The Inaugural Fireball Australia Youth Championship

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

fayc logo

For You Forever Young image

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! 

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.

 

The camaraderie at the lake is great, but if you hate camping, there is accommodation in nearby Camperdown less than 10 mins drive.

 

Yachting Victoria Western Region run the regatta, Expect the Notice of Race (NOR) in February 2025. 

Here is the NOR from 2024 Easter Regatta, expect the format to be very similar.

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. 

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. 

You’d like to get in some practice in advance…other events on the IFAV calendar that provide opportunity to step into and skill up on a Fireball include;

Cairn Curran Sailing Club Regatta 23-24 November

Lake Colac Regatta 7 - 8 December

Watch the Season Program for updates on try out days in the New Year

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.