Race News

11th November 2007

Otaki Beach, Wellington

Wow, what a day it ended up to be, with only three boats racing for the day, as no one from Auckland wanted to came down to race. Entry’s for the day: Caltex Stokes Valley (Scott & John), Martek (Chris & Vinnie) (kindly loaned for the day to make the numbers) and Arano Juice (Liam & Greme).

 The day started overcast and looking like it was going to rain but as the day wore on it got hot and we all ended up looking like lobsters. The only down fall for the day was the surf or lack of. But a good day to learn in for the newb’s.

Once Scrutineering was done and the gear ready, we all headed down and set up the beach ready to race. After giving Liam (on loan from the Otaki Surf Club to drive the Arano Juice Boat) a few lessons and a few laps of getting used to driving left handed, and with the public starting to come down and see the action we finally started racing at 10:30. The fist race seemed to be the only action for the day. On the start line Liam (Arano) was trying to start the motor with the hand with that the lanyard was attached to, and every time he pulled the motor over the kill switch would pop out. Opps should have told to start the motor with the other hand. The action didn’t stop there, on the last lap Caltex Stokes Valley’s Co-pilot decided to see what the sand & shells tasted like (and the crowed goes wild) but wait that’s not all, Martek rounding E buoy thought the finish line was out there and loosing his footing wanted to go for a swim (the crowed goes wild again), so Arano lagging behind finished in second. That’s what happens with new co-pilots.

The races after that and seeing that Arano was going to get lapped every race we decided to mix things up a little for the public. Arano was given a head start by letting him start the races with the kill switch in the boat and Scott & Chris were having to start half way up the beach to give Arano a big lead (well sort of). In the third heat Caltex Stokes Valley wanted to see what it was like to go off course and mount A Buoy. When Scott finished the race he said “I should rename my boat to Michael Jackson” because he likes the Buoys.   

As the day wore on and the breeze was getting up the boats were having fun in the little surf there was. The Surf Club IRB decided to take us on in a mock race and man they were quick off the start line and they even managed to beat Arano to B buoy. For a bit of fun we then threw the IRB guys in the front of each boat for a two lap race. One of the guys said “man what a buzz, so much quicker than the IRB and they turn on a dime”  

A big thanks to the Otaki Surf Life Saving Club for the use of the IRB and the quad to tow the boats down to the beach. We will be using Otaki much more over the summer for races.

The next Race day for the Wellington Club is at Lyall Bay for a Have a go day and some club races for the public. This day is the lead up for the Nationals.

Oh and just to add, no one was taken to hospital. The only complaints were from Chris & Vinnie with sore muscles.

Reece Lewis (RD for the day)

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Revised:   November 2007