January 1 - 31, 2026: Issue 650

 

Summer in Pittwater: January 2026's Aquatic Events - PBSLSC Masters Twilight and BBB's Carnival, Newport SLSC's Pool to Peak Swims, WPYC's Putt Putt - Gentleman's Launch Regatta

Pittwater has been host to aquatic events and quieter get-togethers over recent days. To open 2026 a few insights of these for those experiencing media fatigue; the psychological exhaustion that occurs due to information overload from any form of information media, usually vulture-style from media outlets, as well as social media.

Switch off, drop out, and dive into 5 minutes of seizing the day - Dum vivimus, vivamus (While we live, let us live!) - and let's all reclaim the Village Green, and Beach, quietly, slowly.

Palm Beach SLSC has hosted its annual Adrian Curlewis Twilight Masters Carnival with North Bondi again excelling and doing their 'Bondi takes Barrenjoey' thing.

PBSLSC's within club Brats-Brutes-Bruisers bonding carnival across the generations, deemed to be 'democracy on the sand' by Ian Curlewis, son of Adrian, was building connection while sharing knowledge and laughs.

Newport opened the Pittwater Swim series on a splendid day with their Pool to Peak swims. 

Bilgola's 'Billy' Swim has been postponed until Sunday March 1st due to a forecast adverse change in weather and ocean conditions and Similarly the Mona Vale SLSC's Ocean Swims, due to a forecast adverse changes in weather and ocean conditions, this event – originally scheduled for 18 January – was postponed. The event will now take place on Sunday, March 8th 2026. 

The Big Swim has been cancelled for 2026 due to current safety concerns, including recent shark activity in the Sydney area and stormwater pollution affecting water quality.

Residents have returned to the water though - in the oceanfront rockpools and netted enclosures on the estuary.

While Woody Point Yacht Club has run their annual Putt Putt and Gentlemen's Launch Regatta - again with great boat 'dressage' and classic wooden artforms putt-putting around the estuary - thanks again to our own Michael Mannington OAM of Community  Photography, doing the honours of this celebration of 'mucking about in boats'.

View south from North Av. Beach, January 13, 2025

Avalon Beach rockpool, at Dawn, January 25, 2026. Photo: Adriaan van der Wallen

Summer in Pittwater - Birds, Beaches, Pittwater Estuary Album 

WPYC's 2026 link has already been sent to organisers by MM!

2026 Twilight Masters Carnival at Palm Beach

Report by Gordon Lang, Founder of this Carnival, past President of Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches Branch

The 14th Adrian Curlewis Twilight Masters Carnival was held at Palm Beach on the evening of Friday January 2nd, with its biggest attendance yet. This season, 15 clubs (from Wanda to Palm Beach), 44 teams and over 165 competitors raced in 3 divisions and faced challenging, but safe, conditions in the four races (surf teams, board relay, ski relay and Taplin + relay). There were competitors doing their first carnival up against experienced, veteran competitors. It was great to see the Whale Beach colours competing in water carnivals again after a long absence.

There was definitely a strong showing of surf skills and fitness- ski paddlers were catching runners / waves almost from the apex buoy. Whilst some were looking a “bit” tired as the carnival went on – there were lots of smiles and good banter.

The team structure and point score premium (based on age and gender) definitely evened things out – as shown by a team of “young” males from Bronte who won every race but did not get on the podium at the presentations. The races finished on time at 6.30pm.

As is tradition, the racing was followed by the bbq / presentation on the Palm Beach Surf Club Back Lawn. It is estimated that over 200 people enjoyed the food and drink and listened intently for the results. 

It was widely agreed that the carnival was the best carnival so far in 2026.

The Twilight was strongly supported by its major sponsors: Adrenalin Wetsuits, Bennett SLS and Nutrimetics.

We look forward to next season’s Twilight.

Results:

Green Division: 1. Palmy Tsunami (Sinclair Back, Tom Williams, Anthony Yeates, Lachlan Love) 2. Palm Springs 3. Freshie Fizzers

Black Division: 1. North Bondi Red (Stephanie Hughes, Sophie Thomson, Jane Cichero, Eloise Starr) 2. Manly Muppets 3. Narrabeen B

Red Division: 1. Manly Triple J (Joe Watkins, Jane Macleod, Jamie Murrell, Adam McCarthy) 2. Narraport (composite Narrabeen and Newport) 3. North Curly Green

Palm Beach SLSC's Adrian Curlewis Twilight Masters Carnival - January 2 2026 Album - much more than the few pics here:

Palm Beach SLSC's 2026 Brats-Brutes-Bruisers Carnival

Report by Mark "HT" Highfield, President, Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club

Brats Brutes Bruisers is one of our biggest days of the year where the Brats (new members) take on the Brutes (Active Members) and the Bruisers (Active Reserves). It's a day where members across the generations can get together and compete in a convivial atmosphere with lots of heckling and banter and laughter. Some families have members competing in all three teams.  

As well as a swim race and Taplin relay we've also made an effort to keep some of the older surf lifesaving traditions alive by running a chariot race, a tug-of-war, and caber toss. All in all its a great day. 

This year is a special year for us as we're also celebrating 40 years of women being able to join the SLSC, do patrols, and compete in the green Palm Beach cap. 

Some of the women who joined back in 1985 like Life Member Annabelle Chapman*, are still competing for us today.  

Palm Beach SLSC's BBB's Carnival - January 3 2026 Album - much more than the few pics here:

* More on this before the Season closes in upcoming PON report

Newport Pool to Peak Swims 2026

Report by Bec Cappell, President, Newport SLSC

The weather gods were to good to us again after a few days of massive swell. It was lovely to have the opportunity to promote a positive experience at the beach after such a tragic start to the year.

This year exceptionally special for us as it represented a 20 relationship with Harris Farm. We also have lost two members (who were also sponsors) in the last two weeks due to ill health so the club has been feeling somewhat fragile and it was wonderful to be able to be together to support one another at this time.

A special thanks to all our sponsors who make this day possible 

  • The Kinghorn Foundation
  • Harris Farms
  • LJHooker
  • Lucky and Peps
  • The Peak Cafe 
  • Honest Chicken
  • Beach Roads Natural
  • ITeam Consulting
  • Colne Risk Advisory
  • Johnson Brothers
  • Mortgage Choice Newport
  • Pittwater Marine and Slipway services
  • Royal Motor Yacht Club
  • Avalon Tyres 
  • Imedia 
  • Dr Barford Dental 
  • Balgowlah Automotive 

A special mention to Harris Farm and PharmaCare for all our prizes, along with SLS Northern Beaches Branch and Northern Beaches Council for their continued support to our annual swim.

Newport SLSC's 2026 Pool to Peak Ocean Swims - January 4 2026 Album - much more than the few pics here:

Woody Point Yacht Club's 2026 Putt Putt and Gentleman's :Launch Regatta.

Report by Frank, Rear Commodore (Sailing), Woody Point YC

There were 15 Gentleman's Launch entries and 4 Wooden Putt Putts in this year's WPYC Wooden Putt Putt and Gentleman’s Launch Regatta - held 24 January 2026.

The Quays Marina generously provided a boat and driver at no cost on the day for our photographer. Their generosity is much appreciated by the news service and Woody Point YC. 

Huge thanks to Steve Hosking, Manager of the The Quays Marina, for looking after us so well.

Regatta results were:

Wooden Putt Putt

1st 'Rose' - Roger Maynard
2nd 'Galloping Maggot' - Col Campbell
3rd 'Providore' - Justin Singleton

Gentleman's Launch

1st 'Quays Marina', Skipper: Matt Moore, Crew: Matt Hollingsworth and Lachlan O'Callaghan in the Q Service Tow Putter workboat
2nd 'Nutmeg of Consolation' - Nick Carden-Thomas
3rd 'Elvina' - Chris Canty

Best Dressed Wooden Boat - Winners of the Tim Shaw trophy

'Elvina' - Skipper: Chris Canty - this is the Church Point Ferry Services' classic historic boat (previously the 'Falcon')

Special Mentions

'Hawthorn' - Joy & Craig
'Mulloka' - Thomas Skinner

Photos by Michael Mannington OAM and courtesy Steve Hosking - thanks again MM and SH!

The Putt Putt Trophy