ORCV scoops Australian Sailing Victoria Awards

The Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV) has scooped the 2021 Australian Sailing Victoria Awards, being named Victoria Club of Year, receiving the Sport Promotion award, while ORCV Life member Robin Hewitt received the Lifetime Achievement award.

These awards followed on the back of another ORCV member, Peter Davison, being named Victorian Offshore Sailor of the Year.

“There is no greater honour than to be recognised by one's peers, and for that I thank you all,” Hewitt said of his Lifetime Achievement award.

“Since my involvement in training, there have been several what could have been serious incidents, all reported back as safe, due to the lessons imparted by the ORCV training team and the assistance of the many willing club volunteers.”

Hewitt’s long-term commitment to offshore racing, and other aspects of the sport, both on the water and ashore, also culminated in his being named 2015 Victorian Ocean Racer of the Year.

Commenting on the awards sent ORCV’s way, Commodore Grant Dunoon said he was thrilled to see the Club receive so many accolades in what has been a tough climate for sailing in Australia these past 18 months because of the pandemic.

“Our membership is up 40 percent, fleets for our Cat 2 ocean races have grown by 60 percent, with training pivoting to online. And our Cock of the Bay race the largest we have seen in recent times,” the Commodore explained.

This year, the ORCV introduced a rally to King Island with seven boats taking part and a number now working their way through to taking part in the Club’s Cat 2 races. The rally was based on Cat 3 requirements and good weather.

ORCV membership and fleet numbers increased this past year Photo Michael Currie

“Our training teams are now transitioning the traditional classroom theory subjects into an online eLearning format with Immediate Past Commodore, Martin Vaughan, leading the way with the Safety and Sea Survival (SSSC) refresher course,” Commodore Dunoon said.

The Club has also implemented the SSSC full course, Incident Management Training, Port Phillip Bay Heads Entry/Exit Rip Tour, Navigation Course and Robin Hewitt’s Weather Course.

This year, the Club also held the first Bowman’s Course. The brainchild of former America’s Cup bowman and international yachtsman Peter Dowdney, the Ronstan Australasian Sales

Manager shared his immense years of experience with attendees. Together with Martin Vaughan and Mark Welsh, Dowdney delivered a well-received course.

“We pride ourselves in connecting the sailing community and building comradery across clubs. This year we’ve put special emphasis on building relationships with our members and kindred clubs,” Commodore Dunoon said.

“The Club’s outstanding results and the awards received would not be possible without the 78 wonderful volunteers who have given so much of their time from running the races to our training courses,” he ended.

An active participant of women in sailing, since the inception of Ocean Girls and the Women Skippers and Navigators Race (WSNR) back in 2013, the ORCV has demonstrated a growing commitment to supporting female sailors and novices. This was shown in the record number of 16 female skippers and navigators registered for this year's WSNR. The Club is also involved with SheSails.

The Club also continues to regularly promote its races, courses, new initiatives and programs, including double-handed racing and Four + Autohelm and others mentioned above, to the wider public.

A Lifetime Achievement for Robin Hewitt

Exemplifying excellence and an unwavering dedication to the sport of sailing, Robin Hewitt is an extraordinary individual who has actively shared, supported and inspired current and future generations of sailors. Robin has given a lifelong commitment that set standards for others to follow, brought significant recognition to sailing through his work and has worked tirelessly for the benefit of the sport, and sailing enthusiasts. 

Robin has made a sustained and significant impact on the growth and development of Sailing in Victoria and at a national level in his outstanding contribution to sailing for more than 40 years recognizing his achievements made both on the water as a yacht racer /offshore sailor and off the water as lead contributor designing the Safety and Sea Survival Certification course.

In accepting this award, Robin has said  “There is no greater honour than to be recognised by one's peers, and for that I thank you all,” Hewitt said of his Lifetime Achievement award with Australian Sailing Victoria.

“Since my involvement in training, there have been several serious incidents, all reported back as successfully averting a major issue due to the lessons imparted by the ORCV training team and the assistance of the many willing club volunteers.”

Robin can be described as a ‘Quiet Achiever’  He is an exceptional person who brings insight and dignity to the sport.  If you are part of the offshore sailing community in Victoria, you will have competed, learnt from, or been mentored by Robin Hewitt.

Robin joined the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV) in 1982.  His talents were soon recognized leading to Robin joining the committee the year after and going on to hold key positions of Secretary (12+ years), Commodore (1991 – 1994), mentor, Treasurer, Race Director and Chief Trainer and being heavily involved for some 35+ years.

As the skipper of Yoko, Robin competed in nearly all the ORCV races for 35 years and mentored many crews wishing to commence their ocean journey.  It is estimated Robin has introduced more than 3,800 crew to the sport of ocean racing and it is reflection of his character that he had a core crew team for more than twenty years.  

Robin wasn’t the type of skipper who didn’t cherry picked crew just on their ability, he introduced the visually impaired, the wheelchair bound, the elderly and most of all the beginner to this sport taking them under his wing and providing inspiration, his way.

Robin established early on the need for training, having been keelboat co-ordinator and Yachtmaster examiner with Victorian Yachting Council. Being a sailor wasn’t enough. As chief trainer, ORCV commenced
safety lectures including weather, navigation, heavy weather sailing.  After the 1998 Sydney to Hobart race and such tragic loss of lift and the introduction of the first Safety and Sea Survival Course, Robin was asked to join the group to review the first course.  It was here that Robin helped develop a change to focus on avoiding getting into a situation.  Robin still participates today at all ORCV Safety and Sea Survival courses run throughout the year.

Providing education to avoid the hazards has always been part of Robin’s motivation.  He took this approach when developing an on water practical tour of Port Phillip Heads, where entertaining insight is provided in how to safely transit The Rip.  Thousands have enjoyed Robin’s commentary and approach to this tour.

As the ORCV resident weather “guru” this reputation grew during Covid lockdowns of 2020 with Robin selling out multiple courses and attracting students from all around Australia.  To date, some 2000+ student have passed through Robin’s weather courses.

It’s Robin’s willingness to convey and share his vast knowledge both on the sea and in the classroom that are qualities that others can aspire too, doing it all the Robin way, quietly, with confidence and with honour.

Like all good passages of time, the 40+ years journey that Robin Hewitt has shared with us is one that has touched so many, provided inspiration and insight and a passion and love of the ocean that deserves to be recognised.

Key Acheivements:

• 40+ years inspiring Sailors through knowledge and mentoring
• Skippered Yoko for 35 years
• Competed in almost all ORCV races including 35 consecutively Melbourne to Hobart (Westcoasters), 2 x Melbourne to Osakas, Melbourne to Vanuatu
• 20+ years as the ORCV Chief Trainer
• Developed and delivered the ORCV Rip Tour

• Mentored over 3500 crew
• Shared with over 2000+ students weather knowledge
• 20+ years race and incident management
• Adapted to online learning and expanded the audience to around Australia

An Australian Sailing Lifetime Achievement well deserved.

Peter Davison named Victorian Offshore Sailor of the Year

Victorian yachtsman Peter Davison, the owner/skipper of the Archambault 40 Arcadia, was named Victorian Offshore Sailor of the Year by Australian Sailing last evening.

An ORCV and Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron (RMYS) member, Davison has successfully competed in several of the premier offshore races with the ORCV this season, sailing Arcadia to consistent top three results. He played the role of Race Director on another occasion.

As a boat owner and skipper, the yachtsman continues to demonstrate a willingness to support those looking to try ocean racing by providing guidance and seamanship knowledge.

A sailing stalwart of some 15 plus years, Davison is well-known for his dedication to supporting the offshore scene. He is also an active member of the ORCV Sail Committee where his views and contributions are held in the utmost regard.

In response to his award, a humbled Davison said, “I’m thrilled to be recognised for this Award. The reality is there’s a whole team of people who have been part of Arcadia’s 2021 offshore campaign. Obviously, I couldn’t have done any of this without my offshore crew. Then there’s my bay sailors who help keep Arcadia sailing at peak in between.

“My wife Gerra has always provided onshore support and the last 18 years my mum replenished us with homemade bacon and egg pies and soups. She sadly passed away just last month. There’s also the professionals who helped keep Arcadia in top condition. These people are all part of the reason we got this award,” he said.

“The ORCV has done a magnificent job to keep the season going, despite the huge challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, thank to you all for being part of this award and here’s hoping we can see each other on the water again soon.”

In response to Davison’s award, ORCV Commodore, Grant Dunoon said, “Peter’s consistent results, skill and participation, along with his various contributions to our sport made him stand out among the other worthy finalists.”

Davison was also recently crowned ORCV Offshore Champion. The scoring system for the Championship is designed to recognise differences in fleet sizes, in the challenge presented by the various races, and the position each participant finishes each race in.

The committed Melbourne yachtsman ended the Championship an impressive 13 points ahead of his nearest rival, and 20 points clear of third place, in a fleet that has grown by 42 percent during the season.

“In a challenging year, Peter has dedicated resources, upskilled his crew and sailed consistently well in several major Victorian offshore races. These races featured fluctuating sea states and conditions,” Commodore Dunoon said. “He is worthy of being named the 2021 Victorian Offshore Sailor of the Year.”

Among other accolades, in August 2020 Davison was made a Life Member of the RMYS where he has been a productive member for 47 years.

Davison continues to race offshore in Victorian waters and ventures out of state for other races. His repertoire includes the Sydney Hobart and Melbourne to Hobart races, along with the Melbourne to Stanley and Melbourne to King Island races.

Photo at top Peter Davison, Skipper of Arcadia and crew Photo credit Dave Hewison

The Plan – with Return to Sailing 

Each day provides more certainty on the direction forward to when we can return to sailing and that target of being 80% double dose vaccinated.  At this stage, it looks like we will reach the target early in November, possibly after the Melbourne Cup weekend.

With this in mind, our first race back is likely to be on November 27th where we will run the normal West Offshore Products Coastal Sprint and an optional extra leg for those needing to qualify for a Hobart race.  

How will it work?  Everyone will compete in the normal coastal sprint, sailing the designated race.  Those who need to qualify for the Hobart race, they will sail through the sprint finish and continue sailing as defined by the longer course sailing instructions.  

It is looking likely that Tasmanian borders may be open by Christmas with plans now in place to run a Devonport and Westcoaster (Melbourne to Hobart) race.  Should Tasmania borders remain closed, we will run an alternative category 2 ocean race to a Victorian destination.

Like last year, the popular Cock of the Bay will run again on Boxing Day with finer details currently underway there too.

Whichever race and destination we consider, local or interstate, it looks like all crew will need to be double vaccinated.  So please, check your crew requirements and continue those conversations.  

Please keep an eye on the website, Facebook and Instagram pages as the races are open for booking (links below).  To assist with our planning for Devonport, Hobart and the Sprint on the 27th, please enter the race initially without payment.   Payment will be due closer to the race date where certainty is more likely.  

Where we can, we will continue to navigate through the myriad to options and legislation needs to make things happen for our members and provide ocean sailing experiences.  

Jeremy Walton
Sail Captain

Click through below to each race page.

West Offshore Coastal Sprint NOR & Entry 
Rudder Cup - Melbourne to Devonport NOR & Entry 
Westcoaster NOR and Entry 

Safety & Sea Survival Refresher Course Participant Information

The ORCV SSSC Refresher Course is provided in two parts.

Part 1 – Theory : Online Self-Paced Learning

Soon after booking your course with us, you will receive an email with a link to Part 1 – Theory online so you can commence your course. Your online learning is self-paced, however you must have completed and passed the exam before attending Part 2 – Practical.

An assessment paper must be passed to an 80% threshold and competencies demonstrated before the theoretical component of the course is considered complete.

Part 2 – Practical : Wet Drill, Flare Shoot and Incident Review

It is important that you carefully read the following information well in advance of attending the practical session.

We recommend that you prepare for this course as you would for an ocean voyage and have an early night the day before and avoid alcohol consumption.

A light lunch will be served on the day and tea/coffee will be available.

Group Discussion

• Please bring a notepad and pen and be prepared to contribute examples of your own past sailing experiences and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s). In the group session our instructors and participants share experiences and focus on important lessons learned from recent incidents.
• Please also bring your completed Refresher Incident Worksheet (part of the online theory component) for the group discussion.

Flare Shoot

• Closed shoes must be worn.
• Flares, gloves and protective eye wear will be provided.
• If you have long hair, please bring a hair tie and ensure it is secured for the flare shoot.

Pool Wet Drill

The Wet Drill takes place in a heated pool at Wesley College.

Please bring along the following items:

• Full ocean clothing comprising of inner thermal layer, mid layer and outer ocean wet weather gear layer.
• Sea boots. If you do not have sea boots or never wear them while ocean sailing, replicate the footwear you would normally wear when ocean sailing.
• Lifejacket compliant with current standards. If you do not have a Lifejacket and cannot borrow one from someone, ORCV have a limited supply that must be booked in advance via emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and advising us of your requirement.
• Crotch strap
• Towel

If inflating your lifejacket manually, please remove the gas bottle.

Wash all clothing including wet weather gear beforehand and empty all pockets.

It is recommended that you ensure all items are labelled with your name so you can be notified if you’ve left them on site.

Should you not have a life jacket, we do have a small number that can be hired.  Please note, there is a charge which is non refundable (should you not attend) which covers replacement of our loan gear.  Book and show your ticket at the course.  There is a limited number so reservations are required here https://www.trybooking.com/CHCMP  

Additional Course Information

• Wesley College Location, Registration and Classrooms

• Full Course Content