Milang to Goolwa Freshwater Classic

by Graham Evett on 2 Dec 2003 Celebrating 150 years in sailing, the Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club presents Australia’s most popular freshwater yacht race, the BEA Motors & Malaysia Airlines Milang Goolwa Freshwater Classic on 25th January 2004.

A tradition in South Australia on the Australia Day weekend, up to 400 yachts including trailer sailers, multihulls, off the beach cats and dinghies join the classic Goolwa riverboats for the Milang Goolwa Freshwater Classic, hosted by the Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club and jointly sponsored by BEA Motors & Malaysia Airlines.

The race is sailed in 9 divisions over 26 miles from Milang on the shores of Lake Alexandrina - across the lake, around Pt Sturt and then downstream to Goolwa finishing just short of the Hindmarsh Island Bridge. The course tests all sailing skills.

'Since 1854 our Club has been running regattas encouraging on water activities and has been the focal point for boating on the South Coast. The annual Goolwa Regatta has transformed into the Milang Goolwa Freshwater Classic and attracts thousands of sailors and spectators to the area every year and contributes economically to the local community,' said Commodore, Grahame Evett.

Befitting the size of the event, a large rescue fleet will accompany the race, managed by the Victor Harbor and Goolwa Sea Rescue Squadron and supported by the Department of Marine and Harbours, SA Police and power boat volunteers.

Now officially in its 38th year the event originally started to settle an argument between two hardened local river boat skippers who decided on a 'decent race' on 27 December 1966.

They raced from Goolwa to Milang, little knowing that their challenge to each other was destined to become Australia's biggest freshwater race.

Yachtsmen and women have been coming to Goolwa for 149 years to participate in races organised by the club. Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club was founded some time before August 1854 and is the oldest yacht club in South Australia and believed to be the oldest in Australia.

The 2004 Race:

Race Director Rick Eylward said: “ It's great to have a long weekend end for the race, with the majority of the fleet cruising to Milang on Saturday 24th for the Sunday morning start. I anticipate a big increase in numbers for the post-race celebrations at the GRYC Club, with music and entertainment throughout the evening'.

The race weekend starts with the twilight invitation only Taylor Collison 'Go for Gold' dash in which the sports trailerables and the classic Restricted 21s compete for a winner-take-all gold nugget provided by race sponsor, Taylor Collison share brokers. Competition is always fierce and entries have been confirmed from New South Wales and Victoria.

Communities along the Lower Murray Lakes foreshore are again providing strong support for this event having recognised its enormous contribution to local tourism and the spectacle it provides from the cliff tops along the shoreline.

GRYC Commodore Grahame Evett notes that “one of the features of the Freshwater Classic is the large spectator participation with crowds taking up positions from every vantage point along the river bank and cliff tops. Spectator craft also line the river banks on the edges of the channel to add to the carnival atmosphere of this event.”

In welcoming Malaysia Airlines on board for its sixth year of sponsorship and BEA Motors for their eighth year, the GRYC club also acknowledges the help and support again of the South Australian Government and will be promoting the SunSmart message throughout summer.

Commodore Grahame Evett noted: 'Over the last 37 years this race has at one time or another been a ‘must do’ for almost every serious and not so serious sailer in South Australia and from Eastern States and even WA. It caters for everyone in the sailing community.”

Nomination forms for the race are available from The Race Committee, PO Box 321 Goolwa SA 5214; Phone 08 8555 2617; or from the club web site www.gryc.com.au; or by E-mail, mg@gryc.com.au

Media Contact: Grahame Evett, (08) 8555 5444 work, or Mobile 0414 440 077; or contact club member & competitor, Mike O’Reilly, 0414 882 505