What a fantastic turnout we had at East Fremantle Yacht Club’s first Discover Sailing Day of the summer! Families and adults alike came down to “test the waters” and see if sailing might become their new favourite way to spend time outdoors. With the sun shining and perfect conditions on the river, it couldn’t have been a better day to kick off the season.
From the moment the gates opened, the club buzzed with activity. Thanks to our amazing volunteers, visitors were able to try out a wide range of water activities — from club training dinghies and keelboats to windsurfers and dragon boats. The atmosphere was filled with smiles, excitement, and the joy of people experiencing sailing for the very first time.
Of course, no community day is complete without good food, and our volunteer team delivered a free sausage sizzle that kept everyone fuelled and happy. Behind the scenes, others worked tirelessly on the help desk, rigging boats, and packing up equipment. It was a true team effort, and it showed in the smooth running of the event.
Our On-Water Support Officer, Kylie Swallow, now has the exciting job of following up on all the new enquiries. The response has been fantastic — our first Tackers course is already full, and interest in keelboat training has had a welcome boost. It’s wonderful to see so much enthusiasm for sailing in our community.
We also want to extend a very special thank you to Zoe Thomson. As part of her Olympic journey last year, Zoe nominated EFYC for support, leading to a generous $1,000 voucher donation from Woolworths. This has already gone a long way in providing sunscreen for our volunteers throughout the season and supporting community BBQs like the one enjoyed on Sunday. Zoe and Woolworths’ contribution continues to make a lasting difference for our club.
Days like these remind us of the strength and spirit of our sailing community. Whether you were out on the water, helping on shore, or simply enjoying the atmosphere, thank you for being part of it. Here’s to an exciting summer of sailing ahead at EFYC!