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Wash out conditions may have been forecast, but sailors attending Mercury Bay Boating Clubs’ ‘Double Trouble’ regatta enjoyed sunshine, fresh breeze, and a picturesque race course in Whitianga earlier this month.
Now in its fourth year, club members and organisers are thrilled with the popularity of their specialised catamaran event in their Coromandel club, with the 2022 edition stretching to include Tornado and A-Class fleets from across the North Island.
Mercury Bay Boating Club Commodore Jonathan Kline says part of the attraction to the event is the club atmosphere and beautiful sailing area.
“There’s a great camaraderie within these fleets, and it's fun to be a part of the buzz. We get a lot of wind and waves here, which is why the beach is so perfectly suited to catamaran sailing, also providing some exciting conditions for fun, fast sailing,” he says.
Kline helped to kick start the clubs’ junior sailing programme four years ago, at the same time dreaming up the ‘Double Trouble’ concept with Tara Corley, a like-minded sailing mum who also was passionate about Hobie Cat sailing.
As a catamaran sailor originally from Florida, Kline was quick to spot the opportunities a fleet of Hobie Cats could offer.
“The Hobie Cats are perfectly suited to Mercury Bay, and have proven to be a really good club boat. We use them for lots of activities including a special needs initiatives, and our club mentorship programme where kids learning to sail can go out and have fun with a more experienced sailor or coach,” Kline explains.
Growing numbers can also be attributed to the clubs’ way of promoting non-sailing activities in the area, to attract both sailors and families to experience and enjoy what Whitianga has to offer. “We have excellent accommodation options in town with world-famous attractions like Hot Water Beach, Cathedral Cove and The Lost Spring within easy reach.”
“For this year’s edition, we had sparkling waters and great breeze, so it just goes to show you can never cancel a regatta prematurely by looking at the forecast. Everyone had a great time, one sailor had even driven from Kerikeri with his family to compete, which was a nine hour drive to our club,” he says.
Eight races were sailed over two days, and a volunteer race management team lead by Philip Hart were commended for setting great courses and keeping the boats safe in a very windy bay.
It comes as no surprise given the fresh conditions and excitable boats that there were a few wild moments including impressive capsizes throughout the weekend.
“We are so fortunate to have the support crew, not only on the water but on shore – safety and first aid, clubhouse hospitality and communications tower, to ensure everyone came on and off the water, and (I’m hoping!) are keen to come back next year,” says Kline.
The Mercury Bay Boating Club ran their ‘Double Trouble’ event over 19-20 November. The club promotes sailing and seamanship to adults and youth in Whitianga, a thermal ocean village on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. Read more: https://www.yachtingnz.org.nz/clubs/yacht-club/mercury-bay-boating-club
