Castle Cove Sailing Club celebrates member-built slipway

Published 2:10pm on 4 Oct 2025

Castle Cove Sailing Club officially opened its new slipway before Sunday morning racing, marking the culmination of a week of intense volunteer labour. More than 70 dedicated members, from seasoned sailors to new recruits, gave their time and energy to complete the ambitious project.

Commodore Richard Bowers cut the ribbon, recognising the incredible effort and community spirit that drove the project from start to finish. "It's a brilliant club project that will benefit so many people," he said, speaking to the volunteers. The first boat on the new concrete was helmed by RC Sailing's Rob Smith.

Construction wasn't without its challenges. The seven-day project saw volunteers battle a thunderstorm and strong winds, which washed away some of the lower-level shuttering. Working around the tides, the teams pushed through, showing a "keep smiling" attitude even when it rained. Recycled windows were even used to create the shuttering, showcasing the club's resourceful approach.