Back in 1884, a small group of sailors got together on Corio Bay in Geelong, for what was then known as The Australia Day Regatta. Over 170 years later, sailors still gather, but number in the thousands for the 'Festival of Sails'. It began even before the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, which started in 1859 and has been running the Festival of sails since 1925. Credited with the ongoing success of the Australia day event, the Royal Geelong Yacht club was the one which dreamed up the world famous 'Passage Race' which is the highlight of the festival. They also got together with the City of Geelong to incorporate a Shoreside festival in 2003, attracting tens of thousands to the bay, exposing them to the world of sailing. Back at the RGYC again in 2016, the Festival of Sails is promising to be the biggest yet! Hosting the VX One Sports boats nationals, as well as the Sydney 28 Nationals over the week long event, of course the usual handicapped divisions will join the mix to make up an expected 300+ entrants. Shoreside, the Bundaberg Distillatorium will be on site as it travels Australis, bringing a Queenslander flair to Geelong, as well as the usual glitz, glamour and lots and lots of food you would normally expect from the shoreside activities at a sailing regatta. With 173 years of history, 300 of Australia's best sailors, $1.2 million worth of Bundaberg Rum promo gear and a new club commodore, what could be more fun than the 2016 Festival of Sails? Check out the Festival of Sails regatta website for entry details and more information. What: Festival of Sails When: Australia Day Weekend - 22nd to 26th January 2016 Where: Royal Geelong Yacht Club Entry: festivalofsails.com.au/seaside-regatta/how-to-enter/enter-online-now

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