Paper Sailors Rock

03/10/2026

For all those Osaka Cup fans - spectators or entrants!
⛵Double Handed | 5000 nm | Nonstop
Whether you’re dreaming of the start line or following the adventure from shore, this one’s for you.

Australian mum and daughter team of 2025 will be appearing in Q and A sessions during November.
Annette, founder of Paper Sailors Rock will be at Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania and will team up with her daughter Sophie (of YouTube channel - Slim & Soph - Sailing Nakama) at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron or, find a past entrant at a club near you 👇

Join the first of our series of information/ Q&A sessions that will be hosted around the country. These sessions are for you to learn more about the 10th Edition 2030 Melbourne Osaka Cup and provide you insight into boat and personal preparations to tackle the 5,000NM to Japan.

The first session is hosted by Port Stephens Yacht Club with past competitor Kevin Le Poidevin presenting on the 11th of October 26 at 15:00! Utilise his personal experience and knowledge of the race to learn more!

Unable to make it to Port Stephens? Maybe the next information/ Q&A sessions will better suit you:

- Fremantle Sailing Club: 15th October 26 at 19:00
- Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania: 9th November 26 at 19:00
- Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron: 27th November 26 at 19:00
- Hobsons Bay Yacht Club: 27th November 26 at 19:00

Port Stephens Yacht Club Community Hub Fremantle Sailing Club Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Hobsons Bay Yacht Club

We hope to see you there!

First your hearing of the race read about the race here https://melbourneosakacup.com AND you can now register your interest and be part of the journey. Put your name down here https://bit.ly/2030M2OEOI

🌊 5,000 nautical miles
⛵Two sailors, one boat
🌏 Sail weather zones and oceans
🏆 The 10th edition of an iconic race



Derwent Sailing Squadron Bellerive Yacht Club Tamar Yacht Club Sandringham Yacht Club Mornington Yacht Club Royal Yacht Club of Victoria Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron (RMYS) Royal Geelong Yacht Club The Royal Brighton Yacht Club Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club - RPAYC Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay

01/10/2026

What a feel good short video ❤️⛵️
We love your outlook Mia!

“I’ve learnt the best sailors aren’t the ones who don’t capsize, they’re the ones who get back up and keep going”

23/09/2026

A must-read ⛵📖

Annette recently put pen to paper (electronically 😊) for Yachting World, sharing her experience sailing the 2025 Osaka Cup with her daughter, Sophie. (Link in comments)

It’s an honest, emotional and powerful account. Once you’ve read it, follow the journey through Sophie’s fantastic series, “In Her Ocean Wake” (Link also in comments)

Would you sail 5,500 miles with your mother?

For Annette Hesselmans and Sophie Snijders, competing in the Melbourne Osaka Cup was an epic mother-daughter adventure.

Read more at the link in the comments below.

📸: Sophie Snijders/Sailing Nakama

18/09/2026

Sea Safety & Survival Course
10 October 2026

Whether you're preparing for offshore racing (Cat 1 or 2) or heading further afield cruising, the Australian Sailing Safety & Sea Survival Course (SSSC) gives you practical knowledge to respond when things go wrong.

⛵ 10 October 2026
📍 Manly, QLD
Full Course - $695
Refresher Course - $495

Learn essential skills covering:
🛟 Survival at sea
🚨 Emergency procedures
🌊 Heavy weather and safety
🔥 Fire and emergency response
⛵ Preparing yourself and your vessel

Ideal for sailors preparing for offshore racing such as the Sydney to Hobart, as well as cruisers wanting to build their offshore safety knowledge.

Book Now - https://www.papersailorsrock.com.au/sailing-courses/safety-sea-survival/

12/09/2026

⛵ Whitsundays sailing anyone?
[LIMITED AVAILABILITY]
Sail the Whitsundays aboard our sail training yacht, Vonnie, with everything included!

⛵ Sail training
🦺 Personal safety gear
🏝️ Island hopping
🛏️ Accommodation onboard
🍽️ Meals

🌴 12 October | Whitsundays 5 Day Mile Builder just $2,200
https://www.papersailorsrock.com.au/sailing-courses/airlie-beach-to-mackay/

⛵ 21 October | Mackay to Yeppoon 8 Day Mile Builder just $3,520
https://www.papersailorsrock.com.au/sailing-courses/whitsundays-to-yeppoon/

Work towards your RYA Certificate while experiencing some of the best sailing Queensland has to offer.

Limited places available. Book online to secure your spot.
https://www.papersailorsrock.com.au/sailing-courses/mile-builders/

31/08/2026

⛵ Don’t just take our word for it…

Our students say it best! From building practical skills to gaining confidence on the water, we love seeing where each sailing journey leads.
Ready to start yours?

30/08/2026

⛵ Women’s Sail Training – Build Skills. Build Confidence.
Our Women’s Sail Training is a supportive, hands-on sailing experience designed to help women build practical skills, ask questions and gain confidence aboard a cruising yacht. We'd love to have you on board.

31 October
Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania

12 December


⚓ Practical, hands-on learning
⚓ Supportive, relaxed environment
⚓ Build confidence at the helm and around the boat
⚓ Learn alongside other women

👉 Find out more and book your place:
https://www.papersailorsrock.com.au/sailing-courses/womens-sail-training/

Womens sail training designed to build skills, confidence and experience in a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

27/08/2026

🌊 Heading offshore this season? Get your Australian Sailing SSSC accreditation sorted.

Next Course
📅 10 October 2026
📍 Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

If you're preparing for the Sydney to Hobart or competing in Category 1 or Category 2 offshore racing, make sure your Safety & Sea Survival Course (SSSC) accreditation is up to date.

⛵ Not a racer?
This course is just as valuable for cruising sailors. Learn practical skills to help you prepare for, manage and respond to emergencies at sea, giving you greater confidence when cruising offshore.

Topics include emergency procedures, survival equipment, life rafts, personal safety and what to do when things don't go to plan.

Whether you're racing offshore or cruising further afield, these are skills every sailor should have.

👉 Course details & bookings:
https://www.papersailorsrock.com.au/sailing-courses/safety-sea-survival/

Learn essential safety and sea survival skills for offshore sailing, including emergency procedures and personal safety techniques.

21/08/2026

⛵ Build your miles in North Queensland!

We still have availability on two fantastic Mile Builders coming up this October aboard Vonnie:

📅 12 October | Mackay 5 Day Mile Builder
Five days of practical sailing, skill building and valuable sea miles around the stunning North Queensland coast.
https://www.papersailorsrock.com.au/sailing-courses/mackay-5-day-mile-builder/

📅 21 October | Mackay to Yeppoon 8 Day Mile Builder
Ready for a longer passage? Join us for an 8-day sail from Mackay to Yeppoon, gaining valuable passage experience and plenty of nautical miles along the way.
https://www.papersailorsrock.com.au/sailing-courses/mackay-to-yeppoon/

Whether you’re building miles towards your next RYA qualification, developing your passage sailing skills or simply looking for more time on the water, jump aboard!

⛵ Small crew. Hands-on sailing. Plenty of miles.