Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Rob Brewer as Head Coach, joining our accomplished Sailing Team. Rob has an impressive background in competitive sailing and coaching, having represented Australia at numerous World Championships and been a part of the AIS/YA Olympic Athlete Program in the 470 Class.

Rob’s commitment to the sport extends beyond competition; he has served on various club and class association committees and was a Vice President on the board of Yachting NSW. He holds the prestigious position of World Champions Coach for the Australian International Optimist Dinghy Association (AIODA). Most recently, Rob was awarded the 2024 Australian Sailing NSW/ACT Coach of the Year, a notable recognition.

A longtime member of RPAYC, Rob has been an invaluable contributor, particularly in his role as coach for the Youth Development Keelboat Program. Over the past three years, Rob has inspired young sailors aged 15 to 23, helping them to deepen their passion for sailing and explore career opportunities within the marine industry.

Beyond his coaching duties, Rob has provided invaluable hands-on experience by inviting youth sailors to compete aboard his yacht, Coyote, a Young 88, as part of RPAYC’s yachting program. A recent highlight was Rob skippering Coyote with a Youth Development crew in the Pittwater Regatta, which also served as the NSW ORC Championship, giving these sailors their first taste of coastal and passage racing.

As Head Coach, Rob will focus on developing and implementing a comprehensive range of coaching programs, from introductory sailing courses to high-performance regatta preparation. He aims to attract new young members to RPAYC and maximise the club’s offerings. Rob will also mentor our team of casual instructors, ensuring consistent, high-quality delivery of sailing courses and enhancing pathways into club racing programs and regattas.

Rob will continue to drive the highly successful Youth Development Program, guiding the next generation of exceptional sailors. “My passion is to see the development of our sport. It is my vision to see sailors given direction and support as they strive to become the best sailors they can be,” Rob said.

Please join us in congratulating Rob on his new role. We look forward to him continuing to inspire and develop sailors at RPAYC.