Sailing in Canberra

Lake Burley Griffin is the largest of Canberra's three artificial lakes. Some sailboarding and special events are sailed on Lake Tuggeranong and Lake Ginninderra, but generally they are both small and too shallow in parts for much sailing of larger boats.

Power boats are generally not permitted on Canberra's lakes, apart from a charter operator, the water police and the power boats operated by the sailing and rowing clubs.

The prevailing wind in Canberra is North West. Unfortunately that means that the wind in the main racing area generally blows past Black Mountain before arriving at the racing area in a fairly turbulent state, gusty and shifty. Nevertheless, the ease of access and the freedom from the dangers of power boats make Canberra an excellent place to sail. Its clubs have some keen members and are very well organised with good support facilities.

The Sailing Clubs

YMCA Sailing Club of Canberra

Yachting Association of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Canberra Yacht Club

Club racing is on Sunday afternoons starting at 1.55 pm. A twilight series is run on Wednesday evenings during daylight saving months starting at 6.10 pm. A winter series is run on alternate Sunday afternoons starting at 12 midday.

The CYC is a registered AYF training establishment, running "learn to sail" and race coaching courses for all ages. Info: CYC (02) 6273 7177.

Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) Sailing Club

Australian National University (ANU) Sailing Club

Canberra Model Yacht Club

Canberra Ocean Racing Club

CORC does not run sailing activities in Canberra, but some of the members do sail on Lake Burley Griffin as well as at sea, and there is a social program in Canberra. Nearly all of its members live in Canberra, and they are really interested in encouraging people from the Canberra sailing fraternity to try deep-water sailing.

The club has a social gathering at the CYC (usually around the bar area somewhere) at about 6:30 pm on the first Wednesday of every month, and non-members are welcome.

Canberra Sailboard Club

From Steve Audsley: "Unfortunately, the club folded around 1998, mainly due to dwindling numbers and growing insurance premiums. There is still a get together of some diehards on Tuesday evenings (in the sailing season), whilst the numbers for recreational sailboarding on shortboards is experiencing a resurgence. The summer easterlies could see up to 50 boards on the water at Blue Gum point. Scotty at Secondwind in Fyshwick is perhaps the best current contact. Many of us are still waiting for Lake George to refill, last sailed in '94. It is sailboard heaven in an easterly."

Canberra Cruising Yacht Association

The CCYA is the cruising division of the CYC and conducts racing for trailable yachts over cruising courses on alternate Saturdays. Info: Carol Wylde-Browne on (02) 6249 8457 (h).

RANSA Canberra Squadron

The RAN Sailing Association provides sailing facilities for defence personnel and their families. Info: Warren Hellwig (02) 6266 4835 (w).

Part of the YMCA Sailing Club fleet rounding a mark on a slow day in March 2003

Michelin Man, NS14 dinghy sailed by Anthony Stoner and Esta Birdahic, March 2003

Fully Blown, Taipan catamaran sailed by Michael Cook and Monica Thompson, March 2003