It was with great regret that we had to cancel “The Goolwa to Meningie Sailing Classic 2007”.

As we have watched the waters recede in our beautiful Lake Albert, we had to “pull the pin” on the event.

The event was not run in 2008. With a dam across “The Narrows” so that water could be pumped from Lake Alexandrina to try and avert an environmental catastrophe in Lake Albert, our race which has run since 1964 is cancelled indefinitely.

With some little rain for the 2008-2009 season, and the frantic stop-gap pumping from Lake Alexandrina, the water level in Lake Albert came up marginally. We sailed only a few races in Lake Albert, and then moved to Lake Alexandrina – sailing off “Poltalloch”. We had some great fun, but sailing was a real struggle. Eventually we were forced to “call it a day” when the water became too shallow also.

With some normal rainfall in 2009, Lake Albert has come up a bit. We are endeavouring to sail a few races in October 2009, and will then admit defeat until the water comes back!

Unfortunately the non-action of many governments over many years has destroyed one more thing – “The longest point to point freshwater sailboat race in the Southern Hemisphere”.

We live in hope that one day this can be rectified. We’ll keep you informed!!!

Nomination Form (Designed to be printed in A4 landscape format)

Notice of Race (Designed to be printed in A4 portrait format)

Sailing Instructions (Designed to be printed in A4 portrait format)

Back to Information Page Nomination form (PDF version)

Nomination form (designed to be printed in A4 landscape)

2003 results Photo Gallery Notice of Race (PDF version)

2004 results Notice of Race (designed to be printed in A4 portrait)

2005 results Photo Gallery

2006 results

Sailing Instructions (PDF version)

Click for map

Sailing Instructions (designed to be printed in A4 portrait)

2006 Flyer

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, of course, due to the lack of water in these RAMSAR listed wetlands, sailing is all but impossible.

The narrative below applies to a gentler time, when things were in much better shape!)

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 Lake Albert is shallow. There is a large sand bar at the entrance to the lake about 150 metres from the reeds extending into the lake from the Narrung side. The channel marker is roughly in the centre of the channel. Most of the lake is about 2 metres deep except for the area near Rumply Point which is well off the course from The Narrows to Meningie. There is good shelter at Meningie from all winds except the North, and even then shelter can be found at the reeds at Warrengie

Provisions are available at Meningie, Narrung, Clayton, Wellington and Goolwa all within a few hours sailing. The climate is mild enough to sail in all year round with the lightest winds in winter. Of course storms occur but prudent attention to the forecasts enables sensible action in seeking shelter to be taken. The Narrows in the middle of the area is safe in the worst storms being surrounded by tall reeds.

As a get away from it all place the Coorong and Lakes has few equals. Meningie Sailing Club.

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