On Saturday 28 February, I had the opportunity to join members of the club for an afternoon of sailing at their new venue at Churchview Estate, Metricup, located approximately 25 minutes south of Busselton on the Bussel Highway. The venue is easy to find—simply look for the sign on the left-hand side of the highway and follow the track through the gate (just remember to close the gate behind you).

A healthy fleet of boats took to the water for an afternoon of handicap racing, with the conditions calling for B rigs across the fleet. The relaxed yet competitive format made for enjoyable racing and plenty of opportunities for close tactical battles around the course.

The lake itself is exceptionally well suited to radio sailing. Measuring roughly 150 metres in length and around 80 metres across at its widest point, it provides an ideal racing area for the International One Metre (IOM) class sailed by the club. The lake is oriented roughly north–south, which works well with the prevailing winds common to the region and helps produce consistent racing conditions.

Although the Churchview Estate venue is relatively new, it has quickly become the club’s primary sailing location and offers an excellent setting for regular club racing. RC Sailing Busselton holds racing each Saturday afternoon from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, providing a reliable weekly program for members and visitors alike.

The club is led by President Warren Sanderson, and the welcoming atmosphere among members was immediately apparent. Visitors are encouraged to come along and join in, whether to race or simply experience the enjoyment of radio sailing in the picturesque South West region of Western Australia.

The club has also demonstrated a strong commitment to developing the sport locally, recently investing in automated BouyBots to assist with laying and adjusting race courses. This technology makes course setting quicker and more precise and reflects the club’s forward-thinking approach to running efficient race days.

For anyone travelling through the South West or looking to experience radio sailing in a relaxed and friendly environment, RC Sailing Busselton offers a fantastic destination on the water each weekend.

You can find out more information by visiting their Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/bussosail

Sean Wallis