Activity on both land and sea has been non stop as the local club hosted the Arrow, Arafura Cadet, Sting Ray and Cobra national events.

South Australian Arrow Catamaran association president, Steve Rogers, was pleased with the roll up for the event, 12 months in the planning.

“We have sailors here from Darwin, Rockhampton, Victoria, New South Wales and Kangaroo Island, and hopefully we’ll see a variety of sailing conditions on the water, with a mixture of short and long races each day, dependent on the weather,” Steve said.

“Sharing the bay with Cobra and Stingray classes will help create a vibrant atmosphere around the club, making the event spectacular, if a little congested, on the water.

Steve explained, pointing to the entry roll call of 33 Arrow and Arafura Cadet entries, along with the six Stingrays and ten Cobra catamarans.

Between his official duties, Steve found time to mentor first time entrant in the championship, Normanville’s Tara Nicholson.

Though an experienced crew, Tara was sailing a club Arafura Cadet for only the third time on her own, and “wearing a trapeze harness, just in case.”

Victor Harbor Yacht Club volunteers rallied to man as many as four rescue boats if needed and work as bridge recorders and galley caterers.

Club life member and veteran of 40 seasons on the bridge, rescue boat and clubhouse, Colleen Pearsons, warned, “don’t ask about the logistics of catering for hungry sailors and back up crews over five days”.

“There were no women sailing 40 years ago,” Colleen explained, applauding today’s young women out on the water.

With two sons currently competing in the 43rd Australian Arrow and Arafura Cadet, Stingray and Cobra championships, Colleen Pearsons said simply, “Sailing is family oriented and you learn much more than sailing.

“I have wonderful back up and club support in my catering role.”

Not all the action is in Victor Harbor this week though, with many club boats entering state and national titles around the country.

A fleet of 420’s from the club has been in Largs Bay sailing the state titles there and a very dedicated Paul Hawkins has taken his Yvonne cat to Perth to defend his national championship title, good luck to all the sailors.

This weekend is back to normal with club boats racing the fifth race in the D&D Mechanical and 4WD handicap series, hopefully most of the locals will not be too tired from a full week of sailing and club activities.