SAILING THRILLS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 255, 27 October 1937, Page 4

SAILING THRILLS

NEW SEASON OPENED SPORT ON THE RIVER The Wanganui Sailing Club opened its fifth season on Labour Day, when a series of thrilling, races was held. The 1937-38 season was declared open by Club Commodore F. H. Bethwaite, who assured those present that a good afternoon’s racing on the river was a sight worth seeing. “We are very proud of our club premises and our fleet of boats, more so because the building has been erected by our own labour and the yachts have been built by the individual members themselves. It certainly shows a good measure of enthusiasm, ambition and patience which, with the addition of courage, are the attributes of a good sailor.

“Boats are built for contest and conquest, and must be designed and constructed with infinite * care and precision,” said the commodore. “We have no Shamrocks or Rangers or Rainbows, but each one of our boats might be an embryo of some such famous yacht. In all probability some of our members have just as much pride of ownership in their little vessels as the owners of those noted and stately yachts in England and America. “The art of sailing and successful racing calls for a great deal of skill and good judgment, and develops

that spirit of friendly rivalry so desirable in a youth’s upbringing. Sailing is a good, clean, healthy recreation, and the fadt that it is sometimes attended with that element of risk, so much enjoyed by healthy and vigorous youths, makes it outstanding in the realm of sport. When the Wanganui Sailing Club was started four years ago we had only one class of boat, the Colleen class. Two years ago four of the Takapuna class were added to our fleet, and now three of the Idle-along class are included.” The club colours, red, white and blue, were then broken out by Mrs. Bethwaite, and the new season was declared open. Races held resulted as follow: Mercantile Cup: Valerie (E. Domney and J. Deerness) 1, Jeanetta (J. Minder and S. Armitt) 2. Colleen Shield: Sunshine (S. Wall and C. Kidd) 1, Breeze (R. Kidd) 2. Idle-along class: Merlin (F. Bethwaite and R. Rogerson) 1, Rainbow (W. Deerness and W. ScacU 2.