Tauranga Harbor on Saturday, today started promptly at 10 am with the first of a programmed 6 heats then a final.

Plumbquick, 0800 Propeller and Waikato Finance all arrived early and had things well underway as the other boats arrived and jumped in to help.

 

Wayne Powell from Hamilton came over to be the Race Director, Rick Dunn of Tauranga controlled the equalizer lap, plus a couple of new scorers,  they all did an awesome job, with 9 boats on the beach including 1 full time marshal the racing was well controlled.

 

The course was a variation of our surf cross and circuit equalizer course, not a single complaint was heard and all appeared to enjoy the variation as the boats were mixed up and we all had to work for any position gains. We had just enough beach to enable a beach start that was well appreciated by the large crowd.

The only delays for the first 5 heats was waiting for boats cruising through the course, Plumbquick and Jungle Coffee had a bit of a "challenge" for position that ended in a damaged  "w" buoy that became increasingly hard to find and was eventually retrieved leaving the last heat and final running  straight along the front. Good to see new teams at these events, the old Reaction boat is still fast with its new crew and name "Bruce".

 

The only "flip of the day was had by Waikato Finance after an incident with Plumbquick on "B" Buoy, the boat some how had done a complete barrel role losing its cowing and top coil in the impact, it managed to land upright and still run after about two tries (good old Tohatsu). A big thanks to everyone for instantly rendering assistance, it was even commented on by the Coastguard as to the camaraderie and assistance given. Also thanks to the driver of "Bruce" for diving down and rescuing the cowling.

We had a small prize giving with certificates for 1st Waikato Finance, 2nd Takapuna Panel and 3rd Jungle Coffee, then we all settled back and enjoyed a BBQ and some drinks and watched the delayed Power Boats race.

 

Thanks again to all that came to race, help and watch, an excellent day out and exceptional exposure as the place was packed.

 

Paul Collins (driver of Waikato Finance)