Since the Shelley Sailing Club was established on the Canning River in 1974 it has provided the focal point for many people to learn the art of sailing in a club which caters specifically for family sailing.
Canning River is a relatively sleepy backwater and its waters are generally shallow, without the the heavy traffic of the Swan River. These conditions provide an ideal situation for those people, both young and not so young to learn and appreciate the finer points of sailing. Although our club has, in the main, provided the forum for the less experienced sailors, it has also produced a number of people who have reached State Champion level and successfully represented the State at National Championships.
Family sailing has a high priority at the Shelley Club and classes which enable all members of the family to participate are sailed at the Club. These classes include Catamarans, Herons, Flying Ants, Lasers, Mudlarks, and Minnows. Sailing is conducted at the Club on Sundays commencing mid-October through to April.
Racing for the Juniors commences at about 10.00am and is followed by Open Series races at 2.00pm. The Club also conducts special invitation events such as the Convict Bay Regatta in February and Cock of the Canning in March and participates in the National Try Sailing Day.
The junior Development Program provides options for sailors (8 years on) to learn to sail and race Minnows and Mudlarks on Sunday mornings. As a Yachting Australia Training Centre, courses provide for beginners to learn to sail, develop racing skills and build a competitive edge. Juniors Development Program commences 9.00am with racing starting 10.00am.
Many people envisage sailing as being an expensive sport; and it can be in much larger boats and clubs. Shelley has no nomination fees and although individual forms of membership are available, the whole family can be members for just $430 per year which includes $30 of canteen vouchers (application form). The cost of boats varies from class to class, but few in our club are valued at more than $3000 and many are far less. Timber Herons for example can be purchased for under $1000 which most likely includes a trailer. Advice on boats for sale and their prices is freely available at the Club.
New members are always welcome and if you would like to experience sailing on any of the classes mentioned just drop by any Sunday between October and April for this to be arranged. Periodic training courses under the AYF ”Get Into Small Boating Sailing” scheme are also conducted to assist both new and seasoned “salts”.
Management Committee
| Position | Name |
| Commodore | Paul Green |
| Vice Commodore | Adam Brodziak |
| Rear Commodore Sailing | Nick Robinson |
| Rear Commodore Property | Alan Smith |
| Secretary | Myles Kelly |
| Treasurer | Dermot O’Brien |
Other Office Bearers
| Position | Name |
| Heron Class Captain | Andrew Macgregor |
| Laser Class Captain | Paul Ready |
| Catamaran Class Captain | Alec Duncan |
| Mudlark Manager | Darren Thomas |
| Minnow Manager | Mark Shellard |
| Training Registrar | Alan Smith |
| House Manager | Gary Flynn |
| Canteen Manager | |
| Social Events Coordinator | |
| Newsletter Editor and Webmaster | Andrew Macgregor |
| Club Historian | Ian Jarvis |
Life Members
Roy Whitehead (dec.)
Ian Jarvis
Rod McGregor
Don Emberson
Clive Griffiths
Norm Snell
Trevor Richardson
Warren Keating
