EVANS BAY ACTIVITIES

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 71, 24 March 1934, Page 20

EVANS BAY ACTIVITIES

Last Saturday and Sunday were redletter days for Evans Bay yachtsmen. The teams' race with the R.P.N.Y.C, the launclf race for a trophy presented by the Otago Yacht and Motor-boat Club, and the visit of the club's patron, Rear-Admiral F. Burges Watson, combined to make a colourful and interesting weekend, and the weather was all that could be desired.

The teams' race, sailed in a southerly breeze over a triangular course from Jerningham beacon to Kio Bay, thence to Eraser's Rock and back to the starting point, was the first of its kind in these waters, and it reflects great credit on its sponsor, Commodore N; Blair, of the R.P.N.Y.G. Those who follow reports of this class of racing overseas will be aware that the contests often provide boat-to-boat duels between' individual members of opposing teams, and Saturday's race was no exception1. The Evans Bay boats were distinguished by a blue pennant at peak or masthead, while, the R.P.N.Y.C. boats carried red, and quite a number of bouts between red and blue could be noticed as various boats endeavoured to improve their positions in order to earn the coveted extra points, for their club. The Kitty and the Advance, in particular, staged a battle royal for first position, which eventually went to the former by eight seconds. The race was followed by an interested and attentive crowd, and proved a splendid introduction to this side of the sport. . j

Good weather conditions and smooth water were responsible for some keen racing among the launches for the Otago Yacht and Motor-boat Club's trophy, most of the competitors logging their fastest times to date over this course.

The weekend.visit of the-club's patron with his officers and men, also representatives of the R.N.V.R., was quite a memorable event. The RearAdmiral showed conclusively that, despite' the cares of office, he has not forgotten how to handle a tiller, and his breezy little homily to club members at the official welcome was heartening indeed. The club is very enthusiastic over the opportunity thus given to fraternise with friends of the Navy and R.N.V.R., the only regret being that, owing to the movement of the ships, these chances are so few and far between. .