Today saw the final races of the Pakuranga Sailing Club winter series for dinghies.
A total of 31 boats fronted the starters cannon, including Scout Cutter, Sunburst, Starling, Gypsy, Phase 2, Spiral, Seabird, and Topper class boats.
In addition, there were around 10 or more various boards, of both sail and kite power, plus a fleet of large keelboats racing through regularly, from the nearby Panmure Yacht Club. This meant that at any one time, there were upwards of 50 boats in the river directly in front of the sailing club. With speeds varying from very sedate, up to the 30+ knots of the kiteboards, it was pretty tricky keeping up with the action.
Warm Northerly winds, blowing a steady 15 knots, created a near perfect day to end the series.
The cutters, which earlier in the series were quite slow, had improved from the competition, and were going like rockets, especially on the upwind legs. All of them had brought their A game, and it showed, with very intense close racing.
The sunbursts, although still going quick, had a much bigger spread in the fleet, as some of them struggled with the breeze after a largely light-wind series.
The prizegiving afterwards, as always, was a fun filled affair, and every boat got a prize.
Looking forward to next year, although I can foresee a few little battles over who gets to go sailing if the weather is good.
Beginner training starts at Weymouth next Sunday, with advanced training beginning in early October, once the learners program is finished. All levels can be catered for, check the WYC program for details of which topics are on which dates.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
WEYMOUTH CLUB OPENING.
Weymouth YC reopens for business next Sunday September 2, at 0900, for beginner level training.
We will be holding several planned training days over the season, as well as racing and cruising events.
Our fast fleet consists of Lasers and Jollyboats at this stage, while our slow fleet is Starlings, Sunbursts, Toppers, and other similar performing boats.
We also have a small Trailer Yacht fleet, comprising a Beachcomber 22, Quicksilver 16, Hartley 16, and Cherry 16.
16 footers are ideal at Weymouth, as we can get some pretty rough water, but it's often quite shallow.
Tell your friends, give us a try!
Check back here often for updates, or check the club's website by using the link at the top of the page (above).
We will be holding several planned training days over the season, as well as racing and cruising events.
Our fast fleet consists of Lasers and Jollyboats at this stage, while our slow fleet is Starlings, Sunbursts, Toppers, and other similar performing boats.
We also have a small Trailer Yacht fleet, comprising a Beachcomber 22, Quicksilver 16, Hartley 16, and Cherry 16.
16 footers are ideal at Weymouth, as we can get some pretty rough water, but it's often quite shallow.
Tell your friends, give us a try!
Check back here often for updates, or check the club's website by using the link at the top of the page (above).
Tomorrows sailing. 26-8-2012.
Pakuranga Sailing Club Winter series #13/14 at 1230.
Panmure Lagoon Sailing Club Handicap Series #3 at 1300.
And the western lot (Manukau Harbour) have nothing on, because the tide's out.
Panmure Lagoon Sailing Club Handicap Series #3 at 1300.
And the western lot (Manukau Harbour) have nothing on, because the tide's out.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Pakuranga sailing club
Yesterday afternoon saw a mixed bag of weather, and a mixed fleet of boats, at Pakuranga sailing club.
With pouring rain and no wind at home, I didn't bother checking the calendar until around lunchtime. Then we decided to make a day of it, and the whole family piled into the van, hooked the laser on the back, and headed off.
As I didn't know whether PSC would have a second race (It was already too late to join the first one) we had a plan - go there first, and if there was no second race, head over to Panmure Lagoon, where they were holding a long distance river race. As the last forecast I had seen was for 25-35 knots, the thought of beating back up the river to PLSC from Otahuhu against a fleet of serious competitors was a little daunting.
Arriving at Pakuranga, we found clear skies, hot sunshine, and nice 5-10 knot winds. Perfect for the fleet of scout boats and juniors that were mostly in attendance.
Looking at the fleet of boats, I thought I had seen another laser, so went over to find out about race 2. There was a race, so I set about rigging.
After launching, I discovered that the "laser" was in fact a spiral, which meant I should be the quickest boat on the water.
At the start, I was second over, behind a visiting Starling. Of course, being in a faster boat meant I was soon in front, and pulling away. After two legs I had built up a sizable lead, however not the one I was expecting, as the girl in the Starling proved to be very competent sailor.
Being the only Laser gave me the opportunity to practise tacking and some basic boat handling, which, considering how little time I have spent sailing since 2009, was suprisingly reasonable.
I think once the handicaps had been applied, that I may have beaten the Starling overall, but it would not have been by very much. I'm hoping that the local sailors took notice of what she was doing, and can start applying it to their own sailing.
As is normal for this club, the course was well planned, and the socialising afterward was great.
Next race is on Sunday 26, at 12:30.
We're undecided, however we'll most likely take the Topper over, so we can compete on the water with the starlings.
Looking forward to it!
With pouring rain and no wind at home, I didn't bother checking the calendar until around lunchtime. Then we decided to make a day of it, and the whole family piled into the van, hooked the laser on the back, and headed off.
As I didn't know whether PSC would have a second race (It was already too late to join the first one) we had a plan - go there first, and if there was no second race, head over to Panmure Lagoon, where they were holding a long distance river race. As the last forecast I had seen was for 25-35 knots, the thought of beating back up the river to PLSC from Otahuhu against a fleet of serious competitors was a little daunting.
Arriving at Pakuranga, we found clear skies, hot sunshine, and nice 5-10 knot winds. Perfect for the fleet of scout boats and juniors that were mostly in attendance.
Looking at the fleet of boats, I thought I had seen another laser, so went over to find out about race 2. There was a race, so I set about rigging.
After launching, I discovered that the "laser" was in fact a spiral, which meant I should be the quickest boat on the water.
At the start, I was second over, behind a visiting Starling. Of course, being in a faster boat meant I was soon in front, and pulling away. After two legs I had built up a sizable lead, however not the one I was expecting, as the girl in the Starling proved to be very competent sailor.
Being the only Laser gave me the opportunity to practise tacking and some basic boat handling, which, considering how little time I have spent sailing since 2009, was suprisingly reasonable.
I think once the handicaps had been applied, that I may have beaten the Starling overall, but it would not have been by very much. I'm hoping that the local sailors took notice of what she was doing, and can start applying it to their own sailing.
As is normal for this club, the course was well planned, and the socialising afterward was great.
Next race is on Sunday 26, at 12:30.
We're undecided, however we'll most likely take the Topper over, so we can compete on the water with the starlings.
Looking forward to it!
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