Seven Events for Summer 24
At SWS we are loath to just pump out supplied press releases. I’m not saying we haven’t done it in the past, but it seems a little inauthentic…
But with seven geographically disparate and content diverse Wooden Boat events coming up in the next few months it might be easiest just to feed you their spiels and let you make up your own mind! If there are opinions to be expressed, or judgements to be made…we can do that after the event. Earlier versions of all the events (except the Auckland & Pittwater festivals which are the first of their kind) have been covered by SWS in past years and we have given a link to these articles at the start of each segment. This might help provide a little objectivity.
But most importantly, remember that all these events are about community, and so the more we participate, the better the occasion becomes and the spiral of satisfaction begins to rise. So pick one that suits you, and attend with an open mind and a warm heart!
In Chronological Order
(I checked…you can have a chronological order in the future!)
Kettering Wooden Boat Rally
9th -11th February 2024 (Previous SWS article HERE)
With a fun and rewarding on-water and social program, you won't want to be anywhere else that weekend! Whether you are custodian of a much loved family dinghy, have just finished building your first kayak, are restoring a traditional Tassie cray boat, or are mad for sailing among other timber boats, this is your weekend to head down to the beautiful D'Entrecasteaux Channel on, or with, your wooden boat.
The Wooden Boat Guild of Tasmania and the Kettering Yacht Club are proud to be once again hosting the Kettering Wooden Boat Rally. It is with great pride that both organisations are able to come together from the 9th - 11th February for the 8th Rally! The rally will kick off with an "all-in" (including non-wooden boats) twilight race from 5pm on Friday the 9th. This will be followed by a sausage sizzle back at the KYC.
Saturday morning the AWBF will launch their fully restored Derwent Class vessel Undine at the travel lift, at 10am. Go to the AWBF's website for more information. Both Saturday and Sunday will see small craft on-water events in the morning, followed by sailing events at 1pm. All of these events will be conducted in the Channel close to Kettering.
Running alongside the Rally, as always, will be the Derwent Class World Championships on Sunday. There will be plenty of opportunities for 'boat perving' and chewing the fat with other wooden boat tragics. Each night there will be get togethers at the KYC, with food vans and the bar open. The Rally will conclude on the Sunday night with an awards and trophy presentation.
Both the Oyster Cove and South Haven Marinas will make berths available where possible for visiting boats and there is plenty of space around the KYC for trailered vessels. *Please note berthing requests are not guaranteed, we will do our best to accommodate.
Don't hesitate to enter what will be a wonderful weekend of wooden boats out on the water and on-shore.
* Keel boats and power boats will need to be third party insured and carry public liability insurance to the value of $5 million to be eligible to enter.
The Inverloch Classic Dinghy Regatta
17th and 18th February 2024 (Previous SWS article HERE)
The Inverloch Classic Dinghy Regatta hosted by the South Gippsland Yacht Club and with the assistance of local service clubs, community groups and our sponsors, now runs in mid-February and heralds a renewed focus on the joy of sailing these classic dinghies on Anderson Inlet. Building on the success of past years, the purpose of the regatta is for owner/sailors to get these boats on the water and to display to the public the variety of timber dinghies that were once common along Victorian beaches, but are now quite rare.
So dust off your wooden dinghy and plan to get back on the water this summer in the company of fellow enthusiasts!
Classic Wooden Boats
The Inverloch Classic Wooden Dinghy Regatta focuses predominantly on racing dinghies of the era of around, but not limited to 1940-80 and in particular the Moth. These will typically be of (but not limited to) timber construction.
The Moth, which is now sailed around the world, is of special interest because the Moth class originated in Inverloch. Len Morris built the first boat, which is on display at Albert Park Lake yacht club .
Dinghies we are encouraging to participate include:
Moth, Vee Jay, Cherub, Heron, Mirror, Javelin, Sabot, 125, Canoe, Skate, Minnow, Flying Ant, Light Weight Sharpie, 12 Sq Metre, 14 foot skiff, Fireball, FJ, Flying Dutchman, Lazy E, Finn, O.K., Cadet, Fairy Penguin, GP 14, Gwen 12, Minnow, Many Junior, Miracle, NS14, Rainbow, Sabre, Solo, Elwood Seahorse, Port Phillip 12, Sailfish.
Over the last few years many of these classes have either sailed and/or exhibited at the Regatta and the event continues to grow from strength to strength. Some of these boats may be in their original condition, others may be restored and some may be new built to original plans and designs.
Other Wooden Boats
There are also a number of other wooden boats of historical interest that we hope will participate, such as:
Fishing boats such as the Couta sailing boat-clinker or planked.
General purpose or recreational sailing boats built in the classic style.
We have in past events been lucky enough to have the services of a classic wooden power boat to act as a race start boat.
Additional activities and attractions with a historical link to Inverloch typically complete the weekend’s program, making it a great way to spend time around Classic boats on magnificent Andersons Inlet.
The Auckland Wooden Boat Festival
1st, 2nd & 3rd March, 2024
Every wooden boat tells a story. Its story is in the mighty trees that were felled to make it. The craftsmanship of the builder, the people that sailed it, and the places it has taken them. The development of Auckland’s wooden boating legacy also mirrors the development of the region in its early decades. If we can understand the story of our maritime heritage, we can better understand how our city has been shaped, and perhaps how to face up to some of the challenges of the future.
This festival is about Auckland’s history, about living the past in the today, and bringing people together. In conjunction with the Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU), the Auckland classic yacht community, the National Maritime Museum and Eke Panuku the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival (AWBF) acknowledges the working waterfront of Auckland and our indigenous navigation heritage, the natural environment and sailing and boating as a sport and as a way of life.
Paynesville Classic Boat Rally
1st, 2nd & 3rd March, 2024 (Previous SWS article HERE)
A three-day celebration of classic boats, maritime culture and cruising on the Gippsland Lakes.
The Paynesville Classic Boat Rally survived the 2020 bushfires to have a wonderful, well attended event. In 2022, Covid lockdowns meant the Rally was unable to be held, but now... there is an enthusiastic Committee keen for its return in 2024.
Plans are already in place to deliver a spectacular fleet of classic boats on water, ranging from Tall Ships, to sailing vessels, classic motorboats, skiffs, fishing boats, small crafts and more.
If it's older than 25 years, or of historical value ... You just might see it at the rally!
On land or on water, there are so many opportunities to see these magnificent boats up close and in action across the weekend.
On Saturday, the Grand Parade features all boats available on water as they sail past the crowds and through the McMillan Strait into the open waters of Lake Victoria. Plans are underway for many feature events to be held all weekend as well as cruises on a tall ship.
Take your own boat out at your leisure for a trip on the Gippsland Lakes and return to share stories with other boat lovers. It really is an event for everyone.
On land, our trailered boats make a fantastic display of classic wooden, fiberglass and rowing boats.
Rooftop dinghies will line the foreshore and music, entertainment and maritime stall holders will await your discovery.
Applications for Rally ‘24 are now open! CLICK HERE
The Inaugrual Pittwater Classic Dinghy and Yacht Regatta
2nd &3rd March 20254
The Avalon Sailing Cub are once again trying to kick off an annual Classic Wooden Boat Regatta on Pittwater on the 2 & 3 March 2024
There have been attempts in the past by the RMYC, and then by the ASC ……..when the Covid years intervened!
So we trying one more time to have a Celebration of Wooden Sailing Boats and you will note from the Poster attached it now includes Classic Dinghies. I am expecting entries from all the Metre Classes, Coutas as well as your classic cruising yacht. There will be divisions and prizes based the PHS system.
Many of you only sail with the Woody Point Yacht Club which celebrates the simple joys of wooden boat sailing in a community atmosphere. This is the very ethos of this event.
The Regatta will consist of 3 short windward / leeward races on the Saturday with a passage race on the Sunday. Something to test your crew and start line skills! HOWEVER, if the idea of windward / leeward courses is just too much to contemplate, then just enter for the Passage race on the Sunday.
Perhaps the most important part is to join us post race at the ASC with a raft up on club moorings and celebrate with a BBQ amongst likeminded Classic Wooden Yacht owners!
A NOR will posted shortly on the ASC and BYRA websites.
The Wooden Boat Festival of Geelong
9th – 11th March 2024 (Previous SWS article HERE)
Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, the Wooden Boat Festival of Geelong is gearing up for its much-anticipated return in 2024. This biannual celebration, spanning three days, is not just an event; it's an immersive experience into the ancient art of wooden boat craftsmanship. As the Labour Day long weekend approaches, families, wooden boat enthusiasts, and those with a penchant for heritage and craftsmanship are invited to embark on a journey through maritime history.
One of the festival's highlights is the Portarlington to Geelong Passage Race, a thrilling showcase of nautical skill and prowess. Tall ship displays grace the waters, while onshore, wooden boat exhibits beckon with their timeless elegance.
The festival will also feature an incredible trio of speakers lined up to share their insights. Andrew Cohen, a driving force in the Alma Doepel restoration, will be taking the stage to enlighten us on the preservation efforts surrounding this iconic wooden boat. Joining him is Ferdi Darli, who not only spearheaded the restoration of ‘Zephyer’ the oldest wooden boat in Australia but has also recently acquired this historic vessel. His talk promises a fascinating journey into the craftsmanship and dedication involved in breathing new life into a piece of maritime history. Last but certainly not least, we have the esteemed Roscoe Barnett, a font of wooden boat knowledge.
Family Day on Sunday, March 10th, adds an extra layer of excitement, offering a plethora of family-friendly activities. Witness the Rough and Ready Boat Building Contest, where participants not only get to build their own wooden boats but also race them for glory. It's a hands-on experience that brings out the inner craftsman in both young and old.
The festival is a melting pot of entertainment, delectable food and beverages, and a celebration of craftsmanship. It provides a unique opportunity for wooden boat enthusiasts and the public to come together, share their passion, and marvel at these maritime beauties. Best of all, the Wooden Boat Festival of Geelong is a free event, making it the perfect outing for families, friends, and anyone seeking a delightful way to spend the long weekend.
Whether you're a seasoned wooden boat enthusiast or a curious onlooker, the festival promises something for everyone.
Highlights Include:
Portarlington to Geelong Passage Race
Tall ship displays
On and off-water wooden boat exhibits
Family Day on Sunday, March 10th
Rough and Ready Boat Building Contest
FREE live entertainment
Local food and beverage
Admission is FREE for all!
the 25th Bribie Classic Boat Regatta
24th to 26th May 2024 - (Previous SWS article HERE)
Each May the Bribie Classic Boat Regatta has taken place on the Pumicestone Passage at Bribie Island. Our beautiful island celebrates a rich maritime history within the backdrop of a post-card perfect coastline and hinterland.
The traditional owners of Bribie Island are the Kabi Kabi and Joondoburri people.
The pristine beauty of the calm blue waters of the Pumicestone Passage in Queensland’s Moreton Bay City is our beautiful natural stage ready and set for your enjoyment and healthy recreation.
Discovered by Matthew Flinders on his 1799 exploration north from Sydney on HM sloop “Norfolk”, he landed on Bribie Island on 16 July.
Today Bribie Island is about an hours drive north of Brisbane and the ‘Pumicestone Passage’ at Bribie Island is a perfect setting for assembling a fleet of classic maritime vessels. The Bribie Classic Boat Regatta is the local way to express a laid-back Bribie Island lifestyle and tells a story about the rich maritime environment and heritage that we are proud to share.
REGISTRATION OPENS HERE 30th MARCH 2024