Welcome to the 2026 Skelcon Australian 16ft & 13ft Skiff Championship

We hope you have a truly unforgettable experience at this year’s championships, both on and off the water!

Venue Arrival Information

The Belmont 16ft Sailing Club (B16ftSC) is located at The Parade, Belmont, NSW 2280. For the duration of the event, we have secured Laughlin Park, located directly across the road, for parking of 13ft Skiff and support boat trailers. Upon arrival, all boats are required by the ASSA to complete the online event registration forms for boat and sail registration. Only boats that require weighing will need to reserve a time slot on Sunday, 4th January for weighing. This can be done through the online registration page. As the Belmont 16s will be hosting the Flying 11 Nationals the week before, NO SKIFFS are
permitted to arrive prior to Sunday, 4th January. This will allow the Flying 11 trailers and
boats to be cleared out, avoiding congestion and overlap in the parking area.
Upon arrival, 16ft Skiffs will be directed to unload their boats before being guided by
parking marshals to the designated trailer storage area. 13ft Skiffs will have the opportunity to unload their boats and equipment, before being directed to store their trailers in Laughlin Park across the road.

Please note that NO boat trailers are to be parked in the Belmont 16s car park outside the designated trailer parking zone. Boats may also rig and utilise the Western rigging area and public parking throughout the regatta. If competitors wish to go for a practice sail prior to Sunday, 4th January, this will be possible. However, boats must use the Western rigging area and public parking for this purpose.

Trailer Parking – 13FT SKIFF TRAILER STORAGE – L AUGHLIN PARK

We are grateful to the Lake Macquarie City Council for their approval to store boat trailers for
visiting 13ft Skiffs in a designated, cordoned area of Laughlin Park from Sunday, 4th January to Sunday, 11th January 2026. The allocated storage area is located in the northeastern corner of Laughlin Park, bordered by Evans Street, Tudor Street, Ross Street, and the concrete pedestrian pathway. Please adhere to the following guidelines:

• Access to the storage area is via Tudor Street only, through the designated entry point, to help minimise traffic congestion.

• The concrete pedestrian pathway through the park must remain clear of boat trailers at all times.

• Whenever possible, trailers should be manoeuvred by hand, not by motor vehicle, to maintain a smooth flow of traffic and avoid congestion.

16FT SKIFF TRAILER STORAGE

A designated area will be cordoned off behind the Brian Ellis Boat Shed, within the 16s
Car Park, for the storage of 16ft Skiff trailers. All 16ft Skiff trailers must be stored in this section throughout the event week. The area will be available and clearly marked starting at 8am on Sunday, 4th January. No 16ft Skiff trailers are allowed in the Belmont 16s Car Park prior to Sunday, 4th January, as the club will be hosting the Flying 11 Nationals during that time. Parking marshals will be on hand to direct trailers and ensure they are parked correctly to maximize available space. Please refer to the diagram below for the parking layout.
Both 16ft and 13ft Skiffs are also welcome to store their trailers on the Western side of the
club along The Parade. On the western side, please obey the parking signage instructions,
unfortunately the parking cops are stringent.

TRAILER ACCESSIBILITY

All trailers will be easily accessible throughout the regatta, allowing competitors to conveniently store their equipment and access it when needed.
As stated in the Notice of Race, penalties will be enforced for boats that do not comply with these parking regulations. Note: An exception to this trailer storage requirement applies to the trailer labeled “SKELCON.” This trailer is exempt from any penalties and permitted to be parked outside the designated trailer parking zone in accordance with its Naming
Rights – Sponsorship Agreement.

Support Boats – Launching & Mooring

TRAILER PARKING & STORAGE
Support boat trailers must not be parked in the Club car park. Please do not drive into
the car park or park across multiple spaces. Where possible we ask that support boat
trailers be stored at accommodation off site. Where this is not possible provision is made to
store road trailers in a cordoned section of Laughlin Park, located directly across the road
from the Club. Trailers may be left here for the duration of the regatta.

LAUNCHING
The Club’s launching ramp is always busy during regattas with race management boats.
We ask that support boats be launched at one of the local public ramps listed below:
Public Launching Ramps:

• Pelican – End of Naru Rd (off Pacific Hwy)
• Pelican – End of Soldiers Rd (off Pacific Hwy)
• Swansea – Thomas Humphreys Reserve, end of Channel St (off Pacific Hwy)
• Valentine – Bennett Park, off Dilkera Ave
• Eleebana – NW end of Thomas Halton Park, off Bareki Rd (opposite Moani St)
• Eleebana – Warners Bay Lions Park, off Bareki Rd (opposite Glad Gunson Dr)
  RE-FUELLING
  Marks Point Marina (located directly south across Belmont Bay from B16ftSC) offers:
• Fuel
• Ice
• Chandlery supplies
• Mechanical and shipwright repairs

MOORING & BERTHING

Private boats may be moored overnight on the Club’s jetty closest to the clubhouse, however this is entirely at the owner’s own risk. No supervision or security is provided, and the jetties are accessible to the general public. Please note:

• The eastern-most Club jetty/pontoon is reserved for race management boats during
  the regatta.
• Lake Macquarie Yacht Club (LMYC) (southeast of B16ftSC) offers casual marina
  berths.
  

Rigging Area

We have two main rigging areas available: the larger area to the east of the main clubhouse, and the area in front of the Brian Ellis Boat Shed. Boats are also permitted to rig and launch on the Council land to the west of the main clubhouse.

RIGGING AREA RESTRICTIONS
Please note that no boats are permitted to rig in the Emergency Zone (highlighted in red on
diagram below). This area must remain clear to ensure access for emergency vehicles and all club rescue resources. Do not rig on paved driveways or in front of the loading dock. Trucks must have ample room to reverse into the loading dock, so please ensure the area is kept clear. Additionally, please avoid blocking any driveways.
Please rig on the concrete apron closest to the water and on the grey carpeted areas, and keep the boat ramp clear for launching and retrieval. Your cooperation helps keep everyone safe and operations running smoothly.

Racing Area

At Belmont 16s, we are fortunate to have direct access to the beautiful Belmont Bay, providing the perfect backdrop for all of our club and event racing. This unique waterfront
location allows spectators, families, and friends to experience the thrill of the races while enjoying the comfort and facilities of the club. The positioning of the racecourse, just a stone’s throw from the club, ensures that no spectator misses a moment of the action. Whether you’re watching from the comfort of the club or cheering from the waterfront, Belmont 16s offers an unparalleled racing experience.

Social Events

SUNDAY, 4TH JANUARY – WELCOME FUNCTION
5:00pm in the South East View Room

WEDNESDAY, 7TH JANUARY – LADIES DAY
1:00pm in the South East View Room
Join us for an afternoon of canapes, cocktails and dancing, all while supporting and enjoying the racing action. https://www.trybooking.com/DGYCX

FRIDAY, 9TH JANUARY – OLD BUFFERS DAY
1:00pm in the South East View Room
A Day dedicated to the legends of sailing. Join us for a laid-back afternoon of stories and laughs. While enjoying all the racing action. https://www.trybooking.com/DHJNB

SUNDAY, 11TH JANUARY – PRESENTATION NIGHT
6:00pm in the Auditorium
Join Us for the 2026 Skelcon 16ft and 13ft Australian Skiff Championship Presentation! It’s time to celebrate the highlights, honour the champions, and enjoy the week that was!
Come dressed in your best Hawaiian ensemble and embrace the island spirit — think aloha shirts, leis, and plenty of colour. Join us for an evening of fun, laughter, and celebration as we wrap up an incredible week of sailing at Belmont 16s!” https://www.trybooking.com/DGVTO