Monday, April 26, 2010

Round the Island Canoe Race 2010

Last year the Canoe Race around Macleay Island was ably run by the Lions Club but all water activity was in charge of the Tingira Boat Club. So this year, with the consent of Lions, we took on the organisation of the event, with member Neville Prosser at the helm.

We were a little late starting to organise the event this year, due to the takeover from Lions but nonetheless, with huge amounts of help from all involved, we managed to achieve an impressive event, which will only get bigger and better next year.


We were not blessed with good weather for the day but luckily canoeists and kayakers are a hardy mob and saw this no reason to cancel the race. They were going to get wet anyway, they reasoned, so why not get wet before the race started?

Quite a few of them paddled over from the mainland but found it hard going arriving at low tide and having to wade through thigh-deep mud, carrying their canoe ... we hadn't mentioned the mud!



But they were happy to be offered hot tea or coffee and take advantage of our kitchen where they could select a sausage, bacon and egg burger or a hamburger.

Soon things started to warm up ... Mark Priestley from Canoeing Queensland was on hand to help as was Digby and Ian from Wynnum Canoeing Club. Without their expertise in this area, we would not have been able to conduct the Race in such a professional manner, nor would we have attracted the calibre of contestents.

Soon it was time for briefings and the contestents stood in the pouring rain, patiently listening to Mark and Digby explaining the route around the island to them.












Mayor Melba Hobson was on hand to welcome the participants and was a great sport, even getting herself slightly bogged on the beach in the wet sand, whilst cheering on competitors.

Here she is with Commodore Barry and other sponsors. (Did I mention Redland Council was a Gold Sponsor of the event??)





A fly past just before the start ... how did that happen?







Time to get those canoes into the water ..... carry them through the mud ...








Mill around getting ready for the start .....










While race favourite Ben Allen taped up a hole in his canoe (and tried to rub Jocelyn's phone number off his arm)







Our new sign ...










Two young canoeists practicing for 2030 perhaps?










And when it was all over, back to the Clubhouse for a few beers, some much-needed food and the presentations. Congratulations to Martin Harberland who came first, John Docray who was second and Ben Allen who came third. Denise Drury was the first female, followed by Sally Clark and Chris Gissing.
Our own Gail Day and Mike Papalardo won the Fun Event whilst Norm Black won the major prize in the raffle.




Some Chinese students who entered the Fun Race and won several prizes, both in the race and the raffle. A friendly group who had a very good day.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Easter at Blakeleys



Taking advantage of the fact that we don't work Thursdays, Robert and Judy, Guy and Alene set off mid-morning for Blakesleys, hoping to book a really good spot for the rest of the Tingira crew who would be coming later in the weekend.




Colin and Janette managed to shut up shop early enough to sail over too and had a bbq with us on the beach, enjoying the magnificent sunset.














We had a local visitor - a rather large goanna.





In the morning, Colin and Janette sailed down to Southport whilst we enjoyed the day. The rest of the Boat Club picnic crew turned up mid-morning in Ole's new boat and were ferried ashore. Peter Deane and Peter Fox decided it was too mundane to come across in a cruiser so opted for the Vagabond. Rather hair-raising, I imagine, for the seas were quite rough.











Unfortunately, only one other person stayed overnight - new member Julia. Unfortunately, she had to make do with Guy and Alene's apology for a tent - we forgot the tent poles!















But all too soon it was time to sail home again, saying goodbye to that lovely beach until our next picnic.