Come along to the beach cat racing at Royal Akarana Yacht Club this Sunday, I'll be there but sailing my F18, happy to help out with any rigging questions or sailing questions. See you there! Find details on the RAYC website - http://rayc.co.nz/
Cheers,
Miranda
Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Monday, 4 March 2013
Algies Bay - a beautiful day but a bit of a drift off!
It started off with a promising south westerly, and everyone set off with the idea of being able to reach Kawau Island in double quick time. Unfortunately plans quickly changed as the breeze swung to the east and died out to nothing, leaving beautiful glassy conditions, but not very good for sailing!
So we towed in and had a bit of lunch on the grass, time for a bit of a natter and the next best thing to Weta sailing, telling stories about Weta sailing!
After lunch a light north easterly filled in and those who weren't happy with lying on the warm grass with a cold beer headed back out for a quick explore around the bay.
A good chance to catch up with a good group of Weta sailors, hopefully next time we get some wind!
 |
| Looked good when we started |
 |
| not much to be done now but have a sleep |
 |
| Kawau - so close but so far |
 |
| back in to re-assess |
 |
| Decided to re-assess over lunch! |
Sunday, 20 January 2013
Motuihe Destination Sail
It started out a pretty grey day at Aucklands Eastern beach, when 3 Wetas, a kiteboard (Justina) and a coach boat (Chris) turned up for a sail on Sunday morning. But our efforts were well rewarded with an exciting downwind blast to Motuihe island as the cloud burned off and the wind got up to a 20-25 knot Westerly.
Once safely landed on Motuihe, we munched our sandwiches and soaked up the beautiful surroundings. We were treated to a glimpse of local endangered dotterel birds, but we unfortuantly we weren't quick enough (or didn't stay late enough) to see kiwi, even though Chris was energetic enough to run up the hill. Must have been something to do with driving the coach boat all morning! We then got back on the water for a windy upwind sail home, a great chance for a few tips from Chris.
The next rally is at Algies Bay on the 3rd of March - hope to see you there!
- Miranda
Once safely landed on Motuihe, we munched our sandwiches and soaked up the beautiful surroundings. We were treated to a glimpse of local endangered dotterel birds, but we unfortuantly we weren't quick enough (or didn't stay late enough) to see kiwi, even though Chris was energetic enough to run up the hill. Must have been something to do with driving the coach boat all morning! We then got back on the water for a windy upwind sail home, a great chance for a few tips from Chris.
The next rally is at Algies Bay on the 3rd of March - hope to see you there!
- Miranda
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
Season Calendar
19th December - Crew.org.nz rum raceMeet at Westhaven launching ramp carpark around 4.30, the Weta team will be launching no later than 5.30! If you're keen you need to enter the relaxed harbour course style race at http://crew.org.nz/ this might be your chance to test out your skills against Chris!
Jan 20th: Eastern Beach round Motuihe Island
Meet 10am at the end of the Esplanade Drive - bring some lunch!
March 3rd: Algies Bay to Mansion House Bay - Kawau
Meet 9am at the Algies Bay yacht club, there is a cafe at Mansion House or you can put your lunch in the coach boat.
For the destination sails the Weta Team will be there with a coach boat for support, coaching and tips. Remember to bring plenty of warm sailing gear, sunblock, life jacket etc... As always let us know if you know someone who is keen but doesn't have a boat, the demo boats are available.
Cheers,
Miranda
Weta for Sale
Hi,
I have my weta with road trailer for sale on TradeMe this week. It is in excellent condition. Being sold because of my health issue.
New value is $18,300; Price $13,500 ono.
If anyone is interested I can be contacted at cherylneil@xtra.co.nz or tel 021 899 311.
Boat is located in Nelson Bays but can be towed to North Island in New Year.
Thanks, Neil
Tuesday, 20 November 2012
Report on the Weta Summer Rally from Gary
After much debate and pulling of hair the NZ Weta Association decided to mix it up for the 2012 Nationals. Rather than repeat the formula from prior years of hosting a racing event with additional family sailing thrown in we decided it would be fun to head to the Coromandel for a weekend of coaching from Team Weta and some great destination sailing for all the family.
Cometh the hour cometh the man and with high winds forecast for the weekend it was no surprise to receive an email from Team Weta to say that conditions would be challenging but that they would be no problem for the Weta. The Nationals would go ahead as planned. No problem there then only we had family, children and friends in tow expecting a leisurely destination sail to a deserted beach for a picnic and to be whisked home by a following wind to a sizzling bbq, camp fire and a few cool drinks! Throw in some great coaching - what more could you wish for?
Destination Long Bay, Coromandel proved an inspired choice of venue. Never mind sailing, the coast road from Thames to Coromandel Town must rank in the top ten drives in the world. An amazing way to start what turned out to be the most enjoyable of the Weta Nationals to date.
By lunch time Friday we were rigged and ready for the first of the training sessions. Conditions were near perfect with an onshore breeze gusting around 15 knots. Once on the water we were charging around the bay with Chris in hot pursuit giving instruction and tips from the motor boat. And on occasion was seen to come along side and board pirate fashion much to the amazement of the helmsman. As the wind speed picked up we headed out of the bay sailing around one of the smaller offshore islands. It was a great afternoon sail in near perfect conditions. And if I can put into action a tenth of the tips I got from Chris my sailing will improve ten fold. A day made perfect by dinner at the amazing Muscle Kitchen.
As you might expect as more Weta's, family and friends arrived the stronger the winds began to blow. Our weekend was now in the hands of the Gods and Team Weta. Saturday's treasure island sail for the children was hastily changed into a destination sail to Roger's Bach that would entail negotiating a narrow channel where we were reassuringly told that if we got into trouble we could beach on starboard and pull the boat through like some canal barge horse no doubt! "Whatever you do keep away from the rocks to port!" Chris advised. Thank heavens the crew were still in the cabin putting on their sun block and missed this part of the briefing!
Four up including two twelve year old girls we headed out into the Pacific in a gale! What fun as we raced out of the bay with the girls getting a good soaking but loving every moment. We had a bit of a scare as we approached the channel as my jibe was not as tidy as it might have been! In any other boat we would have been in the water but the Weta is very forgiving so we recovered and sailed into the channel with a decent following breeze. Picking up a large wave we surfed through the channel to the delight and wonder of us all but most especially me.
Home and dry well not quite. Home and very very wet but a wonderful sail to the Kitchen bach. As we munched our sandwiches and patted ourselves on the back for a job well done the wind seemed to hear us and decided to up the ante for the sail home. Not sure how but some brave souls managed to sail home negotiating the channel from the beach. A couple of Wetas turned turtle but managed to limp home in shame. But great tales were told at the evening BBQ. And somehow unseem to many of us the children's treasure hunt went ahead as well (on dry land).
By Sunday the Weta diehards had to tip their hats to the wind and even Geoff our "Mr Intrepid" called it a day blaming his better half!
All in all a great weekend spent with the Wetas, family and friends.
GSN
Chairman Weta Association NZ
After much debate and pulling of hair the NZ Weta Association decided to mix it up for the 2012 Nationals. Rather than repeat the formula from prior years of hosting a racing event with additional family sailing thrown in we decided it would be fun to head to the Coromandel for a weekend of coaching from Team Weta and some great destination sailing for all the family.
Cometh the hour cometh the man and with high winds forecast for the weekend it was no surprise to receive an email from Team Weta to say that conditions would be challenging but that they would be no problem for the Weta. The Nationals would go ahead as planned. No problem there then only we had family, children and friends in tow expecting a leisurely destination sail to a deserted beach for a picnic and to be whisked home by a following wind to a sizzling bbq, camp fire and a few cool drinks! Throw in some great coaching - what more could you wish for?
Destination Long Bay, Coromandel proved an inspired choice of venue. Never mind sailing, the coast road from Thames to Coromandel Town must rank in the top ten drives in the world. An amazing way to start what turned out to be the most enjoyable of the Weta Nationals to date.
By lunch time Friday we were rigged and ready for the first of the training sessions. Conditions were near perfect with an onshore breeze gusting around 15 knots. Once on the water we were charging around the bay with Chris in hot pursuit giving instruction and tips from the motor boat. And on occasion was seen to come along side and board pirate fashion much to the amazement of the helmsman. As the wind speed picked up we headed out of the bay sailing around one of the smaller offshore islands. It was a great afternoon sail in near perfect conditions. And if I can put into action a tenth of the tips I got from Chris my sailing will improve ten fold. A day made perfect by dinner at the amazing Muscle Kitchen.
As you might expect as more Weta's, family and friends arrived the stronger the winds began to blow. Our weekend was now in the hands of the Gods and Team Weta. Saturday's treasure island sail for the children was hastily changed into a destination sail to Roger's Bach that would entail negotiating a narrow channel where we were reassuringly told that if we got into trouble we could beach on starboard and pull the boat through like some canal barge horse no doubt! "Whatever you do keep away from the rocks to port!" Chris advised. Thank heavens the crew were still in the cabin putting on their sun block and missed this part of the briefing!
Four up including two twelve year old girls we headed out into the Pacific in a gale! What fun as we raced out of the bay with the girls getting a good soaking but loving every moment. We had a bit of a scare as we approached the channel as my jibe was not as tidy as it might have been! In any other boat we would have been in the water but the Weta is very forgiving so we recovered and sailed into the channel with a decent following breeze. Picking up a large wave we surfed through the channel to the delight and wonder of us all but most especially me.
Home and dry well not quite. Home and very very wet but a wonderful sail to the Kitchen bach. As we munched our sandwiches and patted ourselves on the back for a job well done the wind seemed to hear us and decided to up the ante for the sail home. Not sure how but some brave souls managed to sail home negotiating the channel from the beach. A couple of Wetas turned turtle but managed to limp home in shame. But great tales were told at the evening BBQ. And somehow unseem to many of us the children's treasure hunt went ahead as well (on dry land).
By Sunday the Weta diehards had to tip their hats to the wind and even Geoff our "Mr Intrepid" called it a day blaming his better half!
All in all a great weekend spent with the Wetas, family and friends.
GSN
Chairman Weta Association NZ
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