Match Racing: UKZN vs Wits

On Friday, 23 November, twelve Witsies arrived at Royal Natal Yacht Club in Durban for the second round of the Wits vs. UKZN match racing 2012, a warm up event for the USSA regatta hosted by UCT at Theewaterskloof just outside Stellenbosch. The Wits team had been training their novice sailors for a few weeks to get them ready for the ever memorable inter-varsity event.

A pleasant afternoon was spent setting up our tents, having drinks and relaxing; glad to be out of Jo'burg and by the sea. After dinner at Royal Natal we headed over to Caprice with the UKZN Yacht Club for a last night as friends before meeting in the morning as opponents. A surprise firework display ended the night and we tumbled into our sleeping bags for a good night’s sleep before the racing.

With registration and briefing still to happen meant, in varsity terms, an early 9am start. The race boats, two Flying Fifteens rigged and launched, two L26’s for the bridge and people carrier as well as a rubber duck meant that Durban harbour Match racing was commencing. 

A windward leeward course was laid out with a simple one lap race. This meant that time was used wisely with many races hosting clear leads between teams. With a few surprises laid out on the water (not strictly race related) included Coach sailing straight into the committee boat and Chzepal knocking himself instead of crew off his boat; not once but twice.

A tense tie breaker between Wits' own Brad Robinson, and UKZN's Charlotte Marshall led to an all Wits Semi-final. Brennan Robinson faced off Vicky Stock in the final, with Brennan making it over the line first as a ship coming in forced officials to announce a shortened course. We sailed back to shore to de-rig the boats before a great meal at RNYC. A traditional ‘fines’ meeting at Caprice was held afterwards and much 'merriment' ensued.

Sunday brought a gloomy day, with winds that would have blown our tents away had we not been in them. A few got places on PYC Keelers for an offshore race with a few being offshore for the first time. Returning cold, tired and bruised for a belated prize giving. The absence of many meant extra prizes for some, after which we said goodbye to our UKZN friends, Royal Natal and a memorable weekend.

Thank you to RNYC for being great hosts, Graham Rose, our race officer and Rob Samways, our umpire. A special thanks to UKZN, especially Chris Kloppenborg, for the preparation that so obviously went into making this event a success. We’re looking forward to next year.

Until next time

Keep the fireworks going

(Thanks to Gemsquash for the event's information;-) )

Boskop Open 2012

So I was wrong when I said the next event would be the UKZN Match Racing. My Sincerest Apologies.
However, the Boskop open is definitely one to remember.

Saturday was an event on it's own.
The shore line was a site for sore eyes: hosting boats from oppies to darts, lasers to 29ers. The wind was ideal and after one race and an awesome lunch, it was upsetting to see the gusts which a nearby harbouring storm had to bring in. It did subside which lead to another 2 races.

With the strong winds of Saturday, it left much to be desired for any sort of party Saturday night. Except for a few who were determined to play some drinking table tennis. Needless to say, their looks on Sunday morning showed how their night had gone.

Sunday started off with a few 'not so sure' faces in getting on the water seeing the beautiful white horses skimming on the tops of the wind swells. After an hour or so it calmed down.

Some Witsie results:
1st Group                                  
2nd - Ricky and Brennan Robinson
3rd - Bradley Robinson and Ashleigh Robinson

2nd Group
9th - James Barker and Robyn Bruce

What a stella event with a stella host. Boskop, you never fail!!!

Next up on our timeline is training at VLC until Match Racing and USSA... I'm sure more than a few stories will pop up on these outings;-)

Until Next Time
Keep your bum on the boat and your head out of the water;-)

Committee 2013

Yes another year has gone by in the blink of an eye! and what a successful year it has been.
Starting off with Ema Wednesdays on dinghies to debauchery on keel boats it is time to vote in the new committee of 2013.
Congratulations:

Commodoos                     Brennan Robinson
Vice Commodoos             Bradley Robinson
Sexyratary                       Alexa Brown
The Money Maker            Vicky Stock
The Maintenance man    Misha Hartmann
Party Party Party             James Bird
On or in the water           Patty Chappel

Next up a Manic Match Racing in Durbs and then what will prove to be another back breaking, head aching, liver transplanting weekend! Yes please USSA here we come!

Till next time
Keep it real
(Brooks on or off)

Keel Boat Week (& another awesome DAC ATTACK)

What to say about Keel Boat week???
Awesome sailing - Check
"Memorable" parties - Check
Injuries of both physical and mental proportion - Check (although more physical than mental)

From Friday to Monday proved to be nothing but stella, which doesn't leave much of a question on who the host club was. With Quantum as the event sponsor, DAC was able to host another successful Keel Boat week.

Friday sailing starting rather slow and being placed almost on top of the Island ended with some rather enjoyable sailing to say the least even if there were only 22 boats on the water (I can stand to be corrected). The two races were enough to get a great weekend started.
Friday night however, brewed it's own storm both in the pub and out on the dam. Sailors made themselves comfortable with one or two drinks while the wind and rain threw itself around.

Saturday morning: Yes please! Wits makes their humble appearance on their Noble Steed. With a bit of breeze to get everyone on the water it it soon picked up to become a 'pick up and throw people over board'. Another storm was looming in the distance as sailors embraced a boat breaking racing wind. With a couple of broaches, uncontrolled spinnaker poles and rudders into water hidden islands (old claiming another two victims beacon island) the racing was called off after two races. The storm that was to follow meant that the sailors were happy to be off their lightning conductors.

Sunday.. Stillness was in the air, on the water and in the shade of the sales. Speedos and bikinis made their way above deck and with the sun beating down on many hungover sailors meant that Magical Trevor couldn't wait to open his mouth to the biggest boat on the water. Excalibur locked and loaded made their way around the dam with one mission: to soak each and every boat on the water. Needless to say no sooner had everyone been soaked head to toe did the wind pick up for another two races. With our moving white mark Bridge officer wanting to sneak in a short third race, the white mark was found discreetly floating away from it's working position. Either cut or untied it is with thanks to one of the racing boats we were able to have a mark for the final day racing. (If it was in fact cut I state this: Uncalled for and poor sportsmanship).

Aaaargghhh! Is one way to describe the feeling on Monday morning. After the pirate party on Sunday night, which lead to some interesting tattooing of face scars, 'mum' and swooping swallows, the sailors were painted and ready (with some some candid victims of the deathly tequila sunrise) for another beautiful day of sailing. Getting the last two races in for the regatta everyone made way to clean up and pack boats.

Sun kissed (or burnt), beaten and broken from the boat to the pub each day meant for another great 2012 regatta!
Wits yacht club brought the party and a gorgeous Jemsquash held our name high.

Until next time
Keep it real
Lighthouse;-)

Match Racing: Another DAC Attack

If there's one thing that can be said about this weekend: It was another weekend for the books! I won't say to remember because I don't know how many people will...

With an experienced sailor wind on the Saturday, it left much to be desired in what felt like below zero degrees in water temperature. Cape Town's Clifton had some tough competition. With postponement of racing for the day meant that there was some crazy cats out on the water playing with their asymmetrical spinnakers on the rebels.
One would think hot showers and OBS were on the agenda for that night but not at a DAC attack. Tequila reigned supreme claiming more than the odd victim. One can't forget the beautiful marinades for the evening - and no, not the meat marinade which you are thinking but rather the "beautiful" voices that could be heard through closed doors and windows a kilometer away (normally known as serenades).

With a great party on the Saturday and a few amazing green hulks the next morning (not as strong), it was time for what was to be a great day of sailing. The first boats off the beach and on the water, the wind had it's moments. First race and already one capsize (in little breeze). With it seemingly slow and 20races to get through courses were shortened when big leads were apparent.
As the wind picked up nearing the end of the regatta, there were further capsizes and a few resigning victories.
The winner of pool A and B lead a tight and edge of seat race. Between Robinson brothers Ricky and Brennan there was plenty nail biting action with novice crew (Mary and 'James Dean') being thrown into steep competition.

Final Positions                    Pool A                                                      

1                     Ricky & 'James Dean' (Overall Winner)      

2                     Chris & Ashleigh                                        

3                     Caitlin & 'Wandile'                                    

4                     John & Poonam      

5                     Gina & Lauren        

                                       Pool B

1                      Brennan & Mary (Overall 2nd)

2                      Jay & Charnelle

3                      Brad & Natalie

4                      Draw - Mike & 'Harrison Ford'
                                    David & 'Jemsquash'
                                  

The biggest thanks to our Hosts DAC for making yet another memorable event for Wits. Thanks to the Bridge & Rescue Boat for taking time off your weekend, the kitchen and bar for the amazing food and drinks lastly to UKZN for travelling up to the Vaal to take part in an awesome sailing weekend.

With much learnt and plenty injuries it was an awesome break.

Till next time
Keep it real

Durban Yacht Week

Palm trees and open seas. What more could you want when taking a break to Durbs? There's nothing quite like the freshness of the ocean breeze on your face in the warm Durban winter.
Hell's yes, MSC! Which has come and gone in less than a blink of an eye. What an eventful regatta with so much more than "just sailing".

Booze, boys, tents and tiny shorts (girls)... What a week. Party party party!

With a week on the water by day; ocean spray, dolphins and mid-race dips to in the bar by night; bar sliding, fancy dress and voices of angels, there is little to be said on how the Party didn't end up. Wits brought the A-game as usual with no hesitation in showing UKZN and PYC what we're all about.
GRRRRRREAT GAME BOYTJIES!!!
With out a doubt MSC brought the good, the bad and the ugly! No one ever said it would be pretty;-)

And when all said and done, It's thanks to our awesome hosts and all involved for another brilliant event, not forgetting those who got our sailors on the water. One for the memory books (at least the parts we can remember).

Our very own Durban Yacht week. We just need a few more girls in bikinis for our handsome sailor boys.

Keep it Real
&
See you Next year

Cold Weather Jhb to Warm seas

Ema Wednesdays have drawn to a close, with the cold weather and ever present exams we can only pray for the cold to be over soon so we can get back on the water in the b... e... a... utiful sun that we love so much in sunny South Africa.

We had some team participation a while back in both J22's and Formula One Class regattas. With bums on boats, boats on the water, light to strong wind and warmer weather than could have been expected, it turned out to be an awesome event. With the well known for their parties club, DAC, the evening and nights were well occupied with great food, flowing drinks and company from across SA! What a DAC attack event.

The next big and upcoming event belongs, by reputation, to the MSC regatta hosted by Point Yacht Club in Durbs Harbour. This event has been worth diarising for at least the past 5years that I know of, so lets bring that awesome spirit this year and put it as booked in your calendar (1-5 JULY 2012)!!!
I'm sure Wits will bring their party faces!

Keep it real