Manning River Sailing Club

About Manning River Sailing Club

"We have whole families racing and call ourselves 'the family club'" — that is how Manning River Sailing Club describes itself, and the record bears it out. Based on the river at Taree, this is a multi-generational dinghy club whose roots run back through the VJ and Sabot eras, and whose alumni include an Olympic bronze medallist and national champions produced from a small Mid North Coast town. Ian Ruff, who won bronze in the 470 class at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, learnt his sailing on the Manning River in the VJ "Heroic"; club champion John Muscio collected junior state, senior state and Australian VJ titles across three consecutive seasons in the early 1980s.

One clarification matters for visitors: Taree is home to two intertwined sailing bodies. The Manning River Vee-Ess Sailing Club, formed in 1946, became the licensed Taree Aquatic Club at the foot of Macquarie Street, while the VJ and Sabot clubs that amalgamated in 1979 became today's Manning River Sailing Club on William Wynter Drive. They are separate organisations — the Aquatic Club's own risk manual notes that junior sail training for the area is carried out by Manning River Sailing Club.

The clubhouse doubles as a community asset, its upstairs hall hired for local functions and meetings, and a disabled access ramp opens the building to Sailability participants. For sailors, the appeal is straightforward: wide, smooth river water, a strong junior tradition, a welcoming family culture and a heritage that includes hosting the 1984–85 Australian VJ Championships, when entries came from as far away as Western Australia for the class's 50th anniversary.

Services

• Sailing club

Service area

Taree and the Manning River (Mid North Coast, NSW)