Akaroa Classic Boats Regatta

It is only two weeks until the Akaroa Classic Boats Regatta weekend and we have been encouraged by the level of interest shown to date and the number of confirmed registrations received. To assist with our activity planning and catering it is important that we get as many confirmed registrations as possible sent in by email, post or telephone prior to the regatta. From the registration details, notes and photographs received so far it‘s clear we are going to have a very successful regatta with a wide range of craft participating.

You may be interested to visit Akaroa for a day or the weekend to see what we hope will be a unique boating spectacle. All visitors and spectators are most welcome to view the display of craft at the Recreation Ground slipway area or the activity in the inner harbour close to the town waterfront. The information below will update you or inform you about the nature of the event and our intentions. Please share that with as many interested people as possible.

INTRODUCTION

These kinds of classic boats festivals are held all over the world and there is a large public following.   Many of them are static displays only, others are an on the water competition and others are combinations.   This regatta at Akaroa is the inaugural effort to get the idea out there and is promoted by a small number of people and we hope it will grow bigger and become an annual event.   We envisage static displays and hope that many boats who the owners feel are not sea-worthy and may be in various stages of repair or disrepair will be displayed.   We have a static jet boat display and have also invited the stationary engine assn who will have a display there.   The on the water programme as you can see from the programme is fairly low key – the whole idea is to provide a general get-together of enthusiasts and others interested in the design and building of traditional boats and also restoration of original boats pre 1968.  (this moves on a year each year meaning boats that are at least 40 years old become a “classic”).   Please feel free to come along and find out what it is all about.  It will be an opportunity to set up a suitable Canterbury Association which we hope may in the future promote restoration/building and perhaps run future regattas of this type.

 

REGISTRATION

Attached is a Registration Form for you to complete.  We would appreciate it if you could complete and return it as soon as possible to assist us with programme planning and catering.  Please also share this information and this registration Form with others who may be interested in participating with us. 

 

Registration Form click for copy

 

PROGRAMME

Below is a broad outline of our intended programme. 

 

Saturday 22 Nov	SCHEDULE of ACTIVITIES	LOCATION
0900	Registration	Hall adjacent to Public Slipway
	Static display of all craft	Recreation Ground adjacent to slipway
1000	Briefing for participants
1130	Launching of boats – power, steam & sail	Public slipway
12.00	Sailing handicap event for all craft under 6m Power Boats – sealed handicap event	Start from Dalys Wharf. Inner harbour circuit in area between Children’s Bay and Akaroa Cruising Club
	Seagull O/B event
1400	Launch & sail boats over 6m	Start from Akaroa Main Wharf. Outer harbour circuit from Akaroa Main Wharf to Wainui/French Farm
1700	Social Function & Barbecue	Akaroa Cruising Club
	Prize Giving to follow
Sunday 23 Nov
11.30	Launching
	Informal cruise for all craft	Lunch at French Farm Boating Club.

 

N.B. Participant numbers in various classes and the weather may necessitate changes in the final programme schedule.

 

Large keelers and launches will be rafted up on the SW side of the Main Wharf.  If you require a mooring please contact me with your requirements and we’ll do our best to assist according to availability.

 

We intend to arrange judging in the classes and categories as listed below.  To ensure that your craft is displayed to best advantage and to assist judging we would ask that you prepare a display board giving full details of your boat e.g. name, designer, date built, date restored notes of interest as well as photographs. 

 

JUDGING SCHEDULE

	CLASS	CATEGORY
1	Best Restoration - Classic/Traditional Boat	Pre-war (up to 1945)
2	Best Restoration - Classic/Traditional Boat	Post-war (1945 – 1968)
3	Most Recent Restoration	Pre-war (up to 1945)
4	Most Recent Restoration	Post-war (1945 – 1968)
5	Best Replica – classic/traditional design
6	Best Overall

 

REGISTRATION

Registration will be $25.00 for the boat owner to cover administration, boat label costs and BBQ.  Extra crew/participants will be charged $10.00 p.h. for the barbeque.  Your payment should be made in cash when you arrive at the regatta.

 

Please contact us if you require any further information or if you have contacts or suggestions that would help us to help to make this inaugural local Classic Boats Regatta a real success and spectacle at Akaroa.  

 

Thanks again for your interest and we look forward to seeing you at Akaroa.

 

Kind regards

 

Peter Braithwaite

Secretary

Akaroa Classic Boats Regatta Committee