Offshore Sailing in Airlie Beach

The Whitsunday Sailing Club has an extremely active offshore racing calendar, with weekend races approximately twice a month all year round, together with  a range of cruising events around  the Whtsundays.  The racing calendar incorporates a variety of courses with long and short offshore races, bay races and major series races for Cruising & Racing yachts.

Racing is generally conducted in 3 divisions, subject to entries.  Each boat will be allocated to a division by the race committee.  Division 1 is for offshore multihull yachts, including a range of catamarans and trimarans.  Division 2 covers the club’s faster racing yachts.  Division 3 is generally more suitable for trailable yachts and cruising type yachts.

For most series, boats are required to meet Category 5 of Australian Sailing’s Special Regulations.  Some offshore races may require boats to meet Category 4.  Details are included in the relevant event’s Notice of Race.

Featured Events …

Twilight Racing every Wednesday

If you are new to Airlie Beach or would like to become a crew member on one of our yachts for Twilight races or on the weekend races, come down to the club around 3:00 on a Wednesday afternoon. Please note that there are only limited places available.

Club Championship

The title of Club Champion is awarded annually to the best performing boat in each division, based on a 9 race series conducted over three weekends, generally spread over the season.  Results are calculated using a fixed handicap or a rating system.

Challengers Cup

The Challengers Cup is a 6 race series conducted on Sundays throughout the season.  Challengers Cup races are generally bay races with a duration of around 2 hours.

Offshore Series

The club’s Offshore Series consists of up to 9 races conducted throughout the year.  These races are generally of longer duration with courses around some of the Whitsundays’ many islands. 

Summer and Winter Series

Weekend club racing is split into a Summer Series (January to June) and a Winter Series (July to December).  

Inter Club Events

During the year several events are conducted in conjunction with neighboring clubs such as Mackay Sailing Club, Cruising Yacht Club of Hamilton Island and North Queensland Cruising Yacht Club.

Cruise Rallies

For the non racing boats (and racing boats) regular, non competitive cruise rallies are included in the club’s program.  These rallies are ideal for families or groups to sail in company to one of the Whitsundays’ many destinations.

Airlie Beach Race Week

 The Airlie Beach Race Week Festival of Sailing (ABRW) is recognised Australia-wide as a vibrant and exciting week of action, mixing six days of offshore yacht racing with seven nights of socialising and entertainment.  For details of Airlie Beach Race Week, go to www.abrw.com.au