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 2024-25 Centreboard Season
Welcome to the 2024-25 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 regattas for the 2024-25 season below. Sync the Centreboard Race Program below with your PC, Phone or Tablet.
The season ahead:
We welcome Mark Dorling as the Rear Commodore of Centreboard. Mark can be contacted at RC.Centreboard@rpayc.com.au
Sunday Schedule
- 12:00 – Volunteer Briefing
- 12:15 – Competitors Briefing at the Centreboard Lawn
- 1:30 – Racing (Up to 3 races)
- 4:30 – Halyards Presentation, Best and Fairest, New Sailor, Slip Up…
Sign ON & Sign 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 the mobile number in the entry before the morning Competitor Briefing (please check your phone number is correct in your entry)
- QR code on the Official Noticeboard
Centreboard 'Icebreaker' Winter Regatta 2024
The ‘Icebreaker’ Winter Regatta is back in 2024 – ENTER NOW!RPAYC welcomes members and guest competitors to enter the 2024 Centreboard ‘Icebreaker’ Winter Regatta, supported by Zhik. 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 & Presentation
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 three (3) 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. Enter early to ensure you receive the up to date Centreboard racing communications! Casual entries must be submitted at least 2 hours before the first scheduled warning signal on each round.
Post race competitors, families and friends are invited back the club house where Halyards Bistro will be open.
Thank you to Zhik Australia for supporting this series! RPAYC members can purchase discounted Zhik products.
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 here via the Volunteer.net portal, or email the Sailing Office.
Calendar of Events
Further Information about RPAYC Centreboard Sailing
Centreboard Boat Racking & Lawn Storage
RPAYC has Centreboard storage for up to 100 centreboard dinghies. The RPAYC prides itself on providing a fun and safe learning environment for budding sailors.
Lease a Club Boat for Training and Racing
Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club has a fantastic initiative allowing members to lease a boat for training or racing. There are a variety of boats available for lease.
Lease a ‘Pacer’ dinghy to take part in the Centreboard Family Division
Lease a ‘Halvorsen’ Optimist dinghy for Junior Centreboard Training and Racing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Interested in racing? Here is some general information to help you get started.
Centreboard Classes Sailed & Pathway
RPAYC welcomes all dinghies off the beach (OTB) to join our Sunday centreboard racing. Youth sailors are afforded the best opportunity to progress their skills and challenge themselves. Likewise, the adult sailors can sail their traditional One Design Classes or step into new and up-and-coming dinghy classes.
Single Handed Classes
- International Optimist (youth up to age 15)
- ILCA 4, formerly Laser 4.7 (youth)
- ILCA 6, formerly Laser Radial (youth & adults)
- ILCA 7, formerly Laser Full (adults)
- Finn (adults)
- RS Aero (youth & adults)
- Windsurfer LT
- WASZP (Foiling, junior, youth and adults )
Double Handed Classes
- Manly Junior (youth up to age 16)
- Flying 11 (youth up to age 18)
- Puffin Pacer (youth & adults)
- 29er (youth up to 21)
- SKUD18
- VxOne
Foiling Classes
- F16/F18 Catamarans (Single & Doublehanded)
- Foiling Windsurfer
Rear Commodore Centreboard & Chair: Mat Butterworth
Volunteer Coordinator: Scott Paulson
Board Liaison: Martin Cross
Class Representatives
Optimist Class Representative: Justin Steele
ILCA Class Representative: Ben Byford
Wazsp Class Representative: Garry Essex
29er Class Representative: Mat Butterworth
Multihulls: Beau White
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.
- Race Officers “RO”
- Committee Boat Driver
- Flag Displayer
- Scribe x 2
- Mark Boat driver & crew x 3
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
Centreboard Regattas at RPAYC
Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club is one of Australia’s premiere dinghy regatta venues.
UPCOMING EVENTS at RPAYC
- FINN NSW Championship, 21-22 September 2024
- VxOne NSW Championship, 14-15 December 2024
- VxOne Australian Championship, January 2025
- HANSE World Championship, March 2025
PREVIOUS EVENTS
