DOCKLANDS YACHT CLUB

The CYAA was formed in 1994 to promote the ownership, knowledge and appreciation of classic sailing craft in Australia and to preserve them for future generations.Docklands Yacht Club has enjoyed a short but colourful history. The vision of its original members and the persistence and hard work of a small group has already enabled the club to:

• Develop sailing activities in a unique cosmopolitan location
• Amalgamate with Docklands Sailability to share common objectives, consolidate equipment and optimize promotional efforts
• Establish storage facilities adjacent to a modern public marina close to Melbourne’s CBD
• Be involved in a diverse range of sailing events, including the Melbourne Stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race
• Maintain a regular community sailing program
• Ensure that sailing has an active presence on Victoria Harbour

The past year has been very busy with strong membership growth for families and individuals. We had a full program over the warmer months with the Summer Fun program and capped off the year with 6 days of School Team Racing on the harbor.

There are two main activity areas that the club has been involved in – community sailing activities, and hosting, conducting or assisting with competitive and other events.

Community Sailing

The Sailability “Sailing For Everyone” philosophy has been wholeheartedly adopted by DYC and growing inclusive participation remains an enormous opportunity. The protected nature of the Docklands waterway and the club’s fleet of Access dinghies are ideal for introductory sailing programs and the development of basic skills for people of all abilities.

With the club’s unique location, surrounded by a new emerging community and a broader metropolitan catchment area, there is tremendous potential for growing participation in recreational sailing and introductory racing. At the same time, building membership and the pool of volunteers.

An ongoing participation and recreational sailing program, including the accompanying social activity, is seen as the core of DYC’s future.

Events

There are a variety of event types that have been conducted on and around Victoria Harbour:

• Come & Try Activities – Some of these are an important part of promoting the club’s community sailing program. At other times, they can be a commercial service to add activity to other (often shore based) events.
• Major Events – These are often managed by other organisations but DYC provides support, use of facilities and equipment, or component activities (Volvo Ocean Race Stopover, Schools Teams Racing etc).
• Short Course Racing – A number of classes (including the Flying 15s, Tasars and J-24s) already enjoy the venue for this form of racing. There is existing demand for race management and event organisation, and significant potential to develop this activity with a variety of senior and junior classes.
• DYC Short Course Championship – The club’s central location, accessible venue and fleet of Access boats make DYC ideal for Access coaching, racing and championship events. The DYC Club Championship in the Access 2.3 and 303 classes is held on the second Sunday afternoon of every month from September through April. Other classes are also welcome.