Our 2025/2026 Summer Sailing Season is off to a great start with our Wednesday and Thursday supported sailing program and Social Sailing Sundays running across the majority of available sailing days since mid- October.
As part of our successful Outdoor Recreation Grant from the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport we are continuing to deliver our Volunteer Training Program. A Learn to Sail Course is available to members and will be run during the January 2026 school holidays (refer below for more information).
Our Vice President, Graham White, continues to work tirelessly to advocate for a change of ferry terminal to the Jo Jo’s location and we thank him for his efforts.
Following the Annual General Meeting held on 18 November, all committee members renominated for their positions and there no change to the current committee. I thank Graham White (Vice President), Peter Moore (Secretary), Ross O’Brien (Treasurer), Bruce Meakins, Colin Harrison, Peter Hugo, Rod Angwin and Todd Back for your continued support of Sailability WA.
It is great to see that our Program Coordinator, Rachael Cox has been recognised for years of experience and coaching skills and was a guest speaker at the RFBYC IRC Regatta. Wishing our Committee, Staff, Volunteers, Members and Supporters all the best for the festive season and we look forward to seeing you on the water soon!
With warmest regards,
Gary Griffiths | President | Sailability WA
Rachael Cox awarded Barranjoey Pin
Australian Sailing has presented Rachael with a Barranjoey Pin, recognising her sailing achievements in representing Australia in Paralympic sailing (Beijing 2008) and she becomes part of the Australian Sailing Team (AST) Alumni Program.
After discovering sailing in 2000 Rachael has competed at a local, national and international events, winning Gold, Silver and Bronze at different international events throughout her high-performance sailing career. Sailaibility WA is incredibly privileged to have such a dedicated program coordinator working with us as she sails through life, weathering the storms when she’s not on a steady course with us. Congratulations Rachael! #shesails
A successful Save Matilda Bay Action Day
A hugely successful Save Matilda Bay Action Day was held on Sunday 16 November, as a second rally and opportunity to raise awareness of the proposed Matilda Bay Ferry Terminal.
We continue our drive to ask the Western Australian Government to abandon plans for a ferry terminal at Matilda Bay and choose a more appropriate location. Jo Jos jetty is supported not only by Sailability WA but many other Matilda Bay Stakeholders and the wider community as an alternate location for a Ferry Terminal servicing students of UWA, as well as linking to visitors to the QEII Medical Center.
You can read Graham White’s Wrap Up report and speech here: Save Matilda Bay Action Day Wrap Up! – Sailability WA
ICR Para Nationals Regatta at RFBYC
Very proud of our sailors that took part in the ICR Para National Champs at Royal Freshwater Bay last month. Some challenging strong S/W winds on Saturday and tough conditions, followed by a more moderate easterly on Sunday, with 7 races completed over 2 days. Across 3 Hansa fleets we had 6 Sailability WA/ RPYC members competing and wow – some great results as #TeamHansa@RPYC.
Liberty: para division: 2nd-Rachael Cox; 4th- Rod Angwin; 8th- Dean Amos (first national champs in Hansa fleet).
Hansa 303 single: para division: 1st- Natalie Keals (first champs in Hansa fleet).
Hansa 303 double: para division: 1st- Archie Sell and Liz Syed (first national champs in Hansa fleet).
With the #shesails award supported by Australian Sailing, as a team we really stood out.
Liberty: 1st- Rachael Cox. Hansa 303 single: 2nd-Natalie Keals. Hansa 303 double.
1st- Liz Syed (crew).
For full results visit: https://rfbyc.asn.au/2025-icr-dinghy-regatta A very big thank you to RPYC for coaching and on water support throughout the weekend, and volunteers who assisted with transporting SWA boats to and from the event.
A massive effort by all and very much appreciated.
Learn to Sail Course for Members in Hansa dinghies
A Learn to Sail course in Hansa 303’s is open to Sailability WA participants and their support worker/carer. This Start Sailing 1 Course will be delivered by Royal Perth Yacht Club from the end of February 2026, over 5 consecutive Saturday mornings.
Participants need to be a Sailability WA member (apply here) and, with thanks to a grant from the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport the course is FREE! Places are limited to 3 participants and 3 support people to Learn to Sail in Hansa 303’s together.
Contact Rachael Cox Sailing Coordinator for information on how to register for this Start Sailing 1 course, delivered by Australian Sailing qualified instructors. Your support person can register for free, to sail alongside a person with a disability, without taking out a Sailability WA membership!
Sailability WA Raffle at RPYC Twilight Markets
Thank you to Royal Perth Yacht Club for including Sailability WA at the annual Twilight Christmas Markets held on Thursday 11 December.
With thanks to donations from our volunteers, members and committee, the Sailability WA team were able to run some silent auctions; sell pre-loved glassware, books, games and lego and undertake a successful raffle, with prizes including a Twilight sail with a Paralympian for 2; Rebel Sport & Bunnings Gift Vouchers; Pickleball set and Mystery Pamper Pack.
Funds raised will go towards our operating costs.
Term 2 Supported Sailing Program starts in February 2026
Remember to book your place in our TERM 2 mid-week Supported Sailing programs in 2026. The Term 2 program cost is $60 per member.
If you are already a member with us, just go to our Rev Sport page to book Events – Sailability WA – revolutioniseSPORT for either the
- Wednesday- Supported sailing activities in either keelboats or dinghies; or
- Thursday- High support sailing activities in either keelboats, or on the Nev Thomas II pontoon powerboat.
If you are not a member yet, you can join us as a supported sailing member for only $20 per year here: Become a Member – Sailability WA – revolutioniseSPORT We look forward to getting out on the water with you in 2026.
WA Hansa State Champs – 7 & 8 February 2026
A WA Hansa State Champs inclusive sailing regatta for WA Hansa class sailors will take place as part of the Royal Perth Yacht Club Mini-Series. Hansa Classes include Hansa Liberty, Hansa 303 double, Hansa 303 single and Hansa 2.3 single or double.
We will be welcoming visiting sailors from the Japanese Sailing Association to join our fleet of Hansa sailors in the Hansa 303 single or Hansa 303 double classes. We’d love to see as many Hansa dinghies on the start line during this family friendly, inclusive weekend of racing at RPYC.
Race Notice and entry for this regatta to be released by RPYC soon… for now please save the date for 7th and 8th February 2026 for a fabulous weekend of camaraderie and racing on and off the water. Contact Rachael Cox if you need to either loan a boat or require assistance to enter.
Your guide to a mentally healthy holiday season
The holiday season can be fun and joyful, but it can be overwhelming for some. Busy social calendars, financial pressure or feeling a bit lonely can all creep in at this time of year. With so much happening, it’s easy to forget to look after yourself!
The Act, Belong, Commit website has some tips to help you stay connected and mentally healthy throughout December and into the New Year.
#HealthwayWA, @ActBelongCommit, #ActBelongCommit, #creatingahealthierWAtogether
Key Dates to Note
Last dates for mid-week supported sailing activities in 2025:
Wednesday: 17th December and Thursday 18th December 2025
Christmas/ New Year office closure:
Friday 19th December to Tuesday 6th January 2026
School Holiday program/ Come and Try sailing Days:
Monday 7th January 2026 to 29th January 2026
Mid–week supported Sailing Term 2 activities start:
Wednesday 25th February and Thursday 26th February 2026 (changed from 18th and 19th February).
On behalf of all the team at Sailability WA we wish you an enjoyable and relaxing festive season and a happy new year ahead.
Summer season (October to May) hours of operation
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9am to 3pm, by phone or email. Sailability WA Inc
PO Box 5
NEDLANDS WA 6909
www.sailabilitywa.org.au
Program Coordinator
Rachael Cox
Email: office@sailabilitywa.org.au
Phone: 0404 145 499
Workdays: Tuesday to Thursday
Administration Coordinator
Kyllie Whitehead
Email: admin@sailabilitywa.org.au
Workday: Friday
Located on the banks of the Derbal Yerrigan, Sailability WA is hosted at Royal Perth Yacht Club,
Australia II Drive, Crawley WA 6009.
