Saltwater Veterans

GOT YOURS? More than a cap. It's a lifestyle. It's what we represent.
Shop the range: saltwaterveteran.org

GRATITUDE 🙏⚓ A huge thank you to Oceansouth Australia for their fantastic donation of trailer guide posts for SALTY RHIB.

Launching and retrieving our RHIB on Sydney Harbour can be challenging, and these are a fantastic safety upgrade that will help guide SALTY RHIB safely back onto the trailer after every mission. Standby for photos to come!

A massive shout-out as well to Sean and Crank for giving up their morning to fit them. It takes a Salty community to commission new equipment, maintain what we have, and ensure we’re always ready to support our veteran community.

Every donation, every volunteer, and every helping hand makes a difference.

Thank you for being part of the journey. 💙⚓

YOUR NEXT | register saltwaterveterans.org

Gratitude to our sponsors RSL NSW Veterans Support Fund and Ocius for empowering our SVSP vision, mission and purpose

FORMER SERVICE | photos from when the Status 580 was sailing with ADFA Sailing Club…

We’re looking forward to sharing the next chapter as she joins the Saltwater Veterans fleet and gets back on the water supporting current and former serving ADF members and their families. Today it arrived in Sydney from Canberra.

Now we need a vessel name inline with our Salty Fleet…

⚓️ Our RHIB — Salty RHIB
⛵️ Our E7 — Salt-E-7
⛵️ Our Status 580 — ????

Suggestions welcome 👇

Stay Salty.

GRATITUDE | Thank you to Navy Sailing for the donation of a Status 580 to SVSP 🙏

A road trip to HMAS Harman in the ACT to collect the newest addition to the Salty’s fleet.

This Status 580 has a varied history, having supported countless ADFA cadets, ADF Sailing and Navy Sailing crews over the years, along with becoming an unexpected sub-surface feature of Lake Burley Griffin after sinking in 2018. At one stage she was affectionately known as “Grumpy”, and has introduced generations of ADF personnel to sailing. We’re honoured to continue her story.

Today was spent inspecting the trailer, obtaining a Blue Slip and repacking the wheel bearings. Tomorrow we head north to Sydney.

Next up is a thorough clean, a few minor repairs and a CAT 7 safety audit before she joins our sailing program.

Why does this matter?

This boat grows both our SVSP fleet and our independence. As a trailer sailer, it’s relatively low-cost to own and maintain while being highly mobile and easy to deploy.

One of our long-term goals has been to take sailing beyond the coast and into regional and inland communities, making our programs more accessible to geographically isolated veterans.

As our first trailer sailer, she’ll help us expand opportunities for veterans who don’t live near the coast, bringing the benefits of sailing to more communities across Australia.

The journey now enters a new chapter, continuing to build confidence, skills and community through sailing.

Thank you again to Navy Sailing for helping make this possible.

💛⚓️💙

HAPPY 90th | Manly Diggers Swimming Club 🏊‍♂️💙💛

So appreciative to be a part of this amazing community that is steeped in veterans and built on a proud ocean & pool swimming history.

Originally the Limbless Soldiers Association Swimming Club prior to 1936, at Manly, then the AIF section of the Manly Amateur Swimming Club, it stood as one of the foundation clubs of this movement.

Following the Second World War, membership and activities grew significantly as ex-servicemen joined the Club. The increase in numbers and social connection led to the need for a dedicated clubhouse. In June 1956 it was decided to build the clubroom using voluntary labour wherever possible, and it was officially opened in February 1960 at East Esplanade.

A community built on service, connection, and consistency in the surf and harbour we all share at Manly.

Perhaps the best MOB training a sailor can have 🤔🤣

Stay salty 💛⚓💙

SYDNEY | Navy One | Another day on the water for Combined Clubs racing with a whole heap of current serving Navy personnel.

The breeze was light, but there are no complaints when you’re treated to one of those classic Sydney winter days—clear blue skies, sunshine, and time spent on the harbour. These are the days that remind us why getting out on the water is so important. ⚓️☀️

Great company, great sailing, and another opportunity to strengthen the connections that matter most.

💛⚓️💙

Royal Australian Navy Australian Sailing - NSW & ACT

Help keep whales safe 💙🐳

With an estimated population of 250-350 on Australia’s east coast, we are incredibly lucky to have southern right whales visiting our coastline.

Unfortunately, we’ve received reports of people getting way too close to a southern right whale mother and her calf. Whales, especially new mums, can become distressed when disturbed by water vessels and drones.

Remember, if a calf is present, you are not permitted within 300 m. For your safety and the mum and bub's safety, please keep your distance.

More information on whale approach distances here: https://bit.ly/whale-approach

📸 - Brett Lobwein

Pittwater sailability is proud to have contributed in a small part of the sailing journey of Saltwater Veterans. We have not forgotten the smiles from the original group who trained with us for their Invictus games participation.
Well done growing and caring for every participant. We are 30 years old this year and elevating our participants on and off water is a joy we look forward to sharing with you and the team.

Thankyou for orchestrating the recent gift of new sails for ourHansa Sailing 303 they will help us deliver sailing fun to our community groups and compete in Australian Hansa Class Association events with pride. Martin and Simon exchange a moment in this picture with the mainsail.

Come. Sail!