New Members
The Executive Committee and members would like to welcome the following new members to Safety Beach SC. We look forward to meeting you at the club or on the water in the very near future.
- Phillip Stenteford
- Kelly Corbett and Family
- Mark Anderson
- Adrian Bradley
- John Paroukas
- Capes Family
Ciaran's Cup
The club will be running the “Ciaran’s Cup” Annual Race on 27th March 2026, in conjunction with the Friday Twilight Pursuit Series 2 - Race 8. All boats participating in the twilight race must have junior crew onboard to be in contention for this award, which has been named in honour of the event creator Ciaran Snooks.
Ciaran’s Cup is a perpetual award and will be presented to the winning skippers and their junior crew by Ciaran on the Friday night after racing. Fiona Lowe will be organising junior crew and would like to start a list of all interested skippers wanting to host juniors and their families. If you have space on your boat, please contact Fiona by email
Off The Beach News
Howdy Gang.
My apologies for my absence the last couple weeks, and a big thanks to Greg and Ewan for their reports last week on the A Class, 420 and Tasar titles. See, anybody can write this stuff.
So, to last Sunday, Race 8 of the Bendigo Bank Club Championship. From all reports, it sounds like it was a nice day on the water for the 18 starters. RO Geoff set a short, point 3 knm course, hoping for a couple of quick races. Alas, the Fickle Finger of Fate stepped in again to squash his hopes and dreams, and as the breeze dropped out and the race grew longer, it didn't look good. Luckily, enough wind remained to ensure a result for one race anyway. I was on the other side of the bay at Barwon Heads and was checking on the weather apps. I must admit, I was a bit jealous as they showed SBSC had sailable wind at 2.00 and I had zero, then on the 4.00 ferry it was blowing 15 knots going past South Channel Is.
Not to worry folks, this Sunday is Guaranteed to be absolutely perfect with flat water and 10-15 knots SE. The RO is Glenno Lazzar, ably assisted by the incomparable Grace Lazzar who is stepping in to give Super D a well earned rest. With Glen as RO, you will be able to step into your boat and already be on the course (almost) and with Grace freshly returned from her South American travels, if you step out of line she will give you a mouthful in a foreign language that will sound beautiful even if she is questioning your parentage!
Many thanks to the Race Crew for last week, most of them last minute fill ins James E and Greg L swapped from next week to give some experience (I thought they were going in separate boats?). "A" Class Anthony was there as the only original rosteree, teamed with first timers Jamie and Jamieson Ferguson who all did a fine job under the calm and steady direction of RO Geoff.
As Greg and James swapped from next week, I have a hole to fill on one rhib and am looking for two volunteers to come forth and save me the ring around, hint hint!
That's all for now. Cheers, Pete Chippy
Ps; I can't believe it's only two sails left before Easter and the annual Lake Boga pilgrimage!
Sunday 21st March 2026
Lions Club Series - Race 6
| First Warning Signal | 13.57H |
| Race Officer | Glenn Lazzar |
| Assistant | Grace Lazzar |
| Duty Boat Woodsy - Driver | Simon H |
| Duty Boat Woodsy - Swimmer | Patrick Lazzar |
| Duty Boat Sutherland - Driver | Christina |
| Duty Boat Sutherland - Swimmer | TBA |
Lake Boga Easter Regatta 3-6th April
Help Needed.
It’s nearly that time of year when SBSC OTB sailors migrate north to Lake Boga for the Easter regatta. Anyone who has sailed at this amazing location know how accommodating and friendly the club is. This year Lake Boga Yacht Club are asking for our help.
LBYC would like to help with RHIB drivers as they are expecting a high turnout of boats for this year’s regatta.
If anyone is planning to head up to lake Boga who can help out with RHIB duty, please get in touch.
Contact: Ross Martin 0467 000 442
Keelboats
The start of the Community Bank Southern Peninsula Club Championship race was slightly spectacular when Ninjo crossed the line at the pin end early, had to restart onto port and take the sterns of the entire fleet. Not the plan.
The BOM had planned a start with 6 kts of breeze backing to the south at 10 kts over the three hours of the race. That 10 kts failed to eventuate until late in the race. But Rawhide and Unprecedented were there straining at the bit. We waited to see how the battle would progress.
The Rawhide/Unprecedented fight for the Championship lead. It was a boat start and we all got away spectacularly (except for the aforesaid Ninjo). After the windward turning mark the course took us around the Mussell Farm to Port then a beat southward into the disappointing breeze. When there ain’t much breeze it pays to see if the tide will be more helpful. The tide was ebbing and Rawhide headed out towards the Channel. They and one other (Shimmer?) rode the ebb fast all the way to SB2, only visible through binoculars from where we were. Unprecedented were further inshore with the rest of the fleet, so Round 1 went to Rawhide.
Round 2. Ninjo waved to the fleet as they sailed homeward past under spinnaker, majestically as there was still not a lot of wind. We rounded second last but caught up with Mr Bojangles and Marrakesh at the Mussel Farm and had a nice dual (which Mr Bojangles won) while we could see Rawhide and Shimmer ghosting from the Yellow Pile to the finish line. The Tower looked on with bated breath as the time limit approached. Abandonment looked imminent but Rawhide managed to cross the line with one minute and 57 seconds to go. They were followed by Shimmer and Unprecedented. Phew. The rest of us now had an hour to finish. Ninjo made it with 26 seconds to go. Marrakesh scored Time Limit Expired and Lumiere had retired. The PHS, AMS and ORC placings were all the same – Rawhide1st, Unprecedented 2nd and Shimmer 3rd.
Thanks to the patient John Wemyss, Anthea and Amanda for running the Tower and Geoff and crew for doing the start.
So Rawhide and Unprecedented are tied on overall points with 2 races to go. A bookie’s dilemma. Rawhide leads Unprecedented and Perception under AMS and ORC.
Meanwhile, we had enjoyed a beautiful sail on Friday evening. Hey, there’s Rick Rogers again! Second behind E’toile with Balance 3rd. Nineteen boats went out with just under 16 minutes separating the finishers. There was a roomful of real and pretend Irish folk back at the Clubhouse and all three placegetters were there to receive their prizes. Perception, Unprecedented and Shimmer took to the podium on AMS. Rawhide was resting up in anticipation of Sunday’s fight, as Duty Boat, and Di did the numbers.
STILL ONLY SIX ENTRIES FOR THE SBSC NAVIGATIONAL CHALLENGE ON SUNDAY 29TH, NINJO, PATRIOT, 11:11, MR BOJANGLES, SHIMMER, PERCEPTION. COME AND PLAY WITH US.
This Week’s Results - Keelboats
Friday 8th March 2026
Friday Twilight Pursuit Series - Race 6 PHS
|
1st
|
E'toile
|
John Gordon
|
|
2nd
|
L'espirt | Rick Rogers |
|
3rd
|
Balance |
Mark Bulka
|
Friday 8th March 2026
Friday Twilight Pursuit Series - Race 6 AMS
|
1st
|
Perception
|
Fiona Jones
|
|
2nd
|
Unprecedented
|
Andrew McGrath
|
|
3rd
|
Shimmer
|
Jac & Steve Twentyman
|
Sunday 15th March 2026
COMMUNITY BANK Club Championship Race 7 – PHS, AMS & ORC
|
1st
|
Rawhide
|
Cameron Barwick & Graeme Sergeant |
|
2nd
|
Unprecedented
|
Andrew McGrath
|
|
3rd
|
Shimmer
|
Jac & Steve Twentyman
|
Full weekend results available HERE.
This Week’s Racing - Keelboats
Friday 20th March 2026
Friday Twilight Pursuit Series 2 - Race 7
| Race Start Time | 17.30H Pursuit Start |
| Race Officer | Elaine |
| Duty Boat | Adagio |
| Set Up/Results | Elaine |
Sunday 22nd March 2026
Sunday Summer Series Race 7
|
Race Start Time
|
09.55H Tower start
|
|
Race Officer
|
Tim Bardon
|
|
Duty Boat
|
Cirrus |
|
Set Up/Results
|
Dawn Clark
|
SBSC Navigational Challenge 2026
Ahoy Skippers,
With the inaugural SBSC Navigational Challenge 2026 less than 3 weeks away, it’s time to register for this highlight in the SBSC’s racing calendar. Get your crew onboard, brush up on your navigational skills, stock up on provisions and be ready to release the dock lines. The SBSC Navigational Challenge is an all-day on-water sailing regatta in the southern parts of Port Phillip Bay through the West Channel. Competitors have the option to sail the course clockwise or anticlockwise taking wind and tide into account. Winners will be determined for PHS, ORC and AMS handicap.
Boats are required to meet AS Cat. 5 standards.
Date: Sunday, 29th March 2026
Start Time: 10:00h (first warning signal at 09:55h)
Date: Sunday, 29th March 2026
Start Time: 10:00h (first warning signal at 09:55h)
Please note clause 23.3 of the SI’s specific to the Navigational Challenge Race.
We have invited boats from MYC and BYS to join us for good company and camaraderie on
the water. Don’t leave registration to the last minute!
We have invited boats from MYC and BYS to join us for good company and camaraderie on
the water. Don’t leave registration to the last minute!
BOGAN BINGO IS COMING TO SBSC - THIS IS BINGO LIKE YOU'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED IT BEFORE
Get ready for a night of fun, music, laughs and a unique bingo experience with a cheeky twist. 🎉
Get ready for a night of fun, music, laughs and a unique bingo experience with a cheeky twist. 🎉
This isn’t your nan’s bingo… expect 80s & 90s bangers, outrageous games, air-guitar battles, plenty of banter and absolute chaos run by Adam & his professional team🤘
Come dressed to impress in your best bogan attire — mullets, flanno, leopard print, double denim, all strongly encouraged !
OR just come as yourself, ready for a hilariously good time. Let’s see who ends up being the ultimate bogan bingo champ!
Skippers gather your crew together - OTB sailors create a table, members bring your friends / family for a rip-roaring fun night as we near the end of our 2025-2026 season.
👉 Book your tickets through the link below: Click HERE to book
ORCV
ORCV’s popular annual Rip Tour of Port Phillip Heads will be held on Sunday 22 March, departing Queenscliff at 12 noon. During the tour, a highly experienced navigator provides expert commentary on navigating this gateway, where underwater reefs limit the navigable entrance to just 0.6 nautical miles. Held only once a year, the Rip Tour aims to increase local water knowledge.
Sail in company on the 73rd Apollo Bay Race. The perfect race to come and try ocean sailing. This 52nm Category 3 race features a 6am start and daylight run along the Great Ocean Road, finishing at Apollo Bay, perfect for sailors building offshore experience or stepping beyond the bay. The race often decides the ORCV Coastal Championship and is an ideal race for those new to ocean racing with its shorter length and proximity to the coast.
The West Offshore Coastal Sprint 3 the last in the series, a race which has been designed as short-distance ocean sprints to provide a crew development pathway for longer ocean races and as a stand-alone coastal racing program. This Category 3 race is roughly 15-35nm and aims to have skippers and crew home Saturday evening.
Thank You – Sail Peninsula 2026
As the marquee event on our Safety Beach Sailing Club calendar, Sail Peninsula is much more than a regatta. It is a celebration of all forms of sailing, community and the shared passion that brings sailors together with a common goal — to enjoy great racing, great company, our wonderful club and hospitality, along with the spectacular waters of our bay.
Events of this scale simply do not happen without an enormous amount of commitment, dedication and behind-the-scenes effort, and we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who played a part in making this year such a success. Many people working together is what makes this event possible. (Refer below for a full listing)
The generosity in giving up your time for the club and the sailing community is truly appreciated.
Clubs thrive on volunteer spirit. Volunteers bring not only practical support but also the energy, camaraderie and community connection that make clubs such special places. Through volunteering we build friendships, share knowledge, support the next generation of sailors and create the memorable events that keep our sport vibrant and growing. We absolutely need more of you moving forward & welcome any interested parties onboard to help us with next year’s Sail Peninsula event and other club events and initiatives.
Finally, to everyone who gave of their time, expertise and enthusiasm — thank you. You helped create a fantastic event that showcased our club at its very best.
John Di Martino
Chairperson
Sail Peninsula Committee
SP26 COMMITTEE
John Di Martino (Chairperson), Veronica Psaila, Tim Bardon, Tony Christmas, Geoff Eldridge, John Wemyss, Linda Wooley, Deirdre Snooks Pete Chipperfield, Bill Manning
ON WATER TEAM
Lou Hutton (Assist. R.O.) John Bacon, Deirdre Snooks, Ross Martin, Phil Wooley, Greg Lowe, Simon Haslett, Andrew Taylor, Simon Dryden, Glenda Pillifeant, Keith Bayliss
TOWER TEAM
Geoff Eldridge (P.R.O), Lou Hutton (R.O), Bill Mitchell, Elaine Nicholas, Veronica Psaila, Tim Bardon, Dianne Jackson, Tony Christmas
JURY & PROTEST COMMITTEE
Luke Tupper (Chair),
SP26 GRAPHICS DESIGN, PRINT & VISUALS
Ciaran Snooks
PHOTOGRAPHY & MEDIA BOAT
Vadim & Svetlana (Photographers) Fiona Lowe – Media Boat
PRIZES / SKIPPER POCKET / MERCHANDISE ORGANISATION
Linda Wooley, Veronica Psaila, Di Jackson, Kathy Hudson, Deirdre Snooks,
REGATTA ADMIN. OFFICE
Kathy Hudson, Sherryle Schumacher, Linda Stocks, Deirdre Snooks,
CATERING & EVENT MANAGEMENT
David Snooks & his Team of Chefs & Wait Staff.
OTHER
Di Jackson - For all her behind the scenes admin. work. Mark Lawrence & Neil Whitaker, Fiona Lowe - Bouy/tackle/Fuel organisation Linda Wooley, Greg Lowe, Andy Rentoul – Hoarding Organisation & Construction James Anderson – I.T. & other tasks
Photo of the Week
Junior Training has become very popular with the girls!!!!
What a fantastic and inspirational thing to see so many girls taking an interest in sailing.
L to R: Zara, Ellie, Amber, Evelyn & Audrey
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