Eight keen youngsters turned up for their first taste of racing in dinghies at Hobsonville Yacht Club early on Sunday morning. Wind conditions were quite lively with a moderate southerly, blowing from the city, with a few white caps at Kauri Point. A simple triangular course was set, using the club start line IDM (inner distance mark), as an ODM (outer distance mark) and the transit on the race hut. A short upwind leg to a mark set close into the shore, off the club offered excellent viewing to the shore team. Leaving the top mark to Port, and an exciting bear away, and very broad reach/run to the leeward mark, meant the youngsters had to cope with the challenge of a strong cross tide and gybe round the leeward mark. A straightforward beam reach back to the ODM, became more challenging as both the wind and tide became stronger and stronger! By the time the dinghies had got on the water, having to weave their way through umpteen rowers from Westlake High School, the wind had increased to 20+ knots. Hunter and Joshua revelled in the strong winds, and looked very at home blasting round the course! Nick with young son Isaac, were second to launch and had a number of technical issues with the other Sunburst. They returned to the shore and Isaac went out on the Safety Boat instead. Eoghian and Mackenzie attempted to sail in the Opti, but were totally out of their comfort zone, and returned to shore to join Isaac in the Safety Boat. This left only Hunter and Joshua in the Cube! However this worked really well, with lots of starting sequences, and a change of crew after each lap. It meant the children on the Safety Boat could look and listen to each start sequence, and experience it as crew, when it was their turn to go in the Sunburst. Kathleen was quick to learn how to be ARO, and was brilliant at raising and lowering the correct flags at the right time, ably assisted by Eoghain’s younger sister. Stuart and Denise did a wonderful job in the Safety Boat, transferring crews and laying buoys. Heather was wonderful back up and feeding coffee and food to hungry folk, assisted by young Finloe. While this was all happening Keith and Eric launched their Paper Tigers and started flying at great speed to and fro in front of the club. They kindly offered to give the juniors a ride, but by this time they, and the parents had had enough, as they'd arrived at 8am! Hunter was quick to take up the offer, and landed the Cube, and hopped aboard the catamaran to have some excitement and speed. The parents, Denise, Gary and myself did most of the tidying up, and then flaked over a cuppa! We'd had a full on weekend with Junior Sailing on Friday night, the Golden Rivet on Saturday in 25knot winds and close racing, plus an early start on the Sunday. Back to work on Monday for a rest!!!! If any club members with dinghy sailing experience are reading this, please we really do need more help with the ever expanding Junior Section. They are the future of the club. Stuart and Mackenzie, and Hunter all sailed in the Golden Rivet on the Saturday, proof that these children and their parents, are a great asset to the club. Gill Moore Dinghy Sailing Coordinator (very tired!) |
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