News

Opening Day - Melges Rule!

We formally started the season with challenging Northerly winds that lead to both Martin Corden and Matt Darby spending time washing their sails and displaying the bottom of their boats. But when things get tough the tough getting going and it was all Melges on the podium with #1 (Tom Clarke), #2 (Richard Jagger) and #3 (Stewart Carter).

Sun 03 Nov 2024

A day of ignominy

This year we had a pre-season Icebreaker race and invited our friends at Westernport and Somers to join us. This was to the awarding of the Montalto Marathon trophies to those who could make it, and to thank John Mitchell of Montalto for their generous support of this race (WHICH MERRICKS WON!!). Unfortunately, on the day our four visitors took out 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th places. Oh, and Matt Darby had the first capsize of the season before the race. Well done Matt. The full results below.

Sun 13 Oct 2024

Sailing instructions for 2024-25 Sailing season posted on website

Our glorious sailing captain, Simon Webster, under the supervision and guidance of Richard Jagger, have updated the Sailing Instructions for the coming season. For those of you who don't know what sailing instructions are, they are not instructions on how to sail (but you could pick up a few ideas Martin) but the rules under which we operate. So read them before bed and prepare to hit the water.

Fri 11 Oct 2024

First weekend working bee for 24-25 season

We had a fantastic turnout for our first weekend working bee for the 2024-25 season, although less arduous than in previous years because of the hard work of the Friday Gang's hard work. But there was still changing rooms to sweep, the untangling of the rock buoy lines (see photo - 'How many blokes does it take to untangle three lines?), launching of patrol and the placing of the rock buoys (in the wrong place). A successful morning finished off with a BBQ.

Fri 11 Oct 2024

Retaining wall and Pete's pavilion making great progress

The Friday morning crew have done an amazing job with replacing the retaining wall, despite the recent assistance of the former club champion, Martin Corden. Great effort by Storm, Doug, Keith, Pete (current club champion) and Martin. The shed is now advancing at a great pace with the slab and early metal work complete. Thanks again to the generous support of Bendigo Bank, Balnarring for helping make this possible.

Fri 23 Aug 2024

Sir John receives his Magoo award

Recently the club was graced with a visit from Sir John who attended the club to receive his latest Magoo award. He was accompanied by Nurse Darby, who ensured all appropriate protections were in place, but declined Simon Webster offer to be subject to a full body search. Great effort by Matt and Edwina to get him to and from his rehab facility.

Fri 23 Aug 2024

Jonka revels in being Magoo Award winner again

Multiple award winner, John Hollander, had his Magoo Award conferred on him at his hospital bed by Storm Johnson. Outstanding achievement of seeking to drive Merricks Patrol onto the trailer while the anchor was done! Well done, Jonka

Fri 21 Jun 2024

2023-24 Results

What a night it was – kudos to the Social Committee for the fabulous catering! After much anticipation, the 2023-24 Club Champion was announced as Peter Balka, with Martin Corden and Doug Varey hot on his heels. The Iron Couple award went to our dynamic duo in the Control Tower, Sue Varey and Andrew Porter, for their stoic watch over us sailors battling the elements. Full results on the website.

Thu 20 Jun 2024

Merricks Moments Autumn 2024 edition is hot off the presses

The latest edition of Merricks Moments is hot off the presses full of news about the coming and going around the Yacht Club.

Thu 11 Apr 2024

Spectacular video of the 2024 Catamarans Around French Island

Great video of the 2024 Round French Island race. Lots of spills and thrills.

Wed 10 Apr 2024

Easter Sunday Picnic at the Bill Carroll Reserve

Merricks is a social hub - after Saturday's Easter BBQ at the Yacht Club, the Bill Carroll Reserve is hosting picnic on Sunday at 3pm.

Tue 26 Mar 2024

Kobe kills it - 2 for 2 in Autumn Series heats 7 & 8.

Kobe was very motivated this week, after spending (enduring) the last race with Martin (and Tom) in the rescue boat. And that motivation paid off - coming #1 in both races. And in both races Karen came #2, and Peter #3 - so consistency was the name of the game.

Sun 24 Mar 2024

The early bird didn't get the worm

In a day of drama, three of our intrepid sailors headed off slightly early at the start of Heat 5 of the Autumn Series - but only two came back. Well done Doug and General Webster. But this unfortunately meant that one of our boats was designated OCS.

Sun 17 Mar 2024

Labour Day drama

It was a good day to be sailing a Sabre. For those in the more flighty Lasers, Aeros & Melges, it was like the next instalment of Fast & Furious. Extreme speeds and extreme wipeouts were the order of the day as the full fury of the gusty Northerly arrived with a vengeance just after the start of the first race. The proposed 9 laps over 3 races, became a 1 lap fight-for-survival, and then head for the beach.

Wed 13 Mar 2024