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Fremantle Keelboat Section News
KEELBOAT SECTION NEWS
NOTICE TO COMPETITORS
A couple of updates to the Sailing Handbook 2025-2026 have been made concerning FSC marks. Please click on the button below to view the notice.Click here
For your convenience, an extract from the Sailing Handbook showing the Schedule of Races has been added to the Official Notice Board as a separate button allowing quicker access to the schedule.
SAVE THE APP
Australian Sailing is encouraging all skippers and boat owners to download the free Emergency Plus app after an inquiry found crews struggled to give Triple Zero (000) their exact location during an incident on Sydney Harbour. Although other apps exist, Emergency Plus is recommended nationally because it provides accurate GPS coordinates to emergency services and is available on both major app stores, helping responders reach people faster when it matters most.Read more...
SCHEDULE OF RACES - UPCOMING IN JANUARY
| Day | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 10 January 2026 | The Yacht Sales Co. Summer Series |
| Championship Race 4 | ||
| Saturday | 17 January 2026 | SailGP weekend |
| Monday | 19 January 2026 | Harken 2026 Fremantle Nationals racing begins |
| Saturday | 24 January 2026 | No Club racing |
| Monday | 26 January 2026 | Australia Day Race |
| Saturday | 31 January 2026 | Pot Of Gold (OA HYC) |
For more information, please refer to the Schedule of Races in the Sailing Handbook.
1 MONTH TO GO UNTIL PERTH HOSTS ITS FIRST-EVER SAILGP EVENT!
The countdown is officially on. In just four weeks, Perth will welcome SailGP’s flying F50 fleet for the very first time, bringing high-speed racing, world-class entertainment and an epic weekend on the water.
To mark the one-month milestone, it was revealed last week that Australian award-winning dance duo Sneaky Sound System will headline the Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix, presented by KPMG. They will take to the stage at Bathers Beach on Sunday 18 January 2026, closing out the event with an energy-packed performance as the racing wraps up.
With one month to go, final tickets have now been released, including limited Waterfront Premium allocations, Waterfront Grandstand seats and the remaining Beach Club tickets.
Perth will officially open the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship on 17-18 January 2026, featuring a record 13 national teams on the start line – the largest fleet in SailGP history.
There’s only a handful of tickets left to witness the heart-stopping action on Bathers Beach this summer. Don’t miss out!
Buy now at tickets.sailgp.com/perth
TEMPORARY NOTICE TO MARINERS
Stay informed about local updates and conditions that could impact your boating plans.Issued by the Department of Transport (DoT).
Click Here
AMENDMENTS TO THE SPECIAL REGULATIONS
Australian Sailing has completed a review, comparing the domestic Special Regulations against the World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations and have issued the first round of amendments.Read More
CREW AVAILABLE - JOIN THE ACTION!
Several sailors are currently seeking opportunities to get out on the water. Browse the Crew Match list below to find your next crewmate.
Please note: All sailors must hold a valid Australian Sailing number. If you don’t have one, a quick and easy option is to register for a free SailPass. [Click here to learn more.]
SAILING HANDBOOK 2025-2026
The new Sailing Handbook is now available from the Boating Office. Please drop in and get your copy. One copy per boat. This can also be viewed and downloaded from the ONB.
RACE ENTRIES
If you haven't done so already, can you please enter your boat in TopYacht before your first race. When entering on TopYacht, select Series Entry if you are entering a Series or Race Entry if you are entering a standalone race such as Opening Day and no other events.ENTER HERE
ONLINE HEARING REQUESTS
As a convenience to sailors, hearing requests can now be submitted online. These requests will be received by the Boating Office for immediate action. However, paper forms will still be acceptable. Please see the Official Notice Board for Hearing Requests.
Click here
POT OF GOLD WEEKEND
Due to the SailGP event coinciding with Hillarys Yacht Club’s Pot of Gold (PoG) weekend, HYC has announced a rescheduling of their event to Saturday, 31 January and Sunday, 1 February 2026 to accommodate the change.
Please note that the Pot of Gold Weekend includes races that are part of both FSC's Coastal Cup and Success Cup series. Details are outlined below:
Pot of Gold Weekend 2026
| DATE | SERIES | RACE |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 31 January | FSC Coastal Cup Series | FSC Mike Harvey Trophy Race |
| FSC Success Cup Series | HYC Pot of Gold Race | |
| Sunday, 01 February | FSC Coastal Cup Series | HYC Dash Back |
Additionally, Fremantle Sailing Club will not be hosting any Keelboat races over the SailGP weekend.
The Club calendar has been updated accordingly to reflect these changes.
2025-2026 Calendar
Click here for the new Pot of Gold poster.
MAN OVER BOARD (MoB) DUMMY
Practicing a man overboard (MoB) exercise is essential for safety and preparedness at sea. It helps crew members react swiftly and efficiently in real-life emergency situations, improving their ability to locate, recover, and assist a person who has fallen overboard.Members may reserve a time to use the Club's MoB Dummy by clicking the button below.
Book Here
FSC SAIL NUMBERS
If you are looking for a Fremantle Sailing Club sail number for your Keelboat sails, pleae click on the button below for the complete sail number register and application form.Sail Numbers
SAFETY & SEA SURVIVAL COURSE
We are pleased to release the next set of dates for upcoming SSS courses. A Safety & Sea Survival (SSS) course is an essential training program for anyone who spends time at sea, whether for professional or recreational reasons. The course combines classroom instruction with practical exercises, including deploying and using liferafts, inflatable lifejackets, and distress flares. It's designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to handle emergencies at seaClick here for further information and to book.
| 2025 COURSES | 2026 COURSES |
|---|---|
| Sunday, 24th August 2025 | 1st February 2026 |
| Sunday, 14th September 2025 | 15th March 2026 |
| Sunday, 12th October 2025 | 19th April 2026 |
| Sunday, 9th November 2025 | |
| Sunday, 7th December 2025 |
RECREATIONAL SKIPPERS TICKET (RST)
RST courses have returned to FSC with highly experienced RST Assessor Royce Bond onboard. Anyone aged 14 or older are able to obtain an RST which is required to operate a vessel with a motor over 6Hp or 4.5 kW.Course Details
LOOKING FOR CREW?
If you're a skipper looking for crew, you can reach out to our Keelboat Instructor, Gerard Wilson, who may be able to help. Each month, we welcome graduates from the Learn to Sail Keelboat program who are eager to join a boat and put their newly acquired skills to use.Gerard Wilson
Phone: 0414 272 000
Email: [email protected]
FLARE REQUEST
If members have any red handheld flares or orange smoke flares that are no longer needed or are close to expiry, please consider donating them for our monthly Safety & Sea Survival Course for use in flare demonstrations. Flares can be dropped off at the Boating Office.
The only requirement is that they must not have reached their expiry date. Thank you.
STAY WELL CLEAR OF SHIPS WHEN YOU'RE SAILING
With summer well underway, it is a great time for recreational boat skippers, but with the volume of boats passing through the Fremantle Inner Harbour and port waters, skippers are reminded to exercise caution and stay well clear of all commercial vessels.
Ships visiting Fremantle often exceed 336m in length. This size means they can't stop or change course quickly and will cover a considerably long distance before they do stop.
Recreational skippers must always move with caution, keep a good look out and if possible, monitor radio channels (VHF Channel 16). The recreational boat skippers are responsible for their personal safety and the safety of passengers in their boats.
Further Information
SEABREEZE FORECAST
