Sail Port Stephens 2009 regatta

Sail Port Stephens is a new regatta with a passionate commitment to provide a family friendly, easy on the wallet and generally all-round fun experience for everyone involved. Making a solid, first impression last year, the event attracted an inaugural fleet of 25 boats from as far away as Wollongong, Perth and Melbourne.

There are two feeder races from Pittwater to Newcastle (April 18) and then Newcastle to Port Stephens (April 19) before the regatta kicks off with the Commodores Cup - a three-day three-race series, with courses designed so you can enjoy the beautiful and justifiably famous waterways and islands of Port Stephens (a three-hour drive north of Sydney).

Race with or without spinnakers under PHS. With start lines positioned within close proximity to the marinas you will be on the water by around midday and off by around 4pm, leaving plenty of time and energy to enjoy the evening social festivities.

Whether you sail or the family stay ashore, there will be an array of daily activities and special packages such as day spas at Peppers Anchorage and Shoal Bay Resort and Spa, as well as lunches by the water and fun activities for kids. Everything is priced to make the week affordable, as well as enjoyable, say race organisers.

Racing continues at the back end of the week after a layday on Thursday, with the Yachting NSW IRC Championship for those who want the pure windward leeward racing, or the Port Stephens Trophy that offers PHS racing, spinnaker and non spinnaker.

There's more social fun at night on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with the prizes awarded immediately after an early finish on Sunday afternoon at d'Albora Marina.

Details and entry at www.sailportstephens.com.au