Catching the breeze: Members of the Nagambie Lakes Sailing Club on the water.
Nagambie has always been well known for its picturesque lake, and there is no better feeling than gliding over its smooth water.
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While rowing has long been a popular pursuit with Nagambie locals and visitors alike, sailing on the lake has become an underrated pastime.
The Nagambie Lakes Sailing Club was established in 1933 and since then, there have been a number of versions of the club, with the most recent re-establishment in 2022.
Club commodore Beverley Guest-Smith was inspired to start the sailing club again after moving to the area and seeing the stunning lake.
“When initially moving to Nagambie and having this beautiful lake and not seeing sails there, it inspired us,” Guest-Smith said.
“So we thought there was scope to open up a small club, with the lake being close to the town.
“We talked to people who had sailed on the lake previously, and about 10 years previously there had been a club which folded ... so I guess we’re a new generation in Nagambie.”
This year, the Australian Sailing Association and Shepparton Sailability Club conducted sailing events on Lake Nagambie, to help promote a sailing club in the town.
The Nagambie club has set itself up at the sailing boat shed at the Regatta Centre, and on July 30, members launched their first club yacht on the water.
The yacht was from the previous iteration of the sailing club 10 years ago, and it took a dedicated member, Dave Dodson, three months to refurbish.
Standing out: Nagambie Lakes Sailing Club members stand lakeside.
The club is looking forward to welcoming new members to the shore of the lake in the near future.
“As part of establishing the club, we were able to secure a boat shed on the shore of Lake Nagambie thanks to Strathbogie Shire Council,” Guest-Smith said.
“So we’re looking to maintain and build upon that resource, and that doubles as a clubhouse.
“We’re looking to hold social functions and having them at a time where people can be out on the lake, relaxing on the lake shore or at the boat shed.
“We’re all volunteers and we’re looking to build upon our skills and have training in areas that people are interested in, including event support motorboat operating and other sailing boat skills.
“The club committee encourages members to join in a club boat crew or social crew, if wished, to share their skills so people can help out and feel as though they belong.”
New members of any sailing ability are welcome to join the club, with no experience necessary.
The club is dedicated to helping sailors learn new skills, with the club and its sailing instructors affiliated with Australian Sailing.
Members can look forward to enjoying the use of small sailboats, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards in relaxed, recreational on-water activity.
The ‘summer’ sailing season is from October to April, and events will be advertised.
In the ‘winter’ season, the club conducts a monthly Social Sunday barbecue lunch, and teaches on-land sailing skills at the club’s boat shed. The next function is on Sunday, September 24.
A club membership for the 2023-24 sailing season is $30 for an individual social membership, with a day sailing pass costing $10.
If you are interested in joining the Nagambie Lakes Sailing Club or want to know about upcoming events, information can be found on the club’s website: https://www.revolutionise.com.au/nlsc/
Alternatively, you can get in touch with club commodore Beverley Guest-Smith via nagambiesailingclub@gmail.com or 0439 723 121.
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