So many of our regularly programmed days have been abandoned due to inclement weather, that it was a great relief that this morning looked like a perfect sailing day, if you ignored the huge swell.

We only had 2 groups coming down this morning, first of all the Special Class from Freshwater High, and then BIRDS.

Our helpers were a limited group consisting of Col, Helen, David, John, Ivan, Corey, Jackie, Peter, Jim, Denis, Michael.

This gave us just enough to crew 6 boats, with a Support Boat Driver, an observer, a time-keeper and a registrar. This made for a busy, full on morning.

The Freshwater Group: Steven, Danny, Daisy, and Lucy arrived just as we were finishing the rigging, and had a full sail over towards Reef Beach. They stayed out for almost an hour, until BIRDS arrived in the bus.

Danielle was the first to the deck, and took her boat out for a while until the huge swell brought her back in. It was a first time sail for James and Chris, and these two young men were at first intrigued by the heavy seas, then asked to return to the pontoon. Stuart, May, Brad, Roger, Steve and Peter are ‘old hands’ and managed to stay out for a bit longer, so we ended up having an extended morning in the beautiful weather.

It was indeed a beautiful day, and we were all very happy that BIRDs Mondays will become a regular feature.