8am on Tuesday 6th March saw seven Kaiapoi High School students eagerly rigging dinghies at Mount Pleasant Yacht Club.

The promise of imminent rain didn’t dampen their enthusiasm of competing in the regatta. The team helped each other with their boats and were rigged prior to any other teams arriving. All teams sat in on the briefing at 9:15am and were on the water by 9:35am.

Racing commenced 10 minutes later as a light mist descended on the estuary. Immediately Flynn Johnson took the lead in his Starling, while the rest of the fleet fought to improve their placings. The wind was light, so much skill and subtle changes to boat settings were required to make good progress. By about midday the first boats were finishing in somewhat wet conditions. Flynn finished first overall and first in the Starling category. Jasmine Pittam came third overall and first in the Laser section. Amelia Collins and Georgina Lowry sailed a Sunburst together and, after an unexpected capsize, were fourth over the line and first in the Sunburst category. Fletcher Johnson was first in the ‘P class’ category, while Alex Humphry was the only competitor with a Firebug dinghy. Ben Lowry came in second in ‘P class’. Hence the team did well enough to win overall and receive the Rotary Trophy. 

The students all sailed brilliantly and a great day was had by all.