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Nearly 80 boats from all over Canterbury took part in a two-day regatta recently to celebrate the 90th anniversay of the Waimakariri Sailing and Power Boat Club.
A number of classes featured, including Optimists, P-Classes, Starlings, Sunbursts, Firebugs, Europes, Zephyrs, Lasers, M-Classes, and Splashes and club officials claim this was an all-time record for boats sailing at Kairaki. It's raised expectations of even greater numbers for the centennial celebrations in 10 years' time.
One of the main attractions, and an example of the earlier classes based at Kairaki, was the 18-footer M-Class (or Emmy as the class was affectionately known) Malaya skippered by life member Russel Dowdle.
The Malaya was designed and built by G. Andrews for Ian Treleaven and was the first of the Christchurch M-Classes. The Malaya was built in the old river trust’s workshops and launched in February 1935. She won the Scott Trophy in the 1936/37 season and was the 18-footer champion in 1935/36, 1936/37 and 1948/49.
For over 42 years she was stored in a shed but was restored in 1995 and in 1997 went to Auckland to compete in the 75th anniversary regatta of the M-Class when she was crewed by club members Richard Grant, Andy Holland, Peter Shanks, Paul Holland and Russell Dowdle. The Malaya then sailed at the Waimakariri Sailing Club’s 80th anniversary in 2008.
Saturday's two races were completed in a light 10-knot north-easterly for two races but the Sunday saw more zest with gusts rising to 19 knots which made for exciting sailing over the three races.
Around 100 guests and past and present club members, including the oldest member Jack Tourell who joined in 1938, were entertained at the 90th anniversary dinner on Saturday night by Emirates Team New Zealand crew member Joseph Sullivan who spoke about his experiences as a cyclor in the America’s Cup challenge.
The 90th anniversary cake cutting ceremony was performed by patron and life member Ron Mackie, the club's youngest member, seven-year-old Lexi Grindley, Jones and Joseph Sullivan.
Sullivan and his family have a connection with the Waimakariri Sailing Club when they sailed their Sunburst (Torquay) in the 1990s. Joseph and his brother Brayden were taught to sail by Mackie and in 1994 the pair won the Waimakariri Sailing Club's opening day cup.
With a base of 100 enthusiastic members, the club are going through a growth phase with their very popular learn to sail programme helping to boost the numbers.
