Batemans Bay off the Beach Sailing on Coila Lake

by Peter Schwarz on 22 Oct 2008
A 20-25 knot hot westerly blew giving sailors some awesome rides at Coila Lake last Sunday. The off-the-beach racing is proving to be the place to be on the South Coast for extreme wet and wild action for the summer. Boats came from up down the coast to take part in the fantastic long hual regatta.

The breeze kicked in right on start time at 12.30 pm and the fleet reached off the line at amazing pace. Muiltihulls were first off and Norm and Brodie Larden set the pace with Narooma's Rick Marsden and Tom Michealson close behind. At times these cats were doing speeds in excess of 20 knots! Keeping these big powerful speed machines under control in the conditions was quite a challenge. Rob Currall said 'I just bloody held on, prayed and enjoyed the white knuckle ride'.

The race was a big figure of eight around large Coila Lake. Rick Marsden took out handicap honours to Tom Michelson with Tom Tester showing tactical cunning coming in thrid.

In the super competive Laser Class, Rob Way revelled in the blowy westerly breeze, picking up some nice shifts to out fox his fellow competitors despite some close boat for boat action with Peter Schwarz.

'I got a good start and then I just tried to cover my opposition from then on, trying not to make too many mistakes. In this caper, one error and you out the back door' Way said.

Sunday 2 November is the next regatta with a two races on Coila Lake and Batemans Bay Sailing club reminds all that if you have a boat and an interest in competing come on down or contact James Gardiner on (02) 4471 3048.