Swan River Sailing wins two awards at 2021 Australian Sailing WA Awards Night

SRS Team left to right: Michael Taylor (Fleet Maintenance and Media), Georgia Bivens (Events and Marketing), Carolina Zanon (Events and Marketing), and Andy Fethers (Executive Officer) © Swan River Sailing

The 2021 WA Sailing Awards Night was held at Hillarys Yacht Club on Thursday 30 September 2021.

Swan River Sailing wins SheSails award - photo © Swan River Sailing

Encouraging female participation in regattas and leadership/networking events

• Women on Water has proved very successful in providing the opportunity to try the sport of sailing in a safe and fun environment to many CBD-based businesswomen. In 2021, the formalities were hosted by Tessa Parkinson OAM (2008 Olympic Gold Medallist) with speeches from the City of Perth's Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Sandy Anghie.

• Upon consultation with female match racers in 2019, an amendment was made to SRS Match Racing Regatta NoRs so weight restrictions reflected the 68kg average weight that is used in women's match racing.

• The Inter-Club Championships in 2021 consisted of 4 sessions with Session 2 dedicated to the women. All metropolitan-based clubs fielded teams of only female sailors.

• The Women State Keelboat Champs celebrated its' 29th birthday in 2021. This event has been one of SRS's most popular state regattas in the organizations' history and continues to be an important date on the calendar for female keelboat sailors in WA.

SRS collective initiatives will now be showcased nationally during the Australian Sailing Awards. - photo © Swan River Sailing

SRS collective initiatives will now be showcased nationally during the Australian Sailing Awards. - photo © Swan River Sailing

Contributing to a more sustainable sailing industry

Swan River Sailing wins Sustainability award - photo © Swan River Sailing

• SRS owns a fleet of nine Foundation-36 Yachts which are used in more than 500 sailing outings per annum - these yachts have no engines, allowing the primary core business activities of the organisation to leave close to no carbon footprint.
• SRS has minimized its use of single-use plastic wherever possible and practicable. When SRS runs regattas all participants and volunteers are encouraged to BYO water bottles (we all have at least one lying around at home!) and single-use plastic bottled water is not available on the water for consumption.
• The four-year reign of the Beach Clean Up has seen a combined total of over 100 bags of rubbish collected with 2021's edition collecting 29 bags of rubbish and having 37 individuals participating on the day.
• SRS is maintaining an ongoing partnership with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, and River Guardians. In previous years this has seen us partner on 'Junior Dolphin Watch' where kids learn about our beautiful Swan River, the flora and fauna, and the river nutrients, followed by an introduction to sailing where they cruise around looking for wildlife and dolphins.
• SRS is implementing a QR code system for regatta packs and documents moving forward into Season 2021/22 - this will see them handing out of printed documents and packs reduced even further and minimize to just key, core safety documentation to key personnel only.

Sailors participate in a Beach Clean Up with River Guardians and Keep Australia Beautiful as part of the City of Perth Festival of Sail. - photo © Drew Malcolm

Sailors participate in a Beach Clean Up with River Guardians and Keep Australia Beautiful as part of the City of Perth Festival of Sail. - photo © Drew Malcolm