The Windguru predicted a warm, overcast day with a light East – perfect bobbing weather for a sailpast.
As Sunday drew closer more and more young dinghy sailors put heir hands up eager to sail on the big ocean.
The first indication of a wonderful sailpast were early reports of major spring cleaning sessions the Saturday before – I didn’t hear any reports of sailors giving up watching the Springboks, though!
On Sunday morning at 10h00 the carpark was already filling up and dinghy sails were visible.
Shepherded by three support boats manned by Ronnie Baer, John Tudehope, Gordon van Zyl and their eager crews the dinghy fleet began to leave the harbour at 11h00 – destination Shark Rock Pier and a couple of hours of fun coupled with a huge sense of achievement with the bonus of adequate heroic stories for the coming school week.
Gaily decorated yachts began leaving the moorings – Harry Lamprecht’s, Lady, must come in for special mention as she was expertly decorated with flags, flags and more flags.
Walking along the moorings it was with gratutitude, wonder and awe that one was able to see the gaps from vacant yachts off on a little adventure to salute the start of what will be an awesome sailing season with two major high profile international events – the 505 World Championships and the Vasco Da Gamma Race – coming to Port Elizabeth in 2015.
The President (Chris Grylls), Commodore (Alan Straton) and Special Guests – Nelson Mandela Bay Metroplolitan Municipality Councillor Marion Harning and Redhouse Yacht Club Commodore Andrew Martin – were whisked out to a point off of Shark Rock Pier by kind courtesy of Raggy Charters and Lloyd Edwards on the boat Winkle.
Pick down and the boats began their sail from close to Bird Rock to pass in line astern of Winkle on the Shark Rock Pier side with Vice Commodore Sailing, Hennie Haasbroek leading on his magnificently restored RCOD, Sewen.
Eager young sailors stood up on their Optimists and Lasers, saluting the President and Commodore who acknowledged and welcomed them to the 2014/15 sailing season.
Huge soap bubbles floated on the surface, water balloons flew in the air and buckets of water were thrown to cool unsuspecting people down – laughter flowed on the air and the fleet made it’s merry way home to waiting braai fires, liquid libation and tall stories.
On this day, the 55th birthday of the club, every member was 55 – for some it was a revelation to feel so young and for others a consternation.
For some it was standing room only as the braai area, downstairs tables and chairs overflowed with members enjoying the club – some say that it is a worry that we may be running out of space, I say that that ‘worry’ is a blessing.
See the Gallery below or directly on the ABYC Flickr Site:
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