Kurnell Catamaran Club cancels Sunday regatta as winds exceed safety limits

Kurnell Catamaran Club cancelled scheduled racing on Sunday after the club said, “Bureau of Meteorology forecasts and measured conditions showed sustained winds and gusts exceeding the club’s safety limits.” The decision affects sailors using the Sydney Basin venue and underscores the role of official forecasts and local observations in race-day safety.

The club location at Prince Charles Parade serves both its main clubhouse at 304 and a west building at 310, Kurnell. The announcement reiterated the club’s emphasis on established operational guidance and safety rules; the notice itself is truncated in the available material, but it cites Bureau of Meteorology information as the basis for the call. The cancellation removed racing from the day’s catamaran schedule, which normally runs 9.30am to 4.30pm on scheduled dates, with junior monohulls operating 8.30am to 12.30pm.

Race-day decisions follow procedural guidance that relies on BOM forecasts and station readings. As the BYBC guidance states, “Where no local wind warnings are in force, but the BOM forecast or recorded data from local BOM weather stations (e.g. Sydney Airport or Kurnell) indicate the occurrence or likelihood of wind gusts of 26 knots or above for a significant period, the Race Committee has the discretion to vary the start time by up to one hour, postpone or cancel that race.” The guidance further explains mandatory action when stronger warnings are current: “When a gale or stronger wind warning has been issued by the BOM, which is current for the area of the race within 2 hours of the scheduled start, that race shall be postponed or cancelled with no further racing on the day.” For strong wind warnings the committee again has discretion: “When a strong wind warning has been issued and is current for the area of the race within 2 hours of the scheduled start, the Race Committee has the discretion to vary the start time by up to one hour, postpone or cancel that race.”

BOM observations and local station data are used to determine gust and sustained-wind behaviour; local readings from stations such as Sydney Airport and Kurnell are explicitly referenced in the procedures. The available reports do not state which BOM warning level, if any, was active within two hours of the scheduled start on Sunday, nor do they specify a club-wide numeric safety limit.

Kurnell Catamaran Club’s own safety rules remain firm: “All boats are required to have righting ropes on them(towing rings and bridles are recommended) and all sailors must wear lifejackets when on the water.” The club also reminds members that “Kurnell Catamaran Club Incorporated takes no responsibility for an individuals decision to sail, race or participate in any capacity with, or on behalf of the club. Refer to the Disclaimer which outlines only some of the risks. Also refer to the Racing Rules of Sailing Rule 3 'Decision to Race'.” Novices are urged to stick to onshore winds and lighter conditions: “If you are a novice, we recommend you confine your sailing days to days when the wind is blowing on shore (N, NE or E wind directions are best at the club) and the wind strength, including gusts, is less than 15 knots.”

When races are varied or cancelled, the race committee intends to use the club Facebook page and website home page to post decisions and may alert skippers by SMS: “Where a race has been varied, postponed or cancelled by the Race Committee, all endeavours will be made to post the decision on the Club’s Facebook Page and website Home page. Skippers may also be alerted via SMS.”

For now, skippers and parents of junior sailors should monitor the club’s usual channels for any rescheduling or further notices, keep safety equipment ready, and remember the club’s operational and weather-related rules will govern when racing resumes.