Vision Surveys Airlie Beach Race Week - How not to miss the 25th party

by Tracey Johnstone on 19 May 2014 2014 Airlie Beach Race Week - Missing out on this year’s Vision Surveys Airlie Beach Week and 25th birthday party is not an option. There are lots of choices for how you can join in the fun at this year’s regatta being held from eighth to 15th August 2014.

If you can’t bring your own boat to Airlie Beach or you don’t have a boat, you should consider some of the following options for being part of the 25th year racing and celebrations.

Jump on a crewed maxi-yacht:

Prosail after offering an exciting opportunity to jump on board the maxi yachts Condor and Hammer. The boats will be racing seriously, but not too seriously, in the Cruising Spinnaker Division. Both boats are crewed by three Prosail staff. The rest of the crew are you.

'The boats need at least 10 people to sail them in racing mode so the people who come on have to get involved. There is no option,' Prosail’s David Molloy said. 'You can be an experienced sailor or someone who has never been sailing before. The fun factor on board is maximum,' he added.

Condor is already entered in Race Week and has on board a team of eight sailors from Keppel Bay Sailing Club. That leaves four places left to be filled. Hammer is still looking for a full crew.

The week on Hammer or Condor will cost $1,400. Included is accommodation on board, breakfast and lunch each day, crew uniform and the Lay Day snorkelling activity out to the Whitsunday islands.

To book a space on either of these boats, sailors should email the office on operations@prosail.com.au or call 0418 442925.

Sign up for a spectator charter:

Whitsunday Rent A Yacht offers a different approach to being involved in this year’s Race Week. The company has six boats available for cruising charter and Race Week spectating – two Beneteau Lagoon 400s, a Bavaria 46, two Beneteau 43.4s and a Jeanneau 37.

Within the package of seven nights for the price of five there is a one-day ticket to race aboard the maxi yachts Condor or Hammer and two nights berthing at the marina where most of the race boats will tied up. So you can watch the Race Week action from your own yacht, experience a day of racing on a fast yacht and immerse yourself in the Race Week atmosphere and parties. For more information on this package, go here or call 1800 075 000.

Sunsail still have a few 384 catamarans available for charter. To find out more about these boats and the Race Week costs, go to Sunsail or call the office on 1 800 803 988.

Sign up on the crew available list:

Another idea is to jump onto the event website and register under Crew Available. Lots of skippers check this site right up to the start of the regatta. The sooner you register, the better chance you have to secure a position on a competing boat.

Come along and just be a spectator:

Between taking a pleasant dip in the Airlie Beach Lagoon or in one of the resort hotels, hitting the shops along the main street and enjoying a leisurely lunch at one of the many super restaurants and cafes, spectators can enjoy the view of the large Race Week fleet criss-crossing Pioneer Bay.

After racing the Whitsunday Sailing Club parties are for everyone; competitors, supporters and spectators.

There is no reason to miss out on Airlie Beach Race Week’s 25th birthday party.

All details on this year’s Race Week is here. Entries close Friday 1st August 2014.