With the first race set to start at 10:30am, the weather decided to show her hand and gusted at 27 – 30 knots before settling down to about 16 knots constant. My kids’ eyes were wide as Scott Stephens went out on his laser 4.7 to show off a bit! He capsized on the run at some serious speed! “Is this what we are in for?” asked one. “I’m not going out there!” said the other.

The first race was postponed due to the wind but when it settled the lasers were first on the start line. Second to start were the gypsies and mirrors and the lone senior optimist. Then it was the chance of the junior optimists and lastly the novice class was set to go. The cries of “I’m not going out there!” turned into “When can we go sir? Is it time yet!”
The start line was a bustle of oppies and o’9ers, with it being the first regatta, the rules of starboard and weather boat, just didn’t apply to them! Shouts of “Get out of my way!” and “I’ll ride straight over you!” were heard from the bank! The hooter went and they were off on the run to the bottom mark! EVERY boat got to the bottom mark at the same time and there was a lot of bumping and shoving and shouting! You could hear as the o’9ers banged each other and booms clanged against masts! Herbert Hurd managed a 4th from Jesse Martin and an 8th from Mark Laggar

So first race was done, the second and third race was very similar. Same conditions, same shouting and they were off! Jesse managed a 4th place in both races due to his proper course choice.

The fourth and last race of the day came as a shock to the kids. Shumeeze didn’t sail and it turned into a correct choice. The wind suddenly picked up after the start and as some of the front runners gybed on their way down to the bottom mark, spectacular broaches were witnessed by the spectators on the banks! Other boats at the back were taken out and bashed into by the boats broaching and there was absolute chaos down at the bottom mark! 2 of my boys made the end of the race with boats filled with water!

Sunday dawned with lighter winds and bluer skies! After frantic rigging to go for a pleasure sail, the fifth race would soon start. The course was set to be a reaching course. As the kids went underway, all 5 of the Herbert Hurd children go a perfect start! As they reached the bottom mark the placing was as follows: 2,3,4,6 and 9th!

The last race saw the novices race the same course that the “bigger” boats. They were excited to finally sail round the elbow towards the mouth of the Swartkops River.
As they rounded the elbow, many of the bigger boats were on the run to the finish line so there was mass confusion and chaos as the novice fleet of 19 boats got tangled in with the other fleets! Herbert Hurd posted a 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th and 11th place in this race!

At the prize giving each novice received a medal and a Coke from Coca Cola! Herbert Hurd narrowly missed out on the team trophy to Clarendon. Watch out, we’ll get you next year!