November 1 - 30, 2026: Issue 660

 

Regattas on Pittwater This November to February: 'Messing About in Boats' is in our blood

    

Photo: AJG/PON - classic yachts on Pittwater courtesy of the RMYC Broken Bay

The Pittwater estuary is set to host several fleets of regattas and club races over November - and through to February 2027 with the almighty and historic Pittwater Regatta hosted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. 


Already we've seen clubs hosting the Couta Boat Nationals, the NSW Finn Championships, along with their regular members races in Twilight racing during the week and over their favourite courses each weekend, and the launch of hand-built boats at BYRA.

Sailing and cruising takes place on the estuary most days of the week. 

There are also a variety of ways local clubs share the passion for flying over the water aided by sails, from the small inexpensive boats, through 'Try Sailing' days, as well as celebrating the beautiful classics. 

Although most clubs don't run races over the Christmas-New Years period due to the amount of visitors to Pittwater and the estuary, and those heading south in the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race from Boxing Day onwards, there's still a fair amount of sailing, celebrations, and regattas coming up over the last month of Spring and Summer 2026-2027.

See: Sydney to Hobart 2026 Entries close with 107 starters confirmed

This weekend:

RMYC's Timber Boat Festival 2026

Celebrate Craftsmanship, Community and a Great Cause!

Set sail for a weekend of wonder at the Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay, where maritime heritage meets hands-on fun and heartfelt giving. The Timber Boat Festival returns on Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th November 2026, bigger, bolder, and more meaningful than ever!

This year all proceeds from this event will go towards Australian Skin Care Foundation. 

Both Making Waves Foundation & Marine Rescue NSW will also be fundraising across the weekend. 

Whether you're a proud timber boat owner, a lover of classic craftsmanship, or simply seeking a unique day out on the water, this is your invitation to join a vibrant community of boat lovers, artisans, families, and changemakers and the RMYC's support of our community. 

Find out more about ALL on over the weekend at RMYC's Timber Boat Festival 2026, and find out shuttle bus from Newport times, get your tickets at:

There's also some more about the long-term community focus and support the RMYCBB has extended to the Making Waves Foundation & Marine Rescue NSW in:
The Club is celebrating its centenary on Pittwater this year - having 100th RMYC BB!

Photo: RMYCBB hosts Classic Timber Boat Regattas on Pittwater too. Picture: AJG/PON

Next weekend you can join in the:

Try Sailing Day at Avalon Sailing Club

Ever wanted to try sailing but didn't know where to start ?
Avalon Sailing Club is hosting a try sailing day on Saturday 14th November. We are located in a prime location on Pittwater, and run this event once a year, so make sure to register your interest.

Club members will be on hand to show you around, answer questions and take you for a sail on one of our yachts or dinghies (smaller off beach craft). Adults & children welcome.
  • Saturday November 14
  • Arrive between 10am and 12pm to be allocated to a vessel.
  • Wear sun protective clothing (including hat) on yachts or swimwear/wetsuit/rashie for dinghy sailing
  • Wear shoes (non slip, prefer non black soles) (no thongs)
  • We can supply life jackets
  • Expect to finish by 2pm
Canteen open for tea (complimentary) and snacks. Bring your own lunch.
Change room facilities, including showers, on site.
Club information is on the ASC website.


Upcoming Regattas + Regular Sailing Opportunities

The shortlist includes:

Gwen Slade Women's Skipper Etchells Regatta: Sunday, 8 November 2026, hosted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) - Annual women-skippered Etchells regatta on Pittwater.

Pittwater Passage Series: 7–8 November 2026, hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) / Pittwater waters - Cruiser-racer series requiring Category 4 Special Regulations Audit.

Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship: hosted by Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, runs November 11-20 - this week! Find out more here

Lucky & Pep's Etchells NSW Championship: 20–22 November 2026, hosted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC)  - Three days of championship racing and social events on Pittwater and Broken Bay. More here.

Beware the Bullets Regatta: 21–22 November 2026, hosted by the Palm Beach Sailing Club - Two days of catamaran racing launching from Sand Point, Palm Beach. Join Palm Beach Sailing Club for the 2026 Beware the Bullets Regatta: a weekend of racing on beautiful Pittwater and catching up with the catamaran sailing community. NOR here. Enter here.

Woody Point Yacht Club's Summer Series: Every Wednesday night from 7th October 2026 until 24th March 2027 EXCEPT 30th December and 6th January.

Woody Point Yacht Club's Two Island Race Series: Casual handicap races held around Lion Island and Scotland Island (scheduled with dates for November 8, January 10, and March 7 at this stage - starting around noon).

Woody Point Yacht Club's Wooden Putt Putt & Gentleman's Launch Regatta: A popular annual gathering and race held on Pittwater (BBQ afterwards at Treharne Cove and race around Scotland Island) featuring classic wooden putt-putt boats and gentleman's launches, complete with class races and a best-dressed boat competition - no date for the 2027 edition confirmed as yet, but usually held after the Australia Day long weekend in recent years. Find out more about the WPYC here.

Woody Point Yacht Club's Ladies Day Race: The final race of the season on March 31 2027, before the AGM, featuring the Sue Major Trophy (where a lady must be at the helm) and the Paul Burchall Trophy for best-dressed/festive decoration. 

RMYC BB's Sail Racing Whitworth Series: is an ongoing club sail racing hosted by the Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay (with race dates through November).

RMYC BB's Twilight Sailing: Monday Twilight Series (Oct – April) and Friday Twilight Series (Summer / A Series & B Series).

Allsail Club Cruising & Twilight Racing: Weekly Friday club cruising/training sessions and Twilight racing at the RMYC wharf

Bayview Yacht Racing Association (BYRA): hosts Pittwater Sailors Group Courses from Tue 01 Sep 2026 12:00 - Wed 01 Sep 2027. Registration for this event closes at Sun 13 Dec 2026. Find out more here.

Bayview Yacht Racing Association: also hosts the Peter Loft Marathon - 2027, running Sun 02 May 2027- The Peter Loft Marathon is BYRA's biggest annual event. Held each May, The event consists of a race around Lion Island and back to the clubhouse at BYRA. The start is “Le Mans style”, with the participants running to their boats in the water and then sailing north. If weather permits, qualifying craft may even round Lion Island! The finish requires competitors to beach their craft and ring the infamous bell on BYRA's front deck. This regatta enables the memory of Peter Loft to live on through both the event itself and the money it raises through entry fees for the Peter Loft Foundation.

Bayview Yacht Racing Association's Build 2 Sail Boatbuilding Program for Winter 2027, has already Sold Out. This will run Sun 16 May 2027 10:00 - Sun 05 Sep 2027, contact BYRA in case anyone drops out and a space is made available.

Avalon Sailing Club's: 2026–2027 sailing (located on Pittwater at Clareville0 kicked off with its Opening Day on September 6, 2026, and runs through April 2027. This family-focused club runs : Features classes such as Laser, Spiral, Flying 11, Aero, O'pen Skiff, and Moth with regular Sunday racing through Spring and Summer, hosts Couta Boat events, and takes part in the Two Island Race Series: Continuing multi-race club fixtures on Pittwater, and takes part in the Blue Water Shield 2026/27 (hosted by PBYC).

Palm Beach Yacht Club: here you can sail, cruise or race with friends on beautiful Pittwater and the surrounding waterways with year round on-water activities. In addition,  you have access to shared Club Casual Moorings in three different locations. PBYC hosts the Blue Water Shield 2026/27 with the next race coming up on November 15. Find out more here.

Pittwater Aquatic Club: at 102 years young, this is one of our earliest Pittwater sailing clubs, originally a skiff and paddling cohort at Bayview, they shifted some decades back to be tucked in the corner where Bayview meets and merges with Newport - 2 The Esplanade Mona Vale. Club members hold Division 1 and 2 races corresponding to Blue and Yellow respectively. Their mission statement is: ''To provide cost effective facilities and services to members that meet their boating needs now and in the future in a DIY environment. This will be achieved by volunteers in a cooperative association.'' In September 2026 PAC applied to the council for ; 'Demolition works and construction of a new boat ramp, seawalls, pontoons and marina gates'. DA2026/1010 attracted no objections.

Pittwater Dragon Boat Racing Club: is for those who like paddling. They welcome new members and invite you to come and try it out. Details are: Join us on the water, stay active, build strength, and keep your paddling technique sharp all year round. Located on the beautiful waters of Pittwater, at Rowland Reserve, Pittwater Road, Bayview. Racing Season – September to April; Saturday & Sunday   7.15am arrival | On the water 7.30am – 9am, and on Wednesday 5.50pm arrival | On the water 6pm – 7.30pm. What to Bring to Training - Come prepared and ready to paddle! For each session, please bring: A water bottle to stay hydrated, Water shoes or old sneakers that can get wet, Comfortable, quick-dry clothing, Sunscreen and a hat for sun protection, A towel and change of clothes for after training, And most importantly, a great attitude and team spirit! We’ll provide the paddle and life jacket, if you need one - you bring the energy! Find out more here.

The BIG one is the Pittwater Regatta: running 12–14 February 2027, hosted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. Details are:

Sails up, spinnakers out, and game faces on. The Pittwater Regatta is back and bigger than ever.

RPAYC is proud to welcome Pantaenius Insurance as naming rights partner once again, and to continue our fantastic collaboration with Sydney Marine Brokerage for the NSW ORC Championship.

Three or two action-packed days of racing, music, food, fun, friends, and unforgettable summer sailing.

With 100 boats last year, crews from 16 clubs, and divisions for every type of sailor, the Pittwater Regatta offers premium racing on some of Australia’s most stunning waterways. Ideal for crews chasing ORC glory and those who just love a brilliant weekend on the water.

On-Water Highlights:

  • Competitive and social racing
  • Multiple course formats both inshore and offshore and divisions
  • 5 Heads Challenge on Saturday
  • A spectacular 20nm race through Pittwater and Broken Bay, one of the great classics

On-Shore Fun:

  • DJs and party atmosphere
  • Crew BBQs and post-race socials
  • Spinnaker competition and plenty of colour on the water
  • Prizes, and great sponsor giveaways

Whether you’re a seasoned competitor, twilight regular, or rally-style cruiser, this is your regatta. Bring your crew, your spinnaker mojo, and your best post-race stories.

Early Bird Entries in the Pantaenius Pittwater Regatta close at 1700hrs on TBA February. Late entries may be accepted at an additional fee.

Get ready for three days of high-performance racing, big names, and even bigger battles on the water.

40th Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race

Once all that has been celebrated and much fun had, the East Coast Classic, the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race, hosted by the  Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC), invites competitors to participate in the this great race up the coast. This will commence on Friday March 19 in 2027. Find out more here.

Pittwater - Pittwater - Pittwater!

We wish Fair winds and following seas to all who will get out on the water or try out sailing on Pittwater as Spring becomes Summer.

New residents who want to get in the spirit need only know that Pittwaterians have an 'All are welcome because all belong' ethos and policy, and are quite happy to share their knowledge on the joys of sailing here.

It may get busy, it may feel crowded sometimes - but it's always wonderful, and most look westwards or eastwards when the wind rises, thinking - 'hmmm, might take the boat out for a run'. 

It's all very Pittwater of course, as here the motto is:

''Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing — absolutely nothing — half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." - from 1908 novel The Wind in the Willows by Scottish author Kenneth Grahame.

N IDYLLIC SURROUNDINGS. 

The Broken Bay Motor Clubhouse, which was opened on Saturday as an adjunct to the Royal Motor Yacht Club of N.S.W. It is on Horseshoe Cove, in a setting of rare scenic grandeur, an imposing structure, attractively designed, and offering every comfort for members. The opening was performed with due regard to the ceremonial that the occasion demanded, and was accompanied by the firing of a salute of guns and the unfurling of flags.

 Sea-Cadets and Motor Yachtsmen (1928, March 21). Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), p. 10. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article158400568

NEW CLUBHOUSE OF THE BROKEN BAYBRANCH OF THE ROYAL MOTOR YACHT CLUB. BUILT ON THE FORESHORES OF HORSESHOE COVE.

SCENE FROM THE CLUBHOUSE ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON. NEW CLUBHOUSE OF THE BROKEN BAY BRANCH OF THE ROYAL MOTOR YACHT CLUB. (1928, March 19 - Monday). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 14. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16450377

More in Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay Clubhouses - Part I


                                   Above: Second RMYC Clubhouse on waterfront, December 1936 - Courtesy State Library of NSW, Item; hood_13599h

More RMYCBB History in: Salt Pan Cove Public Wharf on Regatta Reserve + Florence Park + Salt Pan Reserve + Refuge Cove Reserve: Some History