Pacific/Asia: national events

Australian UnRegatta, Tinaroo, 4-5 July 2009

Why an Un-Regatta? .... Just BIC-AUS!

A small family club in FNQ takes a fresh approach

From Tinaroo Sailing Club

We are not really sure what an "un-regatta" is but the concept was copied from similar events held in North America and Europe. We set out to try and have a balance of fun events mixed with some serious racing. The whole weekend revolved around simplifying the rules and taking away the pressure as well as providing some good healthy competition.

As well as attracting local sailors, competitors travelled from Darwin, Mount Isa and Townsville to participate in the Inaugural Great Tinaroo Un-Regatta. Tinaroo Sailing Club conducts its events on Lake Tinaroo, which is situated on the Atherton Tablelands, west of Cairns. The club's magnificent camping grounds were a great draw card for families enjoying their school holidays. We wanted the kids to have heaps of time on the water.

Soccer has Rooball. Hockey has Minky. Softball has Tee-Ball. Volleyball has Newcombe. Why not sailing?

The Open Cross event involved sailors completing a course that involved a variety of manoeuvres and skills. These races had a Le Mans style start with sailors racing down the shore to their boats. The wetter the kids got the more fun they had. Everyone was a winner in these events.
The single and tandem freestyle events provided great entertainment for those on shore. Tail sinks, Hood Ornaments, Spidermans, King Kongs and spectacular dismounts formed the basis of the tricks performed.
Maya Reid took out the Singles competition with great agility and amazing work in front of the mast. Elyna and Charlotte Overland donned clown wigs and performed an intricate series of ballet poses to impress the judges and win the tandem. Maya Reid achieved the highest altitude in the difficult King Kong (mast climb). Angus MacGregor was the first to perform the highly daring boom run.

The speed slalom races formed part of the overall competition. Off the beach starts once again provided a spectacle. The less experienced sailors had a head start.
The speed races had the sailors reaching across an elongated figure 8 course. Sailors had to keep their wits about them when they met the rest of the fleet head on! Great for teaching port and starboard tack.

There were 5 conventional races as well. The ‘on the water' starts and fleet racing tactics allowed the more experienced sailors to demonstrate their skills.
The 13 races of various types over the weekend helped to achieve our aim of maximum time on the water. No one had to bail and no one needed to be rescued!

Some of the Winners:

Overall Champion: Angus MacGregor
Sailor who had the most Fun: Kate Reid
Freestyle (singles): Maya Reid
Freestyle (tandem): Elyna and Charlotte Overland
Most amazing handstand (nothing to do with sailing): James Sellars
Under 12: Hamish Wiltshire
First Girl: Natalie Gray

Check it all out on http://www.tinaroo.yachting.org.au/default.asp?Page=42460

The handstand	The mast climb
Angus McGregor	Maya Reid

What the Kids say:

"The BIC is extremely manoeuvrable, making them ideal for freestyle moves"
"Really quick going downwind and reaching. In a breeze it planes easily"
"I was excited when I saw the BIC and I really wanted to have a go"
"I love the fact that when I capsize I can easily turn the boat over and keep sailing without having to bail at all"
"The un-regatta was really fun. Max, Hamish and me watched the skiff movie it was cool."
"The regatta was very fun and if you run another one I would certainly come"

What the Parents say:

"The O'pen BIC is an inexpensive boat enabling us to own our own boat for learn-to-sail. The support of the Tinaroo Sailing Club and a terrific learn-to-sail program has meant that our children have mastered the basics of sailing with relative ease"

"Our daughters are always keen to get on the water in their BICs and have alot of fun.The fact that they are independent when it comes to handling the boat from the shore and out on the water is a great bonus to parents from a non-sailing background!"

"As parents we love that our kids are out in the fresh air, being physically active, learning new skills, making friends, all while having fun. Do we need any more positives???"

"The boys are ecstatic about the weekend and their new boats. Hopefully we will be on the water this weekend for a lot more fun."

""The Open Bic has proven to be a great entry level dinghy for our three children. The girls can handle and rig the boat themselves in minutes, and it is responsive and exciting to sail. The first Australian 'Un-Regatta' at Tinaroo Saling Club enabled our girls to sail in a large fleet of genuinely one design boats, with the most important rule being 'to have fun' - and they did. It was great to see so many young children handling these small craft competently in a variety of conditions. Great for the future of the sport of sailing."

About the author:
Peter MacGregor is the Club Commodore at Tinaroo Sailing Club in Far North Queensland. He has been racing small boats for over 40 years. He learned to sail in a Manly Junior at Avalon Sailing Club. He has lived in FNQ for over 20 years now and has been deeply involved with teaching and coaching sailing during this time. He believes that sailing needs to evolve with the times. He is very excited about being involved in Tinaroo Sailing Club's move into the 21st Century.