15/09/2025
Sailability Regatta 2025 Celebrates 14 Years of Inclusive Sailing at Noosa Yacht & Rowing Club.
Under clear blue skies and fresh westerly breezes, the 14th Annual Sailability Regatta was proudly hosted by the Noosa Yacht & Rowing Club (NYRC) on Thursday, 11th September 2025. This special event once again showcased the power of community, inclusivity, and the pure joy of sailing.
Since its inception in 2010, the Noosa Sailability program has offered people with disability the opportunity to experience the freedom and thrill of being on the water. Run by dedicated volunteers and supported by a fleet of safe and stable training boats, Sailability provides a welcoming and empowering environment for participants of all abilities.
Each sailor was paired with a qualified instructor aboard a 12-foot Vagabond sailing dinghy, a vessel well-known for its stability and suitability for training. A vigilant safety boat patrolled the course throughout the event, ensuring a safe and smooth experience for all involved.
28 Participants from Endeavour Foundation, Sunshine Butterflies, EQuity Works Spiral, and a number of independent sailors attended the regatta, and sailed across 5 heats and a finals race.
1st Place - Matthew (Endeavour Foundation)
2nd Place - Oliver
3rd Place - Sammy (Sunshine Butterflies)
Adding to the occasion, Member for Noosa Sandy Bolton MP attended the regatta, lending her support and cheering on the sailors from the shoreline. Her presence was warmly welcomed by all and further underlined the importance of inclusive programs like Sailability in the Noosa community.
The races were followed by a celebratory BBQ on the riverfront, generously provided by the Noosa Yacht & Rowing Club, where medals were awarded to the winners of each heat. But more than just competition, the event was a celebration of achievement, inclusion, and community spirit.
A huge congratulations to Ken Plunkett (Sailability Coordinator), the sailing team, and all of the Sailability volunteers who make events like these possible.
Sailability is a volunteer-based, not-for-profit initiative that enables people of all abilities to participate in sailing. The program, which originated internationally and arrived in Australia in the 1990s, has been proudly offered by NYRC since 2010. With the support of trained volunteers, specialised equipment, and a passion for inclusivity, Sailability continues to change lives – one sail at a time.
PHOTO CREDIT: Neale Bertram
