Pittwater and Coffs Harbour regatta offers family-friendly sailing

by Lisa Ratcliff on 1 Nov 2012 Pittwater & Coffs Harbour Regatta, sponsored by Club Marine, is to be held from January 2nd to 6th 2013. To get to the race start line via a big city yacht club seems a daunting task for boat owners and crew with the long, arduous traffic, congested parking and the seeming often lengthy motor out to the start area.

Not anymore though as the Club Marine Pittwater & Coffs Harbour Regatta offers a family friendly and easy alternative for the upcoming summer holidays.

To sweeten the deal for the 32nd edition of the northern blue water classic, organising club The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) will waive the entry fee for one lucky owner. Submit an online entry by Friday 19 November 5pm AEST to enter the draw to win free regatta entry in 2013. All entries received so far will be automatically entered in the draw.

Richard Hudson, co-owner and skipper of the RPAYC based Farr 45 Pretty Woman, is a vocal advocate of the convenience of Coffs Harbour as a sailing venue. 'A great feature of the Coffs Regatta is the proximity of the racing area to the marina and accommodation.

'For many it’s only 30 minutes from your hotel room to the start line and with the race management using SMS messaging there is little time wasted. The benefit is you have more time with family and friends rather than the old days of drifting around waiting for the wind to fill in and the course to be laid.'
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The Club Marine Pittwater & Coffs Harbour Regatta is as much fun off the water as on. Once the fleet arrives from the Pittwater to Coffs yacht race, which starts from Broken Bay on January 2, there is plenty planned shore side. The social program includes three nights of festivities and live music under the marquee at the Coffs Harbour Yacht Club and the Mayoral reception on Friday 4 January.

Due to the timing, just outside the busiest Christmas to New Year festive period, race distance of 226 nautical miles, which offers a real offshore challenge minus boat breaking conditions, and the stunning holiday destination of Coffs Harbour where the regatta continues, the event attracts a healthy mix of experienced offshore sailors, youth and newcomers, and importantly their families.

'Coffs is a great destination and venue to finish an ocean race, the locals are always welcoming and there are plenty of activities for crew and families,' said Hudson. 'Anyone contemplating entering should give it a go; they will enjoy the race up from Pittwater and the whole regatta, which takes us around the picturesque Solitary Islands.'

The sub-tropical city of Coffs Harbour, with a population of approximately 70,000, can be reached by car, air, bus or rail. There are 44 kilometres of long white beaches and the climate has been voted one of the best in Australia.

'The North Coast and Coffs Coast region has a lot to offer the race participants and their families and swimming with the dolphins is just one of those memorable activities,' said Paige Sinclair, CEO of local tourist attraction, Pet Porpoise Pool – Dolphin Marine Magic.

'The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast the best summer weather in a number of years so it is gearing up to be a great holiday period,' she added.

The city offers a wide range of entertainment, from white-water rafting to a quiet laze on the beach; from a game of golf on an international standard course to a leisurely stroll through the North Coast Regional Botanic Gardens.

'The event provides significant economic contribution directly to the Coffs Coast region and indirectly to the North Coast,' said North Coast Destination Network executive officer Belinda Novicky.

'The local community welcomes the race teams to town and their important cash injection into our local economy.'
For information on accommodation and attractions click here.

The 2013 Club Marine Pittwater & Coffs Harbour Regatta Notice of Race is available from the event website.

Pittwater & Coffs Harbour Regatta online entry is available here.

Entries close December 7 after which date a late entry fee may be incurred.

For race enquiries and documentation please contact the RPAYC Sailing Office on (02) 9998 3771 or yachting(at)rpayc.com.au.