Whitsunday Sailing Club - an excellent racing venue

2:14 AM Mon 5 Oct 2009 GMT

'Whitsunday Sailing Club - 2006 Airlie Beach Race Week' Sail-World.com /AUS &copy

Whitsunday Sailing Club has emerged as a major player in bidding for National and International championship regattas on their Pioneer Bay courses.

The venue described as the perfect dinghy and yacht racing venue on the Australian east coast has been selected to host the 2010 Australian Tasar dinghy championship as a lead in event to the internationally acclaimed Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week.

Winning recognition has resulted from a hard 'slog' to showcase the region to the sailing world with the Australian Tasar championship proving to be a significant step forward for future championships. Long term volunteer and life member Jim Hayes has been played a major role behind the more recent surge of interest.

'In the past the Club has been guilty of being a little complacent in regards to telling the sailing world and marketing our venue and facilities, however that has now changed.'

'Hosting the National Tasar title is another step forward in that direction' a happy Jim Hayes said.

The excellent racing venue supported by a high standard of onshore facilities including accommodation within a casual stroll to the sailing club and complimented with the friendly North Queensland hospitality has also been an important event marketing tool.

Also the promotion of special events adds a significant cash flow while creating awareness that Airlie Beach the adjacent Whitsunday Islands and The Great Barrier Reef represent an ideal holiday destination for other family members to enjoy.

Very few Australian sailing championship destinations can compare with Airlie Beach with the Sailing Club now poised to further capitalize on the facilities when the Meridien Marinas Port of Airlie is completed.

The new trailer boat launching ramp and the landscaping of the sandy beach on the southern perimeter of the marina has the potential to further enhance the prospect for the Whitsunday Sailing Club to attract major international dinghy and keel boat class events at Airlie Beach.

Whitsunday Sailing Club - www.whitsundaysailingclub.com.au/ -

There is no question about the on water facilities with officials having the convenience to set true courses in all wind and sea conditions.

The additional rigging space supported with the equally important ongoing construction of high standard accommodation will support the Whitsunday Sailing Club when they apply to host World one-design dinghy championships.

Meanwhile the long list of member/volunteers who have made a major contribution to supporting successful sailing events in the past remain on standby.

This happy and enthusiastic crew who are always the first on the course and the last to tie up at the dock are already preparing to welcome competitors and their families when they arrive in down town Airlie Beach for the Australian Tasar championships.

There are far too many to name individually but they understand that their pledge of support has been instrumental in building the profile of the Whitsunday Sailing Club and Pioneer Bay to now become ranked with the best championship destinations in the nation.

by Ian Grant