29th and 30th September 2007

Craig Canute and David Kernot (Manakau) finished, as they started, with a win in the final race in a fleet of seven Hartley 16 yachts competing at the regatta. They won the regatta from Tony and Rory Flannagan (Manakau) who had four seconds and a first place to count. Greg Smyth and David Earnshaw (Manakau) who placed as high as first in race three completed the top three yachts. The term "Hartley Sandwich" was coined to describe the jostling that occurred frequently at mark roundings. The competition amongst the remaining four yachts was intense, just four points separating them, with the Ngaroto entrant Rob Greenwood placing as high as 3rd in race three. A few scratches to the paintwork were apparent even in this non contact sport.
Owen Johnston and crewmember Glen Streetes (ResiVor) continued their consistent way by taking out the Open fleet from ten other yachts. John Roszak and crew Bob Paget (Y Not) pushed from further back on the water to take second place on handicap. They included a first place in their tally. Gordon Wallis sailing Southbound lead on the water and fort through on Sunday to take third place on handicap from the chasing Jokers of Peter van der Stap (Espresso) and Chappy Farrell (Columbine). Chappy's head received attention from the boom when in close quarters with another white Joker 6.7. Espresso was not the only Joker to loose their way in the first race on Sunday, but recovered to cross the finish line. Visiting yachts came from Thames, Hamilton and New Plymouth.
Thanks to all those people who helped, including the visitors. Over twenty people enjoyed a feast on Saturday night and an early breakfast (daylight saving time change over) was equally sort after. Thanks to the chefs and the cleaner-up-ers too.
The Joker Championships (13th and 14th October, briefing at 10.00am) is the next big Trailer Yacht regatta at Lake Ngaroto.

Races 6 and 7, 23rd September 2007
Shaun Rumbles has taken out the Junior fleet of the Paterangi series for 2007-8. Ross Wrenn headed off the chasers in the Senior centerboard fleet. Danny Padman lead the first race of the day for just over a lap when Ross got the shift he wanted and jumped to the lead. Boat swapping during the series made the results collation challenging; if a different boat was sailed that was taken as another entry.
Owen Johnston took out the Trailer Yacht fleet. John Roszak won on handicap by a few seconds the morning race while Johnston in the afternoon had a gap of a minute on handicap.
Te Awamutu College students sailed the 420s with the assistance of Cam, Evan and Jamie. How times change, our youth sailors are now running the sailing, doing a very good job too. Thanks to Dave Smith and Gordon Wallis for organizing the school sailing and may it grow.
Claire and Alex ODed the day, set a great triangle windward leeward course and also managed the clubhouse duties.
Races 4 and 5, 16th September 2007
Shaun Rumbles and Cam Mans were particularly pleased with the racing today. Shaun beat all boats home in the afternoon race, receiving the horn of course, although he sailed a course shorter than the seniors that did not matter. Cam sailing the club Laser in the afternoon lead the senior fleet for most of the race, it was the finishing line that really mattered, and he did not wilt! Alex got lost at one stage and gave away the lead, Thomas stayed in touch in both races, sailing a Phase II single handed, and will soon be a real threat on the water! Jamie has adapted to the Laser really well, far better than the PT he sailed in the afternoon. A tuneful melody from the flute of David Chin resonated over the lake making an interesting interlude while the winds were lighter. Thanks to Tom for ODing the day and Shirley for her culinary skills on the BBQ. The wind was generally in the 5 to 8 knot range (a few holes in the morning), the morning rain soon disappeared making for a lovely sunny afternoon.

Micah (P Class) and Alex Wilkinson (Frostply, Sunburst and Tiger Cub) and Peter Horton (Laser) represented Ngaroto at the Cambridge regatta weekend. Micah won all the P Class races (6) over his rivals, Peter taking second in the Lasers (3). Two Cambridge High School teams competed for the shield, won by the number one team. Winds were very light over the weekend, kayaking being the order of the day for some.

Races 1, 2 and 3, 9th September 2007
Nineteen yachts, including the six 420's sailed by Hamilton Boys High students enjoyed a cool southeasterly breeze of 8 to 12 knots. A beat the full length of the lake tested the hiking muscles, the beat completed 11 times during the course of the three races. The breeze that gusted from time to time put Shaun, Jamie and Melissa into the water. Linda suffered gear failure that ended her day. Alex aboard his Paper Tiger, hulls flying at times won the races on the water, Ross the first of the Lasers followed by Danny and Jamie. Micah completed the long morning race before jumping ship to assist Cam on a Phase II in the afternoon. Nigel (along with Shaun in the afternoon) sailing Taiko has got off to a head start in the trailer yacht fleet, ahead of the only other starter David Chin.
The colorful red and blue sails of the 420s made quite a spectacle; the boats responded well to the breeze, the racing was tight and the sailors relished all angles around the course. Thanks to the parents, sailors, teachers and the WTYA 420s, and particularly Claire, Gordon and Owen for organizing the day and keeping it on course. Other local schools (Te Awamutu College) will be on the water in the 420s in the near future too. Watch this space!

1st and 2nd September 2007
A dozen sailors enjoyed the coaching, were put through on water drills, learnt about race preparation and all in ideal sailing conditions. Thanks to Christine Headey for sharing her knowledge and for staying on into the evening too. Thanks to all those willing hands that really made the long day possible, the famished sailors relished the evening meal. Those staying over were awakened an hour before sun up by an unwelcome hoon, who promptly got stuck in the soft terra firma by the lake edge, we had other activities to deal with before towing them out several hours later. Us overnighters took part in a dawn ceremony held by the Ngati Apakura tribe to place a "Healing Stone" in the lake. In a hand woven flax basket the stone that must have weighted near 40 kgs was carried to the club patrol boat and after a prayer out on the water was lowered over the side to rest on the lakebed. The stone is said to assist with the health of the lake, where some of the tribe's forebears lie and the connection of the past with the future. Breakfast followed in the Clubrooms, but only after the presentation of a Kowhai tree to the Club and it's planting near by.
Sailing got underway in a 10-ish knot westerly breeze, that at times reached 15 plus knots. Great fun was had by Cam and Alex in their Paper Tigers and Gun and Christine aboard the Flying Dutchman. Others survived the ordeal to various degrees. The multiple short race format kicked off the spring equinoctial wind season with some excitement. What a great couple of days!