The Geelong Waterfront will come alive this weekend, with the biennial Wooden Boat Festival of Geelong taking place on the waters of Corio Bay.
Hosted by the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, this year’s festival will feature an array of wooden and classic vessels from around Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania.
Highlighting the festival will be three tall ships, including the youth training vessel the Young Endeavour and the vessels Enterprize and Coral Trekker, from Melbourne and Sydney respectively.
The vessels will be located on Wangim Walk, with visitors invited to enjoy short sails aboard the tall ships throughout the weekend.
The Royal Geelong Yacht Club will be open to the public and hosting live entertainment, including local musicians Kenny Miller and the Handsome Gargoyles, Steve Clark, and The Sweethearts.
Boating enthusiasts will have the opportunity to view the wooden boats up close with static display boats located on the club’s new floating marina arm, while kids will be treated to face painting, Fun Fit, and a visit by Captain Jack Sparrow.
Wooden Boat Festival of Geelong chairman Bill Chittenden said he was “extremely excited” to welcome the public back to the festival.
“After a challenging few years, it is great to have the ability to host an event open to the public,” he said.
Royal Geelong Yacht Club commodore Stuart Dickson said Geelong had a long history with wooden boats.
“It’s a celebration of Geelong’s long-term heritage, going back to the Clipper days,” he said.
“It recognises the skills and traditions of wooden boat building and provides a place for people who love them and still sail them to come together.”
Spectators will also be able to view vessels taking part in the Portarlington to Geelong Passage race on Saturday and the Parade of Sail along the Geelong Waterfront at noon on Sunday.
Alongside the festival, Royal Geelong Yacht Club will also be hosting the 2022 International Etchells Victorian State Championship.
Designed in 1966, the International Etchells is a one-design yacht, meaning all boats are identical in their design.
Ash Bolt
