Successful Dick Winning Fun Day 2025!
Miles Davey
This year’s Dick Winning Fun Day was a wonderful celebration of community, competition, and the memory of (Uncle) Dick Winning - a long-time member, respected sailor, and cherished friend of the Club. His legacy was honoured through a day filled with participation, laughter, and good-spirited rivalry both on and off the water.
The program offered a wide range of activities, starting with the Sabot PJ Paddle and Rigging Race, where young sailors demonstrated great teamwork and independence, paddling their unrigged boats to Gibson’s Beach and back before racing to rig them onshore.
The Tug of War brought energy and laughter to the shoreline, as both red and blue teams battled through the contest!
Swimming races were well attended, with separate events for juniors, women, and men. Participants swam from the Clubhouse ramp around the flag-marked points near the beach, with plenty of support from the cheering crowd. Strong efforts and close finishes were seen across all age groups:
Under 10s: 1st place – Max Jarvis; 2nd – Will Regener; 3rd – Antonio Schudmak-Romero
Over 10s: 1st place – Emma Badger; 2nd – Maya Komine; 3rd – Axel Bueno de Mesquita
Adults: 1st place – Dave McKelvey; 2nd – Sally Badger; 3rd – Geoff Golovsky
The ever-popular Greasy Pole competition ran throughout the day. Participants in the Under 12, Under 16, and Open divisions took turns battling in pillow fights atop a greased spinnaker pole suspended over the water. The finals provided great entertainment for spectators and competitors alike.
In the SUP Soccer, parents and kids faced off in a fun and fast-paced paddleboard soccer match challenge on the water. Teamwork, strategy, and a few surprise goals kept everyone engaged.
The Family Race featured kids and parents sailing Pacers around the nearby Wedding Cake lighthouse. It was a true highlight, with families working closely together and showcasing great spirit as they raced back to shore.
Lastly, the Old Buffers Race gave former Sabot parents (and a few invited ex-Flying 11 skippers) the chance to race single-handed Sabots in a classic scratch start event - a fitting way to close the day with both tradition and camaraderie.
Overall, the day was a fitting tribute to Dick Winning’s legacy - full of fun, community spirit, and a shared love for sailing. Sincere thanks to all the volunteers, participants, and supporters who made the event possible. We look forward to carrying this tradition forward in the years to come.
