South Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta 2024

Jump on board with nearly 200 women who have participated over the past two years in the South Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta (SAWKR).  Last year’s Regatta saw women from every state in Australia join the excitement of three days of racing. In its third fabulous year, we are excited to extend a warm invitation to women sailors from South Australia and nationally to join us. 

The Regatta is being held over the October long weekend (4-7 October 2024), hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia (CYCSA), with assistance from its partners the Port Adelaide Sailing Club (PASC) and the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron (RSAYS). We are pleased to again welcome respected Race Officer Lou Hutton to officiate for the Regatta - Lou is based with the Royal Melbourne Yacht Club and brings extensive national and international experience to our event.  
SAWKR is for women skippers and crews only.  It aims to build women’s participation, skills and pathways into sailing; and to build our leadership, the spirit of competition and camaraderie. We are a unique addition to the growing national women’s sailing community.  You can enter individually or as a boat crew. As an individual, we will do our best to help you join a team. 

The racing and off-water activities are for developing and improving skills and encouraging an Australia-wide network of women sailors. Last year’s Regatta attracted 160 women and 30 boats and competitors ranged from their teens to seventies.  All who attended had a great experience, and the excitement and noise was palpable after each race and at the presentations. 

Divisions 1 and 2 keelboats and Elliot 7s will be run in Course Area A in Gulf St Vincent adjacent the CYCSA.  Division 3 consisting of trailerables and small keelboats will be run in Course Area B out of the Port Adelaide Sailing Club.  Please note: trailerables and small keelboats, if they choose, can nominate to race in Division 2 in Course Area A.  However, once nominated for a division they will be required to complete the Regatta in that division.

As well as all the excitement on the water, there will be lots of fun at the off-water activities, including presentations, post-sail BBQs, a Regatta dinner, a games night and for those with a bit more time, a tour to some of Adelaide best wineries.  

SAWKR has been proudly supported by the City of Port Adelaide Enfield since 2022, and in 2023 by the Office of Recreation, Sport and Racing, along with many other contributors.

Start planning, tell your friends, and come and join us for an amazing weekend.  And note, there are also concessions for full time students.  

Registrations are now open.  Get in early and save!!. 

What:  SOUTH AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S KEELBOAT REGATTA
When: Saturday 5 – Monday 7 October 2024
Where: Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia
Contact: Phone 08 8248 4222 or sawkr@cycsa.org  
More information:  cycsa.com.au/sawkr or @SAWKR2024  

Each day after the end of racing and before presentations, there will be a free BBQ for competitors and volunteers.