Jump aboard for Bay race

Members of the public are invited to climb on board a yacht and join the CCYC on for the Australia Day race.

HAVE you ever looked over the white sails on Keppel Bay and wondered what it must be like to be out there catching the breeze?

Last year the Capricornia Cruising Yacht Club started what could become a long tradition, with a magnificent display of sails on the waters of Keppel Bay for the start of its inaugural Australia Day race. Members of the public are again invited to jump on board and join the race.

"If the public wants to come along and try sailing or be a part of a boat race, come to the club at 11.15am and for a donation you will be allocated to one of the yachts for the short race," Capricornia Coast Cruising Yacht Club commodore Heather Bellet said, explaining the club raised $2500 for the Salvation Army.

The race start-line will be perpendicular to Yeppoon Main Beach, with the start called by Bill Ludwig from the festivities at the Great Australia Day Beach Party.

"The start should be quite spectacular. Everyone tries to get on the line at the start and then sail around three buoys and then back to the club for a sausage sizzle," Heather said.

Heather said the day was all about fun. "Last year someone just motored around just for fun and a couple of powerboats came along. It's just nice to be out on water."

Before the race, Rosslyn Bay Harbour will host the blessing of the fleet by Salvation Army Major Rodney Walter at 10am.

"We do this every year and all the boats go past with each boat getting blessed, we had about 35 boats last year," Heather said.

 Details

What: CCYC Australia Day Race

Where: Start at Main Beach, Yeppoon

When: January 26 at 12.30pm

If you want to join the race, go to the Capricornia Coast Cruising Yacht Club at Rosslyn Bay Harbour (near the Coast Guard) at 11.15am on Thursday, January 26.