THE NEXT STEP: 100 Years and Beyond

THE SAILING OFFSEASON MAY BE A PERIOD OF REST AND RECUPERATION FOR SOME - BUT MALCOLM PAGE MISSED THAT PARTICULAR MEMO.

The Olympic sailing gold medallist doesn’t possess a stop button.

As Manly 16ft Skiff Club’s newly elected commodore, he’s already implementing plans to build on the highly successful 2022/23 centenary season.

And at the top of his to-do list is to keep kids in sailing and introduce new participants to the various classes –Flying 11, Manly Junior, 13ft, 16ft – offered at Manly.

“It’s been a busy year for a lot of people – on and off the water – but a very productive one,” Malcolm said.

“We’re right back into it to ensure the momentum continues.

“We’ve got a wonderful sailing community at Manly and a lot to look forward to in the coming years, but it won’t happen automatically.

“Like any sport, sailing has its challenges as far as participation rates are concerned and we want to maintain and build on the numbers we’ve got.

“That means ‘selling’ the sport to as many kids and parents as we can.”

A big part of that process is the Manly swap day –an annual event where 16ft skippers and crew take keen youngsters out for a spin around the harbour.

Malcolm said, “Many of the kids start out a little

bit apprehensive, but by the end of the day, they don’t want to go back in.

“It’s these sorts of experiences and memories that will stay with them and hopefully encourage them to stay in the sport or take it up.

“It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces among the kids and so many of our sailors willing to offer their time to ensure the success of the day.”

Manly 16ft Club Champion, Daniel Turner, who skippers Moonen Yachts took a posse of kids out for a ride.

“I remember the support I received coming through the juniors and swap day is one small way to pay that back,” he explained.

“You can explain the thrill of sailing a 16ft skiff to someone all day long, but to actually get out there and experience it for yourself takes it to a whole new level.

“They were exhausted by the end of it because it’s all action out there, but they all want to come back and give it another go.”

There is no sitting still inside the club either.

The kitchen team has been busy massaging its Winter menu, tweaking the offerings while keeping faith with old favourites.

“We have made slight changes but kept popular items and club classics,” Executive Chef, Justin Wong, said.

“With produce prices going through the roof, we still managed to use the top of the range products in our menus and let the produce speak for itself without over complicating the dishes.

“We are keeping it as home-grown as possible, using Queensland barramundi, Tasmanian salmon, Tasmanian mussels, Australian beef, Western Australian octopus, Australian lamb and some New Zealand seafood.

“Modern Australian dishes are a mix of our multiculturism; therefore, you will see Asian, Mediterranean, European and South American influences and ingredients in our dishes, which I believe make them

very unique and interesting while at the same time tasting delicious.

“As always, we are always striving to improve our dishes and bring bold flavours.”

Protected from the Winter elements thanks to protective screening on the deck and a phalanx of gas heaters, The Skiff is now a genuine all-yearround venue.

Grab a jacket and get down there to experience it all for yourself. •

Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club // CNR East Esplanade & Stuart St, Manly // (02) 9977 3322 // INSTA + FB: @manlyskiff // manlyskiff.com.au