The South Gippsland Yacht Club working with local businesses, the yachting industry, Bass Coast Shire Council, Inverloch Historical Society and Rotary and Lions Clubs has now conducted three very successful Inverloch Classic Wooden Dinghy Regattas. Since commencing on Australia Day 2014 the yacht club, supporting organisations, business partners and participants have brought the event to life. The club is now planning its fourth Regatta to be held in January 2017 over the Australia Day weekend.
Every year, this wonderful regatta not only showcases the history of classic wooden dinghies, on and off the water but also provides the opportunity for current owners and skippers to demonstrate their prowess in restoring, maintaining and sailing these dinghies. Even if a person does not own one of these classic wooden dinghies, they quickly learn to appreciate the workmanship, the timbers used and the foibles of sailing them.
For the fourth year in a row I extend a very warm welcome to all sailors, to come and join us at South Gippsland Yacht Club to celebrate the history of wooden dinghy sailing. Inverloch’s regattas, held on Anderson’s Inlet, were first recorded in Melbourne newspapers in 1893 and have always been a festive occasion for the town. The recent regattas conducted by our yacht club continue along similar lines, embracing the town’s sailing and seaside history as an Australia Day Weekend celebration.
We are currently planning what we believe will be an outstanding event in 2017 for sailors whether sailing their wooden dinghies or displaying them for all to see. We are introducing a new activity in this coming regatta for those that enjoy cruising in their wooden boats. On Australia Day, which is a Thursday, you can pack your thermos flask, scones and teacake and get in your wooden boat with family and friends to sail up Anderson Inlet and land on a remote beach for an afternoon picnic. On Friday, there will be the display of wooden dinghies on the beach before the Regatta Race which will provide sailors with the opportunity to test their skills on the water in their more traditional boats. On Saturday wooden dinghies will be displayed in the park next to the yacht club with a range of other attraction for sailors and visitors. Everyone will be encouraged to participate in the selection of overall award winners. A program will be posted on the South Gippsland Yacht Club website closer to the event.
RACV Inverloch Resort helped create the Inverloch Classic Wooden Dinghy Regatta and will be a major sponsor again in 2017 providing entry awards for eligible boat owners. RACV Resort accommodation to the value of $1,800, $1,200 and $800 will go to the three people bringing their boats, in order, the greatest distance. For more information about entering your boat go to the South Gippsland Yacht Club’s web page at: http://sgycinverloch.com.au/?page_id=904
Our club is a small regional club with a big heart so we would welcome you to spirit your impressive classic timber dinghy out of the garage or shed and head for Inverloch in South Gippsland for the Australia Day weekend in 2017.
For more information about the Inverloch Classic Dinghy Regatta you can watch the 2014 and 2015 videos of the event at the following link. https://vimeo.com/channels/sgyc
Information about Classic Wooden Dinghies and the Regatta can be found at:http://victorianclassicdinghynetwork.org/past-future-events
Allan Driver, Commodore, South Gippsland Yacht Club
