Queensland State Heron Championships

If you haven't heard already, you might be surprised to hear the mighty "Sea Gherkin" recently won the Queensland State Heron Championships at Lake Cootharaba near Noosa. Sailed by the fabulous father/son team of Mark and Erik, the "Sea Gherkin" won the hotly contested regatta by mere point. It was a wonderful family weekend with Kathryn kayaking in the morning before the sea breeze filled in and great racing with ten to fifteen knots in the afternoons.

About 20 Herons families showed up, so it was kid central at the beach in front of the yacht club. Although a lot of competitors camped, we (along with the 2nd place boat) opted to stay in a nearby motel mostly because our car was already filled with sailing and kayaking gear. I can't imagine trying to fit in the tent, sleeping bags, stove, folding chairs etc.

Erik really enjoyed himself, hanging out with his South Brisbane Sailing Club mates, Fergus and Annabell, well as making some new friends. Saturday evening's BBQ featuring "frog races" was especially entertaining. Initially, we thought they would be real frogs, but in fact, they were flat brightly painted wooden cutouts with a long string running though a small hole which formed the mouth. The "starting" end was tied to a chair and the "finishing" end on the other side of the hall was held by the racer, who pulled, jiggled, or otherwise cajoled the cutout frog down to the other end of the wood floor. As there were many different age divisions with elimination heats, the frog races were the main focus of the evening once dinner was finished. Experience and technique definitely proved beneficial, so we were not nearly as victorious as on the lake. All the same, it was a nice change from the very adult centered racing we had been doing in Seattle.

Waiting for the Afternoon Sea Breeze
Sunday night's outdoor awards banquet in the gardens of a nearby traditional Australia "hotel" or pub was a similarly kid friendly event with lots of medals for the crews (most of whom were under 12 years old) and keeper awards as well as perpetual trophies. It should also be noted that this was the Jack Holt Regatta as well as the Queensland State Heron Championship, so the Mirrors were competing as a fleet against the Herons. However, the Herons dominated the event, and we were awarded a cup for winning that title too. Hence, we came home with a slightly fuller car than we arrived with. Erik was thrilled and now fully into racing.

Impusles, a Yellow Heron and One Mirror (red sail)

We are looking forward the Southeast Queensland Regatta at the end of June before we start some off season projects to prepare the boat for the Australian Nationals which will be held over New Year's. Loaner boats are available for anyone who wants to participate.

The Apollonian Hotel, where the Awards
Banquet was held