Join to ORCV

We welcome you to join the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria, a long established club which is dedicated to Ocean Racing and training sailors with the skills for being safe at sea. Our active sailing calendar caters for the most passionate offshore racer through to those that enjoy the camaraderie and competitiveness of shorter bay and coastal passages.

If you like what we do, we welcome you to join us as a member. Belong to a Club passionate about Ocean Sailing, Safety at Sea and Clean Oceans.

Renewals for membership will arrive in your inbox this week.

Race Director and Incident Management Volunteers.

Over the next few months the ORCV will be conducting training programs for volunteer Race Directors and the Incident Management team. In both cases the training involves initial coursework followed by “on the job” training in an Assistant capacity for a number of races.

Race Directors are responsible for managing races starting a few days before each event through to the final wrap up of results and reports. It’s a “24 hours” operation and our longer races therefore involve a team of Race Directors and Assistants. This is a key role which calls for experienced offshore sailors with commitment, strong communication and PC skills and an ability to assess and manage risk. If this sounds like you, please contact the Office for further details or email the sailing Captain on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Incident Management Team complements and supports the Race Director Role, maintaining a team with the capacity and skills to manage the broad range of incidents which may occur during ocean races. The team undertakes ongoing risk assessment and incident management planning and co-ordinates of services and communications when incidents arise - working with emergency authorities as required. If you have an interest in joining the team, please contact Rick Head on 0419 888 254 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact the Commodore at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

So many 1st, with Apollo Bay Race

Whilst the Apollo Bay race often determines the 1st or overall season champion, there are so many other firsts that need to be considered.

Firstly, we welcome the new entrants to ocean racing: After Midnight, Etoile (Double-handed), Norma Jean, YKnot, Vagabond and Imagine doing their first race after a long break.

Next Step the yacht is on its first ocean race and also the first time we’ve had so many from Safety Beach Sailing Club thanks to Rod Smallman.

First-time ocean racing for our Beyond the Bay participants, Jill Blunsom and Eleanor Duggan.

The first fundraiser for Plastic Out of the Oceans, this time supporting Tangaroa Blue Foundation.

The first time in many years that so many boats will be able to enter the Apollo Bay Harbour and a party awaiting us, thank you to the support of the Colac Otway Shire Council and Apollo Bay Harbour crews and Apollo Bay Sailing Club.

Remember the wise words of Robin Hewitt, in order to finish first, first you must finish.

Good luck to all.

ORCV adoption of the Australian Sailing Membership Protection Policy (and appointment of the ORCV MPIO)

The ORCV General Committee voted to adopt the Australian Sailing Membership Protection Policy (MPP) for its members and participants. This policy is consistent with the ORCV rules. This document clarifies how the ORCV has implemented the Australian Sailing MPP for the ORCV.

Since all ORCV members and all ORCV race participants (a requirement of an ORCV Notice of Race) are members of an Australian Sailing affiliated club, the Australian Sailing MPP was considered relevant and fit for purpose. It includes a code of behaviour, which all participants are expected to abide by. It seeks to “prevent all forms of harassment, discrimination, and abuse and to promote positive behaviour and values.”

Critical aspects of the ORCV’s implementation of the MPP are noted below:

• The MPP extends to all participants in ORCV events, not just ORCV Members. This includes staff, volunteers, sponsors, race and training participants, guests, and supporters.
• The General Committee appoints the ORCV Membership Protection Information Officer.  The General Committee has been appointed to this role, Tim Fowler. If there is no MPIO appointed, the ORCV Commodore fulfills that role.
• The MPIO may appoint an investigation working group, ideally gender-balanced in sexual misconduct or gender-based harassment. The working group will investigate, find facts where it can, determine whether the complaint is substantiated, and recommend actions arising.
• All complaint matters will be kept confidential (between the MPIO and the investigation working group) throughout the investigation process and will remain confidential unless found substantiated.
• The Investigation report will be provided to the ORCV Commodore for process oversight and approval of recommendations. 
• The working group may request from Australian Sailing an advisor, typically their MPIO. In such cases, they may receive some details of the complaint, which will remain confidential. The Australian Sailing MPIO will also determine whether escalation to the Australian Sailing CEO is necessary.
• Recommendations of a general nature, for example, process improvements, will be provided to the ORCV General Committee and/or Australian Sailing.

To discuss an issue you may have or to make a complaint, please get in touch with our MPIO, Tim Fowler, via 0432 033 314