RIB backing

Australian Sailing has signed a six-year partnership with Southern Pacific Boats, securing RIB support for the Australian Sailing Team through to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games and exclusive pricing for affiliated clubs.


Photography by Australian Sailing/Beau Outteridge

28 August 2026

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Southern Pacific Boats has become the official rigid inflatable boat (RIB) partner of Australian Sailing and the Australian Sailing Team (AST) under a new six-year agreement extending through to Brisbane 2032.

The Australasian manufacturer will supply PerformR and SeekR RIBs for the AST coaching fleet as Australia’s Olympic-class sailors prepare for the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

The partnership also extends to Australian Sailing Affiliated Clubs, which will have access to exclusive pricing on Southern Pacific RIBs for race management, coaching, safety and other on-water support roles.

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Three models – Vortex, SeekR and PerformR – are available to clubs through the initiative, covering a range of operational requirements.

Southern Pacific Boats also offers additional models outside the program, with all RIBs built to order.

AST Technical Director Michael Blackburn OLY says the agreement provides an important platform for coaches working with Australia’s leading sailors.

“We’re delighted to partner with Southern Pacific Boats through to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games,” Blackburn says.

Southern Pacific RIBs provide a reliable, high-performance platform for our coaches to take on all conditions while they support Australia’s leading Olympic-class sailors in training and competition.

“We are also grateful that Southern Pacific is providing an important benefit to our Australian Sailing Affiliated Clubs through access to high-quality RIBs at exclusive prices.”

Southern Pacific Boats draws on decades of experience designing and manufacturing RIBs for demanding marine environments. Its boats are used across sailing, coaching, race support and commercial applications, with designs focused on stability, durability and on-water performance.

The New Zealand-based company says its approach combines Kiwi maritime heritage with naval architecture principles to produce RIBs suited to applications ranging from training fleets and race management to coastal patrol duties.

The agreement follows Australian Sailing’s recent partnership with Mercury Marine, which provides affiliated clubs with access to discounts on outboard motors through participating dealers.

Together, the partnerships are intended to strengthen on-water capability from grassroots sailing through to Australia’s high-performance program.

 

southernpacific.co.nz
australiansailing.org.au

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