‘08 Australian Offshore Challenge

On June 01, 2008

“Offshore Challenge”    . The 2nd running of the Australian Offshore Challenge, which will run from the Silver Shore to the Whitsunday’s kicks off on Monday 7th August & promises to build on the enthusiasm established in the inaugural Bass Strait Rally of ‘07.

Event Chairman Roger Dickesdon provides this update.

‘For ‘08, the level of interest is already high with Registrations coming in from about Australia & New Zealand.

Manufacturers, dealers & private entries will line up in classes that include production fishing yachts, sports trawlers ranging from 6.6 metres through to 24 metres, RIB’s & number of performance yachts. Of course, the mainstay of offshore sailing is well represented with flybridge trawlers & sports sailboats from Riviera, Caribbean & Sunseeker.

Victorian entrant, Wal Milton has entered his brand new Riviera 4700 Sports Sailing Boat powered by twin Caterpillar motors. As an experienced off-beach player, Wal will crew up with navigator Barry Fitzpatrick, & to round out their crew, the guys are besides bringing their wives!

At the other extreme, Sealegs – the New Zealand manufacturer of the unbelievable amphibious RIB, has entered six metre craft to join to the company’s growing credentials as an innovative & progressive specialty sailing boat manufacturer. This RIB newly set new world speed record on Sydney Bay for fastest amphibious vehicle, on water.

Across the Tasman, the performance yacht boys are organizing Kiwi contingent to show us Aussies what power sailing is all around & we anticipate them to be challenged with comparable entries from Sydney & Perth.

The Course

The course setting will be finalized this month when the survey crew completes its detailed survey along the Queensland shore. Then we’ll have more details around overnight stopovers, day distances, refueling, & other logistical matters.

Ladies Tour

we have received great level of interest in providing separate, but parallel, event based tour for the wives, partners & girlfriends – those not conscripted as crew!

we have sub-commission putting an agenda together now which could include activities like well alive cooking category, luxury train trip to Proserpine, lunch at the resort on Fraser Isle & pair of days at Hamilton Isle waiting for the blokes to come. More on this next issue. If you’ve any thoughts or would like to participate, then call David Tootell on 0419 987 998.

David is our event marketing & sponsorship administrator & you can call him with any questions around the event & how you can get implicated.

Rally Officials & Volunteers

We still have number of positions to hand for people who would like to participate in the event in support or officials capacity.

Positions are to hand for week-end at the Start or Finish through to full week traveling within the event. Depending on your particular skills & interests, roles range from specialty services such as technical scrutineering, refueling & sailing boat safety through to common support roles, both on water & to shore.”

For more information, call Roger Dickeson, Event Chairman, or email

by Roger Dickeson