Balmain Sailing Club: First look at historic club’s new pontoon, watercraft facilities

A historic inner city sailing club has landed a major win with a new safer pontoon designed to encourage boats of all sizes and sailors of all abilities who are ready to set sail. Get you first look here.

The Balmain Sailing Club holds an annual regatta and can now welcome sailors of all ages. Picture: Thomas Lisson

A historic Inner West sailing club is celebrating a major win after finally installing a new safer pontoon which is set to make sailing more accessible for boats of all sizes and sailors of all abilities.

Balmain Sailing Club, established way back in 1885 and the only sailing club in the Inner West local government area, is ready to officially open a new small-craft launching pontoon to allow for safer entry into the water.

This allows the club to encourage junior sailing, previously impossible given the steep and unsafe nature of existing facilities.

The accessible and public pontoon creates a safe, flat launching and retrieval area for small craft like sailing dinghies, kayaks, paddle boards and rowing boats at the Water Street Reserve.

It is also wheelchair accessible, connecting with the ramps leading up to the public elevator in the neighbouring Hopetoun Quays development.

The long-awaited pontoon at the Balmain Sailing Club is now ready for action.

The pontoon is designed to make sailing more accessible for everyone.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said in a statement the Balmain Sailing Club is one of the oldest sporting institutions in Australia.

“The club is heavily used all through the year by the community, not just for sailing but also celebrations and community events,” he said.

“The new pontoon will make the sailing program even more accessible and is an important improvement to community infrastructure in Balmain.”

With the accessible pontoon installed and ready for use, Mr Byrne will officially open and launch the Balmain Sailing Club’s first dinghy race fleet this afternoon.