Through the RPAYC's policy of 'Excellence in Sailing' the club is always looking to extend opportunities of what can be done in sailing and for sailors.
In June 2019 the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club announced the 1250nm Sydney to Auckland Yacht Race, originally slated to start on Sydney Harbour on 30th of January 2021 and finish in Auckland Harbour in time to help the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron celebrate their 150th Anniversary and enjoy the 36th Americas Cup.
The RPAYC may be a much valued part of our community but the club has always been part of the national and worldwide community of sailing as well. This commenced when the Prince Alfred Yacht Club, later to become the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, was formed on Tuesday October 15th 1867 and named in honour of Prince Alfred, the first royal visitor to our shores, continued when Walter Moffit Marks, then Commodore of the RPAYC, sailed aboard Sir Thomas Lipton's America's Cup contender Shamrock in 1908 and returned to help with the trials for another Shamrock vying for the 1914 America's Cup, and persists today through blue water classics such as the annual Pittwater to Coffs race.
Sir Thomas Lipton would later present the Lipton Cup to the RPAYC, topped by an effigy of the Shamrock.
SAILING. (1908, May 9). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 16. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14925522
THE LIPTON CUP
THE CHALLENGE CUP PRESENTED TO THE ROYAL PRINCE ALFRED YACHT CLUB BY SIR THOMAS LIPTON. THE LIPTON CUP (1920, June 10). The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1930), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article239627914
Covid caused the postponement of the first ever Sydney to Auckland but in late 2022 the RPAYC revived the proposal and opened for entries with a new start date of Saturday October 7 2023.
Among the first entries was RPAYC’s Mark Griffith with lnity.
Mr. Griffith commented, “I think it’s going to be a premier race, the longest (from Australia) and an international race. This is the first time anyone gets to do it, so there should be quite a bit of interest and a strong fleet.”
On the dynamics of the race, the yachtsman says, “It will probably be six or seven days. The Sydney Hobart and Melbourne to Hobarts are a sprint by comparison. We will have to pace ourselves more with various conditions.”
The crew plans to take full advantage of the New Zealand end of the race.
‘We’ve got plans to stay over,” Griffith says. “The Coastal Classic is only a week later and gets around 160 entries. We don’t want to miss that. We also plan to cruise to the Bay of Islands (one of the most spectacular places on the planet), and that’s on the way home. So we might leave the boat there and do the Bay of Islands Regatta.
“This is not something we get to do every day, so we want to go hard at it,” Mr. Griffith said
The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron's James Irvine was another to sign on for the inaugural Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race and represents the first interstate entrant for the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s (RPAYC) race.
Mr. Irvine entered Mayfair, a Rogers 46 he bought in 2020, upgrading from earlier yachts of the same name. He particularly enjoys the cut and thrust of major offshore events, including those away from home.
The lure of the Sydney to Auckland race has many positive connotations: “I’ve got some ex- Kiwis who sail with us and it’s a bit of a bucket list thing. I’m originally a Kiwi. I came to Australia in 1989, so I’ve been living here longer than I lived in New Zealand. It’ll be good to go back there - and in this way - a new and long race,” Irvine stated “It’s going to be a great race.”
Irvine’s crew will mainly be a core of those who regularly sail with him in offshore events.
“We like getting out there racing and having fun. The biggest part is to remember to have fun because you can get carried away with things otherwise. It’s important to come back to the enjoyment of sailing,” the Queenslander observes.
“We’ll probably stay on to enjoy the New Zealand hospitality. I still have family there, including my mother, who follows our racing on the trackers at different events. When we’re finished, she wants to know why we made certain moves and decisions,” he said amid laughter.
James has six Sydney Hobarts behind him, including last year’s, along with a string of other major races along the east coast of Australia. Like other entrants in this race, he is relishing the opportunity of a new and different offshore challenge. And hearing others are keen to do it too, he says, “We’re looking forward to good competition.”
RPAYC’s Robert McClelland explained the race’s communications have been simplified for the 1250 nautical mile race: “Satellite phones, AIS and trackers on each boat, no time consuming skeds. This follows the Club’s successful Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race, which is run on the same basis.”
The other joy for competitors is that the Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race was timed to allow prospective competitors to compete on the northern circuit in Queensland beforehand and to be back in Australia in time for the Rolex Sydney Hobart and Melbourne to Hobart yacht races.
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA), the great Australian sailing club that gave the world the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race which commenced with just 9 yachts in 1945, has two entrants; Frantic, Michael Martin's entry, and Geoff Hill's Antipodes, while the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron's Graham Barrett's Painkiller is also racing.
The RPAYC sent in the following report after the race commenced:
Inaugural Sydney To Auckland Ocean Race 2023 Gets Underway
And they’re off! At 1300hrs AEDT on October 7, 2023, the yachts and crews in the inaugural Sydney to Auckland Yacht Race left Sydney Harbour, bound for Auckland.
Their start, adjacent to the famous Sow and Pigs near the Heads of the iconic harbour, saw them get underway in a 12-17 knot Southerly with sunny skies, before they turned left to go up Sydney’s spectacular Northern Beaches to a turning mark off Barrenjoey Head at Broken Bay, where they then turned right to head East, and make for New Zealand.
It is a 1250 nautical mile course, which is virtually double that of the famous Sydney to Hobart event, and sees the competitors deal with the many challenges the Tasman Sea can deliver, from becalmed to large swells, as well as true bluewater ocean conditions, where you can smell the land, once you get close enough.
Race Organiser, the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) and partner the Royal Akarana Yacht Club (RAYC) are delighted to see this race get away after a COVID-19 enforced delay. Once in New Zealand, crews can partake in some of the famous events there, including the mighty Coastal Classic, or return promptly to get organised for the myriad of events on Australia’s East Coast in the lead up to and during the holiday period.
The overall winner will be crowned under the IRC measurement system, and will be awarded, but obviously not retain, the splendiferous Sir Lipton Cup that was first used as a trophy back in 1922.
The Sir Lipton Cup
In a remarkable display of bravery and community spirit, three swimmers have been rescued in recent weeks by community members at Turimetta Beach, an unpatrolled location, and South Curl Curl, a popular beach outside of patrol hours, with the help of Council's new emergency rescue boards.
With temperatures reaching up to 35 °C over September 18 to 21, before the Volunteer Surf Lifesaving Patrol Season had commenced, people have been heading en masse to local beaches, some of whom are not familiar with local conditions.
On Saturday October 7 regular photography contributor to Pittwater Online Joe Mills sent in his weekly dose of images celebrating Turimetta, Narrabeen and Warriewood.
Joe (Turimetta Moods) stated, ''The continuing sand movement has been massive, changing weekly. There is a lot of erosion in the middle of the beach, and the rocks at the northern end are being exposed again. The southern end of the beach has been completely covered in sand, with no signs of the rocky gutters.
During this week on Wednesday, October 4, there was a great set of morning waves which drew a big crowd of board riders, both young and old. Some were not locals, as they launched into the surf from the rocks at the northern end, whereas the locals go in straight from the beach.''
Photos: Joe Mills
The National Drowning Report 2023, released just before the start of the Season, records that 66 per cent of the coastal drowning deaths occurred more than 1km from a Surf Life Saving service, as people continue to seek out more secluded swimming spots instead of swimming between the red and yellow flags. There were 281 drowning deaths across Australia last year, with over a third of these occurring in NSW.
“Drowning deaths in coastal environments including beaches, ocean/harbour locations, and off rocks decreased by nine per cent compared to the previous year, although sadly there were 125 coastal drowning deaths recorded, three per cent above the 10-year average,” Surf Life Saving Australia, Chief Executive Officer, Adam Weir said
In launching the first day of the 2023-24 Volunteer Patrol Season on September 23 Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said that 48 people drowned on the NSW coastline last year, most of these tragedies occurring on unpatrolled beaches. There were 26 coastal drownings recorded over the Summer months alone.
The loss of these lives mark 2022 as one of the worst on record for drowning fatalities.
The NSW Government announced the biggest funding commitment ever for Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW), pledging an additional $23 million over four years to help keep NSW beaches safe, at the 2023 Raising of the Flags ceremony.
With predictions of a hot and dry summer, the funding commitment reinforces the critical role of SLSNSW in safeguarding the lives of NSW beachgoers. The increased funding for will build on SLSNSW's capacity to protect lives over the warmer months.
As part of the funding package, SLSNSW will receive $18 million over four years through the NSW Rescue Capability Grant, for additional resources and equipment including 67 rescue watercraft, such as jet skis.
The funding will also deliver 40 permanent Emergency Response Beacons in blackspot locations, helping SLSNSW extend services in unpatrolled areas in an effort to reduce coastal drownings.
The NSW government’s investment in SLSNSW will continue to support the upgrade, restoration and construction of surf lifesaving facilities through an additional $5 million over four years for the Office of Sport’s Surf Club Facility Program. This program aims to assist eligible Surf Life Saving Clubs to develop facilities that will enable increased participation in Surf Life Saving for all people, increase facility usage, and improve safety.
SLSNSW is one of the largest volunteer organisations of its kind in the nation with a membership of more than 75,000.
Additionally, every Surf Life Saving Club across NSW serves as a vital community hub.
On top of the $23 million, the national body Surf Life Saving Australia will receive almost $5.8 million over four years for the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, including a crucial upgrade to the hangar door at La Perouse.
In launching the Season Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said, “New South Wales has the best beaches in the world and we’re incredibly fortunate to have the best surf life savers as well.”
“We have very dedicated, very brave volunteers, who often put themselves into dangerous situations to help others.”
“We want everyone to be able to enjoy our beaches safely. This is an important investment in life saving technology and human capital, so we know we have the resources we need right up and down the coast this Summer.”
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
“This is the largest amount of funding the NSW Government has ever committed to Surf Life Saving NSW and we are proud to deliver on our promise to support these heroes in their vital work.”
“I want to thank our volunteers who give their time so that the community can enjoy a day in the surf, so please follow their advice to stay safe.”
“By equipping Surf Life Saving NSW with vital resources and cutting-edge technology, we amplify their life-saving efforts and reaffirm our promise to protect our communities.”
Minister for Sport Stephen Kamper said:
“Surf Life Saving Clubs provide a vital service, protecting people in the water and supporting a healthy lifestyle and often lifelong passion for members.”
“Our volunteer surf lifesavers are on our beaches, rain, hail or shine, protecting the community and ensuring people are safe at the beach.”
“The record funding for the Surf Club Facility Program will provide our surf life savers with more modern, inclusive and accessible facilities that will better enable them to keep the community safe at the beach.”
President of Surf Life Saving NSW Peter Agnew said:
“This is a great time to remind the community about the benefits of volunteering to be a lifesaver. You can volunteer as little or as much as you like and in every role, from admin, to first aid, to teaching Nippers or helping in the club canteen.”
“You can learn new skills like flying a drone or driving an inflatable rescue boat, improve your fitness and mental wellbeing and be part of a great community.”
“Finally, I want to thank our lifesavers for again standing tall and protecting our beaches and I wish them all a safe summer.”
Council is stepping up its own commitment to saving lives on local beaches this Summer.
The newly installed boards will serve as a valuable addition to the existing tube box system, which comprise approximately 60 units strategically placed across beaches and ocean pools. The boards are part of a targeted initiative that focuses on high-risk areas known for hazardous surf, providing essential equipment accessible to bystanders for potential rescue situations.
Mayor Sue Heins expressed gratitude for those individuals who took immediate action to save the swimmers.
“We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the kind-hearted individuals who courageously used the rescue boards to assist the swimmers, as well as the dedicated lifeguards and surf club volunteers who were present during one of the rescues,” Mayor Heins said.
“Of note is the heroic act of a young adult rescuer who single-handedly saved two swimmers. Such acts of bravery serve as an inspiration to us all.”
To ensure the safety of beachgoers, Council has strategically placed emergency rescue boards at Turimetta, South Curl Curl and Avalon beaches. At both South and North Avalon beaches the boards have been put in place in partnership with the surf club.
Council states plans are underway for the installation of two more boards at South Narrabeen and North Narrabeen. Each location features easily accessible storage and clear signage indicating the presence of the rescue boards.
“While Council plays a significant role in safeguarding beachgoers, the cooperation and vigilance of the community and visitors are equally vital in ensuring a safe beach season,” Mayor Heins said.
“With 65 trained lifeguards patrolling 21 of the Northern Beaches and working closely with volunteer lifesavers, Council strives to maintain a high standard of safety, offering swift response and expert first aid and rescue services.
“However, recent incidents have highlighted the importance of water safety even outside of patrol hours. We urge both locals and visitors to prioritise water safety by swimming between the flags, identifying rip currents, and refraining from entering the surf during dangerous conditions.”
Council will be launching a comprehensive beach safety campaign in time for summer to educate and inform beachgoers in preparation for the upcoming summer season.
Beachgoers are being urged to exercise caution and observe water safety advice from lifesavers and lifeguards this patrolling season, which runs until 28 April 2024.
Beachgoers can check the status of local beaches on Surf Life Saving Australia's Beachwatch
Northern Beaches Council has partnered with National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to stop the spread of Phytophthora cinnamomi, a soil borne pathogen that infects threatened and iconic plants, by using specially trained sniffer dogs to detect the disease.
The soil pathogen threatens a number of endangered species and can causes root rot in susceptible plants.
With funding from NPWS Saving Our Species program, the NPWS Invasive Species Unit developed a project in mid-2022 to see if conservation detection dogs could be trained to detect Phytophthora and prevent new infestations to protect threatened species.
With the expertise of TATE Animal Training Services and two of their newest dogs – Alice, a Springer Spaniel and Echo, a Brittany Spaniel, the dogs have been successful in identifying the pathogen in controlled trials.
Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins said Phytophthora free tube-stock, propagated and grown by environmental volunteers in Council’s community nurseries, was donated by Council and infected with the disease by University of Sydney staff for training purposes.
“Results from the pilot study have proven the dogs can discriminate the scent of Phytophthora and they can successfully locate infected tube stock when placed with uninfected tube stock. These dogs are simply incredible,” Mayor Heins said.
“We’re so pleased to be partnering with NPWS on this unique project and hope the hard work by the team at TATE and their dogs can stop the spread of this pathogen infecting our precious flora.”
Demonstration of the DD's at work. Photos: NSW Government
Ten months into their training, Alice and Echo can now confidently discriminate infected from non-infected plants in a lab environment and are learning how to detect the pathogen lying dormant in soil as well as on vehicles, clothing and cutting equipment.
They’ve been practising on plants provided by Northern Beaches Council, which is working to protect critically endangered Caley’s grevillea (Grevillea caleyi) from infection.
Based on the success of this trial, the NSW Government is awarding a grant of a further $50,000 to fine-tune the dogs’ skills and deploy them to test soil in Barrington Tops National Park and Scheyville National Park, where Phytophthora poses a significant threat to several threatened plant species.
The 2-year project will involve the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, TATE Animal Training Enterprises, the University of Sydney, Botanic Gardens of Sydney’s PlantClinic, Northern Beaches Council and the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.
Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said, ''There’s huge potential for conservation dogs to help prevent the spread of this devastating disease in New South Wales, particularly in high-risk pathways like national parks, nurseries, and as part of bush regeneration projects, ensuring sites and materials are Phytophthora-free.
'There is currently no treatment or cure for Phytophthora-induced dieback. Once the disease takes hold, there is no way to eradicate it.
'Alice and Echo represent a step towards early detection and appropriate intervention to help prevent the spread of this disease and protect our native flora.''
Dusk At Avalon Beach
September 29, 2023 - Humpback whale breaching its way south, time to leave the water and beach, the view west
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