The Seagull Regatta, which has been held annually since 1980, took place this year over Easter Weekend. It saw boats exploring the Waikato River, from Karapiro through to Hoods Landing.
Scrutineering for the endurance run took place on Easter Friday. The regatta would take in the fastflowing waters of the upper stream, slow-moving waters surrounded by Waikato farmland, and the challenging tide-against-wind water conditions of the delta near Hoods Landing, approximately 160km downriver from the start. Challenges would include narrow gorges in the upper part of the course and treacherous sandbars of the lower reaches.
DAY ONE
The event proper started on Saturday morning when the boats were launched, and Seagull outboards were fitted and fuelled. The smaller 2½ hp Seagull-powered craft left first, accompanied by much noise and clouds of burning two-stroke oil. While not quite a Le Mans start, it was still full of drama – the swift Waikato ensures a quick trip to Cambridge, whether under power or not.
Starting times were staggered for those vessels prepared for speed, most of them homebuilt, along with mass-produced dinghies, plus exotic one-offs from the likes of Southern Spars.
This year a class for modern low horsepower outboard motors (up to 8hp) was included, to broaden participation in the event.
The flotilla roared downriver from Karapiro through to Cambridge and on to Hamilton, where road crews were waiting with essentials such as MacDonald’s and coffee. Then on to Ngaruawahia for refuelling, before heading to Rangiriri, the end point for Day One, where timekeepers recorded each vessel’s time for the 100km run.
That evening the Rangiriri Hotel provided hot showers and a great meal, accompanied by stories of the day’s adventures.
DAY TWO
Sunday morning’s pre-race briefing was all about navigating to avoid the shallows and sand bars. Later, the incoming tide would give the lower river more depth. Towards the delta, a myriad of channels await to catch out the unwary, but with support boats on the water to help and smart phone navigation, most crews navigated the approximately 65km-run to Hoods Landing without issue.
The prizegiving was held at the Waiuku Golf Club, accompanied by a great meal and many stories shared. All participants received a certificate to show they had conquered the mighty Waikato River, which included their time for the event – a time to beat next Easter perhaps?
Many participants stayed overnight to visit the Waiuku Museum, which includes the British Seagull exhibition celebrating 30 years of the event and a display of Emirates Team NZ’s 26ft Seagull-powered vessel, which was previously a successful entrant. BNZ www.seagulloutboard.com
