There’s a lot happening around the club as we move into the heart of winter sailing. From standout performances at the Interclub Winter Series and international regattas, to exciting leadership news in the sailing community, it’s a great time to stay connected. Term 3 Learn2Sail registrations are now open, and we’re also inviting members to help shape the club’s future through our upcoming Vision Workshop. Read on for all the latest updates and ways to get involved.

From the President

Marina expansion fighting fund

Hunters Hill Sailing Club is facing a serious threat from a proposed expansion of the adjacent marina. If approved, the extension would compromise large areas of the waterway used regularly by our club and others—particularly for junior and youth sailing—making them unsafe.

We need your support to oppose the proposal. To learn more and help, click here.

Future Vision workshop and survey

We’re hosting a Future Vision workshop to help shape the development of a Master Plan for the club. This is an opportunity for all members to contribute to the club’s long-term direction and ensure that investment and resource decisions align with a shared vision.

All members are invited to attend and participate.

Date: Sunday, July 20
Time: 9:00am – 2:00pm
Venue: Clubroom (upstairs from the boatshed)
Morning tea and lunch provided.

The workshop will be facilitated by club member Heather Chai, who has extensive experience in this field.

Please RSVP by Friday, July 11 via the events link on the HHSC website.

Kids will also have the chance to share their ideas through a simple feedback activity on the day.

For those who can’t make it, a questionnaire will be circulated later this week—please respond.

Standalone venue site launched

This month we launched a new, standalone website to promote the club building for venue hire. Check it out here. Help us spread the word about this fantastic waterfront venue for weddings, parties and other special events. Proceeds from venue hire support youth sailing program costs at the club.

The new website, along with the updated Google listing, allows us to promote the venue separately from our sailing activities. If you're on social media, please follow and share the venue on Facebook and Instagram.

From the Commodore

Term 3 Learn2Sail registrations are now open! Help us grow the fleet by spreading the word among your friends, school networks, and local community. It’s a great time to get new sailors involved.

Congratulations to Nic Livermore and Nathan Byrne who took part in the 18 Footers European Championships at Circolo Vela Arco on Lake Garda from 26–30 June—an incredible experience in one of the world’s most iconic sailing locations.

A familiar face at the helm

Two-time Olympic gold medallist, and seven time World Champion, Malcolm Page has been appointed CEO of Australian Sailing. Malcolm began his sailing journey right here at Hunters Hill Sailing Club, and his name appears on our honour boards throughout the 1980s as club champion in MJs, Flying 11s, and M.G.14 skiffs. We’re proud to see a former club member leading the sport nationally.

Club racing

Round 3 of the club’s Frostbite Winter Series is on July 20. After a record five Zests took to the course for round two, this time we’re hoping to see some Quests on the water as well!

HHSC_Season_2024-2025_Calendar.xlsx

Results - Hunters Hill Sailing Club

Learn2Sail

Our term 2 Learn2Sail classes wrapped up last weekend—congratulations to all our sailors on the great progress you’ve made over the term! We hope you enjoy a well-earned break over the school holidays and look forward to welcoming you back for term 3, starting July 26/27.

Pro group sailor Cassian Thomas 📸 Belle Parker

Pro group sailor Bogdana Diachenko 📸 Belle Parker

Momentum group sailor, Nicola Saxby 📸 Belle Parker

Term 3 registrations are now open! Please log in to your account on the club website and register your sailor(s) via this link. For safety reasons, registrations must be complete at least 48 hours before your session starts or sailors will be asked to return the following week. 

Please help us promote our Learn2Sail and Teens and Tweens programs by spreading the word through your school, sports, and community networks—we’d love to welcome new families to the club! 

Save the dates—Upcoming Learn2Sail camps 

Mark your calendars! Our upcoming camp dates have now been confirmed:

• Mon 29 September–Fri 3 October

• Mon 8–Fri 12 December (Teens & Tweens only)

• Sat 20–Tue 23 December

• Mon 12–Fri 16 January

• Mon 19–Fri 23 January

Register now via the club’s events page.

Optimist fleet

Round two of the Interclub Winter Series 📸 Andrew Lee

Round two of the Interclub Winter Series was held at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) on July 6, featuring a strong fleet: 21 opens (with nine from the club), 24 intermediates (including five from the club), and five green fleeters representing the club.

The day began ominously with a tow to the start line required, but a wind shift to the northwest and a last-minute course change set the stage for some exciting racing. Tom and Luca secured podium finishes in all three open races, with Sija also making an appearance. In the intermediate fleet, Axel and William were once again frequent podium visitors, with Edward close behind in a series of tight finishes.

In the overall standings, Luca and Sija currently hold first and second place in the open series, while Axel and Edward are sitting in first and third in the intermediate series—with two race days still to go.

Make sure to follow the action via the live feeds and updates on the NSW International Optimist Dinghy Association (NSWIODA) Facebook and Instagram pages. The NSWIODA ‘on-the-spot’ reporter brings you right into the thick of the racing!

Some amazing photos from the day, captured by our resident photographer Dave Griffiths (with help from Tom), are available to view on Facebook here, and the full set on the HHSC website here. Photographer Andrew Lee has also shared a fantastic set of on-water photographs here.

There’s no training or racing this weekend due to school holidays, but sailors are welcome to get out on the water in their own boats.

ILCA fleet

The ILCA action shifts to Los Angeles over the coming weeks, with two of our sailors set to compete on the world stage.

California Dreamin’: Sylvie heading out at “the other Ballast Point” 📸 Supplied

Sylvie Stannage will be racing in the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta, part of the prestigious Sailing Grand Slam series.

Sophie Borner Harrison will be representing at the ILCA 4 Youth World Championship, hosted by Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club.

Wishing both Sylvie and Sophie the best of luck—sail fast and enjoy the experience!

Newsletter

We welcome feedback and contributions via: Newsletter HHSC 

Have a great photo you’d like to share for use in the newsletter or on the club social media accounts? Send to photos@huntershillsailingclub.org.au or drop into the club’s Photos Whatsapp group.