AQUATICS

Northern Advocate, 9 January 1926, Page 11

AQUATICS

LAUNCHING AND YACHTING THE HOLIDAY SEASON. Glorious weather prevailed for the Christmas holidays, and large crowds patronised the harbour excursions, an exceptionally fine time being recorded by all who were fortunate enough to make the trips. The weather for the New Year, however, was in one of her most capricious moods, a half sou-westerly gale blowing for regatta day, whilst excursions were cancelled the following day, owing to there being no improvement in the conditions.

With each succeeding year the call of the “great outdoors” becomes more insistent, this being amply verified by the largo number of local and district residents who have resorted to the many seaside spots during the recent holidays. Probably never before have so many people spent their vacation in camp as this season Most of the vantage spots "on the harbour foreshore have been utilised by campers, tents and camp-fires being conspicuous everywhere, whilst every house and room available have been in occupation, and are booked up for many weeks to come. The glorious weather obtaining over the Christmas period made camping moat enjoyable; the New Year weather, however, was not so pleasant, but it could have been much worse,, and altogether the seaside devotees report a glorious time. Bathing has proved the most exhilarating pastime, and despite the usual sun-burning experienced at such times, this health-giving recreation has been more availed of than previously. Fishing has not been very successful, the bright sunny days not being conducive to good catches. Flounder, however, have been fairly plentiful, and some fine hauls of this delectable fish have been made.

Some of the cruising parties who have been spending the holidays in distant waters have returned, and several others are expected to be home again this week-end. From all accounts great times have been experienced, and there is no doubt as' to the popularity of these jaunts.

The number of visiting boats to Whangarei this holiday season has shown a considerable increase over previous years. All have not been here at the one time, but as many as a dozen visiting craft were anchored at the town wharf basin one day during the week. Many of these boats were making their maiden trip to these waters, whilst others were renewing their acquaintance with our harbour and river. During some of the quiet days between Christmas and New Year it was noticeable that a large proportion of the people about the streets was composed of visiting yachtsmen, while they were conspicuous amongst those who joined in the festivities of “seeing the old year out and the new year in.”

An old friend to visit us during tlie holidays was lorana, which was built to the order of S. Blake, formerly of Whangarei. This. fine launch has changed ownership, but she looked very trim and neat on her recent visit.

Several of the visiting boats to the regatta on New Year's Day took advantage of the favourable wind 1 to leave for Auckland that evening. A good many, however, remained to continue their cruises further north, or to return home later in the week. Only an occasional visitor now remains.

The basin at the town wharf, together with the new jetties and mooring piles, have proved decided acquisitions to the boating community during the holidays. The basin has provided splendid accommodation for the visiting boats, whilst the jetties have been of inestimable value in facilitating landing operations. The spot has proved quite an attractive and busy one during the past week, and the conveniences provided have earned well-deserved commendation from the visitors.

The unfavourable weather on Saturday last put an end to the proposed public excursions to Urquharf’s Bay end other places. The morning was very stormy, and several sharp showers adding to the general discomfort, it was wisely decided to abandon Gic trips. The weather, however, cleared considerably later, and the afternoon was fairly pleasant.

Early in the week most of the yachts and launches which vis'tcd'Whangarei Town Wharf during the regatta period left again either for Auckland, tr to cruise northwards. Amongst them were the launches Ban tome, Merlua, Marion D., Teina, Etna. Pal o’ Mine, and Ronomore, and the centre-board boats Wanderer, Rinnldo. Wairere, Waitere 11. Heartsease and Delville were the only keelers which visited the Town Wharf during the holiday period.

W. R. AVoolhouse. an ex-Whangarei oarsman, reived No. 2 in the St. George’s junior fours open weight crew, which secured second place to West End at the Russell regatta. There were nine crows in the race.

To the launch Lady Joan belongs the honour this year of carrying the first mako shark of the season to ITo caught on rod and line. The angler was Mr. J. J. Mackay, who landed one weighing 1201 b. at Cape Brett last Saturday. Mr. B. •SVauiiell, of Napier, caught a 3321 b. hammer-headed shark on the same day.

Whangarei was not the only place where the strong westerly on New Year’s Day caused exciting moments for those afloat in pleasure craft. At Cowes Bay, Waiheke, a sudden storm caused the launch Bon Ami to crash into the launch Swanee, causing considerable damage. The Bon Ami then fouled the wharf, her mast being broken in three places.

During the regatta at Akaroa, Canterbury, on Now Year’s Day, four boats’ crews were swamped, and the members had to be picked up by launches, so that, bad weather on that occasion was seemingly general. One coxswain was nearly drowned, but recovered after treatment.

Off Waiheke on New Year’s Day the Auckland yacht Sea Wolf, one of the 14-footer class, capsized in a heavy sea, and she was subsequently pounded to pieces on the rocks. Her owner, Mr. P. Clarkson, and his crew of two were rescued with some difficulty by a passing launch.

A feature of Air. C. Court’s fine launch Gladys, which rode out a blow in Mansion House Bay, Kawau, on New Year’s Eve, is that she carries a very efficient wireless receiving set. The aerial is of the miniature cage style, and as it is made especially strong it takes the place of a jumper stay and bears a considerable strain when the craft is under sail. She carries a biggSr spread of canvas than usual with motor launches.

Mr. J. Main has purchased Motukauri Island.-in Whangarei Harbour, and intends to make it a base for cruising in the fine launch Eanoni. During the Christmas holidays the owner and his family spent ten days there, and they also cruised as far as Russell. Off Dangqr Rock on one occasion, 12 hapuka were caught in half an hour.

The Whangarei rowing crews, as selected to compete at the regatta at Onerahi on New Year’s Day, are now training for the Hamilton regatta on January 29. It is also intended To send crews to Dargaville on March 7, and possibly to Ngaruawahia later on.

THE REGATTA. The 192 G Whangarei regatta .has gone down into history, it having been held as usual on. New Year’s day. * * * * The weather, which had been perfect for Christmas and until New Year’s eve, suddenly took a turn and became on its worst behaviour. A heavy sou-westerly set in, which developed into a half gale, making conditions both ashore and afloat most uncongenial, and restricting operations to the launch and sailing races; with a side events such as boys’ swimming races, etc. Considering the adverse conditions the patronage accorded by the public was surprisingly good —though it fell far short of what it had been on previous occasions there was withal a large attendance.

It was difficult to secure shelter from the heavy wind except by going around the point a considerable distance, a good long way from where the majority of the crowd usually congregate. But conditions were infinitely worse for those who were participants in the various events, the launches and yachts being covered with spray as they dashed through the big sea running. Consequently it was not surprising that there were many defections from the list of competitors, a number of the owners deciding not to participate under the unfavourable conditions prevailing; thus the number of starters was considerably restricted, and what would undoubtedly have proved exciting contests under more suitable weather were robbed of a good- deal of interest thereby. The races decided, however, were splendidly contested with some remarkably fine finishes, and no fault could be found with the sport provided.

It was indeed most unfortunate that the rough weather prevented any of the rowing events scheduled being decided, but it was utterly impossible to hold these races, which always are the main attraction to the general ,'ublic. Splendid entries had been received for all the rowing events, the crews wore all on the ground, and some great racing would no doubt have boon witnessed had the weather only been in a more pleasant mood. The Auckland, Waitemata, West End, *‘t. George’s, North Shore, Hamilton, and Whangarei Rowing Clubs were all represented, ■ and it was confidently expected that this season’s rowing would have been the best in the his tory of the contests held under the auspices of the Whangarei Regatta Association. The boats were shipped !, nck to Auckland by the Ngapuhi at night, the rowers also departing by the same boat after having been entertained at a brief smoke concert held in the Whangarei Masonic Hall. * * * *

The ocean yacht race from Russell to Onerahi finished early on New Year’s morning, the five having been despatched from Russel! at 11,58 p.m. on the previous Wednesday. The light winds experienced in the run down the coast did not make for a quick passage, but all the yachts reached their destination within reasonable time of each other. The Waitore was the first to cross the lino, followed by Starlight, Ngaru, Valeria, and Wairere. The corrected times, however, gave the victory to Ngaru, with Waitere second and Starlight third.