What more could we have asked for?

Ten adventurous Green Fleet Sailors arrived at Wakatere Saturday morning expecting a quite sail over to the beach just past Rangitoto Light house for lunch then return sail to the club.

After a briefing covering the destination, currents, shipping channel and the importance of staying reasonably close together the Optis were launched around 10:30.

With everyone sailing along nicely we stopped and waited as a group for a large barge and motor launch using the channel to cross in front of us before proceeding. As we approached Rangi light it soon became apparent that we were in for a treat (or a scare) as we caught up with a small pod of Orca. The Orca accompanied us playing in and out of the Opti’s for around 10mins until we had to leave them to it and turn into our beach. There were at least 6 Orca including at least one large black and white male well over 5 metres long. Needless to say even Adian refrained from any behaviour at this point that may have seen him in the water.

Jonathon “He came up right behind my boat and dived just before he touched my rudder”, “I think I might have touched one when I put my centreboard down, I hope I did not make him angry”.

We spent a couple of hours on the beach eating lunch, playing cricket, with a few of the boys going for a boogy board behind “Wave Nine’s” tender. Ice-creams magically produced from the big boats freezers were well received.

The sail back was a little more challenging in around 15 - 20 knots directly on the nose with four of the boys electing to be towed all or part of the way.

Everyone had a great time and certainly had a story to tell.

Joseph Gibb-Pearson was proud to be the only Green Fleet sailor to represent the Wakatere at the 3 day North Island Championships this year which attracted a fleet of 48 sailors. Multi day regattas are usually larger and more exciting – but take a lot more stamina and concentration – and support from parents.

Day 1: With 22-25 knot winds, only the Open Fleet sailed – and there was a constant stream of boats coming back off the water with broken rigs or exhausted sailors: only the brave survived. For many the Green Fleet it was off to the Spa Pools or ‘chillaxing’ with new made friends.

Day 2: 4 races back to back in 5-10 knot winds: easy. Terry’s fantastic coaching and great racing experience from the winter series races with Bob obviously paid off: Joseph notched up a 10^th, 7^th, and 15^th. Unfortunately, he did not read the wind shift in the last race and went the wrong way, but still came 25^th.

Day 3: 3 races in very light, and very shifty 0-8 knot winds. Again, a wind shift caught Joseph in the first race (a good topic for coaching maybe). The wind completely died in the second race – with sailors going backwards with the tide! 5^th in the last race was a great way to finish. Joseph came 13 overall. Results: http://www.napiersailingclub.org.nz/images/stories/green2009ni.pdf

All Green Fleet Express sailors would have done extremely well in this regatta. The Wakatere are lucky to have a high standard of sailors thanks to our dedicated coaches.

Results Howick Regatta - Green Fleet – 7November

1st Max Hayman

2nd Sam Barnett

3rd Jonathon Weston

4th Aidan Nicholas

5th Harry Elworthy

6th Tom Milne

Howick put on a friendly and relaxed regatta. The weather was mixed, with variable, moderate winds.  The Green fleet course was quite far out, the same one used by their Open fleet colleagues.

Saturday saw a great turnout from Wakatere who dominated the Green fleet event with nine of the fleet and they finished with nine of the top ten places on the results board. 

Max Hayman had a great day winning three races.  Harry and Max had some great duals at the start and to the first mark.  Jonathon Weston, sometimes after a slow start, would work his way through the fleet to finish strongly.  Tom pushed all the way. Aidan Nicolas not only sailed strongly all day but took home the major spot prize of a digital camera.  Tom, Jonathon, Aidan and Joseph all sailed strongly at different times.  Sam won his first ever race, the third, in an exciting finish with Max. 

A close finish in race one (Max Hayman, Jonathon Weston)

Overall all the sailors showed off the progress they have made and the benefits of the coaching and support they have received; a great reflection on all those involved.  They also supported each other really well through out the day.