The only specialised marine publication in Oceania that focuses on the maritime industry, from super yachts to small craft to large commercial ships, including coastal shipping, tugs, tow boats, barges, ferries, tourist, sport-fishing craft
Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/79766
New Lynn's Senior Cutter Crew decided that having fun was one of their tactics on their way to winning their 7 race series The crew from New Lynn posing with some of the trophies 26TH NATIONAL SEA SCOUT REGATTA BY JO BASCOMBE & ANDREW STEVENS S ea Scouts have been established in New Zealand for over 100 years and this year's 26th National Scout Regatta saw over 300 Scouts representing 20 different groups from around New Zealand descend on Littleton for a week of fun and hot nautical competition on, and in the water! The Sea Scouts competed in a range of activities at the Regatta including rowing, sailing in both cutters and sunbursts, theory and practical seamanship, a team ironman challenge, camping and swim- ming. Although a win can bring personal satisfaction the prestige goes to the group as all events count towards the Jellicoe Trident, a trophy awarded to the top all round Scout group. While the focus is on competition, it also provides an opportunity for individuals and groups to test their skills against their peers enabling them to learn and set new goals towards continual self-improvement. The crews had to face the challenge of unfamiliar boats. The 17-foot cutter, similar to a small whaler, is standard for Scouts in New Zealand. It has had upgrades in design as well as localised modifications, which change it completely: oars of different thickness, thwarts in different places, and a few breakages from pushing the boats to the limits: it all adds to the competition helping to refine seamanship skills, even if it can be frustrating at times! Harbour racing can be tricky. The crews were broken into age three groups: juniors 10-13½, intermediates 13½-15½ and seniors 15½-19, and to spread the fun round an open category so leaders and adults got to compete as well. The rowing heats were held in a one metre swell on the first day and the course had to be changed to a more sheltered bay as the wind strengthened. There was some good sailing, although one day was put on hold as the wind went beyond the safety limit. Of course the die-hard sailors thought that it would just be more fun! The team ironman race had three competitors, each with a running, swimming and kayaking leg to complete. The ocean swim leg was a bit of a shock to the system for some not used to colder South Island water temperatures. The seamanship element tested the scouts on everything from rules of the sea, beacons and chart reading theory, to boat handling at sea with a crew. The venue on the waterfront at Lyttelton was ideal. A tent city was erected in a day with a central marquee for eating and get together. Other events very well attended were abseiling, archery and tug boat rides to keep all busy, but the highlight for most was making friendships with like-minded Sea Scouts from around the country. The Navy also played a key part with tours around their inshore patrol vessel the HMNZS Rotoiti, dining with the Sea Scouts at camp, and they timed their daily activities so that Rotoiti could sound her gun to start the first race of each day. They topped it off by showcasing in the prize giving ceremony. The coveted Trident Trophy was claimed by a strong contingent from New Lynn, Auckland, who showed great consistency across the board picking up first placings in almost every event, both in age group and in aggregate, while a very proud, small, but determined group from Andersons Bay, Dunedin came second overall. Other notable achievements included a small group of grinning 15 year old seniors from Tauhinu, Greenhithe Auckland, claiming the converted senior rowing cup, and Iron Duke of Nelson just pipping New Lynn by one point to the Seamanship Aggregate. The Shackleton Scout group from Whangarei beat New Lynn for the second time running to the Open Aggregate prize. 54 Professional Skipper September/October 2012 VIP.S71 V S771