Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club is revving up for the Launch of the KISS 2023 Program on Tuesday 16 May at Royal Yacht Club of Victoria. QCYC Commodore Lee Renfree will be leading a panel of four “class of 2022” KISS graduates discussing “Facing Your Fears” to kick off the program.
Amongst the panelists, Fiona Tremaine from Royal Geelong Yacht Club signed up for the inaugural KISS program in May 2022, after having her first sailing experience in October 2021 in a Twilight Race. In the very short time since she had first sailed, she went on to win the KISS 2022 Race/Rally Navigators award in the passage event from Altona to Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club in July 2022.
Here are Fiona’s reflections on her KISS experience -
“I came to sailing later in life and after my first ever experience on the water at RGYC, I quickly developed a love for sailing but had minimal knowledge about the sport. I was so excited when I heard about the inaugural KISS program, I immediately signed up for the May-August 2022 series of webinars and practical skills training.
It proved to be a fantastic opportunity to gain a lot of knowledge quickly, in a safe and nurturing environment. My learnings from the program saw my confidence develop along the way and opened up opportunities I had never dreamed of.
My personal goals were to become a valuable crew member and learn about the importance of building teamwork and trust with your skipper and other crew members.
The basics of navigation inspired me and gave me confidence to explore and take control in the workings of Navionics and the chart plotter.”
KISS held its final on water event in July 2022, the KISS Passage Race/Rally from Altona to Queensciff with Fiona taking out the Navigator’s prize for best LogBook documentation aboard Beneteau 50 SeConda.
Also along the way, she stepped up and obtained her Recreational Boating Marine licence and
took a real literal “jump into the deep end” undertaking Sea Safety and Survival (SSS) training.
Fiona takes up -
“The SSS training further boosted my confidence about being well prepared at sea.
With this training under my belt, over the last year I have had the opportunity to participate in the Van Diemen’s Land Circumnavigation cruising and exploring the stunning unspoilt west coast of Tasmania.”
After my offshore experience, I was keen to keep learning more and stepping up to other roles including helming. Back at my home club RGYC, I signed up for a six month Sassy Sailing Sisters training program which included learning to sail on an off-the-beach Pacer and a variety of keelboats. At the end of the program, the Sassy Rally was run and I was again awarded the Navigators prize.
In March this year, I helmed along with Helen Wallace, in the RGYC Womens Helm Series, on the Adams 40 Patternmaker and we took out first place for the event.
So where to now? Looking for the next great adventure. The sky is the limit!
Why not come and jump onboard now for your own voyage of discovery. There are still a few places remaining in the program. To register and for further information go to
the QCYC KISS webpage. Keep up to date by following us on QCYC facebook.
We look forward to having you onboard!