Boats came from Hamilton (7) also Torbay (Phase 2) and Manly (3.7 class) to join the nineteen Ngaroto sailors for the Lake Ngaroto round of the Waikato Lakes series regatta. The day started slowly with an attempt to start the first race in the morning abandoned due to lack of wind. The BBQ beckoned in the balmy 28 degrees in the shade of the Clubhouse while the northerly slowly gathered. The four scheduled races were completed, and included the need for hiking in races three and four as the predicted breeze gathered momentum. The breeze that was initially intercepted by softer patches along with some sizable shifts challenged sailors. Visiting sailors took out the junior fleet (Annie Oxborrow, P Class), Intermediate fleet (Nicholas Oxborrow, Starling), Laser fleet (Ken Atchison) and 3.7 class (Phil Ash).
Thomas de Meijer and crewmember Josh White (Ngaroto) headed the Phase 2 fleet, ahead of Aidan and Chris Knight (from Torbay) who sampled the lake conditions ahead of the Phase 2 Nationals to be sailed here at Ngaroto in April 2009. Thanks visitors we appreciate your willingness to travel; you added greatly to interclub sprit in the Waikato. Sailors received a selection of sailing products that included gloves, boots and a starting watch sourced from www.nzsailing.net Thanks to the members who helped run the day (Owen, Gordon, Rob and Nigel on the water; Ragina, Janice, Jackie and Peter for anchoring the Clubhouse duties).
• The Pokeru series starts next Sunday, training from 10.30 am then racing after lunch.
• Then the Six-Hour Race on Saturday the 13th; start at 11.00am, followed by a Pot Luck dinner and on into the night.

Regatta photographs are here