Nicomekl Rowing Club Regatta - September 17, 2011
Port Nut (far left) in safety boat role
Where I normally launch the Port Nut (Ward's Marina at Elgin Park) coincides with the Nicomekl Rowing Club's centre of operations. As a result, I am often in their way. Given that and the fact that some of the members are my work colleagues, it was a "no-brainer" that I would agree to assist at their annual regatta when I was asked to. The request was for a safety boat at the finish line. Although not a club member, I don't need a lot of encouragement to launch and put the Port Nut to use.
The day dawned wet and miserable as we deployed the course markers and then held a briefing. We were to be six safety boats along the course and were supported by the local Coast Guard Auxilliary who were very affective at encouraging boats to slow down as they transited the course.
As the day progressed, there came a change in the wind and soon the sun made an appearance, filling the sodden participants with bright enthusiasm. I took a few photos of the event, but being out on the water there isn't much to photograph.
Of course I was invited to participate in the final get-together but it was a room full of mostly strangers composed of the various rowing clubs from the region. I had only met a handful of the local club members and my wife, who had joined me by this time, had met none whatsoever. We opted, therefore, to sneak off to the Port Nut and spend the last night of the cruising season at anchor on the Nicomekl River.
The evening was calm & pleasant as we ate dinner and shared a bottle of wine. Around us were several anchored boats showing activity indicative of live-aboard lifestyles on at least three of the vessels. A salmon jumped happily out of the water as the two of us chatted and enjoyed these pleasant surroundings so close to home. Night brought with it the rain and a deluge wakened us from our slumber. By morning, the traffic noise from the Hwy 99 freeway was noticeable as we made our way back to Ward's Marina to retrieve the Nut. It's not a secluded setting but it is still a pleasant outing right in our own neighbourhood.
The day dawned wet and miserable as we deployed the course markers and then held a briefing. We were to be six safety boats along the course and were supported by the local Coast Guard Auxilliary who were very affective at encouraging boats to slow down as they transited the course.
As the day progressed, there came a change in the wind and soon the sun made an appearance, filling the sodden participants with bright enthusiasm. I took a few photos of the event, but being out on the water there isn't much to photograph.
Of course I was invited to participate in the final get-together but it was a room full of mostly strangers composed of the various rowing clubs from the region. I had only met a handful of the local club members and my wife, who had joined me by this time, had met none whatsoever. We opted, therefore, to sneak off to the Port Nut and spend the last night of the cruising season at anchor on the Nicomekl River.
The evening was calm & pleasant as we ate dinner and shared a bottle of wine. Around us were several anchored boats showing activity indicative of live-aboard lifestyles on at least three of the vessels. A salmon jumped happily out of the water as the two of us chatted and enjoyed these pleasant surroundings so close to home. Night brought with it the rain and a deluge wakened us from our slumber. By morning, the traffic noise from the Hwy 99 freeway was noticeable as we made our way back to Ward's Marina to retrieve the Nut. It's not a secluded setting but it is still a pleasant outing right in our own neighbourhood.