Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

More join party for Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta

by Di Pearson / AWKR media 14 May 05:25 UTC 6-9 June 2025
Vertigo, Clockwork, No Mans Land in 2024 during the Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta © Andrea Francolini / AWKR

Eighteen entries representing Queensland, Northern Territory, South Australia, NSW and Victoria have so far been received for the 2025 Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta (AWKR), Australia's premier all-women sailing regatta, to be staged on Port Phillip over the King's Birthday weekend from 6-9 June.

"We're pleased with the entries received to-date and there are more on the way," promises Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron's (RMYS) event Chairwoman, Monica Jones, who is confident up to 40 boats will take part in the country's oldest and premier women's keelboat regatta.

Two entries have been received from the Northern Territory. Fiona McManus and her crew will again sail the S80, Mood Indigo, kindly loaned by Melburnian Keith Chatto.

"I've been doing the regatta for around 11 years now, " McManus says. "I just love it. It's such a great experience to be competing nationally in a bigger boat. I love the S80 and the one-design sailing. It's such a great opportunity for us in the Northern Territory. The fellows in Melbourne are generous to loan us their boat.

McManus says, "It's exciting have two entries coming down. Outlaw is going to be co-skippered by Jo Barrkman and Tash Bramble. They've both sailed with me before, but this is the first time skippering at the regatta for both.

"There is great enthusiasm at the regatta and we'll be there a couple of days beforehand for a bit of a shakedown. We're really looking forward to it again."

Both crews are representing Darwin Sailing Club, so good in-house competition is expected between them and the other S80s.

Claire Heenan is returning from NSW to sail Jungle Juice, the Adams 10 she won Division 1 with last year, kindly loaned to her again by Janet Dean, a past RMYS Commodore.

Victoria is, of course, well represented, including some new skippers. Wendy Ludwick will be at the helm of the Cavalier 350 Siren, while Ciara Earley will helm Jacobina, the Jutson 950 she owns with her husband, John Rea.

"I've been doing the Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta for years. I did my first in 2007 and I did it on Jacobina last year, but Sabina Rosser was helming. This is my first year helming the boat," said Earley, who sometimes steers it in club races.

"The regatta is a lot of fun. It's a good opportunity to sail with a bunch of women who are friends and it's quite competitive as well," Earley finishes.

Apart from competitive sailing, the AWKR is renowned for its social side. Breakfast is available on site every race day. And post sailing is a free sausage sizzle with a drink.

The Briefing Night, which kicks off proceedings, also doubles as a perfect opportunity for networking and building connections within the sailing community before the racing starts.

Saturday 7 June is the official crew dinner at RMYS and bookings are essential. Sunday is the Boat Buoy Yard Party and guarantees music, fun, a sausage sizzle and drinks. Monday is farewell, with the Presentation and a celebration of the regatta.

Jones is the event, is also excited to announce, "Two new sponsors have signed up for our event; Yacht Racing Services Association (YRSA) in Victoria, a body that provides yacht rating services and joining them is Quest St Kilda Bayside Hotel.

"In welcoming the new sponsors, who join a throng of returning sponsors, Jones thanked all for their generosity "in supporting our fantastic event: Rothwell Lawyers; Melbourne Debt Collectors; Polished Brands; Boating Central; Wine By Sam; Doyle Sails; Bruise-eze and Jimmy Rum."

The AWKR is open to all women, from professionals to novices. Age is no barrier either and organisers at RMYS are looking forward to welcoming all participants to the 33rd AWKR.

A regular competitor herself, Jones said, "We're expecting up to 40 boats and 300 competitors this year. Apart from the usual fleet racing, ideally we will have S80, J24, Adams 10 and Trailable divisions, depending on numbers.

"For those who can, we would love for people to bring their own boats too," comments Jones, who says loan boats will again be available to those who are unable to bring their own.

"It's a unique feature of our regatta and we thank all those boat owners who help in this regard. We also thank the volunteer Boat Buoys who help out with repairs every year."

On the racing side, Jones says, "It will be as competitive as ever and we are working hard to make sure the social aspect is a memorable one for everyone again too."

The camaraderie is a standout at the AWKR, only second to the racing. It is among the reasons many make an effort to come back.

Dinner is available at RMYS the evening before racing starts and there is a crew dinner on Saturday night. The prize-giving will be held on Monday afternoon. A free sausage sizzle and drinks held post racing each day at the Club's 'Boat Buoys BBQ', is a perfect time for old and new friends to catch up and to discuss the day's racing.

There is a Crew Dinner on Saturday 7 June, but online bookings at the official site are essential, as numbers are limited. Sunday is the Boat Buoy Yard Party and Monday evening is the Presentation before the regatta wraps up for another year.

Trophies are awarded to the various winners, with prizes for Novice Helm; Most Improved Over the Series; Sportsmanship; Rohan Brownlee Leadership and Endeavour Award and Best Performed Owner/Skipper.

If you are looking for crew or would like to crew, please go to: www.awkr.com.au/crew-noticeboard or email: awkr@rmys.com.au or phone (03) 9534-0227.

There is a place for everyone from novices up to professionals at the AWKR, so don't wait, enter online now at: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1355039

List of entries: www.topyacht.com.au/db/kb2/1858

Notice of Race and all other information: www.awkr.com.au.

Related Articles

Hover Rig: The finesse tactic you need now
Throw in a heavy dose of fishing pressure, and you have the recipe for disaster It's great when you flip a dock, laydown, or grass point and you immediately feel that hammer fall. Likewise, frogging's repetitive monotony becomes well worth the effort when that cannonball explosion shatters the stillness. Posted today at 4:57 am
Helping boaters steer clear of common mistakes
Veteran Sea Tow® captains share their tips Boating season is already in full throttle, and Sea Tow®, recognized throughout the marine industry as Your Road Service at Sea®, is proud to offer boating tips to avoid some of the most common mistakes seen on the water. Posted on 24 Jul
TATULA is Tops at ICAST 2025
All out with the new 23 model lineup of cork handle bass rods DAIWA goes all out with new 23 model lineup of 2025 TATULA cork handle bass rods and wins coveted Best Freshwater Rod at ICAST 2025. Posted on 24 Jul
Owner shares why he loves his WorldCat 325DC
Chuck highlights the unique experiences and cherished moments created Embark on the adventures of Chuck Smith, proud owner of the WorldCat 325DC. In this short testimonial, Chuck shares the joys of sandbar outings, fishing escapades, and family travels made possible by the versatility of the 325DC. Posted on 23 Jul
Marine Auctions: July Online Auctions
Bidding to start 24th July and will end 30 July We are now accepting entries for our August Online Auction. Posted on 22 Jul
Mercury Marine expands V10 Verado lineup
With all-new 425hp outboard and enhanced 350hp model Mercury Marine today announced the latest expansion of its award-winning Verado® outboard lineup with the introduction of the all-new V10 425hp Verado outboard and a performance enhanced version of the V10 350hp Verado outboard. Posted on 22 Jul
The after party starts now!
Prestige have already given us two instalments of their M-Line, and now here is the third Prestige have already given us two instalments of their M-Line, and now here is the third - M7 Posted on 21 Jul
Lowrance software update offers new features
New Trolling Motor features, Live Sonar enhancement Lowrance®, a world-leader in fishing electronics, today announced the release of software update 25.2, which is packed with innovative trolling motor features, significant enhancements to ActiveTarget® 2, and expanded third-party integrations. Posted on 16 Jul
DAIWA: Humbled and Honored
Carey Graves accepts Executive Officer role with parent company Globeride, Inc. American DAIWA Corp. President Carey Graves accepts Executive Officer role with parent company Globeride, Inc. Posted on 16 Jul
Lowrance® unveils Ghost® X Trolling Motor
Effortless positioning for a perfect cast every time Lowrance®, a world-leader in fishing electronics, today announced the Ghost® X 47-inch trolling motor, designed for freshwater and featuring an enhanced precision directional indicator, increased power, and the quietest motor yet. Posted on 16 Jul
Maritimo M50Palm Beach Motor Yachts