Sails up at Fishos

TORQUAY Sailing Club is encouraging people with a passion for sailing to jump aboard its membership ranks ahead of the upcoming sailing season.

Club commodore Chris Horden said the club’s programs included junior skiffs, catamaran sailing, and open ocean sailing.

“Since the early ’70s, sailing in Torquay has continued to function out of our spot here on the Esplanade,” Mr Horden said.

“It was around 2009 that we set up our sailing school, providing a lot of our kids with the chance to enhance their skills.

“We have a pre-Christmas series that we encourage new sailors to take on, sailing two to three times per week for six-to-seven weeks on Tuesdays and Sundays.

“The kids sail a lot, but by doing that they learn new skills and become better at it, quite simply.”

Torquay Sailing Club also promotes a summer holiday program catering to children between the ages of eight and 15 for five consecutive days in any given week from January 1, as well as private lessons for adults seeking a new passion.

Chris’ partner, Mai Horden, describes Torquay Sailing Club as a “grassroots club”.

“We’re definitely a family-friendly oriented club, the social side is just as fun as the sailing club,” Mr Horden said.

“I can only speak for the adult side of our club, but we just love getting out on the water and enjoying the conditions and one another’s company.”

Mr Horden, who has served as club commodore since 2010, reiterated the club is truly open to anyone.

“There is no barries here,” Mr Horden said.

“At some clubs, you have to be nominated or you have to know someone.

“None of that exists here, the club is open to anyone regardless of if you’re the richest or poorest person in Australia, or if you’ve been here for five minutes or 20 years, the club accepts all.”

Torquay Sailing Club is currently finalising race day plans for its annual Australia Day regatta, the club’s biggest event of the year that will see more than fifty vessels in Zeally Bay at one time.

Those interested in the full range of options at the club can browse them at torquaysailingclub.weebly.com