RQYS season opens on Sunday

Hundreds of people are expected to gather at the Manly Marina for the opening day celebrations held by the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (RQYS) this Saturday September 11^th.

Since 1884 RQYS has held the traditional event to commemorate the Summer Sailing season. This year marks the 126^th ceremony and will include the Opening Ceremony, Sail Past and the first sailing races of the season in a classic WAGS style race.

Commodore Russell McCart says that the day is not only an opportunity to celebrate the passion of sailing as a sport but also it is a day to help preserve an important and enduring tradition.

‘The celebration is a chance for us to showcase to the community the heritage we have maintained over the decades and the way in which the Squadron has developed’.

‘It is about encouraging people to get active on the water and then passing on the challenge to teach our children to sail.’

The Squadron encourages youth participation within the sport to help develop a healthy and active youth community.

‘We have several hundred children and young adults down here sailing every weekend with our Sailing Academy, these programs are continuing to develop and grow and it is great to see the sport constantly evolving’.

While the Sail Past incorporates a lot of the older traditions, the younger sailors are also invited to participate. The RQYS Sailing Academy Students become a part of the Sail Past line up and proceed with the larger crafts through the harbour.

Program of Events.

7 – 9:30 am     Breakfast

9:30 am          Free Morning Tea on the Boardwalk

10 am             Opening Day Ceremony

11:30 am         Sail Past

12 – 1 pm        Free Sausage Sizzle

1 – 4 pm          Jumping Castle and Face Painting for the littlies

2 pm               First sailing races of the Season

6 – 7 pm          Commodore’s Happy Hour

6 – 9 pm          Evening Entertainment with band Plan B

- Ashley Kaine, RQYS