Founded in 1938 on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Avalon Sailing Club has a proud history offering a family friendly environment.
The club promotes all aspects of sailing for people of all ages and abilities, from learn to sail, to state and national championships and keel boat racing.
For juniors the blue fleet is the perfect place to learn to sail. Once comfortable in the boat, the transition to red and finally to gold fleet is easy. The centreboard fleet is predominantly made up of Manly Juniors, O’pen BICs, Flying 11s, Spirals, Lasers and 29ers.
With coaches at all levels, the junior sailors are not only learning how to sail and gain confidence in the boat, they are also having fun. Olympic silver medalist Nina Curtis said her love of the sport comes from her early years sailing at Avalon.
“I recognise my passion and love for sailing as one of my greatest strengths in my Olympic campaign. No mountain too high or obstacle to great when you are enjoying every minute of what you do. This was instilled in me at ASC,” said Curtis.
“Sport needs to be fun for kids, this is what keeps the passion going through the tricky years as a teenager and onto being a young adult. Avalon kept the best balance; fun, family and friends, learning not to fear the weather while having the coaching facilities and fleet to learn how to race.”
The Club also caters to yachts ranging from 20-40 foot. While not all yachts compete, there is a healthy fleet racing each Sunday during the season. The launch of the new Avalon Sailing Series caters to those wanting to spend their Sundays sailing around Pittwater. It is a handicap start and the same course every race. Racing is open to members and non-members and sailors are invited back to the club at the end of the day to talk about all the action from the racecourse.
For those just wanting to cruise, there is a cruising division and club moorings tucked away all over Pittwater and Broken Bay.
REFURBISHMENT
At the opening day for the season, Avalon Sailing Club officially launched their new rigging deck. A team of builders and engineers has been working tirelessly throughout winter to prepare the new deck for the clubhouse, with support from the local and sailing communities, including Marcus Blackmore, Steven Ainsworth, the Spithill family and so many more.
Acting Commodore Jan Scholten explained why the new deck is so important to the club, “The new deck is part of getting the club ready for the next 50 years. We are going to enjoy our new deck, our club and our sport.”
The fund raising continues as attention turns to the clubhouse. With the move of the sailing office, upgrading the changing rooms and moving a staircase the next priority, the building will still be the little blue, timber clubhouse on the shores of Pittwater.
WILD OATS XI
Skipper of Wild Oats XI, Mark Richards, has kindly donated a sail on the maxi after the new bow is fitted. While the boat is preparing for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, you and a friend could join the crew for a sail on Sydney Harbour.
An eBay auction has been set up so you can bid for a chance to sail on the eight-time Sydney Hobart winner while they are fine tuning their latest modifications.
For more information on how you could go sailing on Wild Oats XI, the Avalon Sailing Series, learn to sail courses or the work being done to the club head to www.avalonsailingclub.com.au. And don’t forget any donations to the Quarter Deck Fund are tax deductible. ✵
