Off The Beach News
OTB Season 2026/7 Planning, have your say 28th August!
G’day, I somehow find myself elevated to the role of OTB Club Captain for the upcoming season and I need your help! Thanks to our past glorious leader’s efforts there are high expectations so planning is already underway.
Bill Manning has drafted up a calendar and Mark Lawrence has all the rescue boat servicing in hand but there is still a lot more to be worked out. So, I’m inviting everyone to an informal meeting at the Club 5:30PM on Friday the 28th August to discuss any ideas people have for the season ahead. Nothing is off the table, “Don’t bring an umbrella to a brainstorm” as Ted Lasso would say.
Do we want 2 or 3 races per day?
What division should each class sail in?
How best to encourage new juniors?
Should we have a floating kiosk/bar at the finish line for between-race refreshments?
If you can’t make the meeting feel free to send me your ideas beforehand.
Another thing I need you all to do is LET ME KNOW ANY DATES YOU DON’T WANT TO BE ROSTERED ON DUTY FOR ASAP! I’ll give you all only few days to get back to me so do don’t delay.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or text 0427 984 767
Looking forward to a great season, Ewan
The Executive Committee for Season 2026/2027 is as follows....
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Commodore
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John Wemyss
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Vice Commodore
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Ross Martin
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Rear Commodore
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vacant |
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Secretary
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Amanda Malin
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Treasurer
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vacant |
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General / Sailing
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Bill Manning
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General / Training
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Fiona Lowe
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General
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Grace Lazzar
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General / Security
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James Anderson
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General
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Jonathan Embrey
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General
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Linda Wooley
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Memberships
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Mark McAuliffe
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General / IT
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Neil Whitaker
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The newly elected Executive Committee held their first meeting last night. It was an informal meeting where Commodore John Wemyss gave a power point presentation on what the previous committee had been working on, to bring the current committee up to speed. The meeting touched on idea's that we would like to pursue this season and the role each executive member will play in making the most of our time on the committee. John Wemyss is away until 16th September. The next meeting will be held on 8th September, chaired by Vice Commodore Ross Martin. If there is a matter you would like the Committee to consider or discuss at our next meeting, please contact our Secretary, Amanda by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. She will ensure your enquiry is forwarded to the appropriate Committee member for review and discussion at the meeting.
Keelboat News
Lipton Cup
Entries are now open for the 2026 Lipton Cup Regatta. This year it is easier than ever for sailors to get involved, with FREE entry for all competitors and FREE berthing all weekend for visiting boats.
The regatta gets underway with our Invitational Twilight Race on Friday evening before two days of racing across Saturday and Sunday. Off the water, we've put together a strong social program featuring live music, pop-up bars, and great food and drink specials, making it a fantastic weekend for competitors, crews, families and supporters alike.
It would be great to see some of our yachts head up to the north end of the bay to represent SBSC at the Lipton Cup Regatta
Weighing Day
Sandringham Yacht Club will be conducting a weighing day on Sunday, 20th September 2026, from 9 am for boats that wish to obtain or update their measurement ratings certificates - AMS, ORC and IRC. In keeping with our usual practice, this day will be conducted by volunteers for the benefit of boat owners on Port Phillip.
The cost of the weighing will be $475 per boat.
We weigh all boats in their "empty" configuration, which means the IRC and ORC weights are provided. The AMS weight is the empty weight plus the weight of the AMS permitted gear, which is weighed separately in a basket on the club crane.
Please call Lowa on 0408 400 278 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any queries or would like to make a booking.
Hamilton Island Race Week 2026
As the event is still in progress, I don't have an official report yet. Here is a photo of Vincitore and crew supplied by Jann Wilson.
Please Support Me
For those that don’t know, I’ll be walking from Brisbane to Melbourne on August 24th this year. Four years ago I undertook a walk from Melbourne to Sydney with the aim of making the 900km distance in 16 days and I’m proud to say I made it, walking an average of 57km a day. I was tired but my body and legs felt I had more to give and it was about a year later that decided to double the distance and walk Brisbane to Melbourne, 1800km in 30 days. Now the maths isn’t hard, but that’s 60km per day! Of course there’s no point in achieving something extraordinary if it has no purpose, so I’ve teamed up with an organisation called “Challenge”, a cancer support network. I have been doing catering work for these guys for 28 years and once a month my business, donates a meal for the parents to come off the ward and take a break with other parents living a cancer journey, giving them space to talk and enjoy a home cooked meal in the confines of the hospital, whilst their children are taken care of by Challenge volunteers. A couple of Safety Beach members have been through the Challenge program. Challenge provide support for families enduring a cancer journey, they look after not only the patient but the siblings and parents also. They do this by providing a weekend away at one of their many donated properties, hospital visits by celebrities, a massage at the Challenge House retreat, a dad’s fishing day, home help and
many camps for the kids, to name a few.
To run these programs, Challenge requires the funds to continue this valuable work. This is an organisation that is at the forefront of care for families. They are always recognising new ways to help, when others give up. David Rogers OAM has been a tireless leader of the organisation for over 30 years and has been recognised for his tireless commitment to the families that enter the hospital and inevitably, Challenge programs.
So, I will be walking for these families that are going through the program now and for those who are to come. I’m asking my fellow members to support me in any way you can by donating to my walk. My goal is $50,000. I also ask that you follow my progress via Instagram or facebook @walk4challenge. Your support will mean a lot to me as I endure some pretty trying hours on the long road to Melbourne and ask that if you’re able, come and cheer me home on the 22nd of August at Challenge House, 329 Kings Way, West Melbourne at 4.00pm (my scheduled arrival time).
To donate, I’ve added my donation page link below.
You can also follow me on Strava at Walk for Challenge
Warmest Regards,
Andrew Martin (Mono)
ORCV News
Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster
Entries are now open for the 2026 Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster, a blue-water ocean classic with more than 50 years of history and the highest-ranking race in the ORCV Offshore Championship. The 435NM course takes the fleet across Bass Strait, south along Tasmania's rugged and remote West Coast — a true test of strategy and seamanship for full crew, 4+ autohelm, and double handed boats alike. Join the legacy of more than 900 yachts and 7,000 crew members who've made this passage.
Click here for more details and to enter the race.
Winter Training Courses
The ORCV Winter Training Courses are still open for bookings. Winter is a great time to top up knowledge and get ready for the next season.
Photo of the Week
Josh Brauckmann, Mika Robinson and John Wemyss sailing on 11.11 during their ORCV Brighton - Geelong Race.
Submissions
If you wish to contribute anything to the Enews, please submit your content to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Tuesday 8pm each week to make the deadline. Please note submissions may need to pass through Executive Committee for approval from time to time. Love photography? Submit your Photo of the Week to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in high res, (and it does not have to be about sailing). Follow us on our socials: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Spotted a mistake or omission from the newsletter.......please let Fiona know as soon as possible to rectify immediately!
