Geelong braces for Labour Day Weekend boat bonanza

THE Geelong Waterfront is ready to host almost 100 wooden boats this Labour Day weekend, as the biennial Wooden Boat Festival of Geelong takes place on the waters of Corio Bay.

This year’s festival, hosted by the Royal Geelong Yacht Club from March 12 to 14, will feature an array of wooden and classic vessels from around Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania.

Highlighting the waterfront will be three tall ships, including youth training vessel, the STS Young Endeavour.

The vessels Enterprize and Coral Trekker, from Melbourne and Sydney respectively, will play host to several lucky school groups in the lead up to the event, who will be treated to sailing trips on Corio Bay.

The vessels will be located on Wangim Walk with visitors invited to enjoy short sails aboard the tall ships throughout the weekend.

Bill Chittenden, Wooden Boat Festival of Geelong chairman, joked that his nervous anticipation scale out of 10 was “an 11-and-a-half”.

“We are extremely excited to welcome the public to the Wooden Boat Festival in 2022,” Mr Chittenden said.

“After a challenging few years, it is great to have the ability to host an event open to the public.

“The Wooden Boat Festival celebrates the history and workmanship of wooden and classic boats.

“The support from the Victorian State Government and City of Greater Geelong has been invaluable in allowing us to provide this event for the Greater Geelong community.”

Christine Couzens, Member for Parliament and 2022 Festival Ambassador said, “it is great to see events back on the Geelong waterfront and utilising Wangim Walk”.

“I’m delighted to be the ambassador for the Wooden Boat Festival and have been for quite some time,” MP Couzens said.

“It gives me an insight into something that I don’t necessarily know much about, but the atmosphere and the vibrancy that happens here in Geelong at the Wooden Boat Festival is what makes it an extremely exciting event.”

Royal Geelong Yacht Club will be open to the public all weekend, hosting live entertainment including local musicians Kenny Miller & The Handsome Gargoyles, Steve Clark, and The Sweethearts.

Boating enthusiasts will have the opportunity to view the wooden boats up close with static display boats located on the club’s new floating marina arm, while kids will be treated to face painting, Fun Fit, and a visit by Captain Jack Sparrow.

Spectators will be able to view the vessels making their way along the northern coastline of the Bellarine Peninsula on Saturday, as they participate in the Portarlington to Geelong Passage Race, followed by the Parade of Sail along the Geelong waterfront at midday on Sunday.

Wangim Walk will provide the perfect opportunity to view the Parade of Sail, bringing spectators within touching distance of the vessels.

Head to www.woodenboatfestivalgeelong.com.au if you require additional festival information.