Cruising

Take a look at this 4-minute video of a typical short cruise on the River Murray.

TSASA Cruising

The TSASA visits a wide range of cruising locations. A calendar of planned cruises is prepared annually, and major cruises are proposed several months in advance. The Sailing Captain is responsible for the overall scheduling of on-water events; however, all members are encouraged to propose cruises for the calendar at any time. Sometimes cruises are conducted at short notice when conditions are favourable, and several members are interested. Members may request the Committee's approval to lead an event based on their prior experience and knowledge of the area. 

Major Cruises

At least one is planned each year.

Generally, a major long-distance cruise is conducted every year to locations such as the Whitsundays (Qld), Tin Can Bay/Fraser Island (Qld), Moreton Bay/The Broadwater (near Brisbane), or Tasmania. These cruises, including travel, can take up to 5 weeks in total. We plan these well ahead so that annual leave can be booked and preparations made in plenty of time. Typically, any destination that warrants 3 weeks of cruising time falls into this category, as do most destinations that require more than 3 days of travel.

In addition, most years, a major cruise to intermediate-distance locations, such as Myall Lakes/Port Stephens (NSW), Gippsland Lakes (Vic), Sir Joseph Banks Group (SA), or Coffin Bay (SA), is planned. These cruises typically last no more than 2 days travelling and have an approximate duration of 2 weeks on the water.

Gippsland: TSASA members tucked into a sheltered cove on a pristine, secluded beach, welcomed by the local birdlife. 

Short Cruises

 More than one every year.

• Every June long weekend, we run a River Murray cruise. Apart from the relaxing cruise along the majestic river, novelty events such as a quiz to be completed while cruising, a campfire cooking competition, or the annual pétanque competition add to the fun along the way during this family-oriented event.
• Every Easter, a fun cruise along the Lower Murray Lakes or the Coorong departs from Clayton Bay or Goolwa, with a visit from the Easter Bunny guaranteed.
• Other short cruises may be arranged to locations generally within a few hours' drive of Adelaide, such as the SA border area of the River Murray, the Glenelg River (Victoria), or Port Vincent, to name only a few.

Cruising the Coorong. Preparations for Happy Hour.

All sailing events endorsed by the TSASA and included in the official TSASA Calendar comply with the TSASA Safety Management System and Code of Practice.

Frequently, members extend the official cruise period by arriving early or departing later to have more time to explore the area independently.

Individual members also attend cruises organised by other sailing organisations. The TSASA supports several of these events, although they are not part of our official calendar. These events are referred to as 'Non-TSASA Events' in our calendar, with links provided to the external club hosting the event, allowing members to access information about the event and to assist them in maximising the use of their boats. Typical examples include the Milang-Goolwa Classic in January, the Spencer Gulf Cruise in March, and the Port Vincent Saltwater Classic held in April.

In addition, TSASA racing events are often accompanied by a cruising and social component, such as an overnight stay on the water and a group dinner, to encourage participation for those who are not as keen on racing. This extends the race event, which is generally over in an afternoon, into a weekend, providing plenty of opportunity to explore the area and socialise.

The TSASA Cruise Coordinator is responsible for the cruising program, with each event having an Event Leader or Leaders, selected for their knowledge of the destination and sailing experience. The Cruise Leader(s) are responsible for day-to-day planning and leadership throughout the cruise. The Event Leader provides all participants with detailed information about the cruise and what to bring in the Sailing Instructions. This ensures that members travelling to a new area for the first time are well-informed and prepared. 

See where our next cruise destination is on our Events page