events
During the month of October, as the days become cooler
after the long hot summer months, a group of like-minded
people gather at the Hebe Haven Yacht Club for a dinghy
race. This is not your usual run-of-the-mill type of yacht race,
this is not your Saturday-afternoon-around-the-cans type of
race, nor an Around-the-Island type of race, no! This is a
24-hour dinghy race.
A 24-hour dinghy race, a race that is fiercely campaigned
for by the competing sailing teams. At the same time, allowing
room for the less competitive sailors. But even more than
this, it is an event that raises money for charities. This year
the funds raised will benefit Children’s Cancer Foundation,
Enlighten, Ideal, Treats and our own Sailability, which is based
at the Club.
Alongside the race, there was a carnival atmosphere
generated with stalls selling various items, food stalls and
the usual and very popular beer tent. There were bouncy
castles, face painting and games for younger children and
a lot of entertainment provided by live bands, DJ and solo
singers. Thank you for supporting this event.
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A new feature this year was the stand-up paddle board
race, we hope that this event will become more popular in
the future and may also be included as a 24-hour event.
The 24-hr Charity Dinghy Race Committee have put a lot
of effort into this year’s event and I would like to take this
opportunity to express my thanks for all their efforts and
support. Good job, team!
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to all
the sponsors, their contributions make a big difference to
the everyday lives of the beneficiaries of this racing event,
thank you so very, very much.
Once again we are so lucky to have the staff in place that
make this weekend such a well-run, smooth operation. I am
sure that you will all join us in extending our appreciation,
for their fantastic efforts, to the staff of the Hebe Haven
Yacht Club.
And last but not least, to the sailors—over 500 of them
this year—thank you for being part of our racing event. I
would also like to thank all the volunteers who help us run
the event, without you it would not run. Thank you to the
more than 300 volunteers who helped this year. Please be
on the look out for the date of next year’s event so you can
sign up to help or join the committee.
Check out heaps more photos from the 24-hr Dinghy Race
in this issue’s Shutterbug.
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