LATEST NEWS
ZHIK YOUTH SAIL QUEENSLAND 2026 A strong contingent of 34 Southport Yacht Club Academy sailors are representing the Club at Zhik Youth Sail Queensland 2026, hosted by Keppel Bay Sailing Club. The event began with the Coaching Clinic from 21–23 September, giving sailors three days of training and preparation before the Championship racing from 24–26 September. SYC is represented across eight classes, with sailors competing in Optimist, O’pen Skiff, Techno 293, RS Feva, 29er, Nacra 15, ILCA 4 and ILCA 6. SYC COMPETITORS Optimist Green
Byron Di Bella
Davina MacPherson
Thomas Stanton
William Stanton
Zachary Spalding Optimist Intermediate
Caleb McCarthy
Owen Davies Optimist Open
Jack McGuire
Lyla Greenwood O’pen Skiff
Raiden Tonin Techno 293
Nathaniel McCarthy RS Feva
Daniel Thompson & Lincoln Hortz
Mariella Brady & Adam Hardy
Sunny Mara & Angus Hortz 29er
Jozee Fowler & Keira Ruch Nacra 15
Alex McDonald & Teegan Mitchell
Leo Sparshott & Ella Ware ILCA 4
Addison Greenwood
Alistair Kelly
Andy Liu
Evie McGuire
Jessica Sinnamon
Max Latter
Xavier Edmondson ILCA 6
Bentley O’Sullivan
Finntin Griffin
Harry Hogan
Joe Thompson
Stirling Kelly It is fantastic to see such a strong representation from Southport Yacht Club at one of Queensland’s major youth sailing events. We wish all 34 SYC sailors the very best as championship racing gets underway today and continues through to Saturday. Good luck to everyone competing!
2026 QUEENSLAND SAILING AWARDS What a fantastic night for Southport Yacht Club at the 2026 Queensland Sailing Awards, with an outstanding number of our members, staff, programs and events recognised as finalists across the Queensland sailing community. SYC was represented across 11 award categories, recognising achievements in sailing performance, coaching, volunteering, participation, promotion, innovation and the wider sport. A huge congratulations to our three 2026 Queensland Sailing Award winners: PARA SAILOR OF THE YEAR
Naomi Ooue – WINNER SPORT PROFESSIONAL AWARD
Kayla Boothby – WINNER INNOVATION AWARD
Summer on the Lake – Southport Yacht Club – WINNER Congratulations also to all of our SYC finalists: MALE SAILOR OF THE YEAR
Joel Turner YOUTH SAILOR OF THE YEAR
Nathaniel McCarthy VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Finn Griffin
Lois Rowe/ SYC Associates INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR
Justin Wise COACH OF THE YEAR
Hugo Ralph SHESAILS AWARD
Tomoko Nakanishi SPORT PROMOTION AWARD
Ashlea Kernahan
Adrian Bold INNOVATION AWARD
Gold Coast to Mackay Yacht Race – Southport Yacht Club CLUB OF THE YEAR – CATEGORY A
Southport Yacht Club To have Southport Yacht Club represented across so many categories is a fantastic achievement and a reflection of the sailors, volunteers, staff and programs that contribute to our Club throughout the year. Congratulations to Naomi, Kayla and the Summer on the Lake team on taking home their respective awards, and to every SYC finalist on this well-deserved recognition.
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 QLD FINN STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS 25–27 SEPTEMBER 2026 The Queensland Finn State Championships are coming to Southport Yacht Club this September, bringing the Finn fleet to the Gold Coast for three days of championship racing. With the event fast approaching, now is the time to get organised and join the fleet for a great weekend of racing on the Broadwater. 25–27 SEPTEMBER 2026 EVENT INFORMATION & ENTRIES
2026 QLD PAPER TIGER CHAMPIONSHIPS SATURDAY 26 – SUNDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2026 The 2026 Queensland Paper Tiger Championships are coming to Southport Yacht Club for two days of championship racing on the Gold Coast Broadwater. Paper Tiger sailors are invited to join the fleet for a great weekend of racing and competition. ENTRIES CLOSE: Friday 18 September 2026 at 5:00pm ENTER HERE
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 Josef Beck from our Kids Learn to Sail program. Josef only began sailing for the first time this term and has already made fantastic progress, completing his Learn to Sail levels and progressing into Fleet sailing. It has been great to see Josef build his skills and confidence on the water so quickly, and we look forward to watching him continue his sailing journey. Well done, Josef!
SAILING AT OXENFORD – by Ashlea Kernahan
That’s a wrap on Term 3 for our Kids and Teens Learn to Sail programs! It was fantastic to finish the term with our Pirate Themed End of Term Celebration, bringing our sailors, families and friends together for some fun on the water and a BBQ. Throughout the term, we’ve loved watching our sailors build their confidence, develop new skills and progress through their sailing levels, with a number now taking their next steps into Fleet sailing. Over at Hollywell Sailing Squadron, our September Adult Learn to Sail course is now underway, welcoming another group of beginner sailors for three Sundays of learning to sail on the beautiful Broadwater. Next up, School Holiday Sailing is just around the corner at Oxenford. Our September holiday program will welcome both new and returning sailors for plenty of time on the water across the school break.
We’re looking forward to another busy few weeks at the Academy!
SCHOOL HOLIDAY SAILING IS BACK! Our September School Holiday Sailing sessions are now 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
Adult Learn to Sail – Beginners Saturdays Hollywell Sailing Squadron Saturdays – September 19th, 26th & October 3rd Three-day beginner course – no experience required https://www.oxenfordwatersportscentre.com.au/events/345204 Adult Learn to Sail – Level 2 Open Water Sundays: September 20th, 27th & October 4th Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm Location: Hollywell Sailing Squadron 1 Marina Crescent, Hollywell QLD 4216 Cost: $500 https://www.oxenfordwatersportscentre.com.au/events/357925