South of Perth Yacht Club

2026 Keelboat Prize Night

2026-05-27T02:32:25Z

On Friday night we celebrated another outstanding year of keelboat sailing at SOPYC - recognising the people, performances, and moments that defined the past 12 months on the water.

It was great to see such a strong turnout once again. Prize Night continues to highlight what makes this Club special: the people who show up, pitch in, and occasionally turn a gentle afternoon breeze into a full-blown tactical drama.

While our younger sailors were absent on the night, it’s a positive sign of progress. The On Water Group team has been working hard to rebuild the OTB fleets and attract new young members—evidenced by their recent Prize Night, which drew over 150 attendees (and a bucking bull).

We also took the opportunity to recognise the Sailing Committee and On Water Group team for their significant effort behind the scenes—planning, adapting, and solving challenges throughout the season. Their work underpins everything we enjoy on the water.

Across the fleet, participation remained strong, and while Saturdays presented challenges at times, this is a Club that works through them together. With momentum building, the outlook remains positive.

To our offshore sailors, thank you for your commitment once again. From long passages to races like Albany, your efforts beyond the river are something the Club is proud of.

Above all, the evening was about our people—reconnecting, sharing stories, and celebrating the spirit that defines our sailing community.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to a great night. A fitting celebration of the season—and for once, no protests required.

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Offshore Sailing Success!

2026-05-27T01:21:08Z

Despite hailing from far inland up the river, SOPYC continues to produce talented, and dedicated Offshore sailing teams and sailors.
The SoPYC Keelboat prize night, and ORWA prize nights held over the weekend showcased and recognised some of our best and most dedicated.

The SoPYC Offshore Sailor of the Year went to young (someone check his ID!) Zac Mellor and ‘Liberty’, with his first full foray into the WA Offshore scene seeing him grow in leaps and bounds, as skipper and crew, on multiple vessels throughout the season, and participating in the daunting and test of will Cat 2 Fremantle to Albany Race in April.

To cap the weekend off, our Ocean Vice Captain Chris Hind was award the ORWA Offshore Sailor of the Year award. His persistence and dedication to the scene showing no slowing down, getting ‘Sagacious IV’ out there for every event and doing immense work behind the scenes mentoring the next crop of offshore talent along the way.

Both are extremely worthy winners and SoPYC thanks them for contributing to a community full of legacy here at the club. Next challenge, Geraldton this October!

DALUSIONAL TAKES OUT CPYA STATE HEAT #1

2026-05-26T02:32:55Z

Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club hosted the first CPYA State Heat on Saturday with an impressive fleet of 41 boats representing five clubs. SoPYC was well represented, with nine boats enjoying the sunny, calm river conditions.

The competition was incredibly tight, with three boats finishing tied on points after losing just five points each across a course featuring 14 checkpoints. The winner was ultimately decided on a countback, with congratulations going to our very own Dalusional (IPC Troy Dalglish and Dee Kelly) for securing a well-earned first place.

Second place was shared by Havana (Tim Cummins and Matt Neal, RFBYC) and Safari II (Ken Stevenson and Elise Stevenson, RFBYC), both finishing with five points lost.

Among the top performances from SoPYC, Lone Star (Garry Morrison and Amanda Watson) delivered a strong result, finishing 7th with 13 points lost.

Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club also claimed top honours in the Teams category, with Royal Perth Yacht Club finishing second and South of Perth Yacht Club taking third place.

A full list of results can be found on Sportspage via the following link:
View Results

The fleet takes a short break over the long weekend, before returning to time trial on Saturday 6 June for the annual Navigators/Skippers event.
Registrations close at 5:00pm on Wednesday 3 June 2026.
Even if you’d simply like to participate in the time trial and not compete for the Navigators/Skippers Trophy, you’re still encouraged to register.

We look forward to seeing everyone back out on the water!

Centreboards Celebrate Sailors of the Season

2026-05-19T06:52:39Z

On Friday night, South of Perth Yacht Club came together in style for this year’s Off the Beach/Centerboard Prize Night, with members and guests embracing the western theme and enjoying a fantastic evening celebrating the season.

From the moment guests arrived the room was buzzing. Cowboy hats, boots and a few very convincing Deputy Sheriffs set the tone, while the bucking bull quickly became the night’s star attraction, especially for our younger members, who threw themselves into the fun.

More than anything, the evening was a reminder of what makes SoPYC such a special place.

As Commodore Brian Cross reflected:

“It was fantastic to see such a strong turnout and so many members embracing the spirit of the night. Events like this show the strength of our community — from volunteers and staff through to families and sailors — all coming together to celebrate what makes this Club so special”.

Behind the scenes, the night was a huge team effort. Special thanks go to the On Water Group, committee members and F&B staff, who delivered excellent service throughout the evening. Feedback on the food, format, and atmosphere was overwhelmingly positive.

The night also provided a chance to reflect on the momentum building across the sailing program.

From strong participation in courses to growing junior fleets, the pathway into sailing at SoPYC continues to expand — setting up an exciting future for our club.

On Water Group Manager Denis highlighted the importance of this growth:

“What we’re seeing is a really healthy pathway. From young sailors starting out, through to youth racing, and into adult sailing and coaching. It’s not just about participation, it’s about creating opportunities and keeping people connected to the sport for the long term.”

One of the standout moments of the evening was recognising the achievements of sailors competing at state, national and international level.

As the Commodore noted:

“These results aren’t just numbers on a page. They reflect the people behind them, our sailors, their families, and the volunteers who support them week after week. It’s something we should all be proud of.”

It was a fitting reflection on a season that continues to build both performance and participation while maintaining the strong community spirit that sits at the heart of SoPYC.

A fantastic evening, and a well-earned celebration of everyone who contributes to making this Club what it is.

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PURRFECT Win Cliff Spence Memorial Trophy

2026-05-21T00:38:12Z

Cool, cloudy conditions didn’t deter 21 boats heading out to time trial on Saturday for the Cliff Spence Memorial Trophy Time Trial.

This year was particularly special as it marked the 50th anniversary of the trophy. We were delighted to welcome Cliff’s son, John, and Cliff's daughter-in-law, Pauline, to join us to present the trophy to the winning boat. (Cliff passed away the year he was Club Champion, the integral 400 numbers. The trophy was generously donated by his wife following his passing, ensuring his legacy continues through the club and its time trialling tradition).

There was no shortage of contenders for the Bent Prop this week. Honourable mentions went to Aura Solaris for crossing the start line with fenders still down, Tikkityboo for forgetting to slow down, and Emily May for rounding the wrong side of the mark. However, there could only be one winner. The Bent Prop went to Lifestyle (Jeremy Greaves and Iva Greaves) for completing multiple 360s after finding themselves three minutes ahead of time. Unfortunately, this also earned them the Wooden Spoon, with a total of 388 points lost.

It was great to welcome Malibu 2 (Raj Jeyarajah and Aiden Jeyarajah) to the river for their very first time trial - we hope it’s the first of many!

Taking out this year’s trophy for the lowest score with handicap was Purrfect with John and Lynne Cooper finishing on 12 points. They also claimed Least Points Lost for the day, dropping just 5 points across the course, a fantastic result.

Results were split across two fleets:

PORT FLEET
1st Place, Trophy Winners & Least Points Lost – Purrfect – John Cooper and Lynne Cooper (12 points)
2nd Place – Dalusional – IPC Troy Dalglish and Dee Kelly (15 points)
3rd Place – The Pickled Tickle – Mark Hayman and Ann McCluskey (16 points)

STARBOARD FLEET
1st Place – My Delirium – Michael Douthie and Justine Barron (13 points)
2nd Place – River Run – Andrew Boswell and Ian Howard (17 points)
3rd Place – Reef Runner – Shane Markham and Mike Markham (18 points)

There will be no SoPYC event this coming Saturday, 23rd May 2026, due to State Heat #1 being hosted by Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club. Competitors are encouraged to get involved and register their interest via the link below before 5pm on Wednesday, 20th May 2026:

Register Here

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HOLIDAZE Takes out Patron's Trophy

2026-05-11T06:34:38Z

What a cracking autumn afternoon we had on Saturday for the Patron’s Trophy Time Trial. The sun was shining, the breeze stayed kind, and conditions were just about perfect for an afternoon on the water.
With 18 boats crossing the start line, the competition was strong, and there was plenty of friendly rivalry for both the trophy and that ever-elusive “least points” honour.

Our Club Vice Patron, Len Randell, joined the action for the day and was spotted out on LoneStar alongside Garry Morrison and VC Amanda Watson, enjoying the course from the water. Len also had the pleasure of presenting the trophy to the winners later in the evening.

As always, the Bent Prop award gave us a few laughs, with several worthy contenders.

Wolfpack got things underway, but unfortunately had to retire early after turning back down the channel due to navigational or mechanical issues. Echo Hotel’s skipper, Phil Gardner, was reminded of the golden rule—never get too close to the boat in front...

However, this week’s Bent Prop honours went to Reef Runner (Shane and Mike Markham), who had a slight lapse in clock awareness and decided to squeeze in a “practice run” to the start line within the 10-minute window… bold strategy...

A big thank you, as always, to Chris Pearson from Wilson Marine for generously supplying the Bent Prop winner with a Wilson Marine voucher each week.

It was also fantastic to welcome two new boats to the river and our time trialing family. Echo Hotel (Phil and Debbie Gardner) and Extravagance (Darren Austin and Tara Mollan), both teams took on their first time trial - great to have you aboard and we hope it’s the first of many more.

Taking out the Patron’s Trophy for the day was Holidaze (Vern and Judy Bailey) with an impressive score of just 4 points - well done!

Results

Starboard Fleet
1st Place - Stillwater – Justin & Helen Taylor
2nd Place - Dalusional – IPC Troy Dalglish & Dee Kelly
3rd Place - Lone Star – Garry Morrison & Amanda Watson

Port Fleet
1st Place - Holidaze – Vern & Judy Bailey (Trophy Winners)
2nd Place - Foxy Lady III – Alan Wilson & Doug Smith
3rd Place - Lifestyle – Jeremy Greaves & Clive Blowers

Honours for the least points lost over the course were shared this week, with both Holidaze and Stillwater each finishing with just 3 points lost - a fantastic effort from both crews.

At the other end of the scoreboard, and collecting the wooden spoon this week, was Echo Hotel with 126 points—but every journey has to start somewhere, and we look forward to seeing them improve and hopefully climb the ladder in the weeks to come.

Looking ahead, this week’s event is the Cliff Spence Memorial Trophy, and there’s a little extra incentive on offer. John Spence has generously put up cash prizes - $150 for the winning skipper and $200 for the winning navigator - so it’s sure to be another great day of competition on the water.

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SOPYC Power Yacht Season Opens with Pride

2026-05-05T04:42:48Z

On Saturday 2nd May, for the sixty-fifth time, and greeted with glorious conditions, the South of Perth Yacht Club opened the 2026 Power Yacht Season.

The afternoon begun with guests and time trial participants mingling in the Yachtsman’s Bar for refreshments before making their way to the Ballroom for the welcoming ceremony, speeches and to officially kick things off, the firing of the cannon out on the lawn.

This year our guest speaker was Brian Smith, a long standing, well known time- trialer within our club. Brian was also awarded the CPYA’s "Power Person of the Year" for 2025. Brian has been involved in time trialing for more than 20 years, and he proudly shared some of his favourite stories from his experience time trialing both at the club and in various CPYA State events.

Once the formalities were done, the 65th Power Yacht Time trailing season officially opened. Commodore Brian Cross along with Past Commodores, Management Members, Flag Officers, Captains and VIP guests made their way down to the jetty for the Sail-Past.
This year’s Sail-Past brought lots of colours and a festive atmosphere to the river with boats decorated in many forms.

It was then time for participating Power boats to begin the Time Trial course for the Commodores Trophy.
The time trial race saw an impressive 18 boats out on the water following course 401 along the river.
We also had the H28’s sailors and regular checkpoint and start box volunteers looking out and making sure everyone had a smooth event on the river. It is a season tradition, that the H28 boats take on the checkpoint duties for the Power Opening Day.
Back on land, results were later announced in the Yachtsman’s Bar where guests and competitors enjoyed sharing stories from their on-water events over a few drinks and a delicious curry buffet dinner.

The RIP (Rapidly in Pursuit) award was handed from the current club champion IPC Troy Dalglish and Dee Kelly from Dalusional to the 2025 season runners up John and Lynne Cooper from Purrfect.
A Scot Aboard (Steve Edgar and Mollie Edgar) and Marine Killeen (Rod Ladyman and Clare Ladyman) were welcomed to the club and to the time trialing family as they completed their first ever time trial. Well done!

Of course, we had a few nominations for the bent prop award including people leaving fenders overboard while out and about (Dalusional and Marine Killeen), Navigator malfunctions (Detour) and a boat going on the wrong side of the day buoy (My Delirium). However, it was decided that none of these were really worthy of the award but more a friendly reminder that they didn't go unnoticed...

The winner of the best dressed boat went to Crystal C (Ian Howard and Brian Boswell) and the winner of the best themed boat went to Reef Runner (Shane Markham and Mike Markham).
There was a tie for Least Points lost on the course, with both Dalusional (IPC Troy Dalglish and Dee Kelly) and LoneStar (Brett Morrison and Sarah Morrison) both losing 8 points along the course. The winner of the Commodore’s Trophy was awarded to IPC Troy Dalglish and Dee Kelly on Dalusional with their score of 8.

The wooden spoon went to Marine Killeen (Rod Ladyman and Clare Ladyman) for their score of 124.

Last but not least, we would like to thank our section sponsors - returning and new for their continued support for the season. Without them we couldn’t do what we do week in and week out.

Results:
1st : Trophy Winners and Least Points lost
Dalusional - IPC Troy Dalglish and Dee Kelly (8 Points)

2nd : and Least Points lost
LoneStar - Brett Morrison and Sarah Morrison (8 Points)

3rd
The Pickled Tickle – Mark Hayman and Ann McCluskey (11 Points)

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VIP's Visit SOPYC Volunteers

2026-05-04T05:24:30Z

Over the past 18 months as Commodore, one of the greatest privileges I’ve had is working alongside the volunteers who run our community programs. These programs — Sailability, Cruising Butterflies, Sailing On, and our developing partnership with the Sea Scouts — are powered by the dedication of our members and strengthened by the support of organisations outside the Club.

We are fortunate to have long‑standing backing from the Rotary Club of Melville and the Rotary Club of Applecross, whose people and financial support help keep these programs thriving. We also receive strong support from our local MLA, the Honourable Kim Giddens, whose commitment to community initiatives has been invaluable. Her involvement goes well beyond her role — she genuinely cares about the people and programs that make a difference.

Kim arranged for The Premier, Honourable Roger Cook MLA, of Western Australia to visit the Club — the first time a Premier has visited since the 1970s. It was a rare and meaningful moment for SoPYC and a chance to showcase the depth of our community involvement.

The timing of the visit meant the Premier was also able to meet some of our young sailors as they prepared for their weekly training session. It was a great opportunity to highlight the pathway our Club provides for young people, supported by our coaches and volunteers.

After meeting the junior sailors, the Premier spent time enjoying afternoon tea — or in some cases a “zero” beer — while mingling with the volunteers and the groups who create and run these important community programs. It was a relaxed and genuine opportunity for our volunteers to share their stories and the impact of their work.

The feedback from the visit was extremely positive. It was clear that the work our volunteers do — and the partnerships that support them — is recognised and valued. The day was a reminder of how much our Club contributes to the wider community and how important these programs are to the people who rely on them.

A sincere thank you to all volunteers, partner organisations, and supporters who came down on the day. You are the heart of these programs, and your efforts continue to make a real difference.

Brian Cross, Commodore.

Cruising Butterflies Creates Joy

2026-04-28T07:54:22Z

This year, Cruising Butterflies saw an impressive 258 family members enjoy a 90-minute boat ride along the pristine waters of the Swan River.

We are eternally grateful to our SoPYC Members who give up their time, and their vessels to help us pull together this annual event. It is something we are very proud of and the smiles on the faces of those who participate is truly heart warming.

Cruising Butterflies is a family fun day supporting those who care for children living with a disability, developmental delay, autism, genetic, rare, undiagnosed and/or chronic conditions. The event is a South of Perth Yacht Club volunteer-led initiative, delivered in partnership with local Rotary Clubs and KIIND—an agency of Perth Children’s Hospital that supports families facing significant health challenges.

Every child in attendance received a Cruising Butterflies hat and t-shirt, along with a family portrait. The morning involved a boat ride, a sausage sizzle back on land and a range of inclusive, activities - face painting, bubble play and games.

The Committee extends its sincere gratitude and thanks to SoPYC members for supporting community events like this, and in particular to the 122 skippers and crew, along with the many members and their families who volunteered their time on the day.

Significant effort goes into planning the event, and we acknowledge the dedication of our Committee - especially our newer members who would not have realised the work involved- as well as past Chairman Ralph Newton and his wife Lynne for handing over the event in such strong shape. Thank you.

We are also grateful to the Rotary Clubs of Applecross and Melville for their assistance with organisation, registration, catering and parking. Our thanks go to KIIND staff Kerryn Harper, Helen Nys and their team for the many hours spent coordinating participating families. Fishability generously provided their fishing barge, enabling wheelchair access, and we thank Scout leader Nigel and his team for supplying over 100 lifejackets, ensuring the event could be conducted safely. We would also like to acknowledge and appreciate SOPYC staff - we could not do it without them.

Cruising Butterflies is largely made possible through donated goods and services, with the Committee working hard to keep the event as self-funded as possible. We are especially grateful for the generous $5,000 contribution from the State Government, facilitated by Kim Giddens, a longstanding supporter of the Club.

We also thank the following donors for their valued support:

· Mills Service Centre – Member Chantal & Anthony Miller
· Metal West – Member Mick Douthie
· Armadale Districts Surgery – Member Anne Knowles
· Gama Healthcare – Member Tim Rumac
· Bursons Automotive
· Veer Financial
· SoPYC Supplier – Del Basso
· Woolworths
· Good Grocer Applecross
· Coles Waterford

We are always looking for more boats, volunteers and assistance for this event in April every year.

Please do reach out to us if you may be interested.

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SOPYC Take 2nd Place in 'Australia 5' Skiff Event

2026-04-28T07:05:55Z

Last week, a Skiff crew of Alan Sharpe, Greg Howell, Kevin Schroeder, Anne Benson and Leanne Howell took part in the Australia 5 Skiff event.

This virtual regatta has its origins during COVID when crews were unable to travel to an actual regatta. It comprises an on-water time trial on a given date: over a distance of 2.5km, a mark rounding and 2.5km back, timed, verified and submitted to the St Ayles Skiff Community Rowing Association of Australia.

With a slight crew change and new, improved oars the team set out into a stiff southerly from Nedlands buoy, around the SoPYC outer start mark and back to Nedlands. Registering a time of 35 minutes and 2 seconds, (45 seconds slower than last year), it was enough to repeat our second placing in Australia for a mixed crew using regulation (timber) oars.

We were accompanied by Bruce Cadee and Peter Black on a support RIB and were thankfully towed from the finish line to Point Walter for a restorative coffee.

A wonderful day out for all.

__________________________

SoPYC owns two St Ayles skiffs, built by Bosun's Club members, rowed regularly on Sunday and Tuesday mornings by those who range in age and ability.

New crew are welcome so if you would like to give fixed seat rowing a go, contact Bruce: 0419 508 785 or Ann: 0426 724 810

S80 NEWS - SOPYC Pirates defeat the RP Catalinas

2026-04-21T00:25:01Z

Saturday 18 April saw the second S80 Teams Race of the season with the holders of the cup RPYC’s Catalina’s team face off against the SoPYC’s Pirates team. Plenty of boat on boat tactics throughout the race, all within the RRS and common sense.

Pirates team captain Mat Selby laid out a winning strategy for the pre-start which worked a treat and managed to bottle up the top 3 RP boats in very light air, allowing Glasgow Kiss to slip away and take control of the fleet. Fair Game got a great start as well and was at the head of the race up the first beat. SoP Pirates Glasgow Kiss, Don’t Panic and ShadowFax lead around the top mark along with RP’s Fusion, and with Fair Game also in the mix. A downwind battle between Don’t Panic and Fusion ensued with Don’t Panic eventually getting in front at the vital last turning mark.

Whilst RPYC turned out in force, it was the SoPYC Pirates that took out the win convincingly with 30 pts, from the RP Catalina’s with 25 pts, and of course the all-important winner’s end of season bragging rights.

The Teams Race format kept everyone on their toes for the entire race and was another great way to enjoy our sailing. Our teams were:

SoPYC Pirates (Mat Selby – Capt) RPYC Catalina’s (John Ghul – Capt)

ShadowFax - Jim Gooding (4th) Fusion - Christian Christiansen (3rd)

Don’t Panic!! - Mat Selby (2nd) Sweet Babs - Dave Beresford (7th)

Fair Game - Sue Game (6th) Balancing Act – Jonathon Sell (9th)

Glasgow Kiss – Mark Gooding (1st) Kabisai – Jason Froud (10th)

Rum Runner – Gavan Jones (5th)

Alchemy – Nina Conti (8th)

Well done to all & another great day on the water.

POWER NEWS - Time Trial Training Takes the Win

2026-04-21T00:25:17Z

We had a fantastic turnout on Saturday for our Introduction to Time Trialing course, with 14 people taking part in a great day of learning and hands-on experience.

The course was expertly delivered by current club champion IPC Troy Dalglish, alongside starter Bernie Kaaks and experienced Navigator Dee Kelly, who collectively guided participants through the fundamentals of time trialing. The session covered both an on water practical session onboard Waylen Bay followed by a theory session covering an overview of the rules and techniques as well as how to prepare for the weeks course, giving attendees a clear introduction to how it all works and how to time trial.

The combination of expert instruction, practical demonstrations, and enthusiastic participants made for an engaging and informative course. It was great to see such strong interest, thoughtful questions, and active involvement throughout the day.

Thank you to our presenters and everyone who attended—we look forward to seeing these skills put into action on the water for the upcoming season.

If you're interested in Time Trialing, talk to the Power Section - registrations close soon.

S80 Legends Race on the River

2026-04-21T00:25:52Z

Wednesday 15th April saw RPYC host the 2026 S80 Association Legends Race. With 12 boats and crews from RPYC and SoPYC hitting the water, the purpose of the event is to connect and celebrate our community of S80 sailors - past and present.

Representing our club were; Abbey Road John Hassen (Dave Roberts), Vintage Red John Greeves (Assoc), Don’t Panic !! Andre Linthorne (Mat Selby), Fair Game John Hassen (Sue Game), Shadowfax Geoff Bishop (Mark & Jim Gooding)

The event kicked off with a luncheon in the River Room at RPYC where everyone got a chance to catch up with old friends and have a beer before getting out on the water, in true legend fashion.

After a somewhat challenging morning of lightening, storms, rain and no wind, the race got underway in a light southerly breeze laying the foundation for a competitive race.

The mid-river start saw the 12-boat fleet get away in a tricky start, with everyone flipping to port tack as soon as possible. Fusion and Don’t Panic! made the best of the start conditions with Fusion rounding the top mark ahead in first spot. The rest of the fleet rounded Sanders in a group and fought to make their way into clear air downwind.

Fusion stayed in the lead position for the rest of the shortened race, but Don’t Panic! and ShadowFax closed up the gap over the second lap, making for a very close finish with the three boats finishing within 40 seconds of each other.

Congratulations to Simon Cunningham for the win (his third Legends win!) on Fusion.

Andre Linthorne on Don’t Panic! finished a very close second and Geoff Bishop (aka Yuta) on Shadowfax close behind in third. John Hassen on Abbey Road finished fourth and Balancing Act Dean Motteram was fifth (and winner of the President’s drive of the day).

Diane Airey (sister of the late past President Alan Tough) presented the Legends Trophy to Simon Cunningham.

Overall, the S80 Association Legends Race was a terrific event that brought together past sailors and “legends” of the S80 fleet to enjoy a race on the beautiful Swan River.

______

If you are interested in owning an S80 we have one for sale at SOPYC!

Contact:
Mark Gooding
0419921095
markgooding@bigpond.com

Skiff Rowers Re-enact Prisoners' Escape

2026-04-17T03:24:38Z

SoPYC skiff rowers Ian Johnson and Peter Black travelled to Rockingham on 5th April to join East Fremantle Skiffs in the re-enactment of the 1876 escape from Fremantle Gaol of six Fenians, Irish political prisoners. It happened to be the 150th Anniversary of the daring escape, chronicled in Peter FitzSimons' book the Catalpa Rescue.

The prisoners' escape and repatriation to Boston on the American flagged whaling ship was in part organised by a sympathetic Catholic priest at the gaol, and facilitated by John Boyle O'Reilly (of JB O'Reilly's fame), who had previously escaped to the United States. The escapees were rowed from Rockingham beach to the waiting whaler in Champion Bay off Mandurah, a journey that took 14 hours.

The role of the St Ayles skiffs in the re-enactment was to take on six "Fenians" and complete several row passes of the crowd on the beach.
The skiff, with eleven souls on board, sat low in the water but fortunately the conditions on the day were benign.

The day concluded with sumptuous nibbles and sandwiches and of course, an obligatory Guinness or two!

SOPYC Coach Competing in Spain!

2026-04-14T02:39:46Z

SoPYC Coach and Sailor, Michael Compton is currently competing at Trofeo S.A.R. Princesa Sofía Mallorca by Fergus Hotels.

(Trofeo Princesa Sofía is an annual sailing regatta in Palma de Majorca, Spain)

Michael Compton delivered an outstanding performance, earning a place in the Gold Fleet—the top 50 sailors from a field of more than 200 of the world’s best ILCA 7 competitors. He was joined by five fellow Western Australian ILCA sailors, all finishing within the top 55 overall, underlining the depth and strength of the WA squad.

His teammate, double Olympic gold medallist Matt Wearn, also made a remarkable return to competition after a two-year break, taking out the win. This regatta traditionally marks the start of the European season for Australia’s Olympic high-performance sailors and serves as an early benchmark against the world’s best.

Michael’s first European event of the season came with a challenging lead-in. Illness prior to departure meant his first time back on the water in three weeks was in Palma, just a week before racing began. Despite the disrupted preparation, he was pleased with his start to the regatta.

He delivered a strong qualifying series to finish 14th overall and achieved a major milestone by winning his first race at an open international event—an important confidence boost and a clear reflection of his progress.

As the regatta progressed, the physical demands increased significantly. Over five days, sailors spent around 35 hours on the water, including two days exceeding eight hours. The long days and cold conditions proved taxing, with nutrition and staying warm becoming ongoing challenges.

Well done, Michael—an impressive performance with clear areas to build on, particularly in endurance, recovery, and race-day management in tough conditions.
We look forward to seeing him build on this momentum at French Olympic Week in Hyères, starting April 20.

Go Michael!

Mandurah Easter Regatta – Open Skiff Fleet Leads the Way

2026-04-10T01:13:12Z

The MOFSC Easter Regatta was a roaring success, with 102 boats entered—double last year’s numbers. The humble Open Skiff stood out as the largest class, with 22 boats registered (21 making it to the water).

South of Perth Yacht Club (SoPYC) was well represented by Rhys Williams, Bobbi Barrett, Harriet Mellor, Lailah, Miles, and Ophie Beck.

Saturday delivered light winds, rewarding the smooth and steady sailors. In the Gold Fleet, Miles took an early but narrow lead in the series, winning two races and sitting first on countback alongside his big sister, Lailah. Rhys and Harriet both finished in the top half of the fleet, clearly favouring stronger conditions. Ophie impressed on day one, leading the intermediate sailors in three of the four races. Meanwhile, Bobbi showed strong progress, continuing to refine his starts and consistently finding clean lanes and good speed.

Sunday brought more pressure, with streaky breeze favouring the right-hand side of the course and a building swell. These were the conditions the bigger sailors had been waiting for. Harriet capitalised, delivering two second-place finishes and a third to climb to 6th overall—proving once again that when the wind builds, she is a serious contender.

Miles maintained outstanding consistency with a 1, 2, 3, 4 scoreline on day two, securing 2nd overall with a comfortable 12-point gap to third. Lailah, however, stepped it up in the stronger breeze, doing what many parents have come to call “Lailah things”—claiming three race wins to take the overall victory by just two points ahead of her brother. A very close finish!

Rhys also thrived in the breeze, battling within the top five boats throughout the afternoon and finishing 8th overall. It’s great to see him settling into the skiff and letting his tactical awareness shine.

Although not officially split, the Silver Fleet sailed alongside the Gold Fleet, as organisers hadn’t anticipated such strong numbers. Bobbi experienced a mix of results but finished a very respectable 14th overall—effectively 4th in the Silver Fleet. A great effort.

A standout performance came from Ophie, who finished 10th overall and would have taken out the Silver Fleet win—her first at this level. She showed excellent form all weekend, with strong starts and confident racing that would no doubt have made Coach Lachie Putt proud.

This regatta marks the end of a highly successful season for the Open Skiff fleet. Across eight regattas in WA, the class averaged an impressive 22 sailors per event. With numbers like these, the future of the fleet looks incredibly strong, and we’re excited to welcome the next generation of sailors in the upcoming season.

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Flying Fifteen State Championships - What a Weekend

2026-04-07T03:48:19Z

Assemble an impressive fleet of 41 boats and you are well on the way to a very successful event. Add in some of the best facilities and landscape in Perth, the usual variety of weather conditions, a significant amount of free beverages and a staggering amount of succulent food and you are assured of a great time and need Easter Monday to recover and reflect.

The short story is that a fabulous and dedicated team of volunteers produced one of the great State Championship regattas over the Easter weekend and achieved as much on the social side as on the competitive side.

Club members, Mike and Paul Dunbar were crowned State Champions for 2026 with Phillipa Packer and Dean MacAulay from RFBYC second and Greg Tonnison and Scott Fallows ( also SOPYC members) third. The final result hinged on the results from the last race with any of the front 4 boats having an opportunity to win the series.

The South of Perth Race team, led by John Rooke, did a remarkable job in conducting all 7 races and had to apply the less than subtle U flag to keep some order at the starts. John Hassen and Fleet Captain, David Reid engineered all the necessary bits on shore to ensure a festival atmosphere that included organising 2 boats to be provided for visiting Canadian crews. The catering side was where the regatta really set itself apart with the “energiser bunny” that is Mary-Anne making sure no one was hungry or under-caffeinated for the duration of the weekend.

Thanks to all the sponsors and supporters: Endeavour Homes, The Gate Bar and Bistro, Nail Brewing Company, Segafredo Coffee, Flo Solutions and The WA Spit Roast Company.

In case too much sailing is not enough, the final 2 Club Championship heats are next weekend.

Photos courtesy of: Jen Walker, Kate Lammonby and Leanne Howell

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Power Section Update

2026-03-31T02:48:45Z

Captain’s Message

Thank you to everyone who attended the Power Section Open Forum on 4 March. Your feedback continues to shape our direction for 2026. Below is a concise summary of outcomes, along with a teaser of upcoming events.

Full Forum and Committee minutes will be available on club website in due course.

Committee Updates & Appointments
Myself and Robin Wilcockson have accepted the roles of Captain and Vice-Captain at the preceding committee meeting. This is in line with club rules as the positions had essentially been vacant since October 2025, however dont despair; the roles will be open for re-election at the club AGM in September with nominations in August .
In the meantime, we need to kick off the winter season in May and are desperately short of a functions organizer so please let me know if you'd like to get involved to build the sections social side.

Member Engagement & Training
We are striving to increase visibility in these areas and follow up with new members to encourage participation in club events and activities

New member applications are now forwarded to the relevant section / interest area for follow up.
New Member Booklet and induction video will soon be available on website.
Training Day planned for mid-April 2026.
Mentoring and coaching sessions to be available from experienced members on a one-to-one basis

Participation, Events & Volunteers
"Power boating is not all about time Trialling" was the message loud and clear. However, it is our main winter activity and is really great fun.
The committee is placing renewed focus on social based engagement with a manageable number of events to encourage members to participate

As agreed at the forum we have split the number of events into a dual series structure:
- 8 Club Championship events (best 7 count)
- 9 State Heats for the more serious competitors
- 4 fun/social " non consistency" events with ripper social function afterwards.
Euna Marra / Yimballa events postponed.
Ongoing volunteer shortages
- OWG will issue a call for support. please nominate your availability early
- Rostering may draw from current boat owners & Power Section members if there is not enough volunteers.

General Business & Suggestions
Additional items / suggestions discussed that your committee will follow up on this year included:

Greater social media presence
QR code registrations
More raftups for social evvents
Investigate possibility of mering the Cruising Section with the Power Section

Commodore Brian Cross has confirmed his support for the Power section and is an experienced Time-trialer himself (and recipient of several wooden spoons in the past)

Upcoming Events Calendar – 2026
Some Key events placeholders for your calendar.....

17th April - Sail to Power sundowner. Social event open to all members and public with classic Aussie Rock cover band.
18th April - Training Day either on your own boat or experienced skippers will take you out on theirs
2nd May - Opening Day - Non-consistency fun event. Dress your boat up and join the fun. Coaching opportunity for those who want to try time trials.

Please keep an eye on Coffee Pointers and other media for more details.................

Closing Notes
Thank you again for the energy and ideas you brought to the forum. Your contributions will guide the Section’s focus for the rest of 2026 as we build stronger engagement, clearer communication, and a more vibrant social program.

Feel free to reach out with any further comments or suggestions to poweradmin@sopyc.com.au, or captain.power@sopyc.com.au

Skiff Rowers Head South

2026-03-31T02:15:49Z

SoPYC St Ayles Skiff rowers travelled to Albany last week to take part in "All the Rivers Run", an event run by John Gaunt and his team from the Albany Maritime Foundation, to celebrate Albany's bicentenary. We joined rowers from Albany, Denmark, Freshwater Bay, East Fremantle, Nannup and Augusta in a series of "raids" across the Great Southern on pristine rivers and inlets, amongst majestic tall timber and virgin wilderness. The event involved a massive feat of logistics to launch and retrieve boats, ferry cars and people, move caravans and provide food and drink for about 80 people.

We began with a challenging row across Princess Royal Harbour to the sailing club for a sumptuous morning tea, then across to a picnic on secluded Vancouver beach. That night we were treated to an Australia ll supper where we heard boat builder Steve Ward, bowman Scott McAllister and the legendary John Longley relate stories of Australia's epic 1983 America's Cup win. John was instrumental in bringing the St Ayles Skiff to Australia and was a participant in the week's events.

Over the next few days we rowed the Kalgan, Denmark and Frankland rivers as well as exclusive access to Big Brook Dam in Pemberton. The 25km return row from the Donnolly river landing to the river mouth was memorable not only for the physical challenge but for the gourmet picnic provided at one of the river "shacks".

Finally, the remnants of exTC Narelle put paid to the planned row on the Blackwood river from Alexandra Bridge to Molloy Island in Augusta.

Instead we launched at Molloy and explored the lower reaches of the Scott river and circumnavigated Molloy Island. The event wrapped up with a BBQ lunch where SoPYC rowers were awarded the "Black Jack Sally" trophy for Champion Team for our quiet determination and willingness to help crew other boats.

Appreciation and thanks must go to the teams of volunteers from Albany and Augusta for organising the event and feeding us all.

In the words of John Longly, "it takes a community to build a skiff, and a skiff to build community".

SoPYC owns two St Ayles skiffs, built by Bosun's Club members, which are rowed regularly on Sunday and Tuesday mornings by those who range in age and ability. We always welcome new crews so if you would like to give fixed seat rowing a go, contact Bruce: 0419 508 785 or Ann: 0426 724 810 for information.

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ILCA WA State Championships Regatta Report 2026

2026-03-24T07:50:43Z

Saturday (Day 1)

Following a fantastic week of combined club training between RFBYC and FSC, hosted by SoPYC and led by Senior Coach Conor Nicholas OLY, the stage was set for what promised to be a brilliant weekend of racing for the ILCA State Titles.

Racing got underway late in the day with a 1600 start, delivering conditions that kept sailors on their toes. A more westerly breeze than usual filtered across the course at a modest 7–12 knots, bringing with it shifty, unpredictable winds and a short, sharp chop. With the keelboat fleets clearing out from the river clubs, the stage was cleared for the ILCA sailors to take centre stage.

A strong SoPYC contingent hit the water, ranging from seasoned campaigners to enthusiastic newcomers just beginning their sailing journey. Whether chasing championship honours or simply shaking off the rust and enjoying the moment, all competitors shared a common spirit, high energy, a touch of nerves, and plenty of anticipation.
Under the expert direction of Marty Compton and his outstanding team of volunteers, the race management was nothing short of worldclass. With efficiency and precision, the course was set for two tightly contested races in a race against the setting sun.
By the end of Day 1, the scoreboard reflected just how competitive the fleet was, with tight margins ensuring everything would come down to the final day.

Sunday (Day 2)
An early start greeted sailors on Sunday, with racing commencing at 0900 in a highly variable southerly breeze. Cloud cover added another layer of complexity, making conditions challenging and tactical.
The Race Committee once again demonstrated exceptional skill and adaptability, managing to complete two races before the breeze faded away earning sailors a well-deserved lunch break.

With scores incredibly tight across all fleets, the afternoon promised high drama - and it delivered.
In the ILCA 4 fleet, the championship came down to the very final mark rounding of the last race, producing what Yachting WA President Luke Patterson described as a true “ding-dong battle.” In the end, following a protest decision, SoPYC’s very own Seth Till secured victory over defending champion and fellow SoPYC sailor Murray Duthie, who threw everything into his bid to go back-to-back.

The ILCA 6 fleet saw newly appointed WAIS scholar Jasper Stay claim the title ahead of rising talent Thomas Cooper after a consistently strong performance.
In the ILCA 7 fleet, former SoPYC sailor Patrick Scally took top honours, etching his name alongside some of the sport’s greats on the championship trophy.

ILCA WA Facebook page for more

Full Results
Provisional Results for ILCA 4 Championship