Opening Day 2026
RPAYC officially welcomed the new sailing season with a fantastic Opening Day celebration, with members and guests beginning to arrive from 11am to enjoy a day of sailing, festivities, and plenty of fun on the water.
The celebrations began with Commodore Julia Hornsby welcoming everyone and delivering her opening address, before this year’s Volunteer of the Year, Frank Walker, fired the cannon to officially mark the occasion. Greg Dunstan, 2025 -2026 Clubman of the Year, then broke out the flag, signalling that it was time for Sailors to head out onto the water for the Sail Past. During the Sail Past, each vessel presented its crew for a hail to the Club and offered the traditional salute, which was received by the Commodore
There was plenty of colour and creativity on display as crews dressed up and decorated their boats for the occasion. The Sail Past was followed by the Pittwater Dash, giving crews the chance to put their boats and crew to the test in a spirited race on the water.
Back at the Club, crews and members settled in for a buffet BBQ while the celebrations continued. The kids were kept entertained with face painting and balloon twisting, while the DJ provided the soundtrack for the afternoon.
The day wrapped up with the presentation of the Pittwater Dash results and the Best-Dressed Boat prize, celebrating the crews who brought their competitive spirit and creativity to Opening Day.
Best-Dressed Boat:
Jack and his crew of Minions
Opening Day Pittwater Dash Results:
PHS
1st – RPAYC Elliott 5 (Youth Development) – Sailing Office
2nd – Maggie – Phillip Malcolm
3rd – Black Flag Racing – Black Flag Syndicate
ORC
1st – Gezzabelle – Allen Stormon
2nd – Condor – Ross Hennessy
3rd – Organised Chaos – Garry Gudmunson
Scratch
1st – Condor – Ross Hennessy
2nd – Quantock – David Hobbs
3rd – Windy Too – Carl Russett
It was a fantastic way to kick off the 2026/27 sailing season, bringing members, families and crews together to celebrate another year on the water.
Centreboard at the heart of the action on Opening Day
After the Ceremony of the opening day speech, the breaking of the flag and the firing of the cannon, Centreboard sailors went on to exercise all of their options as part of the club’s Opening day. Centreboard sailors took part in the sail-by salute and racing in the Pittwater Dash in many different capacities.
The Centreboardfleet in the Dash was won by Jan Scholten’s. Congratulations.
Many thanks to the Youth Development programme, which proudly paraded the Centreboard class flags and the first of the Elliots being towed through the salute. Congratulations to Dan Kemp and team, who beat all comers by then going on to win the Pittwater dash overall.
