2011 saw the return of
this great endurance race. 24 Boats started,
& all of them finished. What a great day. May
there be many more!
2003 results Photo
Gallery
2004 results Notice of Race & Nomination Form (from the print page
select [Properties] [Advanced] [Paper Size] [A4] [OK])
2005 results Photo
Gallery Latest Sailing Conditions
Updates for the Goolwa to Meningie 2011
2006 results Sailing Instructions (from the print page select [Properties]
[Advanced] [Paper Size] [A4] [OK])
The
Goolwa to Meningie Sailing Classic.
The first Goolwa
to Meningie race was held in 1964. The late David Turner, and the late Darrell
Crouch set off from Goolwa on their Yvonne catamarans, along with others from
The Victor Harbor Yacht Club and the Meningie Aquatics Club intending to race
to Meningie. Some boats did not reach the finish line until after 10.00pm that
night, others managed to beach near “Brown’s beach to spend the night.
The race was run
by a joint committee of the Victor Harbor Yacht Club and the Meningie Sailing
Club until 1986. The race was used as an exercise by the Victor Harbor Sea
Rescue Squadron. Since 1987 the race has been run by the Meningie Sailing Club.
The race has 5 divisions
with trophies for line honours and handicap winners in each division. Though
restricted to boats of a minimum length of 4.2.metres and sailed by a minimum
of two experienced sailors, single-handed entries may be accepted if evidence
of suitable experience is provided to the Club.
Divisions are as
follows:-
Division 1 – start
time 8.00am / Trailable Yachts, Y.S.A.
rating 0.675 or less.
Division 2 – start
time 8.00am / Trailable Yachts, Y.S.A.
rating greater than 0.675.
Division 3 – start
time 9.00am / Monohulls over 4.2 metres in length.
Division 4 – start
time 10.00am / Any other authorized
boat (e.g. Seawind, Trailer Trimarans etc.).
Division 5 – start
time 11.00am / Catamarans.
The race is over a
course of about 64 kilometres, from Goolwa through The Narrows to Meningie, and
is the longest point-to-point fresh water sailboat race in the Southern
Hemisphere.
The winner of the
first race was Darrell Crouch. His son Trevor and grandson Michael have sailed
Mosquito’s in the Goolwa to Meningie, making at one time three generations in
the race.
The race has a
time limit requirement to finish at the Meningie Sailing Club rooms by 8.30pm.
Upon arrival sailors are warmly welcomed, and the facilities of the club are
available for their use. A sandy beaching area, 2 boat ramps, and a lawned area
for de-rigging of boats is available. After that, hot showers, food, and a
licensed bar are there to satisfy the weary sailor. Allowing a fitting end to a
day of adventure on the water.
Sailing
on Lakes Albert & Alexandrina, & The Coorong.
(You are advised
that, until very recent times, due to the lack of water in these RAMSAR listed
wetlands, sailing has been all but impossible.
The narrative below
applies to a gentler time, when things were in much better shape! Our hope is
that the recent re-connection of
with
wonderful Coorong
will be restored to the wonder that it truly is. At present things look pretty
good, and we wait with anticipation the final
outcome of how
much water will be returned to the River Murray -- into the future to maintain
this truly unique area.)
This area is one
of the best sailing areas in the world. Though shallow in parts, there is more
and better water to sail on than the Gippsland lakes. There are many places to
anchor in total shelter, mostly out of sight of civilization. Even the exposed
shores have pockets in the reeds that make safe havens. Local knowledge is
required to find some of the channels but except for the eastern side of the
Coorong and some rocks (shown on the chart) the bottom is soft mud and no harm
comes from grounding.
There is a
misconception that
Provisions are
available at Meningie, Narrung, Clayton,
As a get away from
it all place the Coorong and Lakes has few equals. Meningie Sailing Club.