Harwood weekend

November 19, 2021 Leave a comment

Last weekend I took my first ‘little’ drive for quite some time, a lazy 7hrs up the Pacific Highway to Harwood. It was time again for the annual Bridge to Breakers Regatta at the Big River Sailing Club on the Clarence.

It has been quite some time since I’d been north and it was finally nice to see the completion of the dual road system that they’ve been working on for way too long.  Some might find it a little boring but with cruise control and several podcasts to listen to, the drive  up went relatively easy however the return trip was typical Sunday return with traffic bumper to bumper from before the Gosford turnoff.  What should have been a 30 minute trip turned out to be three times that.  Frustrating, but that’s life especially as now everyone can hit the road.

Leaving DeckHardware a early on Friday afternoon, I got into the club camping ground at 2130 and had the pleasant surprise to be offered a beer by Steve and Marita , friends who stayed up  for the welcome.

Barton Marine Banner at Big River Sailing Club

This year one of our new manufacturers Barton Marine also supported the event by offering goodies for prizes.

Whilst I wasn’t there to sail, instead to support the sailors, the conditions on Saturday meant that around half the fleet didn’t sail. A blustery westerly gusting 25-30knots made it difficult for many, I don’t  think that any who sailed went without a capsize. Everyone ashore however were amazed at the skills of some especially the two of the leading Heron sailors who showed that yes a Heron can plane.  It’s quite a long course on Saturday heading downriver to Yamba with a long beat and hard reach back. For many it was around 2.5hrs on the water, hard work.

A good roll up of Herons

Sundays planned two short course races were greeted by far less breeze, in some places none at all for those who didn’t sail the day before and those who’s boat remained in one piece from the day before. 

Unfortunately there were many who packed up and went home Saturday afternoon missing out on the wonderful Saturday evening spread that the locals put on. For me it’s my annual Sticky  Date pudding fix.

I left for the drive home once everyone hit the water on Sunday, but as I’ve mentioned everyone else heading to Sydney had the same idea. I’m sure that the Barton goodies were well received, I know that the Commodore when I presented the bag was very thankful for their support.

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Time for an update

November 19, 2021 Leave a comment

It’s been sometime since I’ve been on the road and been to a regatta. The last one for season 20/21 was at Batemans Bay back in April and following that one, interstate and intrastate travelling and Sailing along with most other sports was put to one side.

Western end of the rigging/camping area at BRSC

Looking east @BRSC

I’ve often spoken about the enjoyment of going to country regattas, like Batemans Bay, Jindabyne, Wallagoot Lake and Lake Keepit. Each event is unique in its own way with the variety of classes competing. This coming weekend, I’ll be taking the DeckHardware van north to the Big River Sailing Club at Harwood north of Grafton. It’s been a few years since I’ve been and I’m looking forward again to the country clubs hospitality. Barton Marine UK,a new supplier of boating products to DeckHardware have also come on board in providing some of their Easy Splice and Baby Splice kits as prizes.  I’m sure that these will be well received by the winners.

One of the larger and more comfortable competitors

Sportsboats

Whilst I won’t be actively involved on the water, it’s a chance to show the range of products that DeckHardware now can provide.  Since I was there last, we have added Antal and Barton to our range and they have added a variety of products that we often get asked for. With divisions covering almost every sailing craft from small dinghies like Herons, Sabres, Impulses and Lasers, to a wide mix of multihulls from Hobie and NACRA and A Class foilers and non-foilers to a mix of trailerables and smaller yachts, there’s a division for everyone.

Early mornings are like this at Big River Sailing Club
Some of the smaller competitors

This year the Bridge to Breakers Regatta as it’s known is capped at 70 entries due to C19 restrictions still in effect. Unfortunately those from Southern Queensland are not able to travel interstate and will miss this years event. The onshore hospitality of the locals is added to by everyone camping onsite, even some of the locals on Saturday night following the huge spread they put on.  For those who have not been before, put this event in your calendar for 2022,  there’s plenty of room for tents, campers, caravans and rigging. The Clarence River is plenty wide and long enough to cater for all .

Even the locals come out for a look.

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