Club in Focus – Shelley Sailing Club
Shelley Sailing Club (SSC) was established in 1974 on the beautiful Canning River, a relatively quiet area with generally shallow waters, providing great conditions for people of all ages to learn to sail. SSC caters specifically for family sailing which makes it the perfect club for a family day out.
SSC was founded by chance in 1974, through the meeting of three sailors in small sailing craft on the Canning River. A challenge to race was extended and accepted. Through that chance meeting a regular event was established, albeit through impromptu races. The first General Meeting to establish the SSC and elect a committee was then held on the 23rd March 1975. The club has been steadily growing since and will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary next year.
Rear Commodore (Property), Adam Brodziak, on his beautifully restored Scow Moth 'Flat Tack'
Club Membership
Membership sits at around 50 with a good blend of family, female and junior members.
The club has produced a number of people who have reached State Champion level and successfully represented the State at National Championships. Olympic skipper in the women’s 470 class and winner of the 2023 Sail Melbourne 470 class, Nia Jerwood, is one of the clubs’ highest achievers.
SSC Members showing off their new shirts
SSC Life Members Wendy Hobley and David Pass
Classes supported, types of sailing & programs offered
Family sailing has a high priority at the Shelley Club and classes which enable all members of the family to participate are sailed at the Club. These classes include 2 fleets, an open Mono Fleet, currently with Lasers and Scow Moths and Windrush 14’s in the Catamaran fleet.
Sailing is conducted at the Club on Sundays commencing mid-October through to April. Racing for the Juniors commences at around 10am and is followed by Open Series races at 2pm.
The junior Development Program provides options for sailors (8 years on) to learn to sail and race Minnows and Mudlarks on Sunday mornings. As a Yachting Australia Discover Sailing Centre, SSC offers ‘learn to sail’ courses and coaching on developing racing skills and building a competitive edge. A new Junior Coach from Argentina has recently joined the club, which has boosted the Junior Training capability enormously this year.
Some of SSC's happy Junior fleet
Key Club Events
SSC conducts two special invitation events including the Convict Bay Regatta in January and Cock of the Canning in March.
Historically, SSC have been closely associated with Perth Dinghy Sailing Club and Maylands Yacht Club. In particular with the Heron fleets, conducting shared State Title events twice at each club each season. They are now aiming to do the same with their Lasers, Lowrider Moths and 14’ Windrush Cats.
Members, Julia and Michael Shellabear, on their Windrush 14 Catamaran
Recent Challenges & Successes
Hosting the Windrush 14 State Championships in 2020 was one of the club’s greatest achievements. The event was extremely well attended and proved a roaring success.
Due to the demographics of the area, attracting members is one of SSC’s greatest challenges, with block sizes unable to accommodate storage of boats and the club does not currently have the capability to store all members' boats. However, this does not stop SSC from welcoming new sailors with open arms and encouraging new members to join and experience the joy of sailing.
It is safe to say the family focused club, with its beautiful location, safe waters and great fellowship, provides an excellent spot for the whole family to have some fun on the water.
SSC Windrush Sailors Stephen Gallagher and Duncan Robertson at the State Titles 2022
Commodore - Andrew Currie
Secretary - Chris Musto
