Forecast was for gale force winds in the afternoon but the morning was fine.

28 OC1’s left Pilot bay in the calm and headed through the entrance and on out to Tirikawa at the end of the Mount, here they met big seas and a stiff headwind.

With meter high waves coming almost straight on it was a slog up to the turn at Rabbit island, the turn around Rabbit was into some very rough water swirling around like a washing machine, most made it without tipping over! although I did see a couple of you checking out the “Kina” but once past the rocks it was a good downhill run with the wind on your tail all the way right back to inside the entrance and a nice calm trip to the finish.

Due to the increasing wind the organizers decided to stay inside the Harbor for all the other races.
The junior/novice paddlers went straight across the harbor and down the inside of Matakana around the corner and past the wharf to the channel marker turned and back to Pilot bay, a strong tide and increasing wind gave them a good race.

The men and Woman also stayed inside the harbor and were treated to a flattish run across the harbor then rolling 1 meter wind generated waves down to the turn buoy off Motuhoa then a hard run into the wind on the way home.

Plenty of hot soup and the Barbie ran all day so life on the beach wasn’t too bad.

Hoe Aroha Whanau O Mauao would like to thank all the people who turned up to race and support the event.
See you in August for the next one