Below is Commodore Robert McClelland’s reflection on the year
Another remarkable year for RPAYC.
• Membership remained stable despite a challenging environment for many clubs and sporting organisations.
• RPAYC was awarded NSW Club of the Year.
• We successfully hosted major national and international events including:
– Hansa and Para World Championships (17 nations represented)
– Pittwater Regatta (88 boats)
– International Youth Match Racing Championship
– ORC NSW Championships
– International 5.5 Metre National Championship
Across the Club, participation remained strong:
• Etchells
• VX One
• 11 Metres
• ORC fleets
• Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday racing
• SOPS
• Blue Water sailing
• Cruising
• Centreboard and foiling classes
The Pittwater Regatta continues to grow and is now firmly established as one of Australia’s premier mixed-fleet regattas. Women’s sailing continues to go from strength to strength, celebrating the 30th anniversary of Women’s Twilight Sailing this year.
EXCELLENCE IN SAILING
RPAYC continues to produce sailors and teams performing at the highest level.
Highlights include:
• Katie Pellew and seven fellow RPAYC members selected in the Australian team for the New York Yacht Club Invitational Women’s Event.
• John Bacon’s international success in the 5.5 Metre class.
• Louis Tilley’s continuing achievements in the WASZP class.
• Jenny Danks and Lyndall Patterson’s success at the ILCA Masters World Championships.
• Multiple youth sailors selected to represent Australia internationally in Optimists, 420s and Youth Match Racing.
One of the great strengths of RPAYC is that we provide a pathway from Learn to Sail through to World Championships and international competition. Very few clubs anywhere in the world can genuinely make that claim.
VOLUNTEERS – THE HEART OF THE CLUB
More than 200 volunteers now contribute across RPAYC.
They serve on:
• The Board
• Committees
• Race Management Teams
• Protest Committees
• Heritage
• Audit & Risk
• Maintenance & Development
• Centreboard
• Cruising
• Sailing and Club events
Nothing significant happens at RPAYC without volunteers.
Special acknowledgement is due to:
• Frank Walker – Volunteer of the Year
• Julia Hornsby – RPAYC Volunteer of the Year and Australian Sailing Volunteer of the Year
• Ted Anderson – Life Membership recognition for a lifetime of service to the Club
LOOKING BACK ON THREE YEARS
When I became Commodore in July 2023, our objective was simple:
To strengthen the foundations of the Club for future generations.
Over the past three years we have:
• Established the Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race.
• Successfully hosted the Hansa and Para World Championships.
• Continued the growth of the Pittwater Regatta.
• Advanced plans for the Lord Howe Island Ocean Race.
• Submitted a bid for a World Team Racing Championship.
• Strengthened relationships with clubs around Australia and internationally.
• Undertaken significant strategic and cultural planning.
• Improved integration across sailing, cruising, centreboard, marina and clubhouse activities.
• Continued investment in our facilities and infrastructure.
• Built a strong and productive partnership between the Board, management, staff and volunteers.
Most importantly, we have continued to build a stronger sense of community and belonging throughout the Club.
LOOKING FORWARD
Next year RPAYC celebrates 160 years. Think about that for a moment. In 1867, a group of sailors gathered together and decided to form a yacht club. They could never have imagined what stands here today. A world-class sailing and boating facility, recognised nationally and internationally, built on the efforts of generations of members and volunteers.
For 160 years RPAYC has been much more than buildings, marinas and boats.
It is the friendships.
It is the families.
It is the volunteers.
It is the competitors.
It is the cruisers.
It is the people.
That spirit remains as strong today as it was in 1867. And that gives me great confidence for the future of our Club.
Commodore,
Robert McClelland