of racing and another successful edition of one of Southport Yacht Club’s premier yachting events.
2026 ZHIK NSW YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS Congratulations to our SYC Academy sailors who travelled to Toronto, NSW to compete in the 2026 Zhik NSW Youth Championships, with some outstanding results across the ILCA 4 and Optimist Open fleets. Jack McGuire delivered a fantastic performance in the Optimist Open fleet, claiming 1st Overall after a strong nine-race series which included two race wins. Fellow SYC sailors Lyla Greenwood and Jack Sturm also represented the Club in the Optimist Open fleet. In the ILCA 4, Evie McGuire secured an impressive 2nd Overall and 1st Female, while Addison Greenwood finished close behind in 3rd Overall and 2nd Female. The pair finished tied on 32 net points, with Evie recording four race wins across the Championship. RESULTS Optimist Open: Jack McGuire – 1st Overall ILCA 4: Evie McGuire – 2nd Overall & 1st Female ILCA 4: Addison Greenwood – 3rd Overall & 2nd Female A fantastic interstate result for our young sailors and another strong representation of Southport Yacht Club at championship level.
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
COOK ISLAND YACHT RACE – ENTRIES OPENThe 2026 Cook Island Yacht Race returns on Sunday 1 November, proudly sponsored by Document Solutions. Starting on the waters of the Gold Coast, the race will see crews head offshore for another great day of racing around Cook Island. SYC invites owners, skippers and crews of all eligible boats to get involved and join the fleet for this popular offshore event. Sunday 1 November 2026 Southport Yacht Club Proudly sponsored by Document Solutions ENTER NOW
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
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
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ACADEMY NEWS
SAILOR OF THE WEEK: MILLY HANNANT This week’s Sailor of the Week is Milly Hannant from our Kids Learn to Sail Level 2 program. Milly has been making fantastic progress throughout her sailing journey, continuing to build her confidence and develop her skills on the water. It has been wonderful to see her enthusiasm for sailing as she takes on new challenges and becomes more independent in the boat. We’re excited to watch Milly continue to grow throughout Term 4 and look forward to seeing her progress through the Academy pathway. Well done, Milly!
SAILING AT OXENFORD By Ashlea Kernahan Term 4 is officially underway at Oxenford Watersports Centre, with over 60 Kids and Teens joining us for our Saturday Learn to Sail programs last weekend! It was fantastic to welcome back so many familiar faces, along with new sailors beginning their sailing journey with the Academy. Following a successful Spring School Holiday Sailing Program, which saw over 250 sailors join us across the two weeks, we have jumped straight into another exciting term. Our sailors are already settling into their groups, building confidence and developing their skills as they progress through their sailing levels. It has also been wonderful to see so many sailors continuing their journey through the Southport Yacht Club Academy pathway, with a number of our Learn to Sail participants progressing into Fleet sailing at Hollywell for Term 4. This is an exciting milestone for our young sailors, and we look forward to watching them take the next step in their sailing journey. With another busy term ahead, we're looking forward to seeing everyone back on the water this weekend for Week 2!
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
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