OPTIMIST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

/

The Optimist National Championships this year were held in Hobart at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, and the weather always has a sting in it’s tail on the Derwent that tests all sailors!

Five young Maroochy sailors and their parents made the long journey south and were rewarded with a great performance and heaps of experience.

None of our fledging Maroochy Sailors competed in the Open Fleet, but acquitted themselves well in the Lower Divisions.

In the Intermediate Division, MSC’s Huon Jones showed much grit and determination to win two heats and take out the Championship with a good last race, while Michelle Crisp and Felix Bradley had solid mid-fleet results.

Three quite novice sailors competed in the Green Fleet races, with Jack Jones finishing a creditable Fourth, with brother Alby finishing mid-Fleet. (Jack and Alby are no relation to Huon!) Further, Chleo Bradley, a recent tackers Graduate, gained great experience sailing in this Green Fleet.

In all, an incredible effort from 5 young Maroochy Sailors who completed their Tackers Learn-to-Sail program in the last 2 years.

Congratulations to all our young sailors!

Welcome to Maroochy , January 2026

/

With the Christmas -New Year Festivities done and dusted , our focus returns to Club Racing and our Tackers Learn-to Sail Programs.

But first a mention of our Sabre sailors, three of whom represented Maroochy at their National Championships sailed this year at Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club - Ilan Scofield, Tim Edwards and John Ladewig. Whilst they did not lead the fleet home, they had the opportunity to learn from around 45 Sabre sailors from all Australian States including multiple sailors from Tasmania and Western Australia! John, in particular, had a heavy workload in his role as Secretary of the Queensland Sabre Sailing Association, the hosts of the regatta this year!

Our Summer Tackers Programs commence on Monday 12 of January with Tackers 2 and 3 Courses over three days to further develop our youngster’ skills. Immediately following, on Thursday, 16 young children will take to the water for the first time for a Tackers 1 Course over 4 days.

At the moment the weather outlook is a bit bleak, but sailing is a wet sport and we can usually find a section of the river somewhat sheltered from the stronger winds.

Club Racing resumes on Sunday 18 January with a Fun Race - River Runners 4 - which is a good opportunity to stretch your sails and muscles after a Christmas-New Year break!

2025 - 2026 Membership - Half Year

/

Half- year Membership rates are now effective, providing membership for the period 1 January to 30 June, 2026.

A 50% discount of Full Year rates is available using the HALF YEAR DISCOUNT CODE.

Details are available on our Membership page.

Members are reminded that they must have finalised their Membership before sailing in Club Races ( an Australian Sailing requirement)!

Temporary Memberships at no cost are available valid for 3 sailing days are available for you to test the waters! You still need to register for these Temporary Memberships - also known as a Sail Pass!!

A Season Overview of the Summer Season is available, along with the Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions - See Quick Links, or the the Calendar /Program pages.

Play-On Vouchers

/

Over the past few years, quite a number of our young members have used Fair Play Vouchers to help fund their Sailing Membership of our Club , or participate in various Tackers Courses!

The Program has been renamed this year to “Play On” Vouchers, available from the Department of Sports and Recreation, Queensland. Valued at $200 each, they can be used by eligible children to assist with Membership and/or Training/Coaching costs. The Vouchers became available on Monday 4 August!

Maroochy Sailing Club is now an approved Sports Provider and accepts Play On Vouchers to help pay for for Youth Membership and Training Courses including the popular Tackers Learn-to-Sail Programs.

Further details re Play-On VOUCHERS (link)