SEASON REPORT
COMMODORE ROBERT MCCLELLAND( 2025-2026)
As I present my final Commodore’ s Report after three years as Commodore, I do so with sincere gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club.
RPAYC remains, first and foremost, a sailing club. Our friendships, volunteer culture and community are built around a shared passion for being on the water. Excellence in Sailing continues to underpin everything we do, while fun, friendship and family remain at the heart of the Club.
The 2025 – 2026 season showcased RPAYC’ s strength across every level of the sport. From junior development and community participation through to international competition and offshore racing, members represented the Club with distinction on Pittwater, across Australia and around the world.
Our major regattas reinforced RPAYC’ s reputation as one of Australia’ s leading sailing clubs. The Pantaenius Pittwater Regatta and NSW ORC Championships attracted 85 + boats from 13 clubs, while the Pittwater Off The Beach Regatta, delivered with Avalon
4 ALFRED’ S MAGAZINE 2025-26
Sailing Club and BYRA, highlighted the benefits of collaboration across the sailing community. The Club also hosted numerous state and national championships, alongside approximately 20 race series, 130 race days and almost 300 unique yacht entries throughout the year.
RPAYC sailors continued to excel nationally and internationally. Highlights included success at Hamilton Island Race Week, the Etchells Corinthian Cup, Finn and Formula 18 Championships, International 5.5 Metre Worlds, and the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Offshore racing also continued to grow, with the second Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race delivering an outstanding international fleet.
Our junior and youth pathways remain among the Club’ s greatest strengths. RPAYC hosted the NSW Optimist State Championships, supported Flying 11 and other development classes, and celebrated outstanding international achievement’ s by sailors including Louis Tilley, Daniel Kemp and numerous youth sailors selected to represent Australia at world championships and international regattas. The work of Head Coach Rob Brewer and our coaching team continues to strengthen participation and sailor development across all levels.
Women’ s sailing enjoyed another exceptional year, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Pantaenius Women’ s Twilight Series while the Gwen Slade Regatta, Women’ s Development Regatta and future Kay Cottee Women’ s Regatta continued to expand opportunities for female sailors.
Beyond racing, our cruising, radio sailing and social programs continued to flourish, creating more opportunities for members to connect. Alfred’ s Community Sailing and our volunteer programs remained central to the Club’ s commitment to inclusion and making sailing accessible to all.
This season RPAYC was honoured to be named the 2025 Australian Sailing NSW & ACT Club of the Year. Ted Anderson received Lifetime Achievement recognition, while Julia Hornsby was recognised as Volunteer of the Year, reflecting the remarkable people who make our Club so special.
I extend my sincere thanks to our sponsors, commercial partners, Board, Flag Officers, General Manager Jon Harkness, our dedicated staff and, most importantly, our extraordinary volunteers. More than 150 members generously contribute their time across race management, coaching, community sailing, committees and countless other activities that keep the Club thriving.
As my term as Commodore concludes, I leave with enormous confidence in RPAYC’ s future. While the Club continues to evolve, what remains unchanged is that RPAYC is, and always will be, a sailing club at heart. It has been an honour and privilege to serve as Commodore, and I thank every member for their support, friendship and contribution over the past three years.