Keepit Kool 2022

Last weekend saw the 53rd running of the Keepit Kool Regatta some 6hrs drive North West  of Sydney. I’ve been to Lake Keepit on multiple occasions now, taking the DeckHardware van full of product to  help keep the sailors on the water. There were several different changes this year however. First up was the sheer volume of water in the dam. Having been there when there was literally nothing to seeing it today at capacity was just fantastic. Following months of rain on the east coast of Australia, all the dams are full, if not draining some out. This has been greatly appreciated by all out west with everything now shades of green rather than shades of brown.

The other big surprise for the nearly 100 entries was the first two days of sailing in wind. Usually a light air event, Saturday and Sunday saw great 8-10knot fresh water sailing conditions.  Monday however saw a  typical Keepit Kool shutdown with nothing at all, hardly a ripple. By that stage there was enough racing for a series.

Keepit however is not just about sailing. Whilst it’s fantastic to catch up with those from around the state again on the water, it’s the off water action that brings many back. From the  lake side camping to the Yabby races on Saturday night and the trivia on Sunday evening there’s plenty  of socializing to do ashore. I caught up with a range of sailors, from OKs to Lasers to Trailer Yachts and multihulls. Then there are those who I even went to school with, 50 years ago! Sailing is a small world.

If you have a small cartopper dinghy, or single hander or even a trailer yacht then Keepit is a must, especially when there’s water. The country hospitality was as before welcoming, the small club team doing a marvellous job and this year had some on water assistance from one of the Lake Macquarie clubs. Hopefully I’ll be back next year.