Yacht Racing
A Long History of Competing
The Making Waves Foundation, formerly Sailors with Disabilities, started in February 1994 with the 50th Sydney to Hobart Race. It was the first time a fully disabled crew had sailed in an ocean race. It was supposed to be the last, but from this event, a not-for-profit community organisation was formed.
The Racing Program provides opportunities for people to challenge themselves and continue building their sailing experience further on from one of our other four programs. Racing gives our members an incentive to aim higher, gain a renewed sense of self and achievement, and discover additional coping mechanisms within the shared experience of sailing at a higher level.
| Division | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 66th Line Honours, 9th PHS Division 1 & 18th PHS Overall | Rolex Sydney to Hobart | 2019 |
| 8th Division A | CYCA Winter Series | 2019 |
| 7th TP52 class | Sailfest Newcastle Regatta | 2019 |
| 2nd TP52 class | MHYC Sydney Short Ocean Championship | 2019 |
| 7th TP52 class | Sail Port Stephens | 2019 |
| 14th Overall | CYCA Twilight Series | 2018/2019 |
| 6th Performance Racing | Sail Port Stephens | 2018 |
| 11th Division A | CYCA Winter Series | 2018 |
| 4th Division A | CYCA Winter Series | 2017 |
| 42nd Line Honours, 5th PHS Division 1 & 11th PHS Overall | Rolex Sydney to Hobart | 2016 |
| 6th Division A | CYCA Winter Series | 2016 |
| 26th Place Overall | Rolex Sydney to Hobart | 2012 |
| 1st PHS Division 1 & 1st PHS Overall | Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race | 2011 |
| 4th IRC Overall | Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race | 2011 |
| 3rd Division A | Audi Winter Series | 2010 |
| 2nd PHS Division 1 | Rolex Sydney to Hobart | 2009 |
| 1st PHS Overall | Rolex Sydney to Hobart | 2007 |
| 3rd PHS Division | Audi Sydney - Southport Race | 2007 |
| 1st PHS Division | Audi Sydney - Mooloolaba Race | 2006 |
| 2nd PHS Division | Audi Sydney - Mackay Race | 2006 |
| 1st Division A | BMW Winter Series; Non-point score Race 2 | 2006 |
| 5th PHS Division | 61st Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race | 2006 |
| 5th PHS Division | Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race | 2005 |
| 2nd PHS Division | 2005 Savills Regatta | 2005 |
| 3rd PHS Division | Linderman Island Race | 2005 |
| 4th PHS Division | 2003 Sydney - Mooloolaba Race | 2003 |
| 9th PHS Division | Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race | 2002 |
| 6th PHS Division | Hahn Premium Race Week - Hamilton Island | 2002 |
| 4th Line Honours | Mooloolaba - Airlie Beach Race | 2002 |
| 9th Line Honours | Sydney - Southport Race | 2002 |
| 1st Overall PHS | Pittwater - Coffs Harbour Race | 2001 |
| 2nd PHS Division | Sydney to Hobart Race | 2001 |
| 1st Overall PHS | Pittwater - Coffs Harbour Race | 2001 |
| 1st on Handicap | Hayman Island Big Boat Regatta | 2000 |
| 1st on Handicap | 85 nm Coral Sea Race | 1999 |
| 1st Overall | Yalumba Southport Regatta | 1999 |
| 1st Over the Line | Hog's Breath Cafe Mooloolaba/Airlie Beach | 1999 |
| 4th on Handicap | Hamiliton Island Race Week - Big Boat Div. | 1999 |
| 2nd on Handicap | CYCA Tasman Performance Series | 1998 |
| 1st PHS Division A | Telstra Sydney to Hobart, 9th Over the Line | 1998 |
| 11th on Handicap | Hamiliton Island Race Week | 1998 |
| 2nd on Handicap | Mooloolaba to Airlie Beach - CPHS Div | 1998 |
| 1st Overall | Clipper Cup - Cairns/Pt Douglas | 1997 |
| 2nd on Handicap | Airlie Beach Regatta | 1997 |
| 8th on Handicap | Hamilton Island Race Week | 1997 |
| 1st on Handicap | XXXX SCOR Series - Southport | 1997 |
| 1st on Handicap | Cabbage Tree Island Race | 1996 |
| 3rd on Handicap | Sydney to Hobart Race - PHS Division | 1995 |
| 2nd on Handicap | Hog's Breath Cafe Mooloolaba/Airlie Beach | 1994 |
Key Outcomes
Our participants:
- Learn sailing skills
- Grow self-confidence and self-potential
About Our Yachts
Our yachts are specially adapted to take wheelchairs. Using a electronic joystick, pretty much everyone on board can have a go at steering the boat. Our skippers and volunteers are trained to offer support, kindness, and a positive environment which encourages our participants and stimulates their imaginations.
What They're Saying
"I think I am a bit more assertive. Mum asked me if I needed a hand to get ready yesterday morning, and the new Grace replied, ‘Mum. I’ve just been at sea for four days. Do you think I need help to get ready?’. The friendships I’ve made with the whole crew are very special. It was lovely to know there were people out there looking after me when I was scared. You get very close to people when you spend four days at sea together."
"As a member of the crew onboard Kayle for the 2015 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, I would like to say thank you so much to the Making Waves Foundation and David for the opportunity to say, ‘I CAN!’. When asked how I felt after the race, I replied, “… like I have met myself for the first time!”. I am truly blessed, and I love my life!"
"Some of our crew never dreamed they would or could do this race, but they did it. It was all about working together as a team – the culmination of 9 months of training. We trained for it and I had no doubt we could get through it and finish. We are a team and I’m proud to have had the opportunity to lead them and continue the Making Waves Foundation tradition of kicking goals for sailing and people with a disability or life challenge"
Want to Come Sailing?
Our sailing programs are available free to special schools and community groups.
To reserve a sail date you will need to login to access the booking calendar.
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