Following the Covid cancellation of last year’s Noosa Gaff Rig Regatta, the second edition of this fun-packed addition to the Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club calendar will be held on Sunday, June 6, with entries open now.
The regatta is part of the riverside Noosa Come Together Festival, held over the weekend of June 5-6, and will be a fundraiser for the yacht club’s Sailability program, which gives disabled people the opportunity to learn to sail.
The Gaff Rig Regatta, founded in 2019, is basically for yachts with Gaff, Gunter or similar rigs, constructed of any material, new or old. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, as evidenced by this account from 2019 entrant Christopher Sly on Moonlight:
“Moonlight’s first-ever sailing race, the inaugural Gaff Rig Regatta had a fleet ranging from a 23-foot pilot cutter, to our 12-foot Gunter-rigged clinker, whose crew was normally accustomed to leisurely cruising. After launching at Tewantin and motoring downriver, we found a fleet of gaff boats being rigged by their enthusiastic owners to the rhythmic thump of several bands entertaining the public at the Come Together Festival.
“I had been in a couple of races over the years, but only as crew, I had never been at the helm, so I was a bit anxious about how this might work out. Our 11am race briefing eased some of my concerns, and a little mud map scratched out on the back of my race notes gave me a pretty good idea of the layout of the course. My concern was not about leading the charge and not knowing where to go. Rather, I wondered if we would be in touch with the rest of the fleet so we could follow their lead.
“By the time we rounded the mark for the first time in the first race of three, the rest of the fleet was rapidly disappearing out of sight on the homeward leg. They generously delayed the start of the second until we were across the line, so with no time to waste, we joined the fray and managed to get in a comfortable position at the start. This time, the wind failed against the increasing tidal flow and we retired halfway through the first leg of the race so as to make it back to the starting line in plenty of time for the third and final race. A heads up from one of the committee had us positioned pretty well at the start as the five of us crossed the starting line. Things went a lot better for us this time around, finishing fourth in the fleet.
“It was a great day on the water, made even more satisfying when we were awarded a bottle of Bundaberg Rum for coming fifth overall out of a fleet of five.”
So, as Christopher’s report shows, the person having the most fun at this regatta is not necessarily first across the line. The NYRC urges owners of all Sunshine Coast gaff-rigged yachts to come along and join in the fun with great camaraderie, interesting prizes and perfect sailing conditions in warm Noosa waters.
Entry forms are available from the club at email office@nyrc.com.au. Entries are $50 until close at 5pm on Wednesday, June 2, late entries may be accepted at $70.
