Good times ahead at Sail Port Stephens

by Jody O'Brien on 24 Feb 2009
In a quest to combine some great sailing with a family holiday, careful consideration has been made about a lot of things in the Sail Port Stephens program, both on and off the water – and here’s how the days at Sail Port Stephens are likely to unfold...

After a comfortable night in a choice of a wide range of affordable accommodation across the Bay
(or on board the boat at d’Albora Marina – the facilities there are great! ), you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast with partners, kids and friends before climbing on a board sometime after 11 and sometime before 12 for a short motor to the start-line for your division.

If it’s a start line in the Bay, you’re never much more than 5 minutes from it, and if it’s offshore, you’re not going to need much more than 20 minutes to get there.

For the Commodores Cup fleet at the beginning of the week (Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 April), the 3 races over 3 days take in some beautiful scenic parts of the Bay and surrounding islands, providing some laid back racing in a similar spirit to twilight sailing.... leaving plenty of time and energy for social fun each night.

There'll be post race drinks at designated bars at d'Albora Marina at the conclusion of racing each day before the social fun begins at a different venue around the Bay each night.

And to make the socialising that one step easier, Port Stephens Coaches will be providing, (at a small user pays cost), a bus service each night to get you safely to and from each social venue.

Buses will pick up and drop off from various points around the Bay – meaning you can relax and have a few drinks without the worry of someone being a designated driver.

The week begins with a Sunset BBQ, beers and some Wild Oats wines on the boardwalk at Peppers Anchorage on Monday night – priced at an affordable $20, including a complimentary wine or beer on arrival. Partners and kids are not only very welcome, but catered for and made feel very included.

The first night of a regatta can tend to get everyone a little excited...and as a result feel a little tired and emotional the next day...so Tuesday evening will be at leisure with nothing specific organised – however special dinner deals will be on offer at the food outlets and restaurants at d’Albora Marina in Nelson Bay.

3 days of lovely sailing come to an end on Wednesday afternoon, and the after dark fun moves to All Seasons Salamander Shores at Soldiers Point for a BBQ Buffet dinner for a few quiet drinks, some quality Wild Oats wines and the Commodores Cup Prize Giving, as well as a welcome night for the Melges 24 fleet, who will be holding their national titles at Sail Port Stephens from 24 to 26 April.

The lay day on Thursday presents the opportunity to do a number of things...one of them being lunch.... and there’s a Long Lazy Lunch lined up at Merrets Restaurant Peppers Anchorage that is sure to be an afternoon of tall tales, good food and wine, and for a worthy cause as well, with money raised to go towards initiatives undertaken by SOLAS - Safety of Lives at Sea – the charity trust run by the CYCA.

If you’ve got any room left after lunch, a casual char-grill pub style dinner is on offer at Nelson Bay Diggers on Thursday evening, where newly arrived boats and crew can pick up their skipper packs.

With current numbers and boats entered, the regatta fleet will double in size on Friday 24th, with the Yachting NSW IRC Championships getting underway, a number of boats joining the Commodores Cup fleet to compete in the Port Stephens Trophy, and the exciting Melges 24 class flexing their muscles, chasing the number one spot as national champion for 2009.

The more the merrier for the fun at Nelson Bay Diggers on Friday night – with a good band, easy food and drinks at club prices. If you join the club as a country member, you’ll save even more on the drinks...well worth the $5 investment...!!!

Saturday the 25th of April is a significant day, as we remember those who have fallen in war and reflect on the many different meanings of war.

Yachties and family and friends are encouraged to attend the dawn service and enjoy the bacon and egg breakfast at the Diggers afterwards.
As a mark of respect of this occasion of national commemoration, racing will not commence on this day until 1pm.

On Saturday night, the SLAM Beach Party kicks off at Shoal Bay Resort and Spa and with two bar areas and a large dining space, this social gathering in 2008 was described as being almost like a 'whole of regatta crew dinner' – priced at around $20 a head – making it affordable for all budgets.

There’ll be some live entertainment, a few presentations and generally just a lot of fun.

One day of racing remains, and the aim is to have the last race finished by early afternoon, so the prize giving can be wrapped up by mid to late afternoon – giving everyone plenty of time to get on the road, on the water, or to the airport... and get home.

There’s plenty for the non-sailor in the family to enjoy at Sail Port Stephens, with lots of activities for kids of all ages, as well as day spas, great cafes and restaurants for partners.

The event website is being updated regularly with details on attractions, activities and special deals for regatta participants on tourist activities.

Sail Port Stephens racing:

20-22 April - Commodores Cup (PHS)
23 April - Lay Day – Lunching Mischief
24-26 April - Yachting NSW IRC Championship
- Port Stephens Trophy ( PHS)

From little things, big things grow, and Sail Port Stephens would not be possible without the support of the foundation partner group of Nelson Bay Diggers, Shoal Bay Resort and Spa, Peppers Anchorage and All Seasons Salamander Shores –as well as the resource contributions of the supporting partner group in SLAM, d’Albora Marina, Yachting NSW and Business Port Stephens, an initiative of Port Stephens Council.

For more info and to enter, go to sailportstephens.com.au