Whitsunday Sailing

What Whitsunday Sailing does

Whitsunday Sailing Club is a private, member-based sailing club founded in 1971 and located on the waterfront point at 11 Ocean Rd, Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia. It operates a multi-vertical community venue combining sailing programs, marine infrastructure, and hospitality services. Core offerings include learn-to-sail courses (Tackers for ages 7–12, Start Sailing for adults and teens), weekly Wednesday twilight racing, weekend offshore racing and cruising, and off-the-beach dinghy sailing, all anchored by the club's annual flagship regatta — the Jeanneau and 74 Islands Airlie Beach Race Week, now in its 38th iteration (August 2026), which attracts over 800 sailors and 120+ boat entries from across Australia and New Zealand.

The club's waterfront infrastructure includes marina berths for vessels up to 18 metres, hardstand storage up to 20 metres, a launching ramp, pontoon, dinghy basin, swing moorings, and careening facilities. Hospitality operations comprise a 7-day restaurant and bar (open 11am–8pm) and four event venues — the Bali Hut Pavilion, The Terrace, Froggies Cove and Lawn, and private function rooms — for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations. Maritime training is delivered through the Whitsunday Maritime Training Centre (WMTC), a wholly-owned subsidiary established in 1998.

The business generates revenue through five streams: recurring club memberships and SailPASS day-passes, restaurant and bar sales, one-time venue hire for events, fees from sailing programs and WMTC training, and subscription-based mooring and storage fees. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, leveraging the annual regatta, sponsor relationships with more than 20 brands (including flagship partners Jeanneau Yachts, Mooloolaba Yacht Brokers, and 74 Islands Distillery), and organic digital channels (website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, email newsletters). The club has 1–10 employees and operates as a not-for-profit governed by a committee with substantial volunteer involvement.

Name

Whitsunday Sailing

Legal name

Whitsunday Sailing Club

Website

https://whitsundaysailingclub.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Whitsunday Sailing Club is a member-based sailing club and waterfront hospitality venue in Airlie Beach, Queensland, offering sailing programs, restaurant and bar services, event venue hire, marina facilities, and the annual Airlie Beach Race Week regatta.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sailing Club & Hospitality Services

NAICS

Marinas (713930), Marinas (71393)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Sailing & Water Sports Teams/Clubs (Sailing, Rowing, Surfing) (MPAKABAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sailing Experiences (Lessons, Regattas, Day Sails) (THAJAJAG)

Keywords

• Sailing club memberships
• Yacht racing events
• Maritime training services
• Sailing education programs
• Marine mooring facilities

Headquarters

HQ city

Cannonvale, Queensland

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Restaurant and Bar: The club operates a waterfront restaurant and bar open 7 days a week, serving a fresh food menu and beverages to members and general public visitors. This is a primary revenue driver alongside membership.
2. Club Memberships: Club memberships provide access and insurance to sailing facilities, in-venue discounts, and use of optional facilities for full members. SailPASS allows non-members to join for a day of sailing with access and insurance coverage.
3. Venue Hire and Function Bookings: The club offers venue hire for weddings, corporate events, birthdays, and special occasions across multiple spaces including the Bali Hut Pavilion, The Terrace, Froggies Cove and Lawn, and function rooms. Revenue is generated through venue fees, catering arrangements, and event packages.
4. Sailing Programs and Training: Learn-to-sail programs including Tackers (children 7-12), Start Sailing (adults/teenagers), twilight racing, offshore sailing, and off-the-beach sailing events generate participation revenue. Maritime training is provided through the Whitsunday Maritime Training Centre.
5. Mooring and Marine Facilities: The club provides mooring facilities, boat/trailer/dinghy storage, marina berths (up to 18m vessels), hardstand storage (up to 20m vessels), launching ramp, pontoon, and dinghy basin access to financial club members for annual fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Whitsunday Sailing Club is a community sailing club operating from a waterfront site at Airlie Beach, offering sailing programs (learn-to-sail, twilight, offshore and off-the-beach racing), club memberships and SailPASS day access, marine facilities (moorings, marina berths, hardstand storage, launching ramp), a waterfront restaurant and bar, function and wedding venues, maritime training through its Whitsunday Maritime Training Centre division, and its signature annual Jeanneau and 74 Islands Airlie Beach Race Week regatta.

Product overview

Whitsunday Sailing Club is a sailing club and hospitality venue offering a comprehensive range of sailing programs and event services. The core sailing offerings include Learn to Sail (training programs for children and adults), Twilight Sailing (weekly Wednesday races), Offshore Sailing (weekend races and cruising), and Off The Beach Sailing (dinghy sailing). The club provides marine facilities including moorings, marina berths, hardstand storage, and launching ramps. Hospitality services include a waterfront restaurant and bar open 7 days, plus event venues for weddings and functions including the Bali Hut Pavilion, The Terrace, Froggies Cove and Lawn, and private function rooms. The club also offers membership programs and SailPASS for non-member access. Its signature event is the annual Jeanneau and 74 Islands Airlie Beach Race Week regatta. Maritime training is available through the affiliated Whitsunday Maritime Training Centre.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Airlie Beach Race Week: Annual sailing regatta hosted by the club, now known as Jeanneau and 74 Islands Airlie Beach Race Week
• SailPASS
• Jeanneau and 74 Islands Airlie Beach Race Week

Products and services

• Learn to Sail Sailing education programs teaching fundamental small-boat sailing skills in a safe environment. Includes Tackers 1, 2 and 3 for children aged 7-12 and Start Sailing 1 & 2 for adults and teenagers.
• Twilight Sailing Weekly twilight racing held every Wednesday afternoon year-round, with races starting at 4:30pm. Open to all club members and visiting yachts.
• Offshore Sailing Offshore racing calendar featuring weekend races approximately twice a month year-round, together with cruising events around the Whitsundays.
• Off The Beach Sailing Dinghy sailing activities using one of the best protected sailing areas on the Queensland coast, with easy access from rigging and storage facilities to the club's dinghy harbour and launching area.
• Restaurant & Bar Waterfront restaurant featuring a fresh menu with local ingredients and Whitsunday views, open 7 days from 11am to 8pm, with an upstairs bar offering direct access from the all-weather balcony.
• Function & Wedding Venues Versatile event spaces for hire including the Bali Hut Pavilion, The Terrace (up to 50 guests), Froggies Cove and Lawn, and private function rooms for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations with waterfront views over Pioneer Bay.
• Club Membership Club membership offering benefits including in-venue discounts for all members and use of optional facilities for full members. Includes access to sailing facilities, mooring, and club events.
• SailPASS Non-member sailing access program allowing day (or more) access to sailing at the club. Provides access and insurance to sail only if user already has boat/crew position arranged.
• Marine Facilities Comprehensive marine facilities including swing moorings, launching ramp, pontoon and dinghy basin, marina berths (max 18m vessels), hardstand storage (max 20m vessels), and careening poles for emergencies.
• Maritime Training Maritime training programs delivered through the Whitsunday Maritime Training Centre (WMTC), the club's commercial maritime division offering professional maritime certification training.
• Jeanneau and 74 Islands Airlie Beach Race Week Annual premier sailing regatta hosted by the club, featuring multiple divisions including Rating Passage, Performance Racing, Performance Cruising, Multihull Racing, Trailable Yachts & Sports Boats, and off-the-beach classes. Runs 6-13 August annually with onshore entertainment, food stalls, and live music.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 800 sailors and 120+ boat entries participated in the 2026 annual regatta, with 16+ divisions and classes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Jeanneau YachtsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerNaming rights sponsor of the annual sailing regatta: 'Jeanneau Yachts presented by Mooloolaba Yacht Brokers and 74 Islands Airlie Beach Race Week'. Jeanneau's all-new Sun Odyssey 455 made its Australian debut at the 2026 regatta, with Mooloolaba Yacht Brokers on-site throughout the week introducing prospective buyers to the range.
• Mooloolaba Yacht BrokersflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-presenting sponsor of the annual regatta alongside Jeanneau Yachts. The broker had staff on-site throughout race week welcoming visitors, connecting with existing Jeanneau owners, and introducing prospective buyers to the latest models.
• 74 Islands DistillerycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNaming rights sponsor and spirits partner for the regatta. Competitors who won during the week received 74 Islands Distillery product packs; all competitors had opportunities to sample product and enjoy cocktails at the club's tasting bar during the event. Sponsoring Lay Day Long Lunch at Elementa Whitsundays.
• Ullman Sails WhitsundaycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSailing equipment sponsor and long-time supporter of Airlie Beach Race Week through sponsorship. Paul Mitchell's local Ullman Sails Extreme 40 competes in the regatta and was a competitive rival in Multihull Division 0 at the 2026 event.
• Whitsunday Maritime Training CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished in 1998 as the club's commercial maritime training division, providing maritime training programs. Linked on the club's website under the About Us section. Located at the same waterfront site.
• MustominorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnical clothing sponsor with a pop-up shop at the 2026 regatta, offering sailing apparel for purchase on-site during race week.
• RonstanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor providing a coffee cart offering free coffee to competitors at the 2026 regatta, with an opportunity to try an Orbit Winch product.
• Northside MarineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsored the provision of a Highfield 800 crewed media boat for use by official photographer Andrea Francolini during the 2026 regatta.
• Hillery GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed sponsor of Whitsunday Sailing Club providing support for sailing events.
• Ray White WhitsundayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed sponsor supporting club sailing events.
• LiveLife PharmacyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed sponsor of club sailing events.
• Sailing HavannaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed sponsor of club sailing events.
• Twenty 16minorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed sponsor of club sailing events.
• Woodwark Rise EstateminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed sponsor of the annual regatta.
• Ocean CrusaderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIan and Annika Thomson's TP52 Ocean Crusaders J-Bird participates in the regatta and organises the Lay Day Clean Up event, collecting rubbish from local waters with volunteer competitors. The Thomsons also collect drink cans at the club each morning, selling them with proceeds donated to WSC Junior and Youth sailing programs. They received the Boss Hog Trophy 2026 for environmental stewardship and community spirit.
• ZigZagminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocally owned family-operated 80-foot catamaran Superflyer provided spectator cruise departures during the 2026 regatta from 9:30am to 12:30pm at a discounted rate for ABRW participants.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Royal Perth Yacht Club: Major Western Australian yacht club with marina, hospitality, and a busy racing and regatta calendar. Directly comparable in sailing-club-plus-hospitality business model and event-centric GTM.
• Royal Geelong Yacht Club: Victorian sailing club with marina, dining, and major regatta operations. Comparable in member-based sailing club model and event-driven revenue mix, though operating in a cooler-water Victorian location.
• Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron: A long-established Queensland sailing club offering membership-based sailing, marina facilities, dining, function venues, and a racing calendar. Directly comparable to Whitsunday Sailing Club in business model, offering mix, and target members.
• Queensland Cruising Yacht Club: Brisbane-based sailing club offering cruising, racing, marina, and social facilities. Comparable as a membership sailing club in the same Queensland market serving similar member demographics.
• Southport Yacht Club: Gold Coast sailing and social club with marina, dining, function venues, and active racing programs. Directly comparable in operating model and member offerings, serving a similar Queensland coastal sailing community.
• Royal Motor Yacht Club: Australian yacht club network operating multiple sites with marina, dining, and event venues. Comparable in mixed sailing-and-hospitality business model and reliance on recurring memberships and venue hire.

Broad incumbents

• Cruising Yacht Club of Australia: Australia's premier bluewater sailing club, hosting the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Comparable as a large membership sailing club with marina, dining, and event operations, though operating at a much larger scale and in Sydney Harbour.

Regional players

• Auckland Sailing Club: New Zealand sailing club offering membership sailing, learn-to-sail programs, and racing. Comparable in club-based sailing instruction and racing model, though operating across the Tasman.
• Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron: New Zealand's premier yacht club, hosting international sailing events. Comparable as an established sailing-club-plus-event operator and regatta host, though serving a different national geography.
• Hamilton Island Yacht Club: Yacht club within the Whitsunday Islands region offering marina, dining, and event hosting. Highly comparable location-adjacent peer with overlapping sailing waters and hospitality positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@WhitsundaySailingClub
• Facebookfacebook.com/whitsundaysailingclub
• Instagraminstagram.com/whitsunday_sailing_club
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/whitsunday-sailing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Whitsunday Sailing