TANILBA Sailing Club is to host the National Maricat Championships this coming February.

They will also run their Big Boat Regatta in the same month.

Fathers Day is usually the opening of the sailing season at Tanilba but the club cancelled the early races due to the floods.

Flotsam and jetsam washed down from the Karuah River posed a navigational hazard so to be on the safe side, races were deferred.

The club sails each Sunday from their picturesque waterfront club at Tanilba Bay.

New members are most welcome and Sam Breaden runs ‘learn to sail’ sessions with the club’s ‘Bic’ trainers.

These were purchased with a State Government Sports and Recreation grant.

Tanilba is a family oriented club with parents actively encouraged to bond with their children during these sessions.

At the end of November, Tanilba sailors travelled to Carcoar near Blayney for their annual Maricat regatta.

Seasoned veterans Mark and Mike Colecliffe filled the top two placings with Scott Spencer and his son Kobi performing well.

The club boasts several State and National champions who cut their teeth sailing on the broad expanse of water between Tanilba, Soldiers Point and Tahlee.

By Geoff WALKER