Southern 80 brings up milestone despite no racing this year

As the Southern 80 prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary, organisers have been forced to think laterally to raise vital funds to help “stay afloat”. Here’s a look at the stark reality they’re facing.

The Moama Water Sports memorial board. Picture: Shane Jones.

The 60th anniversary of the Southern 80 will look very different to what fans usually experience but it’s critical to the event’s survival according to organisers.

Moama Water Sports Club will host a boat show on March 22, replacing the traditional event with all ski racing events currently on hold.

It comes after Ski Racing Australia and NSW Maritime opened an investigation into the safety of the sport following four deaths in events between October 2023 and June 2024.

Luke Wentworth died during last year’s Southern 80, the seventh since 1987, with all racing called off until at least June 30.

Moama Water Sports Club vice president Dean Johns. Picture: Shane Jones.

Moama Water Sports Club vice-president David Johns said the club had missed out on thousands dollars while the thousands of tourists who descend on the Murray were expected to pump up to $10m into the local economy.

“We definitely need to generate income to stay afloat until the next event can happen for us,” Johns said.

“That’s why we are doing this boat show. We’ve got boats and things here for (racing).

“They all need registration and insurance and with the rent on this place here to house them.

“We are still spending money while we are not racing.”

Memorabilia from past Southern 80 events. The club is hopeful it will return in 2026. Picture: Shane Jones.

Johns said he hoped to return to racing later this year, in time for the Barrie Beehag, also in the twin towns.

“By the end of June, early July, we should have a bit more of a direction of when that might be,” he said.

“We are certainly working towards a 2026 (Southern 80) race. It will be nice to have a couple of events later this year.

“All going well we should be racing at the end of the year.”

If it doesn’t go to plan no racing in 2026 could force the club to further cut costs or shut down completely.

“We need to be careful,” Johns said.

“We’ve cut as many costs as we can. We might have to look at doing some other small events later this year to prop us up.

“We’ll definitely be having some discussion (about our future if 2026 doesn’t run).

“We can’t say whether that’s the case (we’ll shut down).”

While the event won’t be the same as normal it still will showcase the best of the sport.

Spectators will be able to see almost 100 boats involved in the sport, right from the start, until last year.

Entry is $5.

“We are setting up at the Victoria Park finish line and there’s going to be some live music, bar and things to look at, it will be good,” Johns said.

“It’ about trying to raise a little bit of money so we can keep the club afloat.”

The event starts at midday and runs to 6pm.

Originally published as Southern 80 brings up milestone despite no racing this year