Yachting News
SYC’S OFFSHORE COOK ISLAND RACE IS ON THIS SUNDAY!
A fleet of 16 will hit the water this Sunday morning for Race 3 of our Coral Sea Pointscore Series, racing 35nm from the Gold Coast Sand Pumping Bypass Jetty down past the Tweed Seaway to Cook Island, and back. We’ll have our large screen setup with the Live Tracker in our Main Beach Clubhouse all day for anyone wishing to track the race.
SYC OFF THE BEACH TROPHY PRESENTATION 2024/25
On Saturday night, Southport Yacht Club’s two OTB divisions, dinghies and catamarans came together at Hollywell for a fantastic annual night of celebrating the achievements of our OTB sailors in the 2024/25 season. For all the photos from the evening please visit SYC’s OTB Dinghy or OTB Multihull Facebook Groups.
Special mentions to the following perpetual trophy winners for 2024/25!
- JUNIOR COMMODORE’S CHOICE AWARD: Jack McGuire
- GRASSROOTS OF SAILING – THE RON BLACKLER AWARD FOR IMPROVEMENT & ENCOURAGEMENT TO JUNIORS: Stuart Waters
- KINGAROY CUP – MOST IMPROVED DINGHY SAILOR: Lyla Greenwood
- SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Fintin Griffin
- OFF THE BEACH CATAMARANS MOST IMPROVED SKIPPER – THE LYON TROPHY: Matt Engwirda
- 2024/2025 KELLOND-KNIGHT FAMILY SHIELD – LEADING SKIPPER: Jack McGuire
SAIL PARADISE REGATTA 2025
This long weekend at the start of this month provided some fantastic conditions for our 16th signature regatta, The Yacht Sales Co. Sail Paradise 2025.
Southport Yacht Club’s Vice Commodore of Sail Wayne Kirby has complimented all staff and volunteers on a well run and successful regatta, saying there were many happy faces at the final presentation as well as around the main bar each evening at Main Beach. The range of light and heavier conditions offshore resulted in some close racing which tested sailors across divisions. In particular, the competition in the 40+ foot class was the strongest it has ever been in South East Queensland, with visiting boats and crews from Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland participating this year.
Congratulations to all competitors and a special mention to our Queensland Yachting Championships winners:
Full results from The Yacht Sales Co Sail Paradise 2025 are available here.
The scene is set for next year’s event, with Sail Paradise co-hosting the Australian Yachting Championships.
If you haven’t caught up on any of the epic video footage or photography from the weekend, make sure you check out the YouTube playlist and Photo Gallery available on the Regatta website, www.sailparadise.com.au
UPCOMING SYC SPECIAL EVENTS
COOK ISLAND YACHT RACE
Next u
p in our Blue Water Pointscore Series is the Cook Island Race on November 2! Entry link and details below!
Combining four of our special events into an overall annual series! Earning a fantastic perpetual trophy, the Coral Sea Pointscore Series Winner will be determined by the lowest IRC points score result over the series, with scores accumulated over the four races with one race drop. The four races included in the 2025/2026 season are:
Flat Rock Yacht Race, 66nm, – May 24, 2025 GCCM Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race, 520nm, Aug 1 2025 Julian Rocks Yacht Race, 85nm, – Mar 14 2026
DATE CHANGE; …THE BASH IS NOW A CHRISTMAS EVENT!
SOLO TRANS-TASMAN CHALLENGE 2026
Entries now closed – 20 Contenders!
Entries now closed – 20 Contenders including 7 Australians!
The Solo Trans-Tasman Challenge, the only single-handed ocean yacht race in the Southern Hemisphere, will finish 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
Sailing at Oxenford – by Ashlea Kernahan
Our October Adult Learn to Sail course has wrapped up and our November course has now completely sold out, and we’re already taking registrations for December — so get in early if you’d like to join before the new year! https://www.oxenfordwatersportscentre.com.au/events/273245
We’ve also been welcoming a number of schools from across the Gold Coast to our Learn to Sail sessions at both Hollywell and Oxenford, and we’ve loved having them experience the joy of sailing with us.
Sailor of the Week – Ruby Hollier
This week we’re celebrating Ruby Hollier from our OutThere Fleet group! Ruby showed amazing enthusiasm and focus during her first weekend back on the water, handling gusty conditions with confidence and a smile. She’s been a wonderful teammate and a great example for other young sailors. Ruby started off sailing at our Oxenford facility in the Teens learn to sail group and was hooked from day 1. We are so happy to have her join us Fleet sailing at Hollywell. Fantastic effort, Ruby — keep it up!
Upcoming Course/sessions:
Adult learn to sail December: https://www.oxenfordwatersportscentre.com.au/events/273245
Adult learn to Sail November –
Sundays, November 2nd, 9th, 23rd
https://www.oxenfordwatersportscentre.com.au/events/273244
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