The 2024 South Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta (SAWKR) was held over three days from 5-7 October 2024, hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia (CYCSA) in partnership with Port Adelaide Sailing Club (PASC) and the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron (RSAYS).
RPAYC Sailor Belinda Parkes headed off to the regatta to compete with a team she was yet to meet!
Belinda joined as crew on School’s Out, a Bavaria 40 Cruiser, skippered by Sue Burke (CYCSA) and was introduced to her new crew mates, who were also new to each other, through the Sailing Women’s Network (SWN), an initiative to “Inspire, Connect & Empower”.
SAWKR organisers also offer the opportunity to be connected with a crew, offering an individual entry option, increasing opportunities to participate by removing the obstacle of having to already be a member of a female crew. With over 200 sailors having participated in SAWKR in the last 3 years, this inclusive approach looks to be paying off.
The first day of the regatta on water was a challenging start, with 28 knots and very lumpy seas which saw School’s Out retire during race 1, unable to return for race 2, with three crew taken sick.
Day 2 wind was much lighter, registering a nice 15 knots. School’s Out sailed the full 3 races and ended the day with a podium finish – 3rd place in race 3.
“We have come a long way since we all first met and practiced on Friday on a boat we’d never sailed on before,” Belinda commented in the lead up to the final day which forecasted lighter wind again, with one longer race planned.
Schools Out finished the regatta in 7th place (PHS), and the sailing for Belinda doesn’t end there! On her way back to Pittwater, Belinda has another race event in Victoria, which when added to her list of events over the past 12 months of sailing, will see her having competed in every state across Australia. Quite an epic achievement for someone who is relatively new to sailing, and a demonstration of Belinda’s passion that has grown in such a short time.
Are you looking to Crew? The Alfred’s offer opportunities for sailors looking to connect and participate in racing. There is regular club racing on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with Women’s Tuesday Twilights (Commencing 15 October) and Thursday Twilights (commencing 17 October). The Alfred’s host regular crew match evenings, with the next one scheduled for 10 October. All sailors are welcome to attend with plenty of skippers looking for crew – come along and let us match you with a boat and get you out on Pittwater. Register HERE