Peter Loft Foundation & Marathon

The Peter Loft Foundation

The Peter Loft Foundation is a separate fund held and managed by BYRA. It was set up in memory of Peter Loft, one of BYRA's most talented young sailors who tragically lost his life in a plane crash at only 18 years old.

The foundation aims to assist aspiring young BYRA sailors with travel costs to participate in state, national, and international events. We appreciate that getting to the 'next level' is costly, and BYRA is committed to removing or at least reducing these barriers.

Attending these events enables further growth, and recipients are invited to share their knowledge and experience with other young sailors after the events - this helps to inspire the next generation!

The Peter Loft Foundation is supported by one of Sydney's most iconic sailing events - the Peter Loft Marathon.

The Peter Loft Marathon

The Peter Loft Marathon is BYRA's biggest annual event. Held each May, it enables the memory of Peter Loft to live on through both the event itself and the money it raises through entry fees for the Peter Loft Foundation.

The event consists of a race around Lion Island and back to the clubhouse at BYRA. The start is “Le Mans style”, with the participants running to their boats in the water and then sailing north. If weather permits, qualifying craft may even round Lion Island! The finish requires competitors to beach their craft and ring the infamous bell on BYRA's front deck.

BYRA welcomes many visitor boats yearly, from humble single-handers to catamarans, sailboards and powerful skiffs

Applying for a Grant

If you would like more information on how the grants are awarded - eligibility, amounts, application deadlines, responsibilities - please contact any member of the BYRA Committee, and they will point you in the right direction!

Otherwise, please fill in & sign this Application Form and send it to sailing@byra.com.au

A key requirement is for recipients to have actively contributed to BYRA.

Previous Recipients

Meet Orlando Sadlik!

Orlando attended the 2023 iQFoil Youth & Junior World Championships in Cadiz, Spain. Please click here to read about this event.

Orlando was an extremely active junior BYRA club member - both as a competitive sailor on the water and as an instructor and volunteer off the water. We are so proud that Orlando participated in these worlds, partly supported by a grant from BYRA's Peter Loft Foundation.