Unprecedented result for local Sea Scouts

Auckland Anniversary Regatta

The final leg, the race back to the finish line on Narrow Neck Beach for the fleet. Photo Mark Rhynd

The Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta (once the world's largest one day sailing regatta) ended up being a bit of a drift with the tide in 2020 as the fickle winds eventually died away to nothing; and out came the oars.

With the memory of lock downs slowly receding the local Sea Scout groups were keenly looking forward to the 2021 event and a bit more wind. The forecast was for a fine summer's day, but the wind outlook was indicating a repeat of 2020. Not daunted by this, the New Lynn, Owairaka and Western Bays Sea Scout groups duly turned up to Narrow Neck Beach ready for a day of fun, regardless of whether the wind would play ball.

As the boats were rigged ready for sailing, the oars were left in as crews slowly resigned themselves that rowing may again feature. The plan this time to test some seamanship by using oars while under sail looked like the likely course of action.

But then around 1100hrs there was a sniff of the wind so the boats were quickly launched for a short race with a beach start; out around some marker buoys and a finish back on the beach with a short sprint up the beach to the finish line. It was initially a test of light wind sailing, being patient and picking the puffs of sea breeze. But as the first race proceeded the wind strength gradually built, so on completion of the race a second was immediately sailed. A lunch break ensued as the crews watched the keelers in the passage race off Rangitoto. A slight wind shift over lunch and the best wind of the day arrived in time for a third race, before the day ended as it started – with the wind gone.

It was an unprecedented result on the water for New Lynn, gaining first, second and third places with both line and handicap honours for the cutter class, along with the top three places in the smaller Sunburst class. Western Bays gained a 4th overall in the cutter class while Owairaka gained 8th and 13th placings.

​Summer is an ideal time to join your local Sea Scout Group, catering for boys and girls aged 6 – 19 years. Contact Andrew on 027 6939 756 or see newlynn.seascouts.org.nz for more information about the New Lynn Group.