Quantum Sails 9Hour Endurance Race

Henley Midmar Dam: 25 February

Sailors from around the country gather to compete in the fun, testing Quantum Sails 9Hour Endurance Race that takes place at the scenic Henley Midmar Dam on Saturday 25 February.

The popular inland sailing venue of Midmar Dam is the setting for all shapes and classes of wind powered boats in a race that began over 20 years ago with the idea of having both competitive and pleasure boats racing side by side on the same course. Having just had thousands of swimmers test their endurance paddling through the water, sailors now test their endurance as they navigate around a trapezoid or square shaped course for nine hours.

Two highly skilled skippers take turns to helm their yachts with regular change overs of crews, which makes this race unique and exciting. The yachts steer close to land where the fresh crew await in the changeover zone; frantic bodies are seen clambering up from the shallow water onto the moving boats or leaping off. The changeover zone is close to shore enabling spectators to get involved in the fabulously entertaining event.

Classes include catamarans, all types of dinghies, Hunters and keelboats. Racing starts mid-morning on Saturday with each boat being awarded a handicap ahead of the race. Teams will stick to their tactics notching up as many laps as they can in the set period of the race.

A number of prizes are awarded in this highly competitive event; teams have the opportunity to win in line honours in both the senior and junior fleet; the first dinghy, keelboat or multihull. Class prizes will be awarded for the first in the class where a minimum of four boats shall constitute a class. Handicap honours is determined after eight hours and will be awarded to the first, second and third in the senior fleet, and first in the junior fleet

Well respected Durban sailor and Manager of Quantum Sails, Craig Millar enthused, "The Quantum Sails 9Hour Endurance Race is always well supported with guys coming from far and wide to compete. It makes for a great day of fun on the water for young and old."

Talking about the development aspect of the event, Millar continued, "We have, as the sponsors, put an emphasis on youth and development and as such, all under 19 entrants will get a free regatta T shirt and development sailors will pay a much reduced entry fee. Because the race is open to all classes, you have the young enthusiastic sailors getting to spend time on the water with the more experienced sailors. They get to see the tactics unfold as the race progresses and hopefully learn while they race."

Finishing off the festivities of the day, sailors will gather on the banks of the dam and be treated to the unique sounds of Durban band, Avade.

The Quantum Sails 9Hour Endurance Race is a highlight in the sailing calendar with no other event quite like this on offer and families all merge on the dam on Saturday 25 February for a wonderful day out on the water.

For race queries contact Rob Bell on 073 961 8006 or robbell@ushomi.co.za

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4 & 5 February: Offshore Durban

The second of three overnight races will be sailed offshore of Durban on 4 February giving hard core sailors valuable night hours in the build up to KwaZulu Natal's premier blue water ocean race, the international Vasco Da Gama Race that takes place in April.

A highlight on the local sailing calendar, the Vasco Da Gama Race pushes yachtsmen to their limit as they navigate the wild KwaZulu Natal coastline sailing non-stop from Maputo to Durban. The host club, the Royal Natal Yacht Club, has organised three overnight races for competitors to ready themselves for the short demanding race, where they will also be sailing through the night.

The first overnight race was sailed down to Umkomas with winds in the late teens dipping down to a gentle 4knots. Sailors raced down to a virtual mark three miles offshore of the river mouth, rounding the mark and then enjoyed a spinnaker ride home. Four yachts took to the challenge completing the 'There-and-Back' race with dawn breaking as they sailed back into the harbour.

"The purpose of the overnight races is for crew to get used to sailing in the dark, adjusting their eyes to the pitch black surroundings, being able to identify lights, using these to aid navigation and familiarising the team with the roles of nightwatch duties." said the Rear Commodore for the Royal Natal Yacht Club, Gregg Dobson. "Sailing at night certainly can be more hazardous with the uncertainty of what surrounds you but it is magical as well. Guiding the boat silently forward, aiming for a star on the horizon while the rest of the world is fast asleep is a profound experience."

Last year the International Vasco Da Gama Race coincided with a big front moving up the coast and most of the boats participating holed out in Richards Bay escaping the pounding oceans and excessive winds that reached 50knots assaulting the boats. The spring weather always offers the racers relatively big winds with strong prevailing North Easters or South Westerlys challenging the fleet.

The second of the Royal Natal Yacht Club's overnight races will have experienced sailors racing offshore over the weekend of February 4 and 5, increasing their night hours ahead of the international Vasco Da Gama Race.

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27 April – 1 May: Offshore Durban

Vetches Pier over the Freedom Day long weekend will be awash with white sails as top sailors nationwide head to Durban to compete in the Riverview Manor Freedom Day Regatta featuring the 2012 SA Laser Nationals hosted jointly by the Point and Royal Natal Yacht Clubs.

It has been over a decade since the high performance class of Lasers has been sailed competitively in the warm Indian Ocean. The class of Laser sailboats is the most popular international adult racing class and every Laser is identical. It is a single-handed Olympic Class boat and is a challenging boat that rewards athleticism, subtle helming and trimming techniques, as well as tactical excellence.

The defending champion, Rudy McNeil from the Choose Life High Performance Team, will be back to defend his title, having been crowned at the 2011 Club Mykonos Laser Nationals. The local lad has just returned from participating in the ISAF World Champs in Perth, in an attempt to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics. He will be using this event to polish off his Olympic preparation.

Pictured on Vetches Beach just after sunrise are Olympic hopeful, Rudy McNeil; national sailor Tamzin Gennissen and Choose Life High Performance sailor Byron Watt with a Laser.

Pic by Sophie Thompson

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Durban Harbour: Saturday 28 January

The annual visit of the majestic RMS Queen Mary II will be coming into port for her third time on 28 January and the Royal Natal Yacht Club is offering a memorable experience for two members of the public to get up close and personal to the most magnificent cruise ship ever built.

The first major ocean liner built since the RMS Queen Elizabeth II in 1969, the RMS Queen Mary II is the flagship of the Cunard line and was named by Queen Elizabeth II. Classed as the biggest ocean liner in the world, her first call to Durban was in March 2010 when she stopped in port for a day and thousands of people flocked to see her arrive and sail off. She again visited our shores early last year for a day before sailing to Mauritius.

In 1839, Queen Victoria awarded Samuel Cunard the first ever licence to deliver mail across the Atlantic, proudly granting his steam ship the honoured title RMS or a Royal Mail Steamer. In 2004 RMS (Royal Mail Ship) Queen Mary II was awarded this privileged title and continues to celebrate this golden heritage.

This year, she will be stopping in at port for a day arriving early in the morning and then departing at 6pm sailing to Mauritius. Steeped in royal history, the Royal Natal Yacht Club, the oldest yacht club in Africa that was founded 153 years ago is inviting two members of the public to be part of the royal, colourful and cheerful flotilla that waves her off on 28 January.

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27 – 30 December: Henley Midmar Yacht Club

Four days of stunning sailing conditions saw 72 boats on the water taking part in the combined SAS KZN Provincials and Sprog and Halcat Nationals held at Midmar Dam from 27 to 30 December.

The event attracted top contenders as they jostled positions in the large fleet, including the Robinson family sailing in the Sprogs under the Royal Natal Yacht Club burgee and UK based Andrew Tarboton who has just competed in the ISAF World Champs in Perth competing in the Laser class

The Sprogs had 20 boats competing in the class and the race officer managed to get in 15 races over the competition, which allowed for three discards. The Robinson brother and sister team of Ricky and Kath dominated the class with four firsts and four seconds; they started and ended the regatta in top spot. Ricky is the current reigning L26; Mirror and adding to the list, the 2011 Sprog champion.

The Halcats had a fleet of 19 bright colourful sails in their class, sailing a total of 14 races with two discards. Roger Hill from Trichardtsfontein Dam near Secunda, was the outright winner with an impressive ten firsts and two seconds. His next rival was Royal Natal Yacht Club's Steve Hegerstrom from Hillcrest, followed by Gareth Elias from Ballito.

The Lasers had a fleet of 27, the fast paced dinghies managed to get in 15 races over the four days, giving them three discards. Professional sailor, Andrew Tarboton from Morningside took line honours. Tarboton notched up eight firsts and three thirds putting him on top of the log in front of G Caroline and Patrick Harris.

The class has a busy year ahead with the upcoming 2012 Laser Nationals taking place offshore of Durban in April.

Laser competitor and Rear Commodore for the Royal Natal Yacht Club, Gregg Dobson said, "It is very promising to see that we had so many young sailors out on the water at Midmar. Five of the top ten entries in the Sprog class comprised of family units."

The Sprog is a high performance two person racing dinghy and is a proudly South African designed boat and the Halcat is a small two person catamaran with a trapeze, both boats don't have a spinnaker. Lasers are a one person Olympic class racing dinghy.

Results

Sprogs
1 R Robinson and K Robinson (RNYC), 2 J Wright and T Gennissen (PSC), 3 P Bennett (VLC), 4 T Bingham and J Woolard (PYC), 5 B Robinson and M Robinson (RNYC), 6 A Ham and J Ham (PSC), 7 D Leigh and G Matter (ZLYC), 8 L Wagner and V Patrick (HMYC), 9 S Quarmby (PSC) 10 G Hurter and S Hurter (PYC)

Halcats
1 R Hill (WYAC), 2 S Hegerstrom (RNYC), 3 G Elias (PYC), 4 S Fennessy and L Fennessy (PYC), 5 J Von Niebel (ISC), 6 M Elias and S McGill, 7 G Weyer (ISC), 8 R Barr(AFYC), 9 E Page (ISC), 10 MP Myburgh (BYC)

Laser
1 A Tarboton (HMYC), 2 G Caroline (BSC), 3 P Harris, 4 B Gray (HMYC), 5 R Tarboton (HMYC), 6 C Whitburn (VLC), 7 G Dobson (RNYC), 8 H Frencken (PYC), 9 N Matter, 10 S Dommett (HMYC)

Laser Radial
1 M Russell (ZLYC), 2 M Gaughran (PYC), 3 M Caroline (BSC), 4 M Peers (BSC), 5 M Hawksworth (HMYC), 6 J Matter (PYC)

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Sunday 8 January: Offshore Durban

Twenty four boats in three divisions sailed in the first Royal Natal Yacht Club offshore race of the year, the Umdhloti Mayor's Keeler Offshore Race on Sunday 8 January.

The team on Flying Spaghetti Monster, a Mount Gay 30 took line honours in the racing division in a fleet of ten monohull yachts. Skipper Gregg Hurter from Morningside sailed a magnificent race in a 12knot East-North-Easterly wind with a slight sea running.

Commodore for the Royal Natal Yacht Club, Richard Crockett added to his silverware, competing in the cruising class and helmed the yacht, Caversham Caprice to top position in a fleet of 11 yachts.

The zippy class of multihulls competed on the same course as the racing class and had three competitors, with the strong rivalry continuing between Sean Jones on Bandit and Andrew Dolloway on Lady Bird, Jones began the year with an impressive win over Dolloway.

Race officer for the day, Ron Schwalbach from the South African Maritime Academy set two 'There-and-Back' courses dropping a mark for the racing class off the Umhlanga River Mouth and the cruising class amrk a mile and a half off La Lucia beach.

The proactive yacht club is gearing up for the first of three overnight races ahead of the highly competitive international Vasco Da Gama Race that takes place at the end of April. "All the yachts that compete in the Vasco need some night racing practice with entering ports during nightime being an important component. The yachts set out in the late afternoon and race offshore for seven or eight hours and then enter the port under light." Rear Commodore of the Royal Natal Yacht Club, Gregg Dobson enthused.

If you would like to get involved in the wonderful water sport, contact Chantel at the Royal Natal Yacht Club for more info on the RNYC Garmin Twilight Wednesday Night Sailing Series where the yacht club welcomes newcomers.

Racing Class
1 Flying Spaghetti Monster (Gregg Hurter), 2 Palucci (Warren Clark), 3 Tranxene (Horst Keil), 4 Sticky Fingers (Rob Samways), 5 Aquavit (Ross McGill), 6 Zap (Graham Rose)

Cruising Class
1 Caversham Caprice (Richard Crockett), 2 Inside Out (Phil Downing), 3 Sundance H (Errol Rutherford), 4 Jennabee (Peter Goble), 5 Legionaire (Murray Calder), 6 Hobbit (Sean Keogh)

Multihulls
1 Bandit (Sean Jones), 2 Lady Bird (Andrew Dolloway), 3 Crazy Diamond (Wayne Smith)

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Durban: 16 – 18 December

It was a weekend where the defending champions all kept their titles safely in tact at both the Flying

Fifteen Provincial Championships hosted by Royal Natal Yacht Club and the Hunters Provincials hosted by Henley Midmar Yacht Club.

Down in Durban ten Flying Fifteens took to the water in magnificent sailing conditions offshore and in the bay for the Provincial Championships. A total of ten races were sailed over the long weekend with Jeremy Kriek and Patrick Harris dominating the proceedings.

On Friday, Race Officer Jimmy Melville managed to get in four races offshore in a light North Easterly breeze with all the races being a Windward Leeward course. Saturday saw the competitors tackle an Olympic Triangle course with another four races being sailed in a moderate North Easterly. The final day saw Melville opt for a Windward Leeward course in the harbour due to the conditions that picked up.

Kriek and Harris exerted their authority in the Flying Fifteen class and managed to walk away with eight firsts and two seconds and were delighted with their success. Harris from Hillcrest claimed, "It was great to be out on the water and have the opportunity to sail offshore. Jeremy and I loved the conditions and stuck to our tactics which served us well. It was wonderful to see the amount of guys sailing in the provincials and we were extremely happy that we were able to stay on top of the leader board."

Up at Midmar Dam the Hunters Provincials had brothers, Luke and Stephen Wagner show their prowess in the Hunters sailing class. Two teams from the Royal Natal Yacht Club travelled up to Midmar to compete.

A total of twelve races were completed over the three days with an extremely strong fleet competing. Most races the time between the first boat and the last boat crossing the finishing line was on average ten minutes. Sixteen teams from around the country travelled to the blissful setting.

The Rear Commodore for the Royal Natal Yacht Club joined forces with Rob Samways and they worked hard gaining a fourth position overall. Umhlanga sailor, Chris Frost paired up with Ballito's Gareth Elias walked away with a well deserved fifth. Frost stated, "It is the third time in four years that I have sailed a Hunter, so I am very pleased with our overall efforts. It was a fantastic event, and we managed to get the full quota of races in and always wonderful to be out on the water."

Results for the Flying Fifteens Provincials
1 Jeremy Kriek / Patrick Harris, 2 Peter Funke / Thomas Funke, 3 Mike Wright / Mike Surgeson, 4 Steve Hegerstrom / Ngcobo, 5 Craig Campbell / Ian Hogg, 6 Miles Wright / Estelle Buys, 7 Henry Fenker / Andrew Walford, 8 Clive Watson / Trish Kilburn, 9 Jeremy Beckett / Richard Potgieter

Results for Hunters Provincials
1 Luke Wagner / Stephen Wagner, 2 John Bruckman / Dave Martinson, 3 Paul Changuion / Tim Duguid, 4 Rob Samways / Gregg Dobson, 5 Chris Frost / Gareth Elias

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Umhlanga: Sunday 18 December

The defending champions claimed victory in the second Umhlanga MTN Summer Carnival's 12km / 18km Trail Run and Walk with Eric Ngubane and Mandy Matthews regaining their titles in the growing sport of trail running.

Ngubane paced himself well, at the first water point he was tucked behind Sandile Lembathe as the duo charged through the 8km mark with only 43minutes on the clock. Peter Sehlope was a few paces off the front runners but had them safely in sight. As they turned around the corner after the water table, they were greeted with a mountainous climb for the next four kilometres.

"The toughest part for me was from the first table to Sibaya, we hard to work a lot harder around the ten kilometre mark, using a lot more mental strength." stated a tired Ngubane. "I knew the route from having run this event a couple of times now but somehow the hills took a lot more out of me."

Ngubane, a well recognised road runner uses the sport of trail running to strengthen his body, "it is a thinking race, and constantly you are concentrating where to put your feet as the terrain changes all the time. We ran on tar roads, through sugarcane fields, the Hawaan Forest, gravel roads and the final killer 2km stretch on the beach. The changing environment just makes for a more exciting race."

Ngubane took a narrow lead at the halfway mark and hung onto it for the remainder of the race. "The final river crossing was challenging, the depth was about chest high in places and I took the quicker refreshing option of swimming."

"Running on the sand was extremely hard. The gap I had created widened a bit as Sandile battled wading through the river. I relished the sight of the finish line."

Completing the 18km in a shattering 1.16.05, Ngubane had close to two minutes on the second place runner, Sandile Lembathe as he took a wrong turn in the forest but finished with a respectable time of 1.17.56. Sehlope battled in the last 5kilometers but managed to cross the line in bronze position. Sehlope and Lembathe both specialise in the shorter distances and were elated at their mornings efforts.

Local lass, Mandy Matthews lead from the start in the small field of brave women who elected to run the 18km. She was delighted with her race, "Wow, I just loved it, loved it, loved it! This is my second time running this event and everything was just perfect. I found the hills through the sugarcane to be challenging, and the soft beach sand to be extremely difficult but the beautiful scenery throughout was utterly rewarding. The section where you hugged the M4 and had 180degree views of Umhlanga and the ocean were just magnificent."

Matthews has been running off road for a few years now, escaping at every available opportunity with her husband, Marc, to attack the trails.

A field of 280 hardcore adventurous runners, almost double the amount that lined up at the previous year's start, took to the gruelling course on a sweltering Sunday morning. Competitors had the choice of the 12km or 18km but both offered runners and walkers two river crossings and a variety of terrain.

Race Organiser, Buzz Bolton was delighted with the outcome, "We lengthened the route by an extra 2kilometers and have had great feedback from the guys as they came across some new interesting obstacles. I am overwhelmed with the response that we had, we wanted to cap the race at 250 people but were flooded with entries from around the country and accommodated as many as possible. This event is creating a name for itself in running circles as more and more people are falling in love with this kind of race."

Marketing Manager of race sponsors, Salomon, Jackie Moore said, "Being able to get off the roads and onto the trails is awesome and certainly is stunning running through these parts of the north coast! The guys appreciated that the race wasn't too technical and had a nice variety of terrain."

Peter Rose, chairman of the Umhlanga Tourism raved about the event, "I can't think of a better setting for this kind of event. We have so much to offer runners with a variety of terrain that they can traverse and experience."

The next race will be held over Easter on Monday 9 April, for more details on entering contact Buzz Bolton on buzzhilde@vodamail.co.za

Results

Men's 18km
1 Eric Ngubane (1.16.05), 2 Sandile Lembathe (1.17.56), 3 Peter Sehlope (1.20.09)

Women's 18km
1 Mandy Matthews (1.54.05), 2 Mandy Walters (1.56.20), 3 Jetaime Ribbink (1.56.45)

Men's 12km
1 Carlos Hartman (1.09.33), 2 Billy White (1.10.21), 3 Dean Marais (1.10.52)

Women's 12km
1 Karen Bahrens (1.11.25), 2 Michelle Morten (1.11.43), 3 Lisa Stewart (1.12.16)

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Rupert Ellis Brown Dinghy Bay Series and Protea Cup Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November

A successful weekend of sailing saw boats of all shapes and sizes tackle two races, on Saturday the dinghies took to tranquil waters in the bay for the Rupert Ellis Brown Dinghy Bay Series and Sunday 10 keelboats battled a 25knot Beasterly Easterly and wild seas in the Protea Cup 'There-and-Back' race.

The final round of the Royal Natal Yacht Club's Rupert Ellis Brown Dinghy Bay Series concluded with 30 dinghies sailing a windward-leeward course set by race officer, Graham Rose. The small crafts completed four races in the deep water area of the harbour in a pleasant 6-10 knot breeze.

Preparing for the upcoming Flying Fifteen Provincials, a good fleet enjoyed the welcome practice. Estelle Buys paired up with Gareth Elias for the final leg of the series and lead on Saturday's leader board streaking ahead of the competition. But the duo of Patrick Harris and Jeremy Kriek topped the overall log with 18 points after their consistent sailing over the three race days. They were followed by Craig Campbell and Ian Hogg on 32 points, claiming second position and the bronze went to Clinton Henry and Patricia Kilburn with 35 points.

The highly competitive Laser class had 14 boats on the water participating on the final day, with the Rear Commodore Gregg Dobson finishing on 23 points walking away with overall honours. Dobson had some tough competition, including Alexander Campbell who has recently been competing in the New Zealand National Laser Championships in Torbay and Rudi MacNeil who is currently competing in the ISAF World Champs in Perth with the hopes of qualifying for the 2012 Olympics. Campbell was the runner up with 34 points and MacNeil being awarded third position finishing on 51 points.

The Rupert Ellis Brown was competed over four Saturdays in November. The first and last Saturdays had the agile crafts sailing in superb conditions with a number of junior sailors jumping on brightly coloured Terras and Dabchicks to enjoy the sunshine. The second Saturday was blown out with winds gusting to around 45knots and the third race being sailed in extremely wet conditions.

The Protea Cup 'There-and-Back' race recorded 17 entries but heavy sea conditions had only ten yachts bravely cross the start line. The gorgeous racing craft, BMA skippered by Alec Lanham-Love set the pace enroute to the marker off Umdhloti, followed by Sticky Fingers with Rob Samways at the helm and Gregg Hurter on Flying Spaghetti Monster.

The cruising class sailed towards Umhlanga with skipper Vernon Goss on Bellisima leading the fleet consisting of four boats. Goss took an early lead keeping his nose in front on the windward leeward course. He was followed by Phil Downing on his yacht, Inside Out and Christo Howell on Sovereign. Errol Rutherford sailing on Sundance finished in fourth.

Gregg Dobson commented after the race, "The sea became a little steep especially sailing past the river mouths. Nearly all the boats took water over the decks and we sailed in winds in excess of 30knots." Smiling he continued, "The sleigh ride home was exhilarating to say the least. A couple of broaches, some shredded kites and a spectacular Chinese Gybe by Monster reminded everyone of the skills needed to drive boats downwind, surfing at speeds of around 20knots."

The Royal Natal Yacht Club looks forward to the long weekend with loads on the go for all of the water boys and girls with the Flying Fifteen Provincial Championships, the 'Xmas' Regatta and a number of their sailors competing in the HMYC Hunter Provincials.

If you would like to jump on board a yacht and start sailing, contact Chantel on 031 301 5425 to find out about the Royal Natal Yacht Club Garmin Twilight Series, all are welcome.

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Entries will be closing soon for the LIZZARD SUMMER SURF competition which is taking place in Umhlanga and is the opening event for the seventh annual Umhlanga MTN Summer Carnival.

The Umhlanga MTN Summer Carnival has a fantastic line up of events this year including a Trail Run on 18 Dec, Miss/Mr Umhlanga where there is a R10000 cash prize!

There is much excitement and anticipation for this year's surfing contest as Lizzard have put up R5000 cash prize for the open men's division, and SPAR KZN are giving the top open ladies R5000 cash. Hurricane Surf are providing fantastic prizes, and 100 plus will be treating all the competitors to energy drinks. There will also be a paddle battle where surfers have to paddle around a buoy out at sea and the first person home will win R1000 cash from Muscleworks.

The event has attracted top surfers such as Ricky Basnett (previous winner of the Mr Price Pro) and Brandon Jackson (top World Qualifying Series surfer). Surfers such as multiple SA Champ Matt Bromley will be flying in from Cape Town for the challenge.

Glen Pheasant is the Contest Director for the surfing contest said "This is the third year we are putting on the Lizzard Summer Surf and what is so unique about this event is that we include both long and short boarding and we include the pro and amateur surfers. We have so many families down on the beach all having a great weekend of fun in the sun. Add to that we have some of South Africa's top surfers taking part so spectators will have some good action to watch"

Please go to www.bombsurf.co.za to download an entry form or call Glen on 072 575 1393 or email Julie on juliedev@mweb.co.za All beginners welcome.

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Offshore Racing: Sunday 27 November

Offshore racers gear up for the final keelboat race this year with the Royal Natal Yacht Club's Protea Cup that takes place on Sunday 27 November.

Depending on the winds, the intention is to have a 'There-and-Back' race that will have all competitors head up north where they will round the weather mark off Umdloti.

The race that is in its 84th year traditionally has the yachts make their way up north and is usually a fair bit longer than the more localised 'There and Back' races. The race will start off of Vetch's Beach and head up the relatively straight coastline, passing Virginia, La Lucia, Umhlanga Rocks, Umhlanga and the Hawaan Forest.

"Due to the race having a fair bit more miles to sail than normal, we will be setting the yachts off a bit earlier," Gregg Dobson, the Rear Commodore for the Royal Natal Yacht Club said. "We are hoping to get a big fleet as sailing up the coast this time of year is exquisite with the perfect weather for sailing along with whale spotting as they migrate south."

Two divisions will tackle the demanding 'There-and-Back' course, those of the racing and cruising classes. Defending champions are Nigel Miln on Skitzo in the racing and Commodore of the Royal Natal Yacht Club, Richard Crockett on Cavesham Caprice in the cruising, they will both be back to defend their titles.

As the temperatures rise with the Durban summer, yachties are taking to the waters for the upcoming Protea Cup hosted by the Royal Natal Yacht Club on Sunday 27 November.

For more info contact Chantal on 031 301 5425 at the RNYC office for the Notice Of Race and Entry Form, entry fee is R50 per boat.

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Bay Racing: 19 and 26 November

The Royal Natal Yacht Club's Rupert Ellis Brown Dinghy Bay Series take place in the month of November with sailors in the smaller, more manoeuvrable crafts having four Saturdays set aside for racing that finishes on 26 November.

The age old series that is named after the former mayor of Durban is the only annual bay series that has sailors competing in a variety of races in the Durban harbour. The defending champion who raised the trophy in the 2010 series, Jay D'Engle has moved up to Pretoria to further his sailing career.

The event attracts a number of Lasers, Gypseys Mirrors, Terras, Oppies and Flying Fifteen crafts with young and old enjoying throwing themselves around in this highly physical sport. The Flying 15 class use the Rupert Ellis Brown Dinghy Bay Series as a warm up to the Flying Fifteens Provincial Championships that take place next month offshore of Durban.

Rear Commodore, Gregg Dobson, enthused, "We are halfway through the series having had a superb first day of sailing with race officer for the series, Graham Rose managing to fit in four races. South African sailor and Olympic hopeful, Durban North's Rudi MacNeil is leading the Lasers."

Glenwood sailor, Dobson has taken the rare opportunity to get out on the water and is showing his local knowledge of the Durban waters with an impressive second position behind MacNeil in the Lasers.

The duo of Miles White & Estelle Buys top the leader board in the Flying Fifteens after having just competed in the Cadet World Championships.

The second day of sailing was blown out due to excessive winds, Graham Rose stated, "We recorded gusts of 45 knots and with the incoming tide it created a severe chop in the area of the harbour where we were scheduled to race so in the interests of safety the afternoon's racing was postponed."

The third day of sailing was sailed in very wet conditions with Rose successfully completing another four races. The leader boards remained unchanged.

The annual Rupert Ellis Brown Dinghy Bay Series, the first dinghy regatta of the season, draws to an exciting close in the decidedly competitive small crafts series this November.

For more info contact Chantal on 031 301 5425 at the RNYC office.

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Laura Dekker, the young 16 year old sailor, who stopped off in Durban over the weekend to wait out the weather on her mammoth circumnavigation around the world. Pic by Sophie Thompson

Durban had an unexpected visitor this past weekend with Dutch solo Round the World sailor, 16 year old Laura Dekker, stopping off in port to wait out the bad weather that moved up the South African coast.

An exhausted Dekker arrived in Durban last week Friday after sailing for 47 days with her last stopover in Darwin, Australia. Smiling, she states, "I had an uninterrupted night's sleep which is unusual for my first night in port."

Dekker who is circumnavigating the globe in her 38ft Jeanneau Ginfizz ketch, fondly named Guppy began her voyage last year in August when she left her home country of Holland with the plan to become the youngest person to sail the globe single-handed. "I picked Guppy up incredibly cheap, she was a wreck. With a lot of help from my dad, we did her up to the magnificent ocean crossing vessel that she is today."

Her world has always been water orientated, "When I was five my Dad packed my family up and we set sail from Whangarei in New Zealand, where I was born. We sailed all the way to Holland on my father's boat. I believe that I am a doer and when I get an idea in my head, I usually strive to achieve it."

This is evident as the quietly confident Dekker sits on the deck of her immaculately kept monohull yacht. She briefly tells of her route that she has sailed to get to Durban, "I left Holland in late Summer, sailed past Canary Islands, across to the Caribbean and sailed along the eastern shores of South America, rounded the Galapagos Islands. I spent some time meandering around the Polynesian Islands which I just loved, every island was so different. The people, the culture were just amazing, that time holds a special place in my memories."

The young sailor is evidently in no rush, "I am just waiting for the bad weather to pass and then I will head down to Cape Town where I will stock up before tackling the final leg."

Her amazing feat is drawing to a close as she nears the last leg of her adventure but as she talks about what lies ahead, you understand that it is far from over. "I still have to navigate Guppy down to Cape Town along some of the most treacherous coastline in the world. I will have completed my circumnavigation when I arrive back in the Caribbean, but of course the Atlantic Ocean, 6,000 miles of it, needs to be crossed first."

"From the Caribbean I will make my way back to Whangarei in New Zealand where I hope to settle and maybe call home."

The journey for Dekker has by no means been any easy one, she has battled storms and high winds, sleep deprivation and blown out sails, "On the one leg I blew my Genoa and Main sail which was challenging as I limped to the next port so I could get up and running again."

But not a lot scares the small sun bronzed frame, and her passion for adventure drives her to extremes. Weeks alone at sea, she keeps herself busy with her home-schooling, reading novels and listening to a lot of music. "I also keep in touch with cruising yachts that are doing the same routes as me, I chat to them on the radio daily so I get to talk to other people while I am sailing."

Asked what she eats, she laughs, "I don't like fish or fishing. But I stock up in the ports with enough tinned food to last a long time. There is an art to making fresh food last, which I am getting the knack of." She has a large water tank on board where she stores her essential drinking water.

Having turned sweet sixteen in September, the brave Dekker is soon to enter the record books with her and Guppy's phenomenal Robinson Crusoe odyssey around the world and Durban was lucky enough to have her briefly in our port.

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Umhlanga: 9 - 23 December 2011

The festive season is upon us, and long lazy summer days await - Umhlanga beach and village will become a hive of activity from 9 - 23 December with the seventh annual UMHLANGA MTN SUMMER CARNIVAL, this year for first time in collaboration with MTN.

The end of year holidays in Umhlanga is defined by relaxing at the beach and this year, the UMHLANGA MTN SUMMER CARNIVAL features a diverse line-up of fun events designed to encourage participation in outdoor activities for the holiday makers that come to Umhlanga.

The two week carnival kicks off with the UMHLANGA MTN SUMMER CARNIVAL Lizzard Summer Surf Session takes place from the 9 – 11 December with well known local surfers all vying for the title and prize cheque. The amateur division welcomes young, old, good and social surfers all to participate.

For the more active and adventurous, the public is welcome to participate in the UMHLANGA MTN SUMMER CARNIVAL TRAIL RUN sponsored by Salomon. This 18k run/12 k run and walk takes place on 18 December. It is an invigorating sunrise high-energy event which takes competitors off- road, up and down hills, across rivers, through the bush and sugar cane fields around Umhlanga. Entry forms are available from selected sports stores or email buzzhilde@vodamail.co.za. Entrance fee is R100 for the 18km race, and R60 for the 12km walk and run. Great prizes will be up for grabs! The event starts and ends at the Breakers Resort, Lagoon Drive, at 6 am (breakfast included in entrance fee).
ENTRY FORM
TRAIL RUN REGISTRATION FORM

Umhlanga Tourism Chairman Peter Rose, enthused, "This Trail Run is unique to Durban. Last year was a phenomenal inaugural race and competitors have urged us to hold it again this year. We are hoping that it will grow to a well-known event on the Durban sporting calendar."

For the glamorous girls and guys there is the chance to enter the MISS/MR UMHLANGA event. Up for grabs is a 1st prize of R10 000 cash plus a host of other prizes. To obtain an entry form for any of the categories or enquire for more details email missumhlanga@makuluevents.co.za.

Summer is here and the beach in Umhlanga will be a hot spot of activity over the Festive season. Fun for the whole family everyday on the beach from 9th December. On offer is loads of fun activities for the whole family, with daily competitions such as surfing, beach volleyball, soccer, sandcastle building, tug-o-war, treasure hunt, egg and spoon races and lots more.

Getting into the spirit of Christmas CAROLS BY CARNDLELIGHT will be taking place on 21 December at the Granada Square in Chartwell Drive. The wonderful Shelley McLean will be performing together with a line up of talented young performers. The public are encouraged to bring unwrapped toys for the under-privileged young children in our society to the Carols by Candlelight. As this is a charity event, Rotary Umhlanga will distribute these to the poorest of the poor children who would otherwise not experience the joy of Christmas. Father Christmas will arrive accompanied by the Harley Davidson bikers group. Entry is free and all are welcome, the live music starts at 7pm.

And finishing in carnival style, the UMHLANGA MTN SUMMER CARNIVAL will play out with the annual street party in Chartwell Drive on Friday the 23rd December The street party is suitable for everyone including families. Arrive early and reserve a seat at a local restaurant and watch the fun. The road closure will start from 6 pm when the street party ignites untill late and entry is free. Included in the line-up for the evening will be live music, buskers and a host of activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Fun in the sun on the beach or in the sea is definitely the order at this year's "UMHLANGA MTN SUMMER CARNIVAL" from 9 - 23 December when Umhlanga will certainly be rocking again this festive season.

MAKULU EVENT PRODUCERS
Enquiries: Carroll Lazarus 082 901 9288 laz@makuluevents.co.za
Evan Roberts evan@makuluevents.co.za Tel: 031-3121281 www.makuluevents.co.za

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Umhlanga: 18 December

The marvellous new sport of trail running will challenge adventurers and runners alike attacking the trails surrounding Umhlanga in the Umhlanga MTN Summer Carnival's second Umhlanga 12km/18km Trail Run and Walk supported by Salomon which takes place on 18 December as the sun rises.

The second December holiday run, and fourth in the series of trail runs that have been run around Umhlanga and surrounds takes athletes on an invigorating 18km or 12km sunrise high-energy run. The race will have the more active tackling tar and off-roads, hills, wading through rivers, weaving through bush and sugar cane fields with the finish straight at the end of a short run along the beach.

The Umhlanga 12km/18km Trail Run and Walk invites the public to participate in this endurance sport. "The race isn't too technical and has a nice variety of terrain," enthusiastic race organiser, Buzz Bolton said.

The 18km route has enthusiasts starting at the Breakers Resort, taking them away from the sea up to the Umhlanga Ridge before descending towards the N2 crossing of the Uhlange River. The route then passes the Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom and then hugs the M4 near Umdloti. A bush trail takes runners down past Don's Hut and onto the beach. The last 2kms are back past the beach before the final stretch towards the start / finish area at the Breakers Resort.

For the fourth event, the organisers have also created a shorter 12km route which gives athletes a reduced taste of the rugged terrain that is trail running and walking. Active families can enjoy this shorter route.

Defending champions in both the men and ladies event, Cato Ridge's Eric Ngubane and Durban North's Mandy Matthews will be back to defend their titles. Ngubane, a well known road athlete uses trail running to strengthen his ankles and legs. "Getting onto the roads is easy after trail running. I highly recommend using this off-road race as preparation for ultra marathons." A confident Ngubane stated.

Due to the gruelling nature of the race, the organisers have capped it at 250 athletes. Starting at 6am, the race leaves punctually from Breakers Resort. Prizes are up for grabs.

"This event certainly is proving to be very popular with runners even coming down from Johannesburg to compete. The Umhlanga MTN Summer Carnival is all about enjoying the outdoors and this race certainly fits into the scope of healthy outdoor activities." Peter Rose, Chairman of Umhlanga Tourism claimed.

For the more hardcore and adventurous runners and walkers alike, the public is welcome to participate in the Umhlanga 12km/18km Trail Run and Walk supported by Salomon on 18 December. Entry forms are available from selected sport stores or from buzzhilde@vodamail.co.za or online at www.umhlangatourism.co.za. Entrance fee is R100 for the 18km race, and R60 for the 12km race, which includes breakfast and great prizes will be up for grabs!

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Umhlanga: 9,10,11 Dec

Summer is here, exams are nearly over and the Umhlanga MTN Summer Carnival is starting on 9,10,11 December – kicking off with the Lizzard Summer Surf Session.

This is the third year that his very successful event will be held and what makes it especially unique is that it caters for short board surfers, long board surfers and there are many divisions that include amateur surfers.

Fantastic prizes are up for grabs including R5000 cash for the open men division sponsored by Lizzard, and R5000 for the open ladies division sponsored by SPAR KZN. Other prizes from Hurricane Surf and other surf brands will also spoil the contestants.

Gavin Roberts: marketing manager for Lizzard said "We are really looking forward to welcoming surfers, their family and friends down to the Umhlanga beach front for the few days. We are especially catering for all ages and abilities of surfers to encourage a weekend of fun in the sun. Holiday makers will also be included in prizes on offer during the event.

For entry forms please email Julie de Vries on juliedev@mweb.co.za or call Glen on 072 575 1393 for more details.

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Durban Harbour: Wednesday 9 & 23 November; 7 & 21 December

Durban Harbour on a Wednesday evening becomes a flurry of colourful sails as yachts in a variety of classes tackle a course set out in the Bay in the Royal Natal Yacht Club's Garmin Twilight Series.

Wednesdays are traditionally fun competitive evenings of sailing for yacht clubs around the world. The mid-week break for active outdoor adventurists is a welcome distraction from the tedium of everyday work. The Durban Yacht Clubs alternate hosting the series.

The Garmin Twilight Series has a competitive edge to it, but also welcomes newcomers to the wonderful sport of sailing, offering a taste of high action on members' yachts on the water. New sailors who get their feet wet for the first time stand in line to win great prizes, including sailing courses to further their taste for sailing.

While you don't have to be a club member to participate in the evening's sailing and after-sail entertainment, the Royal Natal Yacht Club – the oldest yacht club in Africa – has recently launched an exciting membership structure, offering those wanting to get involved in the wonderful sailing community an opportunity to do so easily and affordably. The Club also has many members who are not sailors, but who love the ambience and feel of the Club, taking advantage of members' prices on a mouth-watering range of meals and bar items. Where else in Durban can you relax on grassy lawns at the water's edge with a beer or cocktail in hand, looking out over the ever-changing picturesque harbour panorama?

The Royal Natal Yacht Club invites anyone who is interested in becoming a member, or who might want to jump on board the Garmin Twilight Series fun sailing event, to get in touch with Chantel at the RNYC during office hours on 031 301 5425.

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