Yachting News
INSHORE & TWILIGHT CHRISTMAS RACES & FESTIVITIES NEXT WEEK!
SAIL BRISBANE 2025
RQYS’s Sail Brisbane regatta 2025 returns next week from the 16th December. SYC will be represented by:
- Daniel Thompson, Hot n Spicy
- Keira Ruch, Fasta Pastya
- Leo Sparshott, Reprobate
- Joe Thompson, Its a Breeze
- Jozee Fowler, Barracuda
- Henry Campbell, Sailfish
- Jack Sturm, Super Mario
- Flynn Hammel, Ocean Spirit
80th ROLEX SYDNEY HOBART
Southport Yacht Club will once again be organising a special event at Main Beach on BOXING DAY, Friday 26th December for the live start coverage of the 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart. More details to come. 12 yachts in this year’s race will feature Club Members crewing aboard, including:
- Awen
- Beautemps
- Esprit
- Flying Fish Arctos
- Hutchies Yeah Baby
- Maritimo 100
- Maritimo Katwinchar
- Ocean Crusaders J-Bird
- Pacman (DH)
- She
- Wild Thing 100
- Yendys
Member Michael Spies Returns for His 47th Sydney to Hobart
Southport Yacht Club is proud to celebrate longtime member Michael Spies, who features in this week’s pre-race coverage ahead of the 80th Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. This year, Michael will contest his 47th Sydney to Hobart, again skippering the beautifully restored 121-year-old Maritimo Katwinchar, the oldest yacht in the 2025 fleet. In the article, Michael is photographed alongside a previous Sydney to Hobart winner, a fitting pairing that reflects the experience, history, and competitive spirit behind this milestone edition of the race.
Katwinchar stands out among the modern giants of the fleet — at just 32 feet, she represents a proud era of traditional craftsmanship. Michael spoke openly in the article about the realities for smaller yachts: while the chances of an overall victory are reduced in fast years dominated by 100-foot maxis, a longer, tougher race can completely reshuffle the standings. And he would know, he famously claimed the Overall Win in 2003 aboard a smaller yacht under exactly those kinds of conditions.
Michael also highlighted how the 80th anniversary race has attracted an exceptional field, with many crews and skippers aiming to make history. Yet amidst the competition, Katwinchar holds a unique place — a living piece of sailing heritage, proudly restored and backed by the passion of the Maritimo team. The entire Southport Yacht Club community wishes Michael and the crew of Maritimo Katwinchar a safe, fast, and unforgettable race.
Check out the latest article:
https://www.rolexsydneyhobart.com/race/2025/news/pre-race/sailors-hedge-their-bets-on-80th-rolex-sydney-hobart/

Inshore Wednesdays
Wednesday 4th December – photos by Nigel Lawrence


Offshore Short Passage Race 1
Sunday 23rd November
The opening race of the offshore short passage series began with a fast-moving storm sweeping through in the morning, leaving crews waiting for the wind to settle and the skies to clear. Six boats started, with five finishing after ACCOMPLICE retired following a spinnaker mishap at the Surfers mark.
Division One saw a close battle between the two Sydney 38s, SEAYA and 38, with competitive racing right to the finish. This was a challenging but rewarding start to the offshore short passage series and a taste of the exciting season ahead. Three days of sailing that truly showcased the spirit of SYC. Thank you to all sailors, supporters, and volunteers who made it possible.
Full results are available here.
This weekend will be the last Offshore passage race of the year.
JOHN MCNAMARA MEMORIAL RACE
Saturday 22nd November
Eight boats, four catamarans and four monohulls, lined up for this year’s Memorial Race. Starting just south of Pelican Banks, the fleet ran towards Peel Island, rounded to port, then headed for Hope Banks before the home run upwind to the finish.
Line honours went to:
Combined PHS results:
This race was a fitting tribute to John McNamara, with competitive racing and great spirit across the fleet.
ANNUAL CHARITY SAILING DAY
Friday 21st November
What an incredible day out on the water! The SYC Annual Charity Sailing Day, proudly supported by Ord Minnett, delivered another fantastic day of sailing, sunshine, teamwork and fun. Industry leaders, colleagues and clients came together for an unforgettable half day of racing, all in support of Youth Sailing. From welcome drinks to post-race celebrations, the energy was high and the camaraderie on board every vessel was inspiring. A huge thank you to our skippers and crew for generously giving their time and boats, and to Nathan Blair and the team at Ord Minnett for their continued commitment.
Special congratulations to Sea-Ya!, who sailed brilliantly to claim the win. Over 10 years on, this event just keeps getting better. Here’s to many more!
SYC CLAIMS THE GOODWILL CUP (SAILING) 2025!
15th – 16th November 2025
Well done to our SYC vessels and crews who sought to claim the RQYS Sailing Goodwill Cup over the weekend for our Club this year, and a massive congratulations to David Rose and his crew aboard WEDGETAIL who won the Cup for SYC! Of 6 teams, SYC team achieved:
Notable individual overall results:

UPCOMING SYC SPECIAL EVENTS
SAIL OUR WAY – SYC receives grant for 2026 Ladies Day Special Event
Southport Yacht Club is proud to have received a Sail Our Way Grant—an Australian Sailing initiative funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care. This program supports the participation of women and girls in sailing while also strengthening leadership, coaching, and instructing pathways within clubs and class associations.
On 28 March 2026, Southport Yacht Club will rebrand our traditional Ladies Day as a Sail Our Way Regatta, bringing together sailors and boats from our Oxenford, Hollywell, and Main Beach offshore fleets to race in the Deep Hole. The event will focus on skills development and connection, featuring an on-water coach and a post-race skills development session, followed by drinks and finger food to encourage networking.

SOLO TRANS-TASMAN CHALLENGE 2026
Entries now closed – 21 Contenders!
Entries now closed – 21 Contenders including 7 Australians!
The Solo Trans-Tasman Challenge, the only single-handed ocean yacht race in the Southern Hemisphere, will finish here at Southport Yacht Club (SYC) in 2026. First held in 1970, the race has long been recognised as a unique test of seamanship, skill, and endurance. The 2026 edition will be the 16th running of the event. Traditionally raced from New Plymouth, New Zealand, to Mooloolaba, Australia, the course has been updated and will run from Opua, Bay of Islands, to Southport.
The Opua Cruising Club is the official Organising Authority for the event, with support from Southport Yacht Club. Commodore Terry Dunn of Opua Cruising Club described the Challenge as “a testament to seamanship and resilience” and highlighted its role in strengthening the maritime bond between New Zealand and Australia. Thirteen yachts have already confirmed for the 2026 race – five from New Zealand and four from Australia – ensuring a true trans-Tasman contest. Kiwi sailors have won the last two editions, while the most recent Australian victory was in 2010.
SYC Member Peter Elkington has entered the challenge with his boat Pacman.
For more information visit the website at https://www.solo-tasman.co.nz/
GCCM GOLD COAST MACKAY YACHT RACE 2026
EOI is now open for 2026. Indicate your intention to race now before the early bird, and help grow this race’s momentum across Australia.
SYC ACADEMY
Oxenford Sailing – by Ashlea Kernahan
We wrapped up Term 4 in the best way possible on Saturday, celebrating with over 45 Tackers 1 sailors, 20 Tackers 2 & 3 sailors, and a fantastic group of 30 Teens and PMSA students. Families filled the centre for our bright and fun Hawaiian-themed end-of-term celebration, and the lake was full of colour as everyone jumped on our Hobie catamarans for some relaxed, fun sailing together. It was a brilliant way to finish the term and celebrate everything our sailors have achieved this year.
With Term 4 now complete, our School Holiday Sailing Program has officially kicked off, and our private school sailors have already started joining us throughout the week. We’re excited to welcome the rest of the Gold Coast school community as they begin their holidays. The next few weeks are shaping up to be full of sunshine, steady breezes, and plenty of happy sailors on the water.
We’re also counting down to one of the biggest days on our calendar — Summer on the Lake, happening January 25th from 9am–6pm. This year will feature free sailing, free SUP, a pop-up bar, live DJ, kids’ activities including a jumping castle, and the return of the iconic Street Feast Food Trucks. It’s the ultimate family day on the water, and you won’t want to miss it.
Book your free Hobie sailing session here:
https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/southportyachtclub/items/578686/calendar/2026/01/?full-items=yes
Sailor of the Week – Elise Slaven (Tackers 1)
A huge congratulations to Elise Slaven, our Sailor of the Week! Elise has been an absolute standout in Tackers 1, showing confidence, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn every single session. She has come such a long way this term, and her positive energy on and off the water has made her a joy to teach. Amazing work, Elise!
Upcoming Programs
School Holiday Sailing
Monday- Friday | 8th December – 23rd January | Full day & Half Day sessions available
Cost: Half day $65, Full Day $95
Fun, hands-on sailing for kids of all levels during the Queensland private school holidays.
https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/southportyachtclub/items/575498/calendar/2025/12/?full-items=yes
Teens RS Quest Sailing Program
15th – 19th December
Cost: $420pp
An exciting new program for teens to advance their sailing using our RS Quest boats.
https://www.oxenfordwatersportscentre.com.au/events/320444
Adult Learn to Sail – January Course Hollywell
Saturday January 3rd , 10th , 17th at Hollywell Sailing Squadron
Cost $415pp
Learn the fundamentals of sailing across three Saturdays — no experience required.
https://www.oxenfordwatersportscentre.com.au/events/306494
RACING RESULTS 2025/2026
SYC Special Events:
Club Division Results:
- Offshore Division Results
- Thursday Twilight Offshore Series Results
- Thursday Twilight Results
- Inshore Division Results
- Off the Beach Catamarans Division
- Off the Beach Dinghies Results








