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Stawell Yacht Club has used the onset of spring to turn its attention to the start of the 2021-22 sailing season.

With the traditional start of the season being the first weekend of October, members of the small but busy club are keen to go sailing. 

They are anticipating the high water level of Lake Fyans, holding 86 percent of its capacity, will ensure excellent water quality well into the new year.

The club’s biggest sailing event for the season is the Melbourne Cup weekend regatta on the last weekend in October and an organising group hopes the event will be able to proceed. 

Planning for the regatta has started and its go-ahead will hinge on public health directions and associated rules leading up to the event. 

The regatta usually attracts sailors from across Victoria.

In other news from the club, last season’s pennant series winner Ross Bennett has won the trifecta. 

Being well and truly in the lead by midway through the last sailing season, he also won a Yardstick Trophy for the best club sailor and in August at an annual meeting took on the role of commodore.

Mr Bennett takes over from Mark Knights, who as commodore had to guide the club through the uncertainty of the last two seasons.

Stawell Yacht Club members also hope to run a ‘Learn to Sail and Race’ program in November.

The program will target people who might already have sailing experience or novices keen to learn a new and challenging competitive sport. 

Free use of sail-training dinghies will mean the club will keep costs to a minimum. 

Limited spots are available for the program and the club will provide more information in the near future.