Long Lazy Lunch makes a perfect lay day at Sail Port Stephens

by Jody O'Brien on 24 Apr 2009 Close to 80 people gathered in a sun filled room on the boardwalk at Peppers Anchorage yesterday for the inaugural Long Lazy Lunch at Sail Port Stephens – and from a nine year old budding young bowman off Bushranger to the table of much loved Blue-Shirted Antipodeans, a great time was had by all.

Well known yachting journalist and identity, Rob Mundle mc’d an entertaining afternoon filled with bottles of Robert Oatley’s finest to wash down a delicious lunch prepared by Pepper’s executive chef.

Volvo Ocean Racer, Tom Braidwood is sitting out this current leg of the race to spend precious time awith his young family, but to support a growing regatta in his own backyard, Tom and his wife Belinda came to the lunch for Tom to star as the guest speaker... and star he did !

Tom spent the afternoon Parkinson style on centre stage with Rob, and in a room filled with yachties and people from the local business community with limited yachting knowledge, he had everyone fascinated by his entertaining tales of life on the Volvo Ocean Race – the highs and the lows, and in his laconic, down to earth way, he shared some views, tales and experiences that opened the hearts and minds of all in the room.

Just over $400 was raised for the SOLAS trust (Safety of Lives at Sea) in the raffle, with the owner of Quest, Bob Steel an appropriate winner of one of the prizes – a free entry to Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, whilst an avid supporter of sauvignon blanc was hugely appreciative of the Robert Oatley dozen to add to her and her partner’s cellar.

The Antipodes crew have been a wonderful enthusiastic bunch all week, both on and off the water, and yesterday was no exception with their distinctive blue Hawaiian shirts getting right into the concept of a Long Lazy Lunch.
So a good time had by all, and by the looks of it, a tradition that is set to continue at Sail Port Stephens for years to come.

Since its inception, Sail Port Stephens has had invaluable resource support from Business Port Stephens, an initiative of Port Stephens Council, and the inaugural group of Foundation Partners in Nelson Bay Diggers, All Seasons Salamander Shores, Peppers Anchorage and Shoal Bay Resort and Spa have, even in tough economic times, all continued to believe in the long term vision for the regatta and what it brings to the region.

International sailing clothing brand, SLAM, continue their support as the Official Clothing supplier, and d’Albora Marina are a great partner with their on-site support and special deals for regatta participants.

Newcomers to the Supporting Partner group for 2009 include Wild Oats Wines as the Official Wine Partner of the Regatta and Tooheys New White Stag – full strength low carb beer, as the Official Beer of the event.
International Paints are also participating in this year’s event, through the International Paints Magic Moment of the Day – a daily award for outstanding achievement and human feats -good or bad during racing.