Port MacDonnell Sailing Club

Port MacDonnell Sailing Club races on the open waters of South Australia's southernmost town, off Sea Parade in Port MacDonnell. It's a friendly, volunteer-run club that races on Saturdays during the season and welcomes new members and volunteers. Its racing includes keelboats and trailable yachts, with events like the club's 25-foot Challenge series.

What the club offers

• Club racing on Saturdays through the season, which usually starts in October.
• Seasonal championships and regattas, regularly covered by the local press.
• Plenty of ways to help: the club is always looking for race officials and boat drivers.

Port MacDonnell is a working fishing port, known as a rock lobster centre, and the club sails in the same bay as the fishing fleet. With Cape Northumberland just along the coast and the Southern Ocean beyond, it's a place that produces practical, weather-wise sailors.

Updates and contact are through the club's Facebook page, email (portmacsc@gmail.com) or phone (0408 385 500). See our Port MacDonnell sailing clubs page for more.

The club runs a seasonal racing program on Saturdays and hosts championships and club regattas that have been covered in local media. It also looks for volunteers for race officer and committee-boat duties. The club doesn't advertise a learn-to-sail or structured youth program, so contact it about crewing opportunities.

Crewing is the best way into sailing here. Racing off an exposed coast teaches seamanship quickly, and experienced skippers are usually glad of reliable crew. Volunteering as a boat driver or race official is another good way to learn how racing works. Before heading out on open water, our guide to sailing safety for beginners is worth a read.

Port MacDonnell sits on a bay on South Australia's south-east coast in the Limestone Coast region, close to the Victorian border. The club sails from the town's Sea Parade frontage and races on the bay and nearby coastal waters. The coast here is known for rocky capes and an exposed southern shoreline.

These are Southern Ocean waters, and conditions can change fast. Big swells, strong south-westerly fronts and cold water call for proper safety gear and respect for the forecast, and headlines like "Sailors face ultimate test" show how tough the conditions can get. On good days, though, the sailing is spectacular, with clean ocean breezes and dramatic coastline. See our guide to understanding wind, waves and sea state.

Port MacDonnell Sailing Club is an established local sporting organisation that stages seasonal racing and championships. Local media coverage records club racing, trophy presentations and championship events over many seasons, from the 25-foot Challenge to handicap wins by boats such as Papillon.

In 2017 the club paused to reflect on its long history after the death of one of its founding members. Through the decades it has kept sailing alive in a small fishing town at the bottom of the state, with volunteers running races, championships and social events for the Port MacDonnell community.