Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club

Sailing Programme

The club offers a weekend Couta Boat racing programme, featuring the largest Couta fleet in Australia. The sailing season typically runs from November to June and includes off-the-beach dinghy racing, club regattas, and a formal regatta calendar. The club hosts state, national, and international championships, including WASZP, youth, and class championships, as well as Team Racing and special event regattas. More details can be found on the sailing programme page.

Training Opportunities

The club provides a structured Learn to Sail pathway for ages 5 and up, including programs such as Cara na Mara for ages 5-7, Stripy Squad for ages 7-11, OutThere for ages 12-17, and Adult Learn to Sail. Additional training includes Couta Coaching and private lessons led by fully qualified Australian Sailing instructors. For more information, visit the training opportunities page.

Club Events

Regular weekly and seasonal sailing programmes are complemented by national and international regattas and class championships. The club also hosts a variety of social events and member functions throughout the year. Details about upcoming events can be found on the club events page.

Member Experience

The club supports non-boat owners through a crew-matching system for Couta Boat crews, which can be registered via the Sailing Hub. Additionally, there is a dinghy rental program available to members after assessment, along with coaching courses to prepare new crew members. More information is available on the member experience page.

Facilities

The club features a waterfront clubhouse with panoramic decks, a dining room, a members’ lounge, and lawn areas. Facilities include boat moorings, a boatyard, and dinghy storage and rental options. The clubhouse is located at 3154 Point Nepean Road, Sorrento VIC 3943. For additional details, see the facilities page.

Dining Options

The clubhouse offers a full food and beverage menu, including seasonal options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner during summer. Regular members’ lunches and weekly hospitality events are also part of the dining experience. More information can be found on the dining options page.

Membership Information

The club has multiple membership categories, including Member, Young Adult, Junior, and absentee options, with specific age and residency requirements. Annual subscriptions and joining fees for the 2025/26 season are published, with membership approval by the Committee required for certain categories. Detailed information is available on the membership information page.

Seasonal Operations

The on-water racing season typically runs from November to June, with clubhouse opening hours varying by season. During summer, the clubhouse is open seven days from Boxing Day to Australia Day. For more details, visit the seasonal operations page.

Club History

The club has a historic association with the Couta Boat, having been established in the mid-20th century. It underwent major clubhouse redevelopment for the 2006/07 season and has hosted numerous national and international championships. More about the club's history can be found on the club history page.

Trophies and Awards

The club has received various recognitions, including Yachting Victoria's 'Club of the Year' and awards for Victorian and Australian Yacht Club of the Year for the 2015-2016 period. Further information is available on the trophies and awards page.

Venue Hire

The club offers venue hire for weddings and private events, with various ceremony spaces and reception options available. Event inquiries can be directed to the club's events contact. More details can be found on the venue hire page.

Social Activities

The club organizes a regular social programme for members, including Thursday Members’ Night, Friday Happy Hour, and various social events such as meat tray raffles and bridge sessions. A calendar of events is available on the social activities page.

Access Policy

The club has published guest and access rules, including a Guest of Members Policy that outlines visit limits and sign-in requirements. Membership categories include an Absentee Member option with reduced access. For more information, see the access policy page.

Crew Matching Services

The club provides a crew matching system for Couta Boats, allowing skippers to contact available crew. Registration instructions can be found on the crew matching services page.