Centreboard Racing

CENTREBOARD

Welcome to the Alfreds

Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club

Welcome to the home of RPAYC Centreboard (OTB)

Come join the fun with RPAYC’s centreboard division. Meet new families, make new friends and enjoy the excitement of the weekly racing competition.

RPAYC offers the best facility for dinghy racing on Pittwater for all ages, and classes in a welcoming friendly atmosphere. RPAYC centreboard promotes community participation, inclusion and cohesion, and provides a range of classes (inc mixed) and skill based divisions to suit everyone from first time sailors, to kids, youth, adults and those future Olympians.

There is a range of boats that sail from entry level Optimists, Manly Juniors, Skiffs to foiling high speed performance Waszp and Multihulls. 

Whether you are looking for social sailing or white-knuckle thrill rides there is a Class here at RPAYC for you.

Zhik Centreboard Season 2023-24

Welcome to the 2023-24 Zhik Centreboard Sailing Season! Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club is proud to to welcome the support of Zhik Australia as the naming sponsor of Centreboard Racing. 

Racing is held for Centreboard ‘off the beach’ classes on Sunday afternoons, with a competitor briefing at 12:15 PM, and the first warning signal at 1:30 PM.

View the schedule of dates for racing and training for the 2023-24 season HERE. Sync the Centreboard Race Program below with your PC, Phone or Tablet.

As a pathway into club racing a new Junior Training & Race Coaching program has been developed for sailors transitioning out of the Tackers Learn to Sail Program and into a single or doublehanded class.

How to enter Centreboard Racing...

RPAYC uses SailSys as the entry management system. The Skipper of a boat, or the nominated person in charge, is responsible for enterinng their boat into races and Series’. 

There are three (3) Series throughout the 2023-24 Zhik Centreboard Season, in addition to non-pointscore races. Each series requires a seperate entry to participate. 

  • Zhik Spring Series (Oct-Dec)
  • Zhik Summer Series (Feb-Apr)
  • Zhik Club Championship (Nov-Mar)

Casual Entry – Per Round
If you wish to enter racing on a round-by-round basis, please submit a Casual Online entry for the date you intend to race. Casual entries must be submitted three (3) hours before racing. 

RSVP to the annual Centreboard Presentation - 28 April

Centreboard 'Icebreaker' Winter Regatta 2024

The ‘Icebreaker’ series is back in 2024! 
RPAYC welcomes members and guest competitors to enter the 2024 Centreboard ‘Icebreaker’ Winter Regatta. This year, the series will be held over four (4) rounds on the following dates:

  • Sunday 12 May – Round 1
  • Sunday 16 June – Round 2
  • Sunday 14 July – Round 3
  • Sunday 11 August – Round 4

Racing is held for Centreboard ‘off the beach’ classes on Sunday mornings, to take advantage of the crisp morning land breeze! Competitor briefing will be held at 8:00 AM, and the first warning signal at 9:00 AM. Up to four (4) races are scheduled for each round. 

Sailors can enter the full Regatta (4 rounds), or submit a casual entry on a round-by-round basis. Entries for the Regatta Pointscore close on 16 June. Enter early to ensure you receive the up to date Centreboard racing communications!

Competitor Sign ON & OFF (Mandatory)

Competitors are reminded that they are responsible to SIGN ON before, and SIGN OFF after, racing each day. The link to Sign ON/OFF will be available via:

  • SMS sent to Series Entrants before the morning Competitor Briefing (please check your phone number is correct in your entry)
  • QR code on the Official Noticeboard
  • The list of links below, and in the Sailing Instructions. 
Volunteers needed!

Volunteering is a key part of the club spirit at RPAYC with every competitor contributing to weekly racing management requirements throughout the season and Winter racing. Each round, the club needs volunteers to fulfil race management roles including Race Officer, Start Boat assistants (flags, timer & sounds, scribing finishing boats), support boat drivers & crew (safety & mark laying support). 

If you are available to volunteer, please register via the Volunteer.net portal, or email the Sailing Office. 

Volunteering

The Club’s Centreboard sailing program continues to excel with the enthusiasm and commitment of our volunteers. The ability to continue to deliver a first-class and diverse sailing program depends very much on the assistance and support of volunteers.

Whether volunteering on water or on land, there is a task for you. Express your interest volunteer via the registration form. 

Calendar of Events

Centreboard Volunteer & Race Management Training

Sunday 21 January 2024: 12 PM to 3 PM

Centreboard sailors, parents and volunteers are invited to join an afternoon of Volunteer & Race Management Training on Sunday 21 January 2024. The purpose of the Volunteer & Race Management training day is to develop our Centreboard Racing volunteers to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively conduct racing each week. The training will focus on maintaining a high level of on water safety and incident management processes, as well as how to be prepared to deliver a high standard of racing for participating members.

The Centreboard Volunteer & Race Management training will start at 12pm, with a combination of on shore and on water activities. Following the sessions, there will be a social BBQ at 3pm for all attendees.

Please register your attendance, and provide your up to date qualifications and contact details, via the following link:

Training will include:

  • Introduction of Centreboard Sailing representatives & Sailing Office contacts
  • Volunteer roles & opportunities
  • Child protection policies & procedures
  • Race day preparation & checklists
  • On water race management & safety considerations
  • Safety boat operation & use of RPAYC vessels & equipment
Become a Centreboard Volunteer!