Cockburn Sound Regatta is back, bigger and better

by Bernie Kaaks on 30 Oct 2014 Now firmly established once again as one of Western Australia’s premier regattas, the 57th Cockburn Sound Regatta is set to be not just the biggest, but the best yet.

Generous sponsorship from the Kwinana Industries Council and the City of Rockingham underpins this regatta, which also has solid support from members the sailing industry and local business. As a result, organisers at Rockingham’s Cruising Yacht Club will present a regatta which is not only well run, but one which provides remarkably good value to its participants.

Instead of a late entry penalty, organisers have put up a Dhu West inflatable tender for a draw in which all the entries received and paid up by closing date, are eligible to participate. Since the incentive was introduced three years ago, late entries are almost non-existent and Dhu West have been rewarded with some great exposure for their excellent quality, locally produced product range.

The regatta has a chequered history. Once the only major regatta of its kind in W.A., it attracted hundreds of entries at a time when Rockingham was barely considered a part of the Perth metropolitan area. Most crews pitched tents at the club and stayed at the venue from beginning to end. It lost popularity when the city became more mobile, the urban spread reached Rockingham and intense competition from dinghy championship events run in the same time slot all around the country taking away a large slice of their traditional entrants.

Now mature enough to recognise its strengths, the Cockburn Sound Regatta caters firstly for cruiser/racers, ranging in size from Division 1 ocean racers to tiny trailer sailers and sportsboats. It is still run in its traditional time slot between Christmas and New Year, when most dinghy classes are competing in their nationals around the country, but also works diligently to attract dinghies and multihulls.

It should hardly come as a surprise then, to find that this year the Skate class will be holding its National Championships in conjunction with Cockburn Sound Regatta. Their series will have its own course and on-water personnel, but will benefit from the wide range of on-shore activities and fits well with the Regatta’s motto of 'Serious Sailors Having Serious Fun'.

It is hard to find a better yacht racing venue than Rockingham’s Mangles Bay. Its north facing beach guarantees flat water sailing and gives good shelter from prevailing south westerly afternoon sea breezes. To the west, the bay is protected by Garden Island. Big boat races head northwards into Cockburn Sound, so all fleets enjoy varied and interesting courses.

One of the growth fleets in the regatta is, ironically, the older boat 'classic' division. Initially the domain of a few loved but ageing Herreschoff 28’s, the division will spark interest this year with the first meeting of the 107-year-old Eun-Na-Mara, which has been beautifully restored by owner Ralph Newton, and Gary Martin’s Acrospire. These two timber yachts really are classics and are every bit as beautiful today as they were when they were first launched. Both have wonderful competitive records and their meeting should generate considerable interest.

For further information, go to the event website.