The Mandurah Offshore Fishing & Sailing Club's annual Easter Regatta will feature Australian Laser Champion and International Sailing Federation (ISAF) ranked Laser sailor Tom Slingsby.

The regatta, which will be held from Friday April 2-5, will also feature:
.    Arthur Brett a former Olympic coach, Perth 2011 Emerging Nations Program head coach and current Fremantle Sailing Club head coach
.    Belinda Stowell, WAIS head coach and former Olympian gold medalist
.    Craig Ferris, the Singapore Olympic coach, and Susan Ferris, an international coach.

MOFSC Regatta chairman Kevin Luff said the high calibre of coaches forming this year's coaching team surpassed any seen in Mandurah.

"This regatta is significant to the growth of sailing in WA and the Peel Region.  It is a prestigious event that is the only sanctioned coaching regatta in WA," Mr Luff said.

"It provides a unique opportunity for many young sailors to be coached by an elite team of coaches.  Coaching is available to all participants on Good Friday from 12 noon to 5pm as well as on the water coaching over the weekend with de-briefings each race day.

"There is also a much anticipated Sailing Forum planned for Sunday, April 4 at 5pm, with a panel that includes Tom Slingsby, Arthur Brett and Belinda Stowell.  There is also a possibility of Singapore sending a team of their Olympic aspirants to the regatta."

Mr Luff said it was a great coup for the Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club, not only for its junior and senior sailors but for all sailors in WA, to have access to such a high profile panel of coaches.

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Mandurah Mayor Paddi Creevey said the Easter Regatta was a wonderful annual event for Mandurah.
"It is a great opportunity for young people to have a high level competition and a full regatta, and I congratulate the Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club for  its commitment to junior sailing," Mayor Creevey said.

"The club now attract coaches and competitors at a national and international level.  Don't miss seeing the spectacle these boats provide."

Mr Luff said the racing area would be in the open water of Comet Bay (Indian Ocean) adjacent to the Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club facilities.  

"The long breakwater provides an excellent viewing platform for spectators and families to view the racing."

The Easter Regatta is now into its fifth year growing from 100 yachts to 136 last year.  With the inclusion of Catamarans, the club expects the fleet to exceed 180 yachts with 14 different classes this year.

This year the invited classes include 505, 470, 420, Laser Standard, Laser Radial, Laser 4.7, Optimist, Optimist Green, Flying Ant, Sharpie 29er, 49er, Cherub, Mirror, Contender, Tasar, Fireball, Finn, Hobie, F18, Tornado, Bic Techno 293, Formula Sailboard and Soling.

Those interested in sailing their class at the only sanctioned Yachting WA coaching regatta should express their interest to Kevin Luff at the Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club.  A fleet class consist of six boats.

The Mandurah Easter Regatta is sponsored by SunSmart, the Department of Sport & Recreation, Baileys Marine Fuel Australia, and the City of Mandurah.