Saturday’s sky was a bit weird, but the wind gods did not disappoint, with consistent 15~18 knot afternoon sea breeze assisted by a bit of gradient input, and a few bullets of 20 knots or more to keep competitors on their toes. Yet there was only one capsize in four races back to back. The big and outrageously spectacular F18 spinnaker boats always provide great eye candy, but amazingly, even the little Hobie 14s were being sent, the whole fleet enjoying the power in the breeze. Like the Hobie 16, the vintage Hobie 14 is enjoying a resurgence of interest in Australia - they are cheap to buy and own, unsophisticated, and yet provide excellent one-design match racing. Likewise the Hobie 18, popular in the 1980s, has found a new generation of enthusiasts with a modern take, and yet still economical to buy and own. The Formula boats (F15, F16, F18) are a more serious investment, but if you appreciate spectacular power and speed, the return on investment pays off!

The fleet size was a bit reduced thanks to injuries and weddings (rude!) but still had three divisions: Div 1 with Hobie 14s, Div 2 with Hobie 16 and 18s, and Div 3 spinnaker boats comprised of F16 Vipers, F18s, and a lone Nacra 15 sailed by Australia’s hopefuls at the World Youth Sailing Championships, Emma Webb and Sam Dalton. Emma and Sam didn’t win their division, but they won the hearts of all with their irrepressible sense of fun infused with determination. But the youngest skipper this regatta was Oliver Leech, with his dad Geoff crewing on a Hobie 18. Visiting sailors came from Lake Macquarie, Kurnell, Vincentia, and the Mannering Park teams featured an all girl crew skippered by their young Catamaran Commodore, Emily Henderson with even younger crew Lily. So many great young sailors bode well for the sport, which has to compete with so many options these days.

Saturday racing was curtailed after four races due to an impending thunderstorm, with all boats back on the beach at Sandy Point, and crews safely under cover before it hit. A fun dinner was held at Club Palm beach.Then a calm followed the storm rather than preceding it, which lasted until late Sunday morning...

Sunday racing was therefore postponed till about 11:00 while we waited for the wind gods to get out of bed. They argued amongst themselves about direction for a while, with some confused winds making the first race a bit awkward, but the nor-east god eventually took the helm and we got in two more champagne races in glorious 12 knots and brilliant sunshine - one of those perfect Pittwater days for the ages. A couple of withdrawals - inevitable in multi-day regattas - didn’t upset the score sheets much, with the trophy and prize giving under the shade of Woorak Reserve’s gum trees: 3D printed catamarans with bullets for hulls, the decades old logo for the Beware the Bullets Regatta (thanks to one of our talented volunteers Bec Greentree). 

Palm Beach Sailing Club hosted this event on the 15-16th of November. 

Winners: 
Hobie 14 - Jon Hoile, Palm Beach Sailing Club
Hobie 16 - Anthony Duchatel & Evelyn Harves
Hobie 18 - John & Bronte Forbes (but hotly contested!)
F18/F16/F15 spinnaker boats - Kerry Driver & Andrew Williams/Angus Musgrove

Words by Dick Clarke, the Commodore of Palm Beach Sailing Club.