The North Shore Freshwater Championships for Lasers and Finns on Lake Pupuke will provide the most concentrated yachting action this weekend. The Pupuke Boating Club expects more than 70 boats on the water. Racing starts at 10 am, with four races each day. Past winners include Rod Dawson, Cameron Dunn,
Dan Slater and Alan Coutts (Lasers) and Craig Monk and Dan Bush (Finns). The Pupuke club races throughout the winter and is one of the busiest sail training clubs, running coaching programmes for adults as well as juniors. Inquiries to Yachting New Zealand Academy coach John Dowsett, ph (09) 410 5999 or 025 287 5754.
Safety Week
"Be smart from the start, wear your lifejacket" is the slogan for National Safe Boating Week, running in the United States from today through to May 25. Announcing the campaign, US Coastguard chief Rear Admiral Kenneth T. Venuto said while the emphasis on buoyancy aids would be heavy, the overall aim was to eliminate deaths, injuries and property damage associated with recreational boating. To support the campaign, the National Marine Manufacturers Association has adopted a resolution asking members to show lifejackets being worn in all advertisements.
Wrist alarm
British safety firm McMurdo has launched a man overboard alarm built into a quartz multi-function wristwatch. The system contains a tiny radio transmitter that, when activated, transmits a swept tone on the international SAR frequency 121.5 MHz. Range is quoted at 0.5 nautical miles back to the host boat and 15nm to an aircraft. Already in use by North Sea and offshore oil companies, the Guardian watch will be available in September.
Waterwatch
With winter racing programmes running out of most yacht clubs, on-the-water activity is beginning to slow down. For the next few weeks Water-Watch will include some pointers from the Auckland Regional Council maritime operations unit.
Saturday: Richmond Steelers' fully crewed race (RYC).
Saturday and Sunday: Green Meanie senior classes regatta, Takapuna (TBC).
Organisations planning activity on the Waitemata and Manukau harbours should register with Enviroline on 0800 80 60 40.
