Owen

• Aeolians has the most experience on the Vaal when it comes to race management – I have personally been involved with the 2006 Nats and plenty of events since. In this respect their record and expertise is beyond reproach.
• It is the only Club on North Bay which has an excellent race viewing situation, a must especially, for Oppies.
• Hot water and showers are plentiful, more than some clubs that host “the biggest” regattas in the country on the Vaal. Its not 5 star but is clean and serviced.
• The food will be good and the bar will have cold drinks available.
• It is not the prettiest venu, but it is the Free State not Mossel Bay.
• It has shade, probably more than Mosselbay.
• The committee will be laying on entertainment, there is very little close by unless you are OK with driving. Aeolians knows this and will try to compensate.
• The water is brown, I seem to remember a wierd colour at Zeekoeivlei when I sailed there years ago ,its not polluted like the Vaal river downstream, but yes its not the Indian ocean either.
• Do not assume the wind will be light – you may surprised.
• Its you that makes the event – so please come with a positive attitude,a determination to sail well and have fun and it will be a regatta to remember.

Owen

including Alex Ham (Gauteng), Jayan (George Lakes) and Tim Manley (Mossel Bay) participated with half the fleet coming from IYC.

Just on half the fleet were youngsters sailing their first Dabchick provincials. The enthusiasm and commitment shown by them bodes well for the future of the Dabchick class.

Two races were sailed on the Friday in light conditions, three back to back races on the Saturday in steadily increasing winds, and a further four back to back on the Sunday in far stronger conditions. It was really great to see the novices handling some of the stronger winds, while the top five helmsmen were having a real battle. In many of the races mere seconds separated the first few finishers. In fact the bridge commented that they sometimes had some very close calls to make!

There was excellent ground support from the associated parents and other willing helpers who fed, repaired, launched and assisted with other activities. The course was reasonably close to the shore enabling the spectators to watch the exciting races.

Two further races were held on the Monday which allowed for two discards on the eleven races sailed.

Both Jeremy and Kevin Foreman won their first race at a provincial event – congratulations!

The class must thank Dave Manley and his sponsors for arranging sufficient prizes so that each Dabbie sailor obtained a prize at the end of the regatta.

All in all a fantastic event – our thanks to the organising committee and their helpers.

The final placings were

1st Tim Manley (Mossel Bay)

2nd Jonathan Kukard (IYC)

3rd Kevin Foreman (IYC)

4th Chris Boshoff (ZVYC)

5th Jeremy Foreman (IYC)

We hope to see further growth in the Dabchick class in the very near future.

Rob Foreman

Results can be viewed here. Photos of the Dabchick class are attached; for all photos from the event click here.