Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo M75

Single Handed Regatta at Big River Sailing Club

by Hariet Woodrow 1 Nov 2024 07:50 UTC 26-27 October 2024
Single Handed Regatta at Big River Sailing Club © Big River Sailing Club

Tucked away in the cane fields on the northern bank of the Clarence River at Harwood, Northern NSW, lies the beautifully groomed parkland and grounds of the Big River Sailing Club.

The river is wide and clear, easy to rig and launch, camping and catering on site, it's an easy destination event where the "after sailing" is a big part of the story.

As the secret seeps out the club regattas are becoming increasingly popular. The Single Handed regatta on 26/27 October, (for monohulls with a yardstick over 105) attracted 62 entrants.

Dominant classes of Impulse, Finn, ILCA 6, and Sabre, plus 2 miscellaneous divisions including ILCA 7 and 4.7, Scow Moth, RS100, and OK dinghy rounded out the senior fleet. Encouragingly, five Sabots from the Northern Zone (Coffs Harbour) also completed the races on a smaller inner course. Great to see the Coffs folks fostering the next generation into the sport!

Competitors travelled in from Sydney, Lake Macquarie, Tweed heads, Brisbane and Sunshine Coast.

An unseasonably cold SE'er greeted the early arrivals on Friday, with everyone scrambling for jackets and warm gear, and that continued into Saturday.

Racing kicked off at 1.30 in 8 - 10 knots with gusts above, but while wind strength was ideal, it was shifty! The race track was busy and the competition lively. Lots of hero to zero and back again tales recounted around the tables over the "club dinner".

The start and finish and most of the course can be watched from the clubhouse deck, so family and friends get to see all the action at close quarters.

Sunday's forecast looked fairly sketchy so the race committee got 4 races away on Saturday to constitute a series. Just as well as it turned out that the wind disappeared with the cold weather, no sailing was to be had on Sunday.

The club holds its next event, the Bridge to Breakers Regatta on the 9th/10th November with the 70 boat limit fully subscribed. This is an "all boats" event with a river passage marathon race on Saturday and 2 or 3 shorter "long course" races Sunday.

The Clarence River will again be spectacular sight with the colour of Trailer Sailer, Sports boats, and Skiffs kites, the raw speed of A class cats, and everything in between on display.

Visiting sailors and spectators are always welcome, with club sailing every Saturday August to April. Check us out!

Results for all divisions, and loads of photos here

Related Articles

Fishing: Patterning brown bass
Post-spawn through summer smallies Whitewater Fishing B.A.S.S. tournament pro, Alex Redwine, talks fishing the transition period Posted on 26 Jun
2025 Bahamas Fly-fishing Tournament Series
Anglers to compete across some of The Bahamas' top bonefishing spots The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation announced the launch of Bonefishing Tournament Series that will showcase diverse pristine flats across four islands - Grand Bahama, Andros, Eleuthera and the championship round will be held in Exuma Posted on 20 Jun
Mote leads seagrass restoration initiative
Florida legislature establishes the Seagrass Restoration Technology Development Initiative Seagrasses play a crucial role in the health and resilience of Florida's coastal ecosystems. They provide nursery habitats for keystone species and stabilize shorelines and sediments. Posted on 20 Jun
Maritimo M50 Flybridge & S60 Sedan Video
We speak to Maritimo's Neil McCabe & Phil Candler We talked to Neil McCabe, Maritimo's Design Office Manager, and Phil Candler, Maritimo's General Manager Operations, to find out more about the M50 Flybridge and S60 Sedan during the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. Posted on 17 Jun
“I'm living my dad's dream”
Carl made sure to provide young Kyle the chance to be a seasoned pond hopper Carl Cortiana is about to turn 70, but he still remembers the days four decades ago when he'd cast a practice plug across the living room floor and his toddler son, Kyle, now a highly accomplished Vexus pro on the MLF Toyota Series. Posted on 14 Jun
Stories From The Salt - Ep.6
Insights from PENN's top anglers Whether you're a passionate saltwater angler who eagerly dedicates every spare moment to being out on the water, or you simply enjoy watching the techniques and experiences of others, we invite you to anchor up and learn some valuable insights Posted on 14 Jun
Bulwarks and Bulldust – watch Episode Six
Episode Six is now live - Are boat shows still relevant? Episode Six - asks the question, 'Are boat shows still Relevant?' We also offer some thoughts on changes and updates. The final episode of Series One is now live Posted on 13 Jun
Scania, Viking showcase renewable diesel
Mack Attack shows outstanding efficiency without compromise in performance of Scania V8 Engines Scania, one of the world's leading manufacturers of engines, announced today the successful demonstration of the performance and viability of renewable marine diesel fuel in a Viking 48 Convertible powered by twin Scania 1,150 HP DI16-liter V8 engines. Posted on 10 Jun
Sportfishing industry applauds decision by NOAA
Elimination of proposed South Atlantic bottomfishing closure The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries withdrew the proposed bottomfishing closure from Amendment 59 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic. Posted on 10 Jun
Marine Auctions: June online auctions
Bidding to open on Friday 20th June The Bidding for the June Online Auction will commence on Thursday 20th June and will end on Thursday 26th June at 2pm AEST. Posted on 7 Jun
Palm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo M50