Return of the Pirates

Wow, on a cold, wet and sometimes windy evening, some 26 children arrived to have an hour of fun and frolics on and in the water – bad luck Izzy on your capsize – under the watchful eyes of Gary, Paul and Ollie in the power boats.

After the usual briefing from Gary by ‘the log’ – the youngsters paired off in two’s and three’s to take to the water, by 18:45. There were 2 Oppies, 2 Picos and 9 Toppers. What a colourful sight for all the Mums and Dads, safely watching from the deck or inside the clubhouse – a very chilly evening…..

Gary was impressed by the triangular course that the entire fleet managed to keep up for a couple of laps – out to 7 across to 6 and back towards the jetty. There were hoops to throw and retrieve, and as the wind dropped the fleet rafted together and made an attempt to sail the whole fleet in a line across the lake.

The rain came in, the parents huddled under cover, but the fleet kept afloat……getting very, very wet all the while…..

The wind came up and the boats broke away from each other having fantastic free sailing – changing boats, laughing and having unrestricted fun playing chase.  There was also some interesting sailing from the front of the boat by Olly.

As the sailors became cold, there was a lap of the course as ‘stand up’ sailors saluting the commodore upon passing the clubhouse!!! We think he was busy ‘feeding his face’…??

Without too much chasing, the fleet returned to shore for 19:45 and, with fantastic help from parents and other members, the boats were stowed away and all were in the club for 20:00, for hot chocolate, a large piece of Craig’s birthday cake and a loud rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’.