Extreme Sailing in Sydney with a safety message
Win an extreme sailing experience on the fast hydrofoiling GC32 catamarans racing around Sydney HarbourHosted by the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, the Extreme Sailing Series will be staged on Sydney Harbour for the third year running from Thursday December 8 to Sunday December 11.
Now in its 10th year, this annual global professional circuit brings together some of the best international sailing teams on fast hydrofoiling GC32 catamarans to race at eight iconic venues across three continents, putting on a thrilling display for both local and international fans.
Neil Patchett, from Transport’s Centre for Maritime Safety, which is the official safety partner, said it was important to remind spectators of the importance of wearing a lifejacket – something that may just save your life.
"Eleven lives were lost in recreational and commercial boating accidents on our waterways last year. Over the last 10 years, 170 people have died on our waterways, and unfortunately four out of five people who drowned in recreational boating incidents over that period were not wearing a lifejacket," Mr Patchett said
"It is important to point out that lifejackets are becoming increasingly wearable and comfortable and there really is little excuse for not wearing one, especially as a lifejacket doubles the chance of survival from immersion.
"The new generation slimline lifejackets look great, are easy to wear and are discrete enough to not get in the way, even for high-speed sailboat racing."
The same advice applies to boaters on powerboats and small fishing boats, which account for the lion's share of boating activity and, thus, incidents in this country.
Phil Lawrence, Extreme Sailing Series Race Director, said safety was a core priority at the Series and welcomed Transport for NSW as a partner to promote safe boating again this year.
"Even at this elite level we all wear correctly fitting lifejackets, and we also thoroughly plan and check the weather before we head out, and it’s critically important that no matter what kind of water sport you do, or what level you are at, that everyone who goes out on the water does the same."
Transport for NSW is also giving the public an opportunity to win one of two extreme sailing experiences for two, including sailing on the harbour and access to the Extreme Club VIP race day venue.
To enter, simply upload a picture of you in your lifejacket on Instagram, use the hashtag #wearingmylifejacket and caption why it’s ‘extremely’ important to wear a lifejacket while out on the water.
Shoreside spectators will be able to watch the action from the public vantage points at Kurruba Point Reserve and Cremorne Point.
More at NSW Transport Extreme Sailing Competition page
and www.extremesailingseries.com.
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