sandringham yacht club sailing lessons

Learn to Sail in Melbourne with…

Blue water sailing school​.

• FUN INTRODUCTORY SAILING EXPERIENCES
• practical SAILING LESSONS
• Quality ONLINE Video COURSES
• Adventure Sailing & Racing
• Cruises and skippered charters

Check out our offerings and find your next sailing adventure

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Discover the joy of sailing in these four-hour, low cost introductions to life on the water.

Experience Sailing

Experience sailing @ sunset.

Two-day (9am-5pm) introductory courses are the perfect start to sailing.  Take all three and receive the International Crew qualification.  Package price $1200 .

Learn to Sail

Competent crew, east coast spectacular.

Gain internationally recognised qualifications charter overseas and train in an immersive liveaboard context.

International Bareboat Skipper

Learn to sail whitsundays, international certificate of competence (icc), international crew.

Challenge yourself on a remarkable adventure around Tasmania, to the Whitsundays or in the Mediterranean.

Tasmania Circumnavigation

Turkey 2024, mooloolaba to whitsundays, sydney to mooloolaba.

Join our crew for some of the world’s most exciting yacht racing regattas!

Geelong Festival of Sails

Cock of the bay and melbourne to hobart start, petersville regatta – blairgowrie, airlie beach race week, hamilton island race week, twilight racing, sail and bathe weekend.

Bespoke, flexible training and cruises. Corporate events, team-building and leadership development.

Private Sailing Lessons

Cruises and skippered charters.

Online courses for VHF (Short Range) and MF/HF Long Range marine radio make getting your licence flexible, quick and easy. Online AMC exams. AMC accredited.

MF/HF Marine Radio Online Course

Vhf marine radio online course, marine radio exam, sail australia’s spectacular east coast.

Join the adventure this winter and build your miles or gain a coastal skipper qualification through Blue Water Sailing School.

We have legs sailing from Melbourne to Sydney, Sydney to Mooloolaba, and the champagne leg from Mooloolaba, through the Great Sandy Straights and along the atolls and reefs of the Barrier Reef to the Whitsundays. We head north in June/July and southin September.

In the Whitsundays take a five-day liveaboard crew or skipper course, or join our crew for Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island Race Week.

Sailing offers some of the most amazing experiences in the world.  Learn to sail and a whole new world opens up!

Sail the Mediterranean or Whitsunday Islands. Race in iconic regattas, cruise the coast or even circumnavigate the world. When you sail, a whole new world of freedom and adventure are yours. 

Accessing the world of sailing can feel intimidating and overwhelming. There is a great deal to learn before you can handle a boat and crew safely with skill and confidence. Our students constantly rate us for our welcome, teaching style, calmness and hospitality.

At Blue Water Sailing School you not only learn to sail, but enjoy our resources, community and support to join the world of sailing. 

Contact Tim

To discuss your training needs:, gift vouchers.

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Ideal for Experience Sailing afternoons or credit towards any of our sail training or adventures. Purchase, pay and download from our online shop here.

Go From Zero to Hero

Many of our trainees begin with no sailing experience, but they have a dream – to sail the Whitsundays, explore the Mediterranean or even sail the world. For some, it becomes an obsession.

We love taking people from zero to hero, as quickly and easily as possible. And, our pathway give you a taste of the sailing life along the way.

Going from Zero to Hero is not without its challenges. There’s lots to learn, it can be physically challenging and the responsibility can be overwhelming. But, we are here to guide you each step of the way and offer expertise, resources and support to make your dreams a reality. 

At the end, you will be confident, skilled and experienced – ready to own a own boat or charter on your own.

Internationally Recognised

Inte rnational Yacht Training  is the most internationally recognised boating standards system in the world. It offers the widest range of courses, ISO quality management and is truly international. 

Your Principal Instructor

Blue Water Sailing School Principal is Tim Foster. Now based in Melbourne, Tim has been sailing for over 40 years. He is a commercially certified skipper and RYA Cruising Instructor, with a Yachtmaster (Offshore), Sea Safety and Survival, Safety Boat Handling, YA Dinghy Instructor and many other qualifications. Former Commodore of the  Dobroyd Aquatic Club  where he won several club championships, divisional winner of the  Geelong Festival of Sails  and currently sailing at the  Royal Yacht Club of Victoria  and   Sandringham Yacht Club .

Professional Sailing Instructor

RYA and IYT qualified sailing instructor, with 40+ years of sailing experience, numerous other sailing qualifications and racing success.

Online Learning Specialist

Tim has over ten years' experience is online learning development and instructional design in the Australian tertiary sector.

International Certification

IYT Worldwide is the trusted standard of excellence in yacht training, maritime certification and safety around the world. IYT operates more boating courses with more government approvals through more schools, in more countries than any other boating organisation in the world.

Meet 'Boomer'

‘Boomer’ is a Beneteau 40.7, an ideal and very popular training vessel.  Certified by AMSA for training and cruising, she is a comfortable, safe and exciting platform for sail training. We love the roomy cockpit, wide gunwales and high boom. With all new sails, rig, engine and various upgrades she is well-maintained and feels like new. And she’s fast! She offers three double berths and two additional berths in the saloon. Now featuring a Nespresso coffee machine! If you want to learn to sail in Melbourne in comfort and style then hop on board!

Honest tourism information about Australia

Sandringham Yacht Club: Learn to sail in Melbourne

• David Whitley

It’s possible to book sailing lessons in Melbourne at the Sandringham Yacht Club. The club also offers introductory sailing experiences.

What is Sandringham Yacht Club?

Sandringham Yacht Club on Port Phillip Bay is one of the most prestigious sailing clubs in Australia. It’s based at the marina between Sandringham Beach and Sandringham Dog-Friendly Beach in Melbourne .

It’s a member’s-only club, which hosts numerous regattas and recreational sailing experiences. What non-members might be more interested in is the sailing lessons. This is where you can learn to sail in Melbourne.

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Sandringham Yacht Club sailing lessons

The dinghy sailing lessons in Melbourne cost from $220 each. They form a programme that can train you to be a competent sailor.

The beginners’ section of the programme covers important steps such as being able to leave and return to the beach. It also teaches would-be sailors to avoid other boats, recover crew in a  ‘man overboard’ situation, sail without kneeling and right a capsized boat. You’ll also learn to identify dangerous situations around the marina, steer and control the mainsail at the same time, and know where to have the sails set.

These beginners’ sailing lessons cost from $220, and are open to everyone – not just members of the Sandringham Yacht Club. There is a discount for members, however.

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Sandringham yacht club sailing experiences.

If you just want to dip your toe in the water – or, rather, keep your toe out of the water – the Sandringham Yacht Club also offers sailing experiences.

These are largely about fun and doing as much or as little as you want on the boat. Qualified sailing instructors are in charge, but everyone else gets a practical, hands-on experience, hopefully learning a few of the basics on the way. You can book to have a go with a partner, family or group of friends.

The Discover Sailing Experiences at Sandringham Yacht Club take place on 7.5 metre keelboats. The experience lasts three hours and costs $220.

It’s also possible to learn to sail on Sydney Harbour and take sailing lessons in Pittwater , Sydney .

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Learning on the Club's Beneteaus - SYC pic.

Sandringham Yacht Club offers easy ‘try before you buy’ schemes

Sandringham Yacht Club (SYC) has stepped up its campaign to get more bodies on boats of all kinds in Victoria, by looking at the bigger picture and offering ingenious ways of enticing people onto the water without it costing an arm and a leg.    

It can cost a bomb to join any sporting club, and for newcomers, joining and annual fees can be daunting when you are not sure if you will stay in the sport for the long run, or even in the short term.  

‘Sandy’, as it is known to locals, has found an uncomplicated and affordable way to help potential new members, both children and adults, to try sailing and the Club’s facilities without having to immediately take up full membership. It provides ‘Day’ and ‘Season’ passes at a minimal cost, allowing users to sail and to use its clubhouse facilities post-race.

Day Pass membership allows for up to a dozen uses and entitles the user to a reduction in the nomination fee when converting to annual membership. The first six days cost $15 per sail (Thursday Twilight Sailing – no charge) and the remaining six days are $35 per sail. Should users wish to continue, they will need to become an annual member. On average, this successful scheme has produced 700-800 annual users to-date.

Proving just as successful is the Season Pass, a one-time introductory pathway option for those new to sailing, or transitioning from the Club’s Youth Academy or the Day Pass scheme. It is an ideal way to have your cake and eat it too.

Users are entitled to one year’s unlimited access to all Club Marine SYC Boating Academy courses, a card allowing access to: club racing, member facilities on the days of your courses and crewing days, a mentoring/buddy system, personalised service, and a complimentary ‘Discover Sailing’ experience for four people. At the end of the 12 month period, the nomination fee is waived should you transition to ‘Crew’ membership.

SYC’s Training and Development Manager, Michah Shuwalow says, “The Season Pass is doing everything that we set out to achieve – developing the students’ skills and knowledge while increasing the Club’s racing participation.”

Shuwalow adds wryly: “We’ve also bucked the trend of sailors being ‘male, pale and stale.”

One of many contented customers making the transition to full membership this season is Patricio Sepulveda, whose Pass had led to buying into a J24.

“I got my Season Pass last year,” Sepulveda says. “My only sailing background was windsurfing. Before October last year, I had never been at the helm of a keel boat or a dinghy, but I have a friend who sails, so we sailed a bit on his father’s boat. I enjoyed it so much, I decided I wanted a boat, but I had no idea about which boat or how to do it.

“I told my friend, ‘find me a boat, and I’ll buy it’ – so he found one, a J24 (he named it Baile De Luna which translates to ‘Moondance’) – and now I own a boat! Then I told my wife, ‘We have a boat now, so I need to learn to sail, so I can take us out’,” Sepulveda remembers, laughing.

“I went to Sandringham to see about lessons and keeping my boat there (it is now kept on the Club’s large hardstand) and I saw about their Season Pass and got one. From September to December I did three keelboat, two dinghy and one radio operator’s course there! 

“In the first week of January, I skippered my J24 at the Nationals (held at SYC, he finished 19 th with a best result of 13 th ) – I would not have been able to do that without the courses at Sandringham Yacht Club,” he says proudly. 

“The J24 community at the Club is very close – I made a lot of friends. On the water, everyone is very supportive,” he ends.

Sandy’s Day and Season passes lead to very affordable membership options. Interested parties can easily buy a Day Pass instantly, using the Club’s app – search for ‘Member Point’ – where you can also find membership, race information, sign on and off when racing, update member details, club news and alerts and more – all in once place. See more here:  https://syc.com.au/smartphone-app/ or just visit or phone the Club.

Discover Sailing – the easy way

Over the last five years Sandringham Yacht Club has hosted in excess of 3600 visitors at its Discover Sailing days – 1200 alone attended the most recent one in November, up 450 from 2016 – eclipsing the previous record by 200.

That is approximately 1300 trips/rides utilising five large keelboats, five J24’s, three of the Club’s Beneteaus, six Pacers, four Stand Up Paddleboards, four large powerboats and two RIBS, equalling 100 volunteers and 270 lifejackets!

Discover Sailing days is the perfect way to test the water. It costs nothing, you meet likeminded people and the Club is a friendly one. If you find boating to your taste, the next step is made easy with the Day or Season Pass options.  

Of course the beneficial flow-on effect of these programs is that they are giving boat owners more crew options and more competition. While some will buy their own boats, others will be happier coming to the Club to crew for others, equating to a wide talent pool for both dinghy and keel boat sailing via the Club’s crew register.  

For all information, please go to the SYC website at: www.syc.com.au

Di Pearson/SYC media

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Sandringham Yacht Club Marina

Nestled on the coastline of Victoria’s charming Bayside, the Sandringham Yacht Club Marina offers a unique blend of nautical luxury, pristine natural beauty, and vibrant community spirit. As one of the largest and most prestigious yacht clubs in Australia, it has been a central hub for sailing enthusiasts, boaters, and locals for decades. With its first-rate facilities, variety of marine services, and bustling event calendar, Sandringham Yacht Club Marina invites all to experience the ultimate maritime lifestyle.

The Sandringham Yacht Club Marina is located in the picturesque suburb of Sandringham, approximately 16 kilometers southeast of Melbourne’s Central Business District. Overlooking the serene waters of Port Phillip Bay, the marina boasts stunning panoramic views and offers immediate access to some of Victoria’s best sailing waters.

Approach to the Marina (Marina Entry and Navigation)

The approach to Sandringham Yacht Club Marina is accessible and straightforward for all mariners. Located near the northern tip of Port Phillip Bay, it’s identifiable by the club’s distinctive buildings and the line-up of docked vessels. Navigation to the marina is well-marked, with lit channel markers guiding the way. Boaters are advised to proceed slowly, adhere to all marine traffic regulations, and maintain vigilant observation at all times.

Specifications of the Marina

Sandringham Yacht Club Marina is impressively equipped, boasting over 350 berths of varying sizes to accommodate a wide spectrum of vessels. The marina can house boats ranging from smaller sailing yachts to larger motor yachts, with a maximum length of up to 20 meters and a draft of 3 meters. Each berth is well-appointed with essential amenities such as fresh water supply, electricity, and Wi-Fi connectivity. High-quality fuel services are also available for ease of refuelling. The marina ensures top-tier security with around-the-clock surveillance, providing peace of mind for all boat owners.

Infrastructure, Services, and Facilities

With a commitment to providing an exceptional maritime experience, the Sandringham Yacht Club Marina features top-notch infrastructure, a suite of services, and a plethora of facilities. These include secure storage lockers, boat maintenance and repair services, a state-of-the-art ship chandlery, and an efficient waste management system. Weather information services are also available for sailors.

Amenities in the Marina and Nearby

The Sandringham Yacht Club Marina is home to a variety of amenities designed to enhance comfort and convenience for its patrons. These include modern restrooms, shower facilities, and laundry services. For culinary delights, the marina precinct houses several restaurants and cafes, offering a range of dining options with stunning marina views. Beyond the marina, the charming suburb of Sandringham provides a variety of attractions. From vibrant eateries and shopping boutiques to beautiful parks and walking trails, there’s something for everyone.

Events in Marina

Sandringham Yacht Club Marina is a hub of activity throughout the year, hosting a variety of events that celebrate the marine lifestyle. The marina is renowned for its annual sailing regattas, boat shows, and fishing competitions. Additionally, social events such as food and wine festivals, music concerts, and community gatherings add to the marina’s lively atmosphere.

How to Get There

Sandringham Yacht Club Marina’s prime location in Melbourne, Australia , makes it easily accessible from various parts of the country and beyond. Here are the most common ways to reach the marina:

The nearest major airport to Sandringham Yacht Club Marina is Melbourne Airport , which accommodates both domestic and international flights. Once you arrive at the airport, the marina is approximately a 40-minute drive away. You can opt for taxis, ride-sharing services like Uber, or car rental services that are readily available at the airport.

If you are travelling by car, Sandringham Yacht Club Marina is well-connected via Melbourne’s extensive road network. If you’re coming from Melbourne CBD, take the M1 and exit at South Rd/B27 in Brighton East. Follow South Rd and Beach Rd/B33 to Jetty Rd in Sandringham. The marina is about a 30-minute drive from Melbourne’s city centre.

By Public Transport:

Sandringham Yacht Club Marina is also accessible via Melbourne’s efficient public transport system. Trains, trams, and buses service the area, with stops close to the marina. The Sandringham train line from Flinders Street Station in Melbourne’s city centre will take you to Sandringham Station, just a short walk from the marina.

For those arriving by sea, navigate towards Port Phillip Bay. The entrance to Sandringham Yacht Club Marina is easily identifiable, with the marina’s distinctive buildings serving as a guide. Follow the lit channel markers to safely enter the marina.

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Attractions Nearby

The marina’s prime location allows easy access to a plethora of local attractions. These include the Bayside Coastal Arts Trail, the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, and the charming Sandringham Village. Furthermore, the marina is a stone’s throw away from Melbourne’s CBD, known for its bustling arts scene, culinary delights, and iconic landmarks.

What types of berths are available at Sandringham Yacht Club Marina?

Sandringham Yacht Club Marina features over 350 berths of varying sizes, designed to accommodate a wide range of vessels, from smaller sailing yachts to larger motor yachts.

What services and facilities does Sandringham Yacht Club Marina offer?

The marina offers a range of services and facilities, including fresh water, electricity, Wi-Fi at each berth, boat repair and maintenance services, waste management facilities, and weather information services. There are also fuel services for easy refuelling.

How can I reach Sandringham Yacht Club Marina?

Sandringham Yacht Club Marina is conveniently located in Melbourne and can be reached by air, road, and sea. Melbourne Airport is approximately a 40-minute drive away, and the city's public transport system also provides easy access. By sea, it's a matter of navigating towards Port Phillip Bay and following the channel markers to the marina entrance.

What events does Sandringham Yacht Club Marina host throughout the year?

Sandringham Yacht Club Marina hosts various events throughout the year, including annual sailing regattas, boat shows, and fishing competitions. It also hosts social events such as food and wine festivals, music concerts, and community gatherings.

What amenities are available at Sandringham Yacht Club Marina?

Amenities at Sandringham Yacht Club Marina include modern restrooms, shower facilities, laundry services, a convenience store, and several restaurants and cafes.

What attractions can I find near Sandringham Yacht Club Marina?

Nearby attractions include the Bayside Coastal Arts Trail, the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, and the charming Sandringham Village. The marina is also a short distance from Melbourne's CBD, known for its vibrant arts scene and culinary delights.

What is the maximum length and draft of boats that Sandringham Yacht Club Marina can accommodate?

Sandringham Yacht Club Marina can accommodate boats up to 20 meters in length and with a maximum draft of 3 meters.

How is the security at Sandringham Yacht Club Marina?

Security is a priority at Sandringham Yacht Club Marina. The marina is monitored 24/7 with state-of-the-art security systems, ensuring the safety and peace of mind for boat owners.

What dining options are available at Sandringham Yacht Club Marina?

Sandringham Yacht Club Marina is home to several cafes and restaurants, where visitors can enjoy meals and drinks while taking in the beautiful marina views. The options range from casual eateries to fine dining establishments.

Are there any special regulations for navigating into Sandringham Yacht Club Marina?

When navigating into Sandringham Yacht Club Marina, mariners must observe the lit channel markers, maintain a slow speed, respect the priority of outgoing vessels, and adhere to all signage. These measures ensure safe and orderly navigation in the marina

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OTB History

Syc history of dinghy classes 1950 – present.

1950s – Off The Beach sailing consisted of a mixture of Yvonne, Quickcat and Attunga class catamarans and miscellaneous dinghies of various types including 14ft Dinghy, 8ft Dinghy, a 12ft Cadet dinghy, two VJs, a Payne Mortlock canoe, a skate and a heavy weight Sharpie or two.

The International Cadet class was started in 1957 when 6 junior members decided to build 6 boats, which were initially called a Yachting World Cadet, designed by Jack Holt in the UK. They were built from scratch in their backyards and cost about 60 pounds. Junior members were aged between 12 to 18.

In 1959, the Gwen 12 class, designed by local Charles Cunningham, was adopted by the Intermediate members as a one design National racing class and quickly grew to a fleet of around 25 boats throughout the 60s.

It should be noted that at that time, 12 was the youngest age a person could join the club.  This remained so until the 1970s when it was reduced to 10 and subsequently in the mid 80s when it was reduced to a minimum age of 8.  Further, no female members were permitted unless they were a daughter, granddaughter or niece of a Senior member.  Consequently, the number of girls in sailing was limited until the rules were changed in the 1970s. Prior to this a small number of girls sailed in the Gwen 12s and International Cadets out of the Victorian Ladies Yacht Club (later renamed the Hampton Sailing Club).

In 1965, the number of Junior members was 175 and the number of Intermediate members 18-21 years of age was 75. Registered boats consisted of: forty-four International Cadets (7 Club- owned) and 18 Gwen 12s.

The International Cadet class was very strong in the 60s under the guidance of Bruce Rayward at Club, State and National levels and was backed by a strong parent/Senior members group. Many Victorian clubs adopted the class as their two-handed training class.  At its peak, the fleet numbered up to 60 International Cadets with 15 club-owned boats available for lease to Junior members.

As the Gwen 12 class became dated, the Club looked to a newer style of boat and settled on the Cherub Class. The Club built six new fiberglass Cherubs for use as club boats and the Cherub fleet was active from 1969 to 1977.

In 1965, Commodore Bill Croft donated a Yachting World Diamond (previously called Yachting World Keelboat designed by Jack Holt) for use by Intermediate members. This yacht (Coral-C) could be applied for each year by different skippers who would nominate their own crew (4 in Total).  It remained a club boat until 1975 when it was sold as the Diamond class decreased in numbers.

In the mid 70’s – mid 80’s, the single-handed classes sailed by Intermediate and Senior members were the Finn and the OK dinghy.

In 1976, the 14ft skiff class commenced sailing at Sandringham and grew to a peak fleet size of 18 boats in the 1980’s and has remained a part of the Intermediate and Senior Off The Beach fleet to this day with a current fleet of eight boats.

In December 1979, the number of Club-owned cadets was reduced to six. Some of the old boats were well past their prime and it was also a sign of the times where most members could afford the cost of a Cadet.

During the late 80s and early 90s, a small fleet of Sabots were introduced as training boats.  The sabot fleet proved difficult to grow.  They were also a complicated boat for a novice sailor to adapt to.

In the mid 80s, the Club bought four secondhand 420s.  The 420s kept some of the juniors sailing for a few years after International Cadets. At the time, sailboarding was also developing and for a short period we had a small fleet of those.

In the 70s, Graeme Disney, as the OTB Chairman at the time, tried to convince General Committee that Optimists were the future precursor to the International Cadets. The Committee would not support the proposal citing insufficient funds being available to purchase more club boats. Graeme then approached Sir Jack Brockhoff with his proposal.  Sir Jack gave Graeme a good hearing and agreed to fund one optimist.  Witnessing Graeme’s excitement, Sir Jack said “Make it two”. So the OTB ordered “Sir Jack” and “Lady B”.  After this, General Committee then made the decision to purchase “Metung” and our Optimist fleet was up and running.

In the 1979/80 season, Peter Table and the Intermediate members started the “On the water training program” for new Junior members. This was the forerunner to C-Fleet as it exists today. Phil Kaufman and ex-cadet Mark Taylor ran this training program on a Sunday morning using the Club Optimists up until around the mid 1990s .

At this time the Sandringham Sailing School began operating out of the OTBSC and catered for novice sailors and the local schools in Pacers, as well as using the Club’s Optimists up until the mid 1990s when Tim Say purchased a fleet of six roto-moulded plastic Optimists. At this time, the old Optimists were de-commissioned and stored in a container on the premises.

Around 1995 there was an influx of ex-sabot sailors into the club and the Flying Eleven class was introduced by Ian Tudball as a fast two-handed training racing boat sailed with good numbers on the East coast of Australia. The fleet grew to around eight boats at its peak but only lasted three years. The International Cadets remained constant in numbers despite the introduction of these classes. While the reasoning behind the introduction of Sabots and Flying Elevens was sound i.e. there were large numbers sailing on the east coast of Australia, they were not an International class, novice sailors were disadvantaged and they were relatively expensive.

In 2000, to help introduce novice sailors into Club life and to provide boats for new members to sail, Glenn Taylor used old club International Cadets as the training boats. After the first year it was decided that we needed to improve the way new members transitioned into club sailing; so the old Optimists were hauled out of the containers and a working bee of members and parents transformed them again into training dinghies and C-Fleet was re-born.

The concept of C-Fleet was to try and capture the good work of the sailing school and introduce new members into the OTB ranks. The concept required the use of the club-owned old Optimists, a committee vessel and one or two RIBs with instructors. The program was agreed to and it was implemented. In the beginning, Mark Foster was on Endeavour III with parents on board, and Glenn Taylor was very much involved with the on-water coaching. C-Fleet worked on two levels:

• The on-water coaching was designed to be a low-key introduction to racing with a view to building confidence so that the juniors could gain enough confidence to venture out in the afternoon Club race. Some juniors used their own boats, others used Club boats with a view to purchasing their own boat in due course. The desired outcome was for the child to demonstrate to the parents that they were committed to sailing and that it was worth purchasing their own boat. They could then have a few practice races in C-Fleet and then join the Club fleet for Sunday afternoon racing once they had enough confidence. It also generated friendships amongst the sailors.
• The Committee Boat environment was a mix of some parents learning about sailing, racing, rules and what the flags meant. At this time in the Club’s history, the demographics were changing from students coming from predominantly sailing families to mainly coming from non-sailing families. As a Club we needed to adapt and teach these families about sailing and Club life. This was facilitated on the Committee boat, as well as encouraging the children with their sailing. The end result was increased family involvement and the standard question from parents and their children was “What boat should I buy?” and “How do I buy a boat?”

C-Fleet was a success on many fronts as we saw more crews available for the Cadet fleet, as well as the introduction of the Optimist fleet. The other success of C-fleet was that due to the fact that it was run quite close to the Club (sometimes in the pond), quite a few members introduced their children or grandchildren into sailing. The OTB was being seen by the average Club member and this in turn assisted greatly in fundraising which in turn lead to the purchase of the Sailing School and the re-branding as SYC Sailing Academy.

The Sandringham Sailing School that had been operated by Tim Say out of the OTBSC was purchased by funds provided by the generosity of Steve Taylor, Philip Coombs and fundraising by Carolyn White. As a result, the SYC Boating Academy commenced.

A second round of fundraising by Carolyn White led to the purchase of seven racing Optimists that were sold to Club members coming though C-Fleet. This “buy and sell” program was repeated twice more to set up the Sandringham Optimist race fleet and subsequently the Victorian Optimist Association.

The main reason for increasing the Optimist race fleet was to ensure that C-Fleet provided a clear pathway into Optimist racing or a crew position on an International Cadet.  This C-Fleet pathway was to be 6 months to 12 months maximum.  Both the Optimist and the International Cadet fleets, and the OTBSC benefited from this approach.

The early success saw the growth of Club-raced International Cadets to 20 boats and the Optimists to 18 boats. Junior membership doubled in the next three years from 57 Junior members in March 2000 to 122 in March 2003. This provided a strong foundation for the Intermediate classes of Lasers, 29ers and 420s that have raced over the last few years.  It is however to be noted, that despite promising starts none of these classes have continued in any significant numbers.

Other recent classes raced at the Club have included the Contender class which moved en-masse from Black Rock Yacht club in 2003 taking our fleet from none to 15 overnight and back to none currently with the sailors mostly moving into keelboat racing and a few making the transition to the new Musto skiff class .

The Tasar fleet started in 2003 and has a good solid following and support group from early beginnings of two boats to a current SYC fleet of around seven boats.

Complied by Philip Strong

Thanks to the following for their contribution:

• Rob Hose – Ex OTB Dinghy sailor and OTB parent
• Geoff Henderson – Ex-OTB sailor, past Club Captain, Parent and Past Commodore
• Mark Foster – Ex-dinghy sailor, past OTB Club Captain and Parent
• Graeme Disney – past OTB Club Captain, past Vice Commodore, current Club Chaplain, Parent and just plain Legend