We are the ORCV !!
ORCV Awards Evening Silent Auction
Date: 6.30-9.30 PM, Saturday, 28 June 2025
Location: Sandringham Yacht Club, 32 Jetty Road, Sandringham, Victoria 3191
Keynote Speaker: Elizabeth "Za" Tucker
Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/DAJRL
Thank you to our wonderful sponsors, members, supporters and local businesses who have kindly donated items to our annual Silent Auction.
Items must be paid for at the end of the Auction.
For more information, please contact our team via email at
| Generously donated by: | Item: |
| Scott Robinson | 1 bottle of Dasher and Fisher "How Bizarre" limited edition gin |
| Scott Robinson | 1 bottle of Dasher and Fisher "How Bizarre" limited edition gin |
| Los Hermanos restaurant | Dinner for 2 and a bottle of Herradura Reposada tequila |
| Pete Dowdney | Comprehensive personal day of sailing training with Pete |
| ReGen Wellness | 1 Month Executive Membership, Longevity Centre (Hampton) |
| DYSC Marine Supplies. | Henri Lloyd Men's Breeze jacket - Navy |
| On Track Meals | Adventure Ready GoBucket |
| West Offshore | BLA PDF - manual |
| West Offshore | BLA PDF - manual |
| Melbourne City Marina | Voucher for 2 nights of berthing |
| Verve photography | Voucher for a photography session |
| Orca Marine | 10 Subscriptions |
| Cable clothing | $200 voucher |
| Salt Clothing Brighton | $150 voucher |
| ORCV | Foredeck Essentials course - August 2025 |
| ORCV | Safety and Sea Surival course |
| ORCV |
2x Rip tour tickets - March 2026 |
Weather for Sailors
Module 1, Fundamentals and planning for a 3+ day Coastal Passage
This is a resource page for those enrolled into the Weather for Sailors training course.
Please bookmark this page as additional resources will be added throughout the course. For course dates, please click here.
MS Teams Link
Join the course via MS Team.
Session 2 meeting - click here
Meeting ID: 481 223 451 979
Passcode: PT7Vp96t
Session 3 meeting - click here
Meeting ID: 437 342 371 696 5
Passcode: 9rJ9C32m
The meetings will be open 30 mins before the starting time of 7:00pm.
Pre Course Learning
We ask all students to complete some pre-learning prior to attending Session 2 on Tuesday 17 June 2025.
The ORCV uses Learnupon for delivery of this content with an email sent on how to login. Completing this online content is estimated to take roughly 3 - 4 hours.
Knowledge Books
These books supplement the online theory and course content and are broken into 2 sections. Reading these books is estimated to take 2 - 4 hours.
Book 1
Book 2
Session Notes
2025 Weather Course Session 1 Presentation Slides
2025 Weather Course Session 2 Presentation Slides
2025 Weather Course Session 3 Presentation Slides
Session Recordings
2025 Weather Course Session 1
2025 Weather Course Session 2
2025 Weather Course Session 3
WhatsApp Group
We've established a WhatsApp Group for the instructors and participants of the 2025 Weather for Sailors course.
This is an optional, opt-in group chat and its purpose is to enable participants to ask questions of the instructors and fellow course participants and to enable knowlegde sharing.
Click here to join.
Contact your Instructors
Weather Tools
- Maritime Safety Information https://msi.nga.mil/Publications
- BayWinds http://www.baywx.com.au/
- ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) Long Range forecast charts. https://charts.ecmwf.int/products/medium-mslp-wind850?base_time=202406111200&projection=opencharts_australasia&valid_time=202406111200
- BOM weather Charts http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/charts/
- BOM Marine and Ocean http://www.bom.gov.au/marine/index.shtml
- BOM MeteEye http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye/
- BOM Live Coastal Weather http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/observations/coastal.shtml
- BOM Tropical Region http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/charts/glw_00z.shtml
- Windy https://www.windy.com/-Menu/menu?-37.816
- Predictwind https://www.predictwind.com/
- Grib Viewer https://www.predictwind.com/grib-files
- Predictwind Offshore App https://www.predictwind.com/apps/offshore-app#downloads
Apps to Download
Bom Weather in the Apple App or Google Play store
Windy App
Navionics called Boating
PredictWind Trial
Click here to access the 6 month trial.
The promo code is orcv25
If you have any issues, please contact the PredictWind support team.
Homework
Night 1
Route from SYC to Lakes Entrance
Night 2
Weather Course Homework Session 2
Winter Series Race GPX Files
Winter Series Blairgowrie Race
Winter Series Blairgowrie Return
Windy.com Tutorials
Click here to access the Windy tutorial: How to Plan Your Trip with Windy.com
Click here to access Windy tutorials.
PredictWind Article
Click here to access a PredictWind article, Marine Meteorology 3: Clouds
Weather Resources
BOM Video https://youtu.be/ka26qIGVEwE
First Light arrives into Hobart with Coel Brauer and Elizabeth Tucker on board after epic trip from Spain, Photo © Clint Taylor/Za Ocean Racing
Ocean Racing Club of Victoria Annual Awards Evening 2025
Join us for an evening of celebration and inspiration at the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria's (ORCV) Annual Awards Evening. This prestigious event honours the outstanding achievements of our ocean racing community and the unwavering support of sailors, families, and friends.
Date: Saturday, 28 June 2025 Time: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM (UTC+10)
Location: Sandringham Yacht Club, 32 Jetty Road, Sandringham, Victoria 3191
Keynote Speaker: Elizabeth "Za" Tucker
We are thrilled to announce our keynote speaker, Elizabeth Tucker, an aspiring solo offshore sailor and co-founder of Za Ocean Racing. Elizabeth's journey from corporate success to pursuing her dream of competing in the Global Solo Challenge (GSC) is sure to inspire and captivate.
Elizabeth's remarkable story includes:
- Transitioning from VP Finance in renewable energy to full-time sailing in 2023
- Competing in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race just 18 months after taking up sailing
- Preparing for the GSC 2027, a non-stop solo circumnavigation of the globe
- Acquiring and sailing Cole Brauer's record-breaking Class 40, First Light
- Embarking on a 12,000nm journey from Spain to Australia with Cole Brauer, the first American female who previously completed a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the globe
Elizabeth's passion for pushing boundaries and embracing new challenges will undoubtedly motivate and encourage our sailing community.
Book your tickets today
Click here to book your seats, which includes a two-course meal and refreshments.
ORCV members: $95.00
Non-members: $110.00
ORCV members under 25 years old: $60.00
Non-ORCV members under 25 years old: $75.00
Dress Code: Dress to Impress
Nominate outstanding individuals now
Each year, in addition to those people recognised for sailing performance, we want to celebrate people who have contributed to the overall growth and development of ocean racing and the ORCV. We seek nominations for four key awards: Ocean Sailor of the Year; Volunteer of the Year; Crew Encouragement, and Young Sailor of the Year. Click here for more details.
Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our ocean racing community and be inspired by Elizabeth Tucker's remarkable journey. We look forward to seeing you there!
For more information, please contact our events team via email at
Women's Helm, Navigator & Radio Operator Race (WHNR) & Return Sprint (WRS)
| Ocean Race distance: | 26 nautical miles |
| Safety Category: | 5 |
| Start Location: | Royal Brighton Yacht Club |
| Start Time: | TBA |
| Start Date: | 26 July 2025 |
| Race Record: | GUSTO (Ash Taylor) 4:19:56 (2015) |
Competitor’s Guide how to Enter a Keel Boat Sailing Event
The ORCV Women's Helm, Navigator & Radio Operator Race returns in 2025 by popular demand. The inception of the WHNR race in September 2013, in recognition of the skills and passion of women participating in ocean races and other interclub events in Port Phillip, provided them the opportunity to take up lead roles in a dedicated event to showcase their skills. Initially added to the Winter Series event, as the Geelong to Melbourne (G2M) return race, the WHNR was contested annually to 2019, before the Covid years disrupted sailing. In recent years, the Winter Series return races from Blairgowrie and Geelong now constitute the Novice Return Series (NRS).
In 2025, the reinstated WHNR is now a stand alone passage event to be run on 26 July with QCYC as the destination club. A revamp of the event, will see two divisions, Racing and Cruising, with the latter to recognise the increasing number of women becoming involved with the ORCV with the move of the KISS (Keelboat Introduction to Sailing Savvy) program formally to ORCV Training. The Racing Division will attract more experienced sailors whilst the Cruising Division will encourage newly graduated KISS alumni, less experienced women or those who prefer cruising.
An additional opportunity exists for a return race from QCYC to boats’ home clubs on Sunday 27 July to maximise the opportunity for all women to actively participate across a variety of roles.
The reintroduction of the WHNR in 2025, aligns strongly with the International Women’s Day 2025 theme to @accelerateaction. Initiatives to see more women on the water more often will build a community of passionate skilled women sailors, ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion across clubs and the sport of sailing.
We are calling for boat owners and skippers to offer their boat for this race and we will match you and your boat with crew. Please use the Expression of Interest form and enter your boat via TopYacht.
If you are a female sailor looking for a boat to sail on please let us know via the Expression of Interest form.
If you already have a boat with a appropriate crew, please enter the race through TopYacht.
Provisonal Program and Information:
| Date | Information | Club | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday 20 July | Entries close 11.59pm | ||
| Monday 21 July |
Race Planning and Sailing Instructions review. 7-8pm |
Online | |
| Thursday 24 July | Weather briefing. 8-9pm Teams meeting link will be sent to all crew before the meeting |
Online | |
| Friday 25 July |
Pre-race Overnight berthing. Dinner bookings are essential if you choose to dine at the clubhouse restaurant or cafe: https://rbyc.org.au/book-a-table/ RBYC Casual Berthing page:https://rbyc.org.au/marina/casual-berthing-enquiry/ |
RBYC | |
| Saturday 26 July |
Women's Helm, Navigator & Radio Operator Race |
ORCV (RBYC start) |
|
| Saturday 26 July |
Berthing: Rafting up on QCYC wharf. Clubhouse is on Sand Island, separate from main town. Fireplace will be ablaze on arrival. Crew & visitors must be accommodated overnight on boats. Cars can remain on the island overnight. Presentation: 1730 hrs at the Clubhouse Bar: opens after the Race Car access: Controlled by Dept of defence Checkpoint 1. Open 7am-7pm. All visitors must carry photo ID. No access to Queenscliff town out of hours. No foot traffic allowed on the Causeway or the Swan Bay bridge. |
QCYC | |
| Sunday 27 July |
Women's Return Sprint Cancelled, see NTC-1 0900 Queenscliff to ~1430 finish lines in the vicinity of home clubs |
QCYC start | |
Celebrating International Women's Day with
Melbourne to Osaka Duo: Fika
An Evening with Annette Hesselmans and Sophie Snijders
Join us for an inspiring event featuring the mother-daughter sailing duo Annette Hesselmans and Sophie Snijders as they prepare for the 2025 Melbourne to Osaka Double Handed Yacht Race.
Date: 11th March 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Royal Brighton Yacht Club, 253 Esplanade, Brighton VIC 3186
Price: Free for ORCV and RBYC members, $25 for non-members
Don't miss this opportunity to meet these inspiring sailors and learn about their incredible journey. Book your spot now! Proudly sponsored by Royal Brighton Yacht Club in conjunction with KISS Alive.
Meet Fika and their boat
Fika, a Najad 1490 built in Sweden in 2001, is the vessel of choice for this remarkable duo. Named after the Swedish concept of savoring life's moments, Fika combines comfort and capability, making it ideal for long offshore races like the 2025 Melbourne Osaka Cup.
Annette Hesselmans, owner and co-skipper of Fika, brings a wealth of experience to this adventure. She completed the 2018 Melbourne Osaka Cup, finishing seventh overall, and has been ORCV's KISS resident navigation expert for the past two years. Annette's company, Paper Sailors Rock, offers sail training, charters, and sailing adventures, embodying her mission to promote inclusion in sailing.
Sophie Snijders, Annette's daughter and co-skipper, has already made waves in the sailing world. She's sailed double-handed around Australia and is currently based in Tasmania, where she's completing her university degree and building a YouTube channel, "Slim and Soph – Sailing Nakama."
Together, Annette and Sophie will form the first mother-daughter crew to compete in the Melbourne Osaka Cup, following in each other's wakes and inspiring women in sailing.
You can follow Annette and Sophie on the website page In Her Ocean Wake www.inheroceanwake.com or the youtube channel Sailing Nakama
An Evening of Inspiration
Our special guest interviewer, ORCV member Kate Hyde, who sails double-handed on Liberator, will guide us through:
- Annette's journey from nursing to founding Paper Sailors Rock
- Sophie's growing passion for offshore racing
- Their experiences in previous races, including the Rolex Sydney Hobart and Melbourne to Osaka
- The story of Fika and its recent upgrades for upcoming challenges
- Their preparation for the 2025 Melbourne Osaka Double-Handed Yacht Race
KISS comes ALIVE in 2025
An exciting new chapter for all female keelboat sailors in Victoria is now ALIVE! We welcome you to this central hub, which aims to provide a comprehensive calendar for all female focussed keelboat events for women across Victoria and beyond. Whether training, racing, cruising, volunteering or just chilling, we want to make sure you never miss out on an opportunity to participate. Read more here
- An inspiring evening with Fika: Melbourne to Osaka female duo
- Beacon Inadvertent Activations Facts
- Pip Hare - 2 Special Events to Thank Melbourne
- Safety & Regulations Updates September 2024
- Winners - National Australian Sailing Awards
- 2024 Melbourne to Devonport Final Reminders
- Life Raft and Life Vest Servicing
- ORCV winners of 3 AS Victoria Awards 2024
- KISS 2024 a Sellout Success
- Vale Trevor Huggard AM
- YRSA Boat Weighing Day at SYC
- The Next Generation taking Opportunties
- Volunteer Spotlight
- Two Way Communication
- Marine Safety for all Recreational Boaters
- Race Management Team
- ORCV Next Gen Program
- Spotlight shines on Women at ORCV Awards Night 2024
- Skipper Survey Results
- We’ve been weird, wonderful and winners
