For the lucky 20 who were the first to get their deposits in for the trip north, it was a weekend to remember with great weather, food, drink, relaxing, socializing, windsurfing and most importantly sailing. Most of the group gathered at University of Sydney at 5pm to be crammed into three small cars along with all of the gear and food. With all of the caotic packing the cars didn’t end up leaving for Lake Macquarie until 8 pm. Whereas the car with the booze made it to the house at 8, everything always goes a bit smoother when alcohol is involved! Allthough some of the boys found it hard to find the right house, oops. A few sailors even had to brave the train all the way north. The house alone was worth the trip, it was more like two houses combined into one and it even had two kitchens. Once everyone arrived, the rooms or more importantly the beds were quickly claimed and the evenings fun and games begun.
On Saturday morning, we all had breakfast and began to prepare for the day of sailing and windsurfing ahead. The lake house provided the best access to the water since it was literally only 5 feet back. The boats and windsurfers were quickly rigged and everyone got to get out on the lake and enjoy the strong winds. Some sailors even needed to be saved by our windsurfers, a first! We even ended up having a special visitor or mascot in which we named Lachlan! By the way Lachlan is a beautiful dog.
Saturday evening, after a long day of sun and sailing there was a huge cookup, thanks to the trusty cooks Olivia, Nicole, Kait, and yes even Tom! Everything you could think of ended up on our dinner table, lasgna, pasta, garlic bread, roasted potatoes, veggies, salad, and bbq. With everyones help in clean up the partying quickly began. Again another thanks is due to Nicole, Sarah, and Tom for making a wonderful punch! Everyone socialized either out by the lake, inside. The night had a few bumbs along the way but it all ended well with everyone in their beds content after a great days sailing.
Sunday followed in much the same way with sun, wind and a lot of sailing and windsurfing. Late afternoon cleanup started and the house was made spectacular. Around 5pm the boats and windsurfers were packed up and preparation for the return trip began.Tradition of the sailing weekend tug of war with the stuck mast started and photos were taken when the most miraculous thing occurred and it actually started to move! But in the end it was still stuck, maybe the next weekend away. More sailors ventured their way back into the city by train while a few stayed to soak up the last of the sun and wait for the cars to be completely ready.
While everything above may seem like a complete cliché, the weekend and the weather was quite perfect. Special thanks must go to all of the organizers of the University of Sydney Sailing group and to all the members who joined us and contributed to making it a great weekend. The next weekend trip / reggatta will be taking place over the weekend of the 2nd of October but keep you eye out for more information closer to the date.
After three months of a endless stream of email, facebook messages and phone calls, the 2009 Australian University Teams Racing Regatta is finally here. The regatta will take place from the 2nd to the 3rd at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club at Newport, about an hours drive north of Sydney.
The Sydney Uni Sailing Club provides sailing courses for students and members of the public in cooperation with Woollahra Sailing Club in Rose Bay under the YA/RYA trailing Scheme.