Pittwater came alive on 8–9 March 2025 for the inaugural Pittwater Off The Beach (OTB) Regatta, a fantastic collaboration between Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC), Avalon Sailing Club, and BYRA (Bayview Yacht Racing Association Sailing Club). With 55 boats from a wide range of classes, the weekend showcased the strength and spirit of dinghy sailing in our local sailing community.
Racers from across the three clubs took to the water, from junior and youth sailors to experienced competitors in classes including ILCAs, Manly Juniors, Optimists, O’pen BICs, 29ers, Flying 11s, Waszps, and Multihulls. Pittwater provided perfect conditions, with a consistent 10–15 knot breeze over both days, allowing for competitive and exciting racing across all fleets.
Day 1 kicked off with tactical and fast-paced racing, with sailors taking advantage of the great breeze. Day 2 delivered more of the same, with competitors taking on Races 5, 6, and 7, rounding out an action-packed regatta. The sight of so many dinghies racing together across Pittwater was a true celebration of the sport.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the Pittwater Centreboard Championship Regatta 2025 such a great success. It was fantastic to see Avalon Sailing Club, BYRA, and RPAYC working together to put on a top-tier event. A special thanks to Rear Commodore Centreboard Mark Dorling (RPAYC), Commodore Helena Van de Lind (Avalon SC), and Commodore Leah Singer (BYRA) for all their efforts in making it happen.
A big thanks also to the RPAYC Sailing Office team—Nick Elliott, Andrew Phillips, Brendan Rourke, and Adam Heller—for keeping everything running smoothly. A special mention to our two race officers, Kingsley Forbes Smith (Avalon Sailing Club) and Mark Dorling (RPAYC), who set fantastic courses across both days, ensuring competitive and fair racing for the fleet.
To our volunteers, parents, skippers, crews, and all the sailors, we truly appreciate the time and effort you put in. With such great conditions and a fantastic turnout, this regatta has set the stage for what will hopefully become a new annual highlight on the Pittwater sailing calendar.
We’re already looking forward to next year, building on the teamwork between our clubs, and making the Pittwater OTB Regatta 2026 even bigger and better!