The Thousands

We had no idea how massive a deal it was that Perth is hosting the ISAF World Sailing Championships until a friend who is enthusiastic about ocean sports told us that it’s basically like the Olympics of sailing and Perth outbid seven other countries to host it. Over 1,000 of the world’s best Popeyes are going to be in town for the two-week regatta – the port town is going to be pumping like it hasn’t since the 1987 America’s Cup.

Even more exciting than the boat races will be seeing Freo turn into the ‘Worlds Village’ for the ‘Worlds Festival’ – an idea that pays tribute to the history-making ‘world fairs’ of 1930s America. The grassy Esplanade area will feature sailing stalls, food stalls, stages, cooking demos from the Greenhouse’s Matt Stone, Kulcha music programmes, helicopter flights. Model yachts will be on display at the Museum, with free yoga and zumba classes on the beach, plus: basket weaving. The more magical boats will be in the theatre adaptation of local artist Shaun Tan’s The Arrival. The Moores Gallery, Japingka Gallery and Little Creatures will all embrace the art in sailing, along with the iconic Woolstores building – local artists have painted huge maritime signal flags and artworks on its façade.

Our ocean sport enthusiast friend is even hosting a screening of eighties flick Wind (featuring Dirty Dancing’s Jennifer Grey) at Bohemia Outdoor Cinema – he’s turning the proceeds over to Sailability WA Inc, an organisation that provides sailing opportunities for people with disabilities. Champions all round.