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Lake Te Anau's waters and skies were humming with two simultaneous events that made for spectacular viewing recently.
(The Black Falcons aerobatic team treated sailors to a spectacular show. Photo: Charlotte Shipman)
Lakeside, the Marakura Yacht Club were holding their annual Not the Easter Regatta throughout the weekend (April 8 and 9). Sailors on the lake perhaps had the best seat in the house as the Royal New Zealand Air Force's (RNZAF) Black Falcons aerobatic team performed their impressive routine over the lake at the same time.
Vice commodore Bruce Keen said the sailors were given advance notice of the performance and it made for a brilliant and enjoyable time, even though it understandably made it a bit more difficult to focus on the race ahead.
Tony Kennard, from the Bluff Yacht Club, assured that the Bluff Club wouldn't be out done by this performance 'organised' by the Marakura Yacht Club. He told everyone later at the bar that the Bluff Yacht Club would be arranging the Royal New Zealand Navy to perform a sail past.
The show was best visible to those along Te Anau's main lakefront, but the team's impressive circuit could be viewed throughout the township.
The Black Falcons team member squadron leader Hayden Sheard said when the T-6C Texan II aircraft were flown in formation, their wing tips were only a few metres apart.
The air performance, which toured across various South Island locations in April, was a thank you for the South Island public for their support during the Air Force's 80th anniversary year.
Back on the water, Keen said the regatta saw a total of 10 races over the weekend, with 17 boats participating.
The yacht club was due to close at the end of April for the season, and would be reopened on the first weekend in October.
Keen said the club were looking forward to hosting the Open Bic Freshwater Championships in March 2018, which would bring in around 30 Bic dinghies not only from the southern South Island, but also potentially from as far afield as Auckland and Australia.
Winners of this year's regatta were Paul Waymouth (open trailer yacht), Alex Bruce (Noelex 22 division), Daryl Parkes (open dinghy), Zac Pearson (Bic dinghy division), and Lindsay Roberts (junior dinghy division).
