Saltwater Veterans Sailing Project

Is a registered Health Promotion Charity (with Deductible Gift Recipients status) from the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), and an Australian Sailing Affiliated Club. SVSP is unwavering in its mission to empower veterans and their families by creating meaningful impact & social connection through sailing.

  • Step 1 | You must have an active Australian Sailing number to participate as it is linked to your Personal and Accident Insurance cover

    SVSP Supporters already have an Australian Sailing number—please proceed to Step 2.

    Non-SVSP Supporters can participate through SailPass, a temporary (funded) membership designed to specifically empower veterans and their families to try sailing with us.

    CLICK HERE 👉 for Supporter Membership or SailPass 
  • Step 2 | Your event registration

    We homeport on the Northern Beaches in Sydney, and we conduct sail training in Newcastle, Jervis Bay, Mooloolaba, Gosford, Geelong, and Darwin too!

    CLICK HERE 👉 to register for events 
  • For other ESO's, Groups, or ADF unit activities

    Your people are already welcome to attend our events individually as part of our regular support for current and former serving veterans and their families. SVSP Supporter subscriptions are $75 per person per year. Through our fundraising efforts, we currently offer Supporters:

    • Monthly Sailing
    • Crewing, Helming, Skippering & instructor Courses
    • Sailing Development Programs

    If you'd like SVSP to organise a dedicated group or unit activity, we will provide an event invoice covering a per person cost, plus any requested catering.

    100% of the proceeds go directly toward equipment hire, instructor travel and insurance to support both your activities and the future of SVSP.

    CONTACT US 👉 to discuss your group's activity. 
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WATCH | About About Our Sailing

YOUR KIT | What to bring

Each activity's kit requirements may vary, as starting point...

  • Wear sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, long sleeve shirt. (Gloves are recommended.)
  • Bring a jacket/jumper, sun screen, change of clothes, and a reusable water bottle. 
  • We don't recommend items on the boat that can't get wet or may fallover the side such as keys & phones.
  • North Australia - Stinger Protection - you must wear a long sleeve shirt/rashie & some form leggings/tights or stinger suit

JOIN US | Be a SVSP Supporter

Annual Supporter's Packages

01 July-30 June

  • Adult | $75 
  • Child/Dependant | $15

Who Can A Supporter

Veterans & their families | being a Supporter enables you to support what you enjoy, and it saves you time during event registration. 

Non-veterans | are welcome to be a Supporter too - please bear in mind that SVSP activities are facilitated for veterans & their families.

What Are You Supporting?

Your annual Supporter's fees directly contributes to overcoming the logistics costs of our Australian Sailing affiliation & insurances.

Beyond the warm & fuzzy feelings of supporting veterans' sailing, your benefits of a being a Supporter are:

  •  Provides your Australian Sailing number which allows you to compete and enjoy the sport of sailing to its fullest.

  • Provides your Personal and Accident Insurance Cover when participating in club-sanctioned events and activities.  Learn More...

  • Enjoy Sweet Discounts on Spinlock, Burke & Musto kit.

SVSP Supporters - Join Here

DONATE | 100% Supports the Mission

"We all want to be here, and we can't do it without your support" 
Matt Brumby

Your support truly makes a difference.

All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.

100% of your donation supports our mission.

Together, we can navigate the challenges and empower those who have served.

  • Donations | Credit Card

    All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.

    Donate Here 
  • Donations by EFT

    Help us save on 3rd party transaction fees by donating via Electronic Funds Transfer.

    Contact Us For Account Details 
  • Marketing & Sponsorship

    Our prospectus serves to open a personalised & customisable sponsorship conversation with you.

    Be recognised as part of the solution to reducing veteran's social isolation.

    View Here 
  • Boat & Equipment Donation Program

    Donations of goods or property (tangible items) valued at $5,000 or more are tax-deductible!

     Examples of acceptable items include: 

    • yachts/boats, and equipment 
    • freehold land and property
    • items to be raffled or auctioned

    Please contact the Saltwater Veterans Sailing Project for information about the process involved in accepting donations of goods/property. 

ABOUT | Our ACNC Registered Charity

The Saltwater Veterans Sailing Project

SWV Ltd (trading as Saltwater Veterans Sailing Project) is a registered Health Promotion Charity with Deductible Gift Recipient status under the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

The SVSP has as its mission to promote the prevention and control of physical illnesses (including, but not limited to, physical injury, obesity and ill health) and mental illnesses (including, but not limited to Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), anxiety, depression and social isolation) experienced by Veterans.

How We Do, What We Do

Our aim is to:

  1. Implement and provide targeted support services and programs, including social connection and inclusion opportunities for Veterans who are experiencing, or are at risk of, isolation and physical and mental illness, by principally offering inclusive sailing and other water based sporting programs and activities; 
  2. Encourage Veterans to be physically and mentally active to overcome feelings of isolation and physical and mental illness; 
  3. Support the social integration of Veterans through the provision of social, sporting and recreational opportunities; 
  4. Generate conversation surrounding the prevention of isolation and physical and mental illness experienced by Veterans, as well as to eliminate any stigma surrounding the open discussion of these issues; 
  5. Provide skill development pathway programs to assist Veterans to rebuild self- sufficiency, leadership skills and connection with community; 
  6. Create a broad network of support for Veterans through collaboration with other mission aligned organisations supporting Veterans; and 
  7. provide a platform and conduit for health professionals and service providers to deliver health promotion and preventative health strategies to improve the health, resilience and quality of life of Veterans. 

How We Spend SVSP Funding

Under a company limited by guarantee structure, SWV Ltd must reinvest 100% of its profits back into its purpose and objects. The profits cannot be distributed to members. This is set out in our Charity's Constitution:

  • clause 4 – setting out the company’s objects and mission
  • clause 5 – setting out that the income and property of the company will only be applied towards the promotion of the objects of the company and the company will not be carried on for the profit or gain of the members, neither while it is operating nor on winding up.
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  • Jimmy Spithill

    James 'Jimmy' Spithill made history by becoming, at the age of 30, the youngest skipper to win the America's Cup, but his sailing success goes far beyond that. Named the Australian Male Yachtsman of the Year more than once, his respect for service personnel is a driving force in Jimmy's desire to support the Saltwater Veterans Sailing Project.

  • Katie Spithill

    Katie has won in many International World Cup events, as well as a silver and bronze medal at the Match Racing World Championships. She was part of the Australian Women’s Match Racing Team, qualified for Australia in the 2012 Olympics, and coached the Dutch Invictus Games 2018 crew.
    Katie is now championing an all female racing team @womenracingaus .

  • Tommy Spithill

    As a long-serving sailing mentor, Tom is the "Godfather" figure of all things Saltwater Veterans sailing. His passion for teaching veterans was an integral part of the Invictus Games in Sydney in his role as sports competition manager for Sailing. Tom was recognized in the 2021 Northern Beaches Council's Australia Day Awards for Outstanding Community Service.

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  • Jen Reynolds

    SVSP Co-Founder

    Our Public Officer and Secretary

    RSL NSW Sport & Recreation State Co-coordinator 

    Conscious Coach | Leadership, Learning & People Development Consultant. Learn more

  • Scott Reynolds

    SVSP Co-Founder

    Board Chairman

    18 Years military service

    Sailing Instructor & Coach - Click here to view a short video about Scott's journey in sailing

  • Catherine Sturge

    Foundation Supporter

    SVSP Treasurer

    20 Years military service

    Administration and grant writing support

    Learning Support Consultant at Westpac

  • Henry Tier

    Foundation Supporter

    Equipment Manager

    Grant writing support

    Manger at Asahi Beverages

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