Two days of sailing action on the Bellarine

ABOUT 80 boats will descend on Indented Head next weekend for the fifth edition of Sail Bellarine.

Running from May 3 to May 4, the annual event brings together seven yachting classes for two days of competitive racing between people with the same boats, marking the end regatta of the sailing season.

Hosted by Indented Head Yacht Club, with the support of McCrae Yacht Club and St Leonards Yacht Club and Motor Squadron, Sail Bellarine is the largest regatta for the sailing clubs on the Bellarine Peninsula.

While still being a fierce competition, Sail Bellarine coordinator Peter Ellenby said the regatta is a good, fun and healthy event.

“People like to come here because they like to be on the Bellarine, they like to enjoy it and it’s a very relaxed atmosphere here,” he said.

“It represents a chance for people to get together without it being super competitive so people can have a social weekend and enjoy sailing.

“It’s a chance for people to enjoy competitive sailing without it being crucial to their ranking or to their situation at the club.”

Sail Bellarine is open to Aeros, Flying Dutchman, ILCAs, OKs, Optis, Sabres and Tasars and this year’s event will host the Victorian Championship Java Class, Tasar and the Flying Dutchman Ham Cup.

Mr Ellenby said he hopes participants get friendship, good sailing and a sense of achievement out of the day, while being challenged.

“Being able to sail at the end of the season when it’s very cold and the weather could be fickle is really quite a challenge.”

Event organisers welcome everyone down to the water to enjoy the sailing, club and atmosphere on both days.

Sail Bellarine is supported by a grant from the City of Greater Geelong’s Community Event Fund.

For more information, head to ihyc.com.au/sail-bellarine