The News, Culture and Practice of Sailing woodenboats
in Australia, New Zealand & The South Pacific.

RACING Mark Chew RACING Mark Chew

Anti Clockwise Around Bruny

“I had a look, and seeing so much water in, knew something had gone wrong, and that the craft was foundering. The only chance for us then was to square away for Cloudy Bay.”

Read More
RACING Mark Chew RACING Mark Chew

Retro Sailing All The Rage!

For me the biggest challenge will be avoiding overthinking and the urge to know everything immediately as we’re so used to do due to technology. The first days I’ll have to cope with not having technology at all, but it’s not something that scares me, it’ll be replaced with something better and special and I’ll get used to that.

Read More
RACING Mark Chew RACING Mark Chew

Not long to wait

It was Martyr who suggested the present-day course to the Fastnet, of a similar distance to the Bermuda Race – 615 miles. This established a trend in offshore races of that length, spawning the Sydney-Hobart (1945), China Sea Race (1962) Middle Sea Race (1968) and more recently the RORC Caribbean 600 (2009).

Read More
RACING Mark Chew RACING Mark Chew

The First Ocean Race in the Southern Hemisphere?

Here at SWS we are big believers in safety. But we wonder how sailors are meant to learn to handle bad weather if they are never given the opportunity to experience it while racing. Whatever your feelings about the pros and cons of abandoning an ocean race, the admiration for the first crews in this historic race can only be enhanced by such a decision.

Read More
RACING Mark Chew RACING Mark Chew

Tumlaren Sailing New Zealand Style

In 1963 after rounding White Island , we had some fresh headwinds , and after one very noisy crash off a sea , we hove-to for the night , sort of slept. Next morning , we cooked bacon and eggs for breakfast, and in moderated conditions got underway again.

Read More

SWS IS A SURPRISING SUCCESS STORY

BUT TO CONTINUE, WE NEED YOUR HELP.

Your donation will help us to publish your weekly source of
woodenboat inspiration and grow this unique community.