News
SAS Grand Slam and Hobie 14 Provincials
Sailing conditions don’t get better than the Durban balmy winters and sailors took full advantage of the warm days over the long weekend competing offshore in the SAS Grand Slam incorporating the Hobie 14 Provincials hosted by Point Yacht Club.
Mount Edgecombe’s Garth Loudon dominated the Hobie 14 class finishing 18pts ahead of his closest rival. Loudon has just returned from a successful adventure in Europe where he, together with his sailing partner Robbie Edwards-Bettsy, won the European Hobie 16 Grand Masters. Loudon competing solo at the Hobie 14 Provincials took line honours in five of the races offshore. After his two race discards, his score sheet also showed three seconds and two thirds.
An impressive fleet turned out over the four days, with over 50 boats taking to the water for a maximum of 12 races. The first two days, the conditions were champagne sailing with a gentle dose of wind mixed in with blue skies. Race Officer for the event, Kevin Bingham managed to get in the majority of the races on the first two days, slotting in four races on the first day and five on the second.
The predictions were correct on day three as a building south-westerly with personality greeted the sailors. With only three races still remaining, Bingham and his team constantly kept an eye on the Anemometer. During the eleventh race, conditions deteriorated causing havoc on the water. Majority of the fleet battled with the growing gusts’, looking out from the bridge boat it was carnage on the race track with a number of boats cartwheeling and tumble-weeding across the short sharp chop.
Rear Commodore for Dinghies, Myles White said, “Despite the white horses in the harbour, the average wind speed proved to be around 17 knots with gusts in the low 20s – so, the boats were called to the race course, the Oppies stayed onshore, and the start sequence got underway. The first race was completed despite several capsizes in all classes, but it was after the second race got underway that the breeze got up properly. We had cartwheeling Hobies and Lasers crossing the finish line before being sent home. In one humorous instance, Hobie competitor Wayne Smith capsized on the finish line in dramatic fashion, and shouted across to the bridge boat if he was ‘over’, and we confirmed in more than one way.”
The rescue and support team were kept busy righting boats that had been knocked down in the blustery gusts. Racing was suspended at the end of the second race, with the brave competitors safely returning to shore.
The fleet needed to come out on Women’s Day to conclude the regatta. Majority of the boats took to the water in near-perfect conditions for the final race that took place after the sprinkling of sailing stalwart, Bob Fraser’s ashes in the harbour.
The fleet comprised 50 boats altogether with 19 of these being Hobies. Also on the water were Darts, a Tornado and Hobie Tiger comprising the Open Cat fleet; 505s and 29ers being the Open Dinghies; approximately 10 Lasers, and 12 Optimists who wanted offshore experience in advance of an upcoming international regatta.
The next event for the yacht club requires all in attendance to don their smart attire at this year’s Commodore’s Dinner with host Beauty Ramapelepele that takes place on Saturday 20 August.
For more info visit www.pyc.co.za or contact the club on 031 301 4787.
Powering out of the starting blocks, Laser sailor Marcello Marcia bolts his way up to the top mark during the SAS Grand Slam incorporating the Hobie 14 Provincials hosted by Point Yacht Club offshore over the long weekend.
Results
Hobie 14 Provincials
1 Garth Loudon 17pts, 2 Peter Hall 35pts, 3 Dylan Albert 40pts, 4 Richard Gorlei 44pts, 5 Wayne Smith 54pts, 6 Sean Fennessy 56pts, 7 Jethro Brophy-Tintinger 73pts, 8 Matthew Hall 92pts, 9 Justin Butler 94pts, 10 Stephanie Goodyear 98pts, 11 Rudi Fokkens 100pts, 12 Liam Fennessy 102pts, 13 Struan Campbell 124pts, 14 Rudi Rogge 126pts, 15 Ralph Thorpe 142pts, 16 Aldino Gorlei 149pts, 17 Bart Fokkens 157pts, 18 Sven Paton 167pts, 19 Nik Albert 168pts
Laser Radials
1= Kai Leslie 20pts, 1= Damian Muller 20pts, 3 Elsje Dijkstra 32pts, 4 Sam Lombaard 33pts, 5 Hannah Fokkens 39pts
Open Dinghies
1 Jason Muller (Laser 4.7) 24pts, 2 Rob Goulden (Laser) 28pts, 3 Rudolph Holm (Laser) 34pts, 4 Jonathan Ham (505) 37pts, 5 Benji Daniel / Chad Stevenson (29er) 39pts, 6 Hans Rogotzki (505) 61pts, 7 Rob Tarboton / Nick Matter (29er) 64pts, 8 Albrecht Holm (505) 66pts
Optimist
1 Keagan Nel 18pts, 2 Tristan Tomlinson 20.5pts, 3 Duncan Hawksworth 27pts, 4 Iain Bowman 33.5pts, 5 Helen Janse Van Vuuren 34.5pts, 6 Scott Bowman 39.5pts, 7 Ingrid Holm 44pts, 8 Cameron Diesl 54.5pts, 9 Lena Holm 59.5pts, 10 Alex Wiederhold 72pts, 11 Ethan Hooper 74pts, 12 Jessica Fennessy 77pts
Open Catamarans
1 Rob Samways (Dart) 18pts, 2 Mark Kopel (Dart) 19pts, 3 Mark Witjenburgh / Brandon Witjenburg (Hobie Tiger) 27pts, 4 Gavin Wadsworth / Geetjie Wadsworth (Dart 2) 34pts, 5 Francois De La Fleuriot / Eli Brphy – Tintinger (Hobie Tornado) 48pts
Photo Credit: Sophie Thompson
Author: Durbanite
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Author: Shelley
Author: Shelley
Discover the heart of KZN at Westown Square in Shongweni – a vibrant, growing destination where shopping, dining and lifestyle come together in perfect harmony.
Here, local craft, artisanal homeware and unique products find a home, bringing the very best of our region to life.
At the centre of it all is The Town Square, your gateway to The Barn & Makers Market. Stroll through an eclectic mix of locally sourced art, beauty, fashion, homeware, food and
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#ItsTimeForTheWest
LOCAL IS LEKKER and we’re celebrating all things Heritage this month, in this beautiful province of KZN that we call HOME! There’s something for everyone, so follow us on social media to keep up to date.
THIS WEEKEND!
OPENING OF THE PADDOCK at Westown – 27 September
Westown is excited to celebrate the opening of The Paddock– a unique new place and the ‘home’ for Westown Trails. It’s fun for the whole family, whether you’re on horseback, on your mountain bike, running or walking. Our network of marked trails, suitable for a variety of sporting codes, enhances and extends the spectacular outdoor character the area is renowned for.
* Time: Hub Opens – 06:00
Official Start – 07:00
* Venue: The Paddock at Westown
* Cost: No cost and complimentary bike and wash service from Cycle Science Shongweni
SPRINGBOK RUGBY IN THE BARN
Come & support The Bokke at the Westown Square Fan Park in The Barn at Westown.
Catch the live action on the big screen – our DJ will be in the house for the pre-match warm-up and post-match fun.
Saturday 4 October – SA vs Argentina
*Time: 15:00
* Venue: The Barn at Westown Square
Pre-match fun in the Rugby Kids Zone:
* The Garvz Sport Activation (13:00 -16:00) & Kids Activities (14:00 -16:00) including:
Baby Bok, toddler soft-play area, face painting, balloon sculpting and crafts activities
PASSION PAINT & SIP – 1 October
Release your inner artist with an evening of fun and creativity. This guided class is open to all, no matter your competency level. Be prepared to be surprised at what
you can create!
Date: Wednesday 1 October
Time: 18:30
Venue: The Barn at Westown Square
Cost: R250 pp incl. a complimentary drink & all materials to make your own work of art.
Booking: Quicket or WhatsApp Kirsty on 083 2555 736
OCTOBER SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMME – Follow our social media pages
Westown Square is THE PLACE TO BE this October, with a School Holiday Programme to delight kids of all ages!!
FREE MOVIE NIGHT AT WESTOWN – 3 October
Bring your picnic blankets and camp chairs for a free outdoor movie night under the stars.
Food and beverages will be sold – no food/ beverages may be brought into the venue.
* Date: 3 October
* Time: 18:30
* Movie: How to Train Your Dragon
* Venue: The Bowl at Westown Square
* Cost: Free
BLASTER WARS – the ultimate interactive fun for kids aged 5 – 13 years. Jump into action-packed group games, bouncing from one awesome game to the next, all with hands-on
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•Blaster Wars fun battles and blaster games
•Target shooting challenges
•Fun races and games for all ages
Date: 7 & 8 October
Venue: Grass Area/Lawn on Level 4
Time: 11:00 -13:00
Cost: R120 per child
Bookings: Tel: 066 236 8100 or email: info@blasterwars.co.za
FRIDAY FLASHBACK
Get a jump-start on the weekend with our vibrant weekly Westown Wind-down. Turn after-work drinks into a full night out at Westown Square, as we dial back the clock, with our weekly 80s-themed Friday Flashback retro music experience with DJ Spike & James VN on the decks and Happy Hour food and drink specials.
Date: Every Friday
Time: 16:30-21:30
Cost: Free entry
SUNDAY SOUNDTRACK VIBES
Join a line-up of Durban’s hottest musicians, every Sunday afternoon, from 12:00-15:00 in The Barn at Westown Square. Choose a bite and beverage from a diverse selection of eateries and settle in for the afternoon.
– Sunday 5 October
A regular favourite at Westown Square, Angel is in the house for this Sunday’s session.
– Sunday 12 October
Popular songbird Carmen Rodrigues is back at Westown Square for a laid-back chill
interlude.
Author: Shelley
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