Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Women discover sailing day. Photo credit: Zach Houtenville
Whitsunday Sailing Club has been named Queensland’s Club of the Year in Category A at the 2026 Queensland Sailing Awards, recognising its work to bring more people onto the water and strengthen sailing’s place in the local community.
“It’s fantastic to be recognised by Australian Sailing and our peers,” said Whitsundays Sailing Club President Terry Archer.
“We’ve been working hard on all aspects of the club for the last few years.”
The recognition follows another successful Airlie Beach Race Week, which attracted more than 130 boats to the region. Investment in a new marina and hardstand is also helping the club prepare for future major events and support the region’s sailing ambitions ahead of Brisbane 2032.
Closer to home, the club has been helping more people find their feet on the water, from children enjoying Discover Sailing holiday camps and the new School Sport Program to newcomers giving sailing a go through SailPass. Through its support for Sailability Whitsundays, people with disabilities can also learn to sail and share in the enjoyment of being out on the water.
“It’s a mix of having the right volunteers who are putting in the yards, and then the support from the staff,” Terry said.
“It’s a real balance and it’s a credit to the team.”
The club’s care for its coastal home also extends beyond sailing, with recycling programs, solar initiatives and clean-up days alongside Ocean Crusaders helping look after the waters its members enjoy.
The club is now eagerly anticipating the national Australian Sailing Awards at the end of October, having been named a finalist for the 2026 Australian Club of the Year title. As one of only three clubs in the running, the others clubs located in Victoria and Western Australia, the club is proud to represent the Whitsundays and Queensland on the national stage.
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