Only 1 month until Heaven Can Wait Charity Sailing Regatta 2021

Heaven Can Wait Charity Sailing Regatta 2021 © Melvyn Steiner

Only 1 month to go, entries are coming in - thank you to the early starters, and the Charity Dinner is taking shape.

Tickets for the Charity Dinner can be booked now by going the Heaven Can Wait website - www.heavencanwait.com.au. The focus at the dinner this year is youth sailing - young sailing talent - locals who are already doing well on the local and in some cases, world stages. Our guests this year include Harry Miller (16 yo), Thomas Steenson (18 yo), Chelsea Williams (17 yo), Callum Marsh (16 yo) and another (16 yo) to be confirmed. All sail from Belmont and NCYC in flying 11s, 16 ft skiffs and Elliott's 6s and 7s (7s in Sydney). Harry, Thomas and Chelsea have all done match racing at international regattas in Sydney. All will be interviewed by Helene O'Neil - well known ABC Newcastle Sports Commentator, who has supported the Charity Dinner over many years, with her ability to bring out the best in the people she interviews.

We know that this year is going to be a tough one as regards regatta entries - particularly with the COVID19 restrictions applying to people movements. So, if you are one of the people that would normally have been a starter but because of the restrictions, will be unable to partake, why not consider making a donation to the cause that this regatta supports - The Hunter Branch or Cancer Council NSW and their Home Help program. You can do that by making a donation at www.doitforcancer.com.au/fundraisers/GeneralDonationstoHeavenCanWaitCharitySailingRegatta739. The Home Help Program provides domestic support to both recovering and terminal cancer patients who - because of their condition, are unable to fulfil their domestic responsibilities. A small amount of the funds raised also goes to Lake Macquarie Marine Rescue who provide on water support during the running of the regatta.

For those of you that are planning to enter the Heaven Can Wait Regatta, 2021 will be the 15th running of this great fundraising regatta. As you probably know, it is no ordinary regatta. It is not only an event that involves some pretty challenging - even endurance level racing, but it is also a major fund raising event. So, by entering this regatta, you will not only have a great sailing experience, but you will also be doing the right thing and helping a charity that helps so many other people in need. The NOR is now available on the HCW website (www.heavencanwait.com.au), the Entry System is activated and available through the website, arrangements for the Charity Dinner are well under way as are the arrangements for Paul Bennet of Paul Bennet Air Shows to do his dazzling aerobatic display in front of the RMYC Toronto prior to the regatta start on the Saturday morning.

So, what we need you to do is get your entries in as soon as possible - why, because we want to make sure that handicaps for competing boats are as accurate as possible, and we need to know the order profile for the free sleeveless soft shell jacket (replacing shirts of previous years) that comes with your HCW entry. In order for us to satisfy jacket orders at the time of registration, your entry should be in now. If we don't have your size at the time of registration, they can be ordered but will take some time to be delivered. I have attached a photo of the jacket - without the logo's, for your reference. Note that entrants in the Dinghy / Sailboard Dash, pay a very low entry fee and do not receive a free jacket but can purchase one if required.

Once again, The HCW Regatta will be a part of Lakefest - a celebration of aquatic activity on Lake Macquarie from Saturday February 13 through Saturday March 6. Details of the Lakefest events will be posted on the Lakefest website - www.lakefest.com.au as they are confirmed. There will be lots of activity on the Lake, so if you are able to visit from ports other than Lake Macquarie, why not come up early and participate in some of the other events planned for Lakefest.

We look forward to seeing you on the 19th for the Charity Dinner and / or the 20th for the regatta.