The Inaugural Fireball Australia Youth Championship

18th - 20th April 2025 - Lake Bullen Merri, Camperdown, Victoria

A fun Easter break! 

Mix the excitement of tight racing with other fireballs with chillin’ & partyin’ on the shores of Lake Bullen Merri

At the Fireball Australia Youth Championships, fireball crews—with at least one sailor under 26—will be in the running for some great prizes! 

has generously agreed to sponsor our teams sailing in this inaugural Fireball Youth Championships. A big shout out of thanks to Will at Discount Yachting.

Experienced fireball sailors—who introduce youth sailors to the class—will earn points toward the #MFSMO Trophy. 

Congrats to @the_duckmeister who one the first #MFSMO trophy points, related to this instagram post. @the_duckmeister successfully interpreted #MFSMO as More Fireballs Sailing More Often!

What'll the FAYC be like?

Venue: Lake Bullen Merri, Camperdown, Victoria

Approx. 200 klicks WSW of Melbourne. Turn up and park your boat on the shore of the lake. 

It’s an ancient volcano so there’s no risk of the tide coming in overnight!

Set up your camp above on the grassy foreshore. BYO supplies, there’s no shopping on site.

Camp kitchens provide BBQs and power for cooking, to supplement your camping gear.

There are plenty of portable showers and toilets.

A coffee van is on site giving quality caffiene hits for the coffee lovers.

If camping is not your thing then check out accommodation at Camperdown:

• The Camperdown Mill provides self contained accommodation on this historic site
• The Camperdown Cascade Motel and Manifold Motor Inn offer motel style accommodation
• The Leura Hotel is where we have booked our Fireball Friday dinner event fand they have accommodation if you are interested in staying there. The Commercial Hotel is another option for hotel accommodation.
• Other options exist if you google accommodation at Camperdown 

Yachting Victoria Western Region run the regatta, Here's the Notice of Race (NOR) . Watch the Yachting Western Victoria Facebook for the Sailing Instructions during the week of the event. A copy will also be available at the event Rotunda.

Enter the regatta and / or book your campsite at this trybooking link.

Racing sessions include:

• Friday afternoon

• Saturday morning and afternoon

• Sunday morning and afternoon

Stay on until Monday, participate in the Jack Lane Memorial Stern chaser. Jack is the father of the IFAV Honorary Life Member, Ian Lane. It will be for fun and not part of the Championship racing. 

Social events include:

• Fireball dinner at Leura Hotel in Camperdown, address 169-175 Manifold St, Camperdown 3260 VIC - See Map. Booked for 6:30 for 7pm eating.
• Saturday evening is party night at the lake with music and dancing
• Camaraderie around the fireplaces at campsites mean there are options for everyone to get to know each other better. BYO chair or rug for a bit of comfort.

Reminder: #MFSMO Competition Rules

Competition closes Thursday 17th April. Winner to be announced at the FAYC Regatta.

• Post to Facebook and / or Instagram using #MFSMO. If the post is of 2 people sailing together, tag the other sailor every time so we know who each of them are.
• Basic points for posting about Fireball sailing–not actually sailing.
• More points for actually sailing, take a picture either on shore or on the water.
• Even more points if you sail in a club race, photos, results.
• More points if you compete in a whole event.

• An existing Fireballer is an Owner, Helm or Crew who has sailed a Fireball in the last 4 years.
• A New2Fireballer is new to the class, or returning after more than 4 years.
   
• ‘‘Youth’ are sailors less than 26 yo at the Inaugural ‘Fireball Australian Youth Championship’.
 Youth sailors earn more points.
• IFAA Committee Members will earn 1/2 the points compared to an existing Fireballer.

You need help?

Interested in crewing with someone experienced? Send an email to fireballvictoria@gmail.com and we will try to match you up with an existing sailor from your part of the world. Remember to let us know where you are from so we can get the most useful match.

Would like to participate but need a boat? Send an email to fireballvictoria@gmail.com the association may be able to assist with sourcing a loan boat for the series. 

If you have a boat and have questions about how to make it go fast and easier to sail then see the Fireball Tuning Guides. Or get in touch with one of our IFAA Boat gurus: Brendan Garner (email: brendan@garnermarine.com.au); Myles Gavin (mobile: 0418109326) or Ben Schulz (mobile: 0400 991 606) 

Funding help

There are several grants that may help aspiring Fireball sailors with costs of preparing and attending State, National and International events.

• Australian Sailing has a round of Youth Grants via the Australian Institute of Sport grants for people aged 12-18 years of age. Apply at this link: Local Sporting Champion. Applications are open from 1st November 2024 to 31st January 2025. Notification of outcomes: From March 2025
• For young SA sailors aged 10 - 23 years, you can apply for a Lexcen Cup youth grant 2024
• For young sailors from all over, our local Australian Sailing rep suggested applying to your local Rotary Club or Council for assistance. See this link to find the nearest Rotary Clubs to your location.
• If you would love to go to the next World Championship in Lago di Garda in Italy and its not financially feasible, you can apply to Fireball International for grant assistance. International Fireball Association of Australia (IFAA) can support your application. See this form for explanation of the criteria for assistance and to apply.