SAILS at Bayside (S@B) is a wonderful way to experience the pleasures of Waterloo Bay with sit-on-top Viking kayaks staffed by qualified supervisors, and experienced skippers on the Nacra 4.5-metre catamarans.
Open to the public on one Saturday per month, these days are for any member of the public, and events are advertised on the SAILS at Bayside website – but book in early as places reach their quota within 20 minutes of opening. Later applicants are automatically placed on a wait list and contacted as places become available.
S@B is an outreach of the Bayside Anglican Churches under the control of St Peter’s Anglican Church, Wynnum, which is the “Parent Parish”. While some volunteers may attend other churches, they and other keen sailors and kayakers within the local community subscribe to the Code of Conduct and ethics of the organisation. All volunteers hold current Blue Cards and have qualified for the Anglican Diocese of Southern Queensland’s stringent Safe Ministry Check for Children. All participants are required to wear life jackets to participate (supplied). A rigid inflatable safety boat patrols the catamaran area and provides support when necessary.
Key team members carry marine VHF radios for communication, ensuring participants are assured of maximum safety at all times.
The main aim of S@B is to offer opportunities for youth at risk, their families and carers, to promote reconciliation and provide a service for the parishes and the community. S@B aims to help young people overcome difficulties, reach their potential, and actively engage in community life through sailing, teamwork, kayaking, and life skills. Closed private days are normally held mid-week twice a month.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of S@B providing sailing and kayaking activities to disadvantaged youth (including Indigenous female youth), refugees recovering from torture and trauma, and young carers (looking after siblings, parents, and grandparents), children in out-of-home care, and the general public.
The public events take place mainly at Breakwater Park, Wynnum (on the south bank of Wynnum Creek), Foreshore Park at Raby Bay in the Redlands, and at other locations in the Wynnum-Manly area for the majority of private clients.
