10:16 AM Tue 3 Feb 2009 GMT
A Wollongong cruiser racer will return to Sail Port Stephens in 2009 - a Cavalier 395 called Kahoona.
And whilst her and her crew love the racing the regatta offers, it's the warm and family friendly social atmosphere that is driving their desire to be part of the event again from April 20 to 26 this year.
The entries for the event are steadily growing, particularly in the PHS fleet contesting the Commodores Cup and the Port Stephens Trophy, with Kahoona amongst a number of returnees from last year, and pleasingly for the regatta organising committee, a broad selection of new boats.
Kahoona's owner Derek Sheppard believes the regatta established a wonderful ethos in its first year that makes it easy to bring people along who don't necessarily want to sail every day, but still want to feel very much part of the event.
'Our 'shore support crew' found plenty to do during the day at the bars and coffee shops in the area, and the SLAM apr?s sailing gear for the ladies that was on sale in the regatta office, certainly got the big seal of approval from the girls....' said Derek with a wink.
From a racing perspective, the Kahoona crew contested the cruisey Commodores Cup at the beginning of the week and the not quite as cruisey Port Stephens Trophy at the back end of the week in the regatta's inaugural year, having a fabulous time, thanks to the casual nature of the racing and the racing program in general.
Derek states that the best bit however, is the well organised social activities at the end of each day.
'The social program is simple, making it affordable for all budgets.... and the water front area at Port Stephens is fun to just hang around whilst the sailors are pottering around before and after the races' he said.
'We really just had simple, good fun and the days usually unfolded like this....start times were at a civilised midday so you'd enjoy a good breakfast and morning with your partner and friends, before heading off sailing for the afternoon on some very scenic courses in and around the Bay and surrounding islands...' said Derek.
'Racing finished around 4 each day, and everyone would meet for a drink at the bar at d'Albora Marina once the boats were packed away...we had time for a shower and then a bus would pick us up to head to a venue for dinner and more socialising...it was just a magic week...!'
The Kahoona crew, made up of a mixture of family and friends, including a couple who have been recently introduced to sailing, apply a simple approach to their time on the boat.
'Our priority is to have plenty of fun on the water in the company of other likeminded competitors, and collect a few stories along the way that are worth telling over a beer at the end of the days sailing! ' he said.
Derek adds that Sail Port Stephens, whilst including an IRC division, very much looks after the 'club racers '.
'To be on the water with so many other 'club' racers, that, whilst trying hard to be competitive and achieve a good result, were more interested in ensuring everybody had a good time, created a really good vibe'
And of course everyone had a story to relate each night about how good they could have been...' he laughed.
His enthusiasm for the event is best summed up in these statements.
'It was great to participate in a regatta where everyone mixed and socialised after sailing each day '.
'The charm of Sail Port Stephens is that you don't just see your fellow competitors at the start line, and the organisers made everyone feel very welcome and acknowledged as a valued part of the event '
'The emphasis was on fun and fair sailing, rather than outright competition - and that's why we'll continue to come back to Sail Port Stephens '.
Sail Port Stephens 2009 racing:
20-22 April - Commodores Cup (PHS)
23 April - Lay Day - Lunching Mischief
24-26 April - Yachting NSW IRC Championship
- Port Stephens Trophy (PHS)
From little things, big things grow, and Sail Port Stephens would not be possible without the support of the foundation partner group of Nelson Bay Diggers, Shoal Bay Resort and Spa, Peppers Anchorage and All Seasons Salamander Shores -as well as the resource contributions of the supporting partner group in SLAM, d'Albora Marina, Yachting NSW and Business Port Stephens, an initiative of Port Stephens Council.
For more info and to enter, go to sailportstephens.com.au
by Jody O'Brien
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