Best Birthday Party ever at Southport Yacht Club!
by Jeni Bone on 1 Sep 2014
Swimming on the last day of winter under balmy GC skies. Jeni Bone
Southport Yacht Club on Queensland’s Gold Coast is now offering party packages for the junior set, with access to your own party room, grassy play area and specially built kids’ playground, which opened in June.
With excellent catering of hot and cold food, fruit, sandwiches, lollies and drinks, and a competitive rate of $20 per child, the best part of all is parents can relax, take in the views and enjoy some grown up time with a coffee, meal or even a champagne!
That’s what we did on Sunday.
Our daughter’s sixth Birthday was a hit with her friends and their families, most of whom had not been to the yacht club and didn’t realise the extent of the facilities nor their family-friendly ethos.
'The Club is committed to developing its accessibility and a welcoming environment for families,' explains SYC General Manger, Brett James. 'They are the members and boat owners of the future.'
A new program 'Learn to Sail for Kids' will begin mid-October, ideal for kids aged six to 11 years, each Saturday and Sunday. 'Mums and dads can come and have breakfast and watch their kids learn to sail. We have the boats and all the safety gear.'
Kids' parties can also encompass a sailing segment and depending on which package options you choose, they work out cheaper than a party at McDonalds! Coming up at the Club is the family-favourite Halloween night, Friday 31 October, with prizes and lollies for kids, pumpkin rolling and other ghoulish games.
Pricing at the award-winning waterfront restaurant is well suited to families. 'There's nothing on the menu over $30 and kids eat for free with paying adults, each Monday and Tuesday,' adds James.
With party bookings, families receive one complimentary Family Membership to the Club, which entitles them to discounts, special offers and promotions on sailing lessons, meals at the restaurant, berthing and more.
The new playground entertains the kids, from the smallest toddler to the pre-teens with a massive chalk board, slide, climbing frame and rockers. Should the weather turn inclement, never fear! There's heaps of room on the deck and in your own private party room - the Board Room - which is separated from the rest of the Club, spacious, versatile and kept clean and tidy by the attentive staff allocated to your event.
We also roped in a party expert, Nat from Strawberry Fundaes, who is very popular on the Gold Coast for her themed kids' parties. On this occasion, she came as Elsa from Disney's hit movie, Frozen - and we knew when she arrived by the squealing rapture of 14 six-year olds as their idol materialised!
Elsa played some good old-fashioned games, musical statues, pass the parcel and gave prizes for dancing. She then creatively tied balloons into love-heart wands, sausage dogs and various alien-looking animals. What talent! What patience!
The last day of winter was blessed with gorgeous sunshine and 27C, so the kids naturally enough gravitated to the water. SYC has just been accredited with International Clean Marina status, so parents can rest assured sunburn is the only concern. And the occasional dolphin.
With a beautiful backdrop of boats, the dazzling blue of the Broadwater and the friendly SYC staff, a casual event becomes sublime.
Among the parents gathered for the specially-themed Frozen party, one mum took advantage of the beautiful weather and booked a table for lunch with her own family.
'What a perfect spot,' she told us. 'This is going to be our new favourite place to come for family occasions. It’s just great – safe, clean, low key, beautiful view, the little beach for the kids and a fantastic menu.'
More at www.southportyachtclub.com.au
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