Pittwater Sailors

Interested in becoming a member of PAC, you can find membership details on their website as well.

The Pittwater Sailors is a sailing club located in Mona Vale, Australia, and is a part of the Pittwater Aquatic Club (PAC). Although the races are organised by PAC members, non-PAC members are invited to join and race with their own yachts. Boat insurance policies typically cover non-spinnaker racing, so participants can rest assured that they are protected during the races.

One race is held every month, except for January, usually on the first Sunday afternoon of the month. The nominal start time is at noon (1 pm during daylight saving time) and the races are divided into two divisions – Blue and Yellow, based on performance rather than boat size. Blue sails slightly longer courses compared to Yellow. The races are handicap start “pursuits” where starting times are staggered based on each yacht's handicap rating.

The goal is for all yachts to finish around the same time, resulting in exciting finishes without the stress of crowded start-line manoeuvring.

Participants are assigned an ID number displayed to the Start Boat as they individually start and finish the race. The start and finish line is located east of Scotland Island, and the chosen racecourse within Pittwater is determined based on the wind direction for that day, ensuring all points of sailing are included. The races follow the International Racing Rules of Sailing and have a participation fee of $8 per race ($5 for PAC members) to help cover organisational costs.

After each race, a post-race dinner is held at the PAC clubhouse in Mona Vale. The dinner, held on the same day as the race, features a smorgasbord meal, and prizes in the form of bottles of wine are awarded to the first three places in both divisions. It's important to note that prizes are only awarded to attendees. Additionally, annual trophies are awarded at the December “Christmas” post-race dinner.

The dinners are open to PAC members, their partners, children, invited guests, and all race participants. Attendees contribute $20 per person (with reduced prices for children), which covers the cost of the meal, nibbles, drinks (including beer, wine, and soft drinks), as well as tea, coffee, and cakes. Since PAC is run by volunteers, dinner attendees are encouraged to assist with the clean-up. The evenings generally commence at 5:30 pm “for” 6 pm (6:30 pm during daylight saving) and conclude around 8 pm on Sundays.

Pittwater is a protected waterway located about 15 nautical miles north of Sydney Harbour. The western side of Pittwater is surrounded by the Ku-ring-gai National Park, adding to the scenic beauty of the area. The Pittwater Sailors enjoy the stunning backdrop of Pittwater during their races.

If you are interested in participating in the Pittwater Sailors races either in your own boat or as a crew member, you can reach out to the Sailing Captain by using the contact form on their website. The Pittwater Sailors also provide race photos and videos for enthusiasts to enjoy on their website.

PAC, which stands for Pittwater Aquatic Club, is a cooperative club located in Mona Vale. The club offers private slipways, a boat ramp, a small marina, and a clubhouse. PAC is celebrating its centenary in 2025 and provides further information about the races, including the race schedule and results, on their website under the “Sailors” tab. If you are interested in becoming a PAC member, membership details can also be found on their website.