Yachting Australia

The Waterways Authority will be at the Maritime Festival at Point Claire (near Gosford) on Saturday, 23 November. Boating Service Officers will be there to answer questions about safe boating in NSW this summer, and distribute copies of the new Safe Boating Handbook. Organised by the Australian Navy Cadets and the Royal Volunteer Coast Patrol, the Festival will feature a wide range of displays and exhibitions on boats and marine safety. The Festival will be held from 10am to 5pm, at Kurrawa Avenue, Point Claire.

For more information contact Pat Marsh on 02 4324 2788.

The Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Classic will be held on Sunday 24 November. The race is expected to start at 9am, with an exclusion zone in place between Dangar Island (near Brooklyn) and Windsor from 7:30am to 2pm. To ensure the safety of both the competitors and spectators, nine Waterways Authority vessels will be on patrol. Key safety messages to remember include:

• Maintain a safe speed;
• Remain outside the exclusion zone;
• Operate in the special transit lanes set up on the sides of the river for the event;
• Keep wash to a minimum; and
• Restrict alcohol consumption to ensure a blood alcohol limit of under 0.05.

For more information contact Jan Thurgar from NSW Water Ski Association on 0419 489 412

The World 60 Hour Ski Challenge will be held from Thursday 21 November to Sunday 24 November on the Tweed River between Fingal and Murwillumbah. Brenton McGrath is a very experienced water-skier in remission from leukaemia. He is hoping to break three world waterskiing records and raise funds to purchase a holiday unit for families of cancer patients. Spectator vessels are reminded not to transit the ski course for 5 kilometres in front of the vessel towing the skier and 0.5 kilometres behind the skier, unless authorised to do so by a Waterways Authority Officer.

For more information click here.

On Sunday 24 November the Navy will hold its first ever Heritage Day at the historic northern end of Garden Island. Visitors will be able to tour the beautiful gardens, buildings and dockyards, as well as the 128 year old barque James Craig and the HMAS Huon, a modern coastal minehunter and naval training vessel. A maritime painting, photographic and model exhibition is planned and there will be hourly performances from the RAN Band, the Federation Guard Display team and the Heritage Marine Corps dressed in period costumes. Garden Island will be open from 10am to 4am and entry is free. Access is via the main gate on Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo or the Sydney Harbour ferry service from Circular Quay.

For more information click here.

The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Pittwater is hosting the 2002 Harken International Youth Match Racing Championships. This is one of the most competitive youth events in the world, as it provides sailors with equalised boats, and as a result, it is more a test of sailing ability than design, materials, and development. Racing started on Wednesday 20 November and will conclude on Sunday 24 November.

For more information click here.

Waterways media contact: 0418 279 465 or 0418 167 812