In the 'old' days we used to say 'Packing for Perth!', now it is simply "Packing for Provincials'.

There is a HUUUUUUUGE contingent from ABYC going down to Swartvlei this weekend, the 22nd to the 25th September 2006, in order to sail in the East Cape Dinghy Provincial Championships.

Confirmed so far are the following:

Optimist Fleet:

• Joshua Woolard
• Kyrone Van Der Merwe
• Thomas Ochabski
• Matt Van Rensburg
• Richard Hurley
• Mzamo Matiwane
• Sarah Arnold
• Scott Stephens

O9'er Fleet:

• Celene Gerard
• Sakumzi Gqamana
• Zamale Monki
• Abbie Du Plessis
• Ross Bonnage

Regatta:

• Jason Schaefer/ Dylan Price
• Jim Foot

Mirrors:

• Dayne & Kerry Bonnage

Laser:

• Phillipa Baer
• Sakhumzi Tyutyu

If we have left anyone off of this list please let me know - alan [at] abyc.org.za.

Accompanying the sailors will be a support contingent of 26 parents and support persons who will all be doing important jobs such as: boat loaders, trailer shaking, drinking, land based bridge officers, amateur sea lawyers, boat repair management, sail repair supervision and course criticism.

Yesterday, Gordon Webber had the onerous task of examining candidates for the Rubber Duck Coxswain's course certification. Quite a change from doing safety inspections on 50 foot luxury catamarans I am sure, but, that is the nature of the sailing beast - we try to be all things to all people.

Doing the practical and theory on water examination were Sakhumzi Tyutyu, Luncedo Bashman, Ocean Solwandle, Phillipa Baer, Kaitlyn Moore, Kerry Bonnage, Ronnie Baer, Alan Straton and Tony Zurcher.

All the above candidates were given the Gordon Webber stamp of approval and now can look forward to even more time on the water acting as rescue, mark layers and coach support boats at the various dinghy regattas coming up - don't forget the two big ones, Mirror Nationals in the last five days of September and the Mirror World Championships at ABYC in January 2007.

Thanks Gordon for once again giving up of your precious Lesley time and well done to the newly approxed RIB Coxswains.

Click HERE to see the rogues gallery.

"Roll out yer dinghies, roll out yer dinghies!"

September is a busy month for dinghy sailors, coming up this month:

• This weekend the 16th and 17th September - IN POLITE CIRCLES THIS IS CALLED A BIG FAT EDIT: The dinghies were chomping at the bit to get going and forgot to check the calendar so the REVISED program for this weekend looks like this - Normal Sailing School on Saturday, pack boats on Sunday for the great trek down to Swartvlei.
• On Sunday Morning, starting at 10:00 a.m. there will be a Rubber Duck Skippers Course and Certification for ALL interested persons.
• The following weekend sees the great trek down to Swartvlei for the East Cape Provincial Championships. Racing takes place from the 23rd to the 25th September.
• Then the Mirror Nationals will be held at ABYC from the 27th to the 30th September, AND
• Some of our dinghy sailors will be at the Kwa-Zulu Natal Provincial Championships at the same time.

Download the ABYC Sailing Calendar HERE