The Bowline

From the Commodore

A busy couple of weeks at the Club.

Dear Members,

We’ve had a busy couple of weeks at the Club, finishing Race Week with the presentation evening for our Fremantle to Geraldton Ocean Race competitors, followed by the Commodore’s Cocktail Party on Friday.

Thank you to everyone who came along on Friday. It was good to see you, catch up and enjoy an evening together with Geoff Uddy providing the music. A good night was had by all. Thank you also to the organisers, volunteers and caterers for their work in putting the evening together.

Sunday saw us back on the water for another great day of sailing. Thanks to our start boat and safety boat crews, and all the volunteers who help each week. It’s good to see so many sailors heading upstairs afterwards for a meal and a chat about the morning’s racing.

We’ve included a few photos under the event headings in this edition, so have a look through and enjoy the highlights.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the Club again this Sunday, whether you’re coming down to sail or joining us for lunch.

See you on the water,

Nigel Moffat
Commodore

Fremantle to Geraldton Ocean Race

Final Results.

Combined fleet placings from the South of Perth Yacht Club.

Fastest overall and in Division 1: Al Fresco, with an elapsed time of 19 hours, 44 minutes, 48 seconds.

Fastest in Division 2: Sagacious IV, with an elapsed time of 28 hours, 41 minutes, 15 seconds.

Atomic Blonde won on corrected time.

Lobster Pot Series

Race results.

Individual race results supplied by Phil Epps.

Thursday 29 October

Presentation Dinner.

Nigel Moffat (Commodore) with Past Commodores Steve Greeve, Edrick Delfos, John Gummery and Laurie Hatch.

The Ugly Men crew.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Presentation Dinner on Thursday 29 October to celebrate the Fremantle to Geraldton Ocean Race. It was a great evening with the visiting crews and our members. Congratulations to all the placegetters.

John Gummery, immediate past Commodore, at the bar during the evening.

Friday 30 October

Commodore’s Cocktail Party.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Commodore’s Cocktail Party on Friday 30 October. It was lovely to catch up and enjoy an evening together at the Club, with Geoff Uddy providing the music. Thank you to the organisers, volunteers and caterers who helped make it a great night.

Tuesday 3 November

Melbourne Cup at GYC.

What a fabulous day at the Club! Sunshine, beautiful views over Champion Bay and a wonderful crowd dressed to impress. You all looked absolutely spectacular!

A huge thank you to Chef Japs & The Team for a delicious three course lunch. Beautifully presented and full of flavour, the food was a real highlight and made the occasion feel extra special.

With plenty of laughter, catching up with friends and cheering as the race unfolded, there was so much to enjoy both on and off the screen!

Thank you to everyone who joined us and everyone who helped bring the day together.

Sunday Sailing

Sunday Sailing Results · 1 November 2026

Consistency Racing

Proudly supported by

Pelicans

Mixed Cats

Flying Fifteen

Keel Boats

Congratulations to our placegetters and everyone who took part. Thank you to CoroPark for supporting Sunday’s racing, and to our volunteers, race officials, start boat and safety boat crews for looking after our sailors.

There’s still time to come sailing!

We’re always pleased to welcome new sailors and crew at GYC, especially juniors. Whether you’re keen to try dinghy sailing or join a cruiser, we’d love to hear from you.

Juniors should be at the Club by 8am on Sundays. We also run an adult learn to sail program.

Interested? Email admin@gycwa.com.au during the week and let us know who would like to join, including children’s ages, so we can help you get started.

Club merchandise

Get set for sailing season.

Show your GYC colours on the water and around the Club with our navy long sleeve sailing shirts. Offering extra coverage for sunny sailing days, they’re a great addition to your sailing wardrobe.

Club shirts are $60 each.

Order your GYC sailing shirt

On the Deck

Dining at the Club.

Chef Japs & The Team will be serving Friday meals and Sunday lunches throughout November while Lauren and Rogue Tapas are away on holiday. We look forward to welcoming Rogue Tapas back in December.

Friday

Bar open from 4pm.
Meals from 5pm to 8pm.
Members’ Happy Hour from 5pm to 6pm.

Sunday

Bar open from 11:30am.
Meals from 12pm.
Members’ Happy Hour from 12:30pm to 1:30pm.

Please book your table, including if you’re staying for lunch after sailing.

Book your table

Thursday 31 December

Gatsby New Year’s Eve.

Dust off your dancing shoes and add a little Gatsby glamour as we farewell 2026 and welcome 2027 at Geraldton Yacht Club!

Join us upstairs on Thursday 31 December from 6:30pm to 12:30am, with C4 playing live from 7pm and meals available from Chef Japs & The Team.

Members $20. Non-members $40. Children $10. No allocated tables.

Members get first access to tickets from Thursday 5 November, before bookings open to the public on Thursday 19 November. Make the most of your priority booking period and secure your tickets early!

We’d love to see the whole family join us for a spectacular night of music, dancing and celebration. Wear your best Gatsby outfit and bring in the New Year with sparkle and style!

Book your Gatsby New Year’s Eve tickets here

Off the Beach

Interesting stories from around the sailing world.

An 1898 design brought back to life

Photo: Alison Langley / Yachting World

A forgotten half model tucked away in a historical society’s cupboard might not look like the beginning of a new racing yacht, but that’s exactly where the story of Whirlwind II began. Modern scanning helped recreate a catboat design from around 1898, originally prized by shell fishermen for its speed and shallow draught. A fascinating meeting of traditional boatbuilding and modern technology.

Read more

Source: Yachting World, 29 October 2026.

Across the Atlantic alone, then home for Hobart

Photo: Jean-Marie LIOT / CIC NCR 2025

Most sailors prepare for the Sydney Hobart with training races and time on the water. Australian Rupert Henry has taken that a little further, entering the 3,542 nautical mile Route du Rhum aboard his Class40 EORA. The solo crossing from France to Guadeloupe forms part of his preparation before returning home to race Mistral doublehanded in the Sydney Hobart. Quite a way to get some practice in!

Read more

Source: Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, 30 October 2026.

One sailor, 32 metres and a whole lot to learn

Photo: Franceinfo / Route du Rhum

How hard do you push a new flying trimaran when you’re still learning what it can do? That’s the challenge facing defending Route du Rhum champion Charles Caudrelier aboard Gitana 18. He believes the complex 32 metre boat could need another two or three years of development. This interview offers an insight into the balance between speed, reliability and managing an extraordinary boat alone.

Read more

Source: Reuters, 30 October 2026.

Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors.

Thank you to all the businesses and organisations supporting GYC. Your generosity helps keep our sailors on the water and supports the training, events and activities our members enjoy. We’re grateful to have you behind us.

Coming up

Dates for the diary.

Have something to share?

We’d love to see your photos from recent events. If you captured a lovely moment or have a Club story to share, send it through to admin@gycwa.com.au for a future Bowline.