Balmain Regatta October 26: A great event - NOR
Balmain Sailing Club will again be holding one of Australia's oldest sailing regattas - the annual Balmain Regatta - an event for sailors, friends and family on Sunday, October 26.
'Classic yachts and dinghies are a key element of the Balmain Regatta.'
Jon Evans Photos Afloat
As with previous Balmain Regattas, the event incorporates a full day of sailing and boating fun, including classic skiff races, along with tender, dinghy, classic and modern yacht races.
In addition, crews representing Balmain's local pubs and services will be racing on BSC yachts, while entertainment will be provided at the club throughout the day.
Entry is open to anyone with a yacht or dinghy who would like to race in a historic event where the emphasis is on having fun. In addition to Balmain Sailing Club entries, boats representing surrounding clubs are encouraged to participate, with an inter-club challenge in the dinghy fleet.
The Balmain Sailing Club also welcomes family, friends and visitors to join in the activities at the club during the day, with the small waterfront park next door making a great picnic area
Food and beverages will be made available throughout the day, thanks to support from the event's sponsors.
The regatta initially started in 1849 and was run continuously up until the outbreak of the First World War.
It is one of the oldest regattas in Australia and in recent years has become a celebration of Balmain, the club's connection to Sydney Harbour, the boating industry, and its members' love of sailing that remains today within the community.
The event attracts over 150 vessels on the water, making it one of the great annual spectacles around Balmain. The 2008 Balmain Regatta will feature a number of races and events throughout the day including:
? Parade of Dressed Boats between Cockatoo Island and the Balmain/Birchgrove foreshore, with prizes for the best-dressed boats
? The local Pub Challenge, with Balmain pubs sponsoring and providing crew for various yachts provided and skippered by BSC members
? The Services Cup, with local Police, Fire, Ambulance and Water Police challenging each other on BSC members' boats
? Local putt-putt motor boats race and display
? Vintage skiff racing
? Vintage wooden yachts, including vessels from the Australian Maritime Museum
? Modern yachts, in three separate divisions
? Modern dinghies (including Inter-club challenges)
? Tender races - which aim to engage youngsters and the local community while the fleet racing is happening
? A demonstration of radio-controlled yacht racing.
In addition to the racing on the water, BSC volunteers and sponsors will combine to ensure that a wide selection of food and beverages are available throughout the day.
The event also features an entertainment program for both landlubbers and sailors throughout the day.
The regatta's aim is to encourage community spirit, and raise funds and awareness for Sailability NSW and the Balmain Sailing Club.
BSC is also seeking sponsors, promoters and possible suppliers of products that it can auction off or supply as prizes on the day.
www.balmainsailingclub.com.au
by Spitfire Communications 
Merimbula, NSW
