Sort of normal

Just when we thought we were over the regattas the PRO did not turn up for the Flying Dutchman Nationals and I was asked to fill in for the first two days. It was a lot of fun helping a relaxed bunch of guys get their racing. There were only nine boats and they enjoyed their competition. And then it has been back to the normal run of things with the weather absolutely glorious. I think there was one rainy morning somewhere in the last week or two. Phil, Erin and Zoe arrived down last Saturday and we are becoming more and more besotted with our granddaughter! We have been doing touristy things withthem, like climbing to the "Centrre of New Zealand". Yesterday we visited the Hoglund Glass Studio and saw glass ornaments that were way out of our league - some priced as high as $12900! We also visited Redwood Cellars who make a big variety of fruit wines and ciders. Some of you will get to sample some of this. In the last few days a team of four young sailors has been selected to travel to Venice in May to an international teams racing regatta. The invitation was to the Nelson Yacht Club and I have been asked to be the Manager/coach. So all going well I will be accompanying some of the chi9ldren I have been working with to a major international regatta. There are only six weeks left of my tenure here this season and we are already planning for next year. We are also making plans for the coming six months back ion the North Island.

Regattas - Regattas

Regattas – Regattas.
Picture: Starlings preparing to go out.
After some training of our Tanner Cup rep on Sunday7th there was a learn to sail group from 8th t0 12th and then training through till Tuesday 16th January was spent training for the up coming National Championships. All of the local sailors spent four or five hours a day on the water with their coach – me, and then it was in to measuring and preparing for the “P” class national championships. I had not intended to get involved in the measuring, but was seconded to duties, which I actually enjoyed. It was good to get to know Gary Smith the P class chief measurer and to discover that we had very similar beliefs in what was good for children’s sailing in New Zealand.
Then it was into the actual sailing of the championships. Being coach and support vessel for 11 sailors is a very big ask especially if someone needs assistance. The first day of racing was very windy and our children struggled. However they all deserve accolades for actually being out there in conditions which would have put off much more experienced yachtsmen. While I was on the water Lorna as regatta secretary was working even harder on shore under somewhat trying interference from a member of the committee. We were leaving the bus at 8.15 in the morning and often not getting back before 8.15 at night. It is fun – really. Then it was on to the Starling Nationals, which is a lot easier with only four/five sailors to look after. The weather started off benign and then has turned nasty. Yesterday, during the third race of the day the wind really picked up to around 30knots – 60kms per hour. This created carnage on the course and when rain reduced visibility to less than 100 metres there was a little anxiety by the committee. Then today we started the fifth race and the wind shifted sharply to the west and increased to the stage where racing was abandoned. We then sat back in the bus looking out at our wet washing. Sailing continued in this vein for the rest of the regatta with only one light race. When the competition finished last Tuesday we were both shattered, and I had to follow on the next 5 days with another learn to sail group. Both the groups this month have been delightful children. Today we have had a day at home. We went for a bike ride this afternoon before dinner. The weather since the regattas finished has been stunning.