tendeer boat driver/team leader at Balmain Sailing Club - Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
The Balmain Sailing Club is a friendly, inclusive sailing club with active racing, training and cruising. The emphasis is on fun and friendly competition, in a beautiful waterfront location, hosting the West Harbour Winter Series, where more than 70 yachts race in the challenging and tricky winds west of the Sydney harbour bridge.The original Balmain Sailing Club was formed in October 1885, in the era of the wonderfully over-canvassed open boats that varied in length from the 22 footers down to the impossibly proportioned six footers – the hull was six foot wide and six foot long, but they were 22 foot from the tip of their bow-sprit to the end off the boom!The Balmain Sailing Club was re-established in 1995 after a period of little activity for nearly 50 years, when a community based group took over the lease for a premises at the foot of Water Street, Birchgrove, previously known as The Balmain 12ft Skiff Club. It was renamed the Balmain Sailing Club.As the clubhouse and deck were in disrepair, a fundraising and building program was organised. Many enthusiastic and hardworking volunteers came along to transform the club into the facility it is today.Between 2016-2018 the club has undergone a make- over with a new Marina and Pontoon and extensive internal renovation, this has transformed the use and popularity of the club and its remit of making sailing accessible.Come sailing on the beautiful waters of Sydney Harbour at the Balmain Sailing Club located in Birchgrove/Balmain. There is something for everyone from the social to competitive sailors. Our skippers are always looking for crew whether they are experienced or learning and developing their skills.