Sailors prep for Hobie nationals
Sailing season may have just started in Durban, but local sailors are counting down to the upcoming Hobie 14 Nationals this Easter weekend.
THE countdown is on for this year’s Hobie 14 Nationals hosted by Point Yacht Club, the colourful catamarans will be taking to the waters offshore of Durban at the Easter long-weekend, 25 to 28 March.
The Hobie 14 is staging a remarkable resurgence in Durban recently. Interest in the class, which sails mainly off the Point Yacht Club’s Beach site at Vetch’s, has grown to such an extent in the past 18 months the boats are changing hands quite fast.
It is understood that the Point Yacht Club now boasts the biggest fleet of club sailed 14’s in the world. Owner’s ages range from early
teens to early 80’s.
The Hobie 14 Nationals promises to attract a large fleet from around the country, including defending champion, Cape Town’s William Edwards who was also recently crowned the Hobie 16 champion offshore of Durban with Lucinda Williams. The winner of Durban’s 2015 edition of ‘Bart’s Bash’, Jethro Brophy-Tintinger entered on a 14’ in an event sailed in testing conditions, while Eastern Cape based 14’er, Blaine Dobbs, is the current World Champion.
All the boats that are raced frequently are fitted with trapezes which adds to their allure as a fun unit.
Event Organising Chairman, Wayne Smith said, “We hope to see the fleet numbers close to 40 boats from all over South Africa. Blaine Dobbs is familiar with local waters so the home fleet will be hard pressed to rein him in. However local stalwarts Garth Louden, Peter Hall, Sean Fennessy, Greg De Beyer and a number of up and coming youngsters won’t be intimidated by the competition and, true to the Hobie style, will sail hard and fast.”
The theme for the 2016 regatta is Hobie Vintage in recognition of a class that has stood the test of time. There will be as much fun on-shore as there will be sailing, with some festive shore events planned. This will be a long weekend to remember for all competitors.
The Point Yacht Club will host this year’s Hobie 14 National Championship which will be sailed off iconic Vetch’ Beach. Visit www.hobiecatkzn.co.za or contact the Point Yacht Club on 031 301 4787 to enter.
