Coffs Harbour Loses Yacht Race to Gold Coast

Coffs Harbour will no longer be the finish line for the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s race from Pittwater.

Until this year, January would see the warm water classic from Pittwater to Coffs Harbour, however this year, the race continued to the Gold Coast finishing at Southport after severe weather caused damage to the Coffs Harbour Marina.

It has now been announced that the race will now permanently run from Pittwater to Southport from 2018 onwards.

A story published in the Gold Coast Bulletin in September last year mentioned the possibility of the change, however this was disputed by Gary Innes on the Breakfast Show with Moffee.

In September, when asked if the story had legs, Mr Innes said, “No, I think you will find it’s just wishful thinking”.

“We have a written commitment from the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, that the Pittwater to Coffs  Harbour Yacht Race will continue from 2018 onwards”, said Mr Innes.

While the marina has now been repaired, according to the Coffs Harbour Yacht Club’s Secretary/Manager Bob StJohn, Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club made the decision following issues with continuity of the event.

The biggest concern being that the yacht club only had a lease on the property from Coffs Harbour City Council until 2020.

Pleased with the decision, Southport Yacht Club's Chair of the Race Committee, Richard Hudson said "Its great news to have the Club’s signature offshore event secure a finish destination. Both clubs have such a high standard of service and planning that I think the Club Marine Pittwater to Paradise Regatta is the start of something big".

It’s understood that the Coffs Harbour Yacht Club is currently in the process of investigating the chances of holding a race this summer with another Sydney based club, finishing in Coffs Harbour.