Southport Yacht Club’s flagship regatta SAIL PARADISE returns in 2024 on the Queensland King’s Birthday Long Weekend in October, following a wildly successful event last year.
Southport Yacht Club Commodore Drew Jones said he was delighted to announce a fresh new look for the event and the signing a multi-year sponsorship deal with The Yacht Sales Co, Asia Pacific’s leading yacht sales company.
“Our new naming rights sponsor, The Yacht Sales Co have a long history servicing the Gold Coast yachting community and have been involved in supporting the club on smaller events. We are greatly appreciative of their increased contribution to propel this flagship event into the future.”
CEO of The Yacht Sales Co Mark Elkington said, “We are thrilled to be the new naming rights sponsor of Sail Paradise and look forward to partnering in a larger capacity with Southport Yacht Club over the coming three-year period. Our company has a long history on the Gold Coast and as we continue to grow, we wholeheartedly embrace supporting local key industry events like this popular regatta.”
Commodore Drew Jones said he was also delighted to accept the ongoing support from Experience Gold Coast (EGC).
The new event branding, whilst giving a nod to the old, celebrates our city’s iconic skyline and helps raise the profile of the Gold Coast’s appeal as a major event destination to national and international yacht racing audiences.
“The broad interest in yacht racing and sailing in general is growing fast, no doubt assisted by iconic sporting events such as the prestigious Rolex Sydney Hobart race and the global appeal of foiling as seen in the SailGP tournaments.” Said Commodore Drew Jones.
“New generations have caught on that sailing is an exciting, skillful sport which is constantly chasing the absolute cutting edge in hydrodynamic design and innovative technology.”
Bigger and better than ever, last year’s 2023 Sail Paradise Regatta saw the event move to the Queensland Kings Birthday Long Weekend for the first time, attracting more interstate boats and fostered plenty of activity on and off the water. These are set to return in 2024 in a jam-packed schedule such as the popular ‘Vessel Parade’ spectator event and Fashions in the field event ‘Parade in Paradise’ on Day One at the Main Beach clubhouse.
Commodore Drew Jones said “The Gold Coast looks forward to welcoming the many skippers and crews returning from the northern race weeks in the Whitsundays, as well as our brand-new ocean race the GCCM Gold Coast to Mackay Yacht Race, into the Regatta this year.”
The Yacht Sales Co Sail Paradise 2024 will be held on Saturday 5th to Monday 7th October 2024.
Entries are now open to all Australian and international boats via The Yacht Sales Co Sail Paradise website, www.sailparadise.com.au