In this issue...... Page 2 | Tell Tales
IN THIS ISSUE...
Commodore's Report 3 Important Dates 3 OCC News & Reports 4 Commodore Christmas Party 7 Cees Romeyns week on Bark Europa 8 Design a Shirt for OCC 11 Day Cruise to Roberton Pictures 12 Northland Youth Sailors 13 OCC Bar & Galley 14 Recipe Corner 15 December 2013 Calendar 16
ON THE COVER: Harold Sails design and build the highest quality hand- Nexus & Overdraft go head to head BOISW 2013, Picture made sails, right here in Opua, as well as carrying out by Sarah Reynolds sail repairs and alterations. Owner Ross Harold has over 40 years experience in sailmaking, and still hand-makes all his sails in the traditional way, right here at his Opua-based loft. With over 50,000nm of offshore sailing experience, including cruising, racing and deliveries, Ross fully understands the demands of ocean-going sails. So when you need a sail that you know is going to stand up to the rigors of ocean passage making, see Harold Sails at the Opua Commercial Estate.
Updated OCC Gallley Kitchen Menu -- page 14 Tell Tales | Page 3
COMMODORE'S REPORT
This is my last day as ‘Acting Commodore’ Christmas. On the subject of Christmas, the while Ian is away overseas, and it seems my panto set seems to be growing and final duty is to fill in the ‘Commodore’s metamorphosing every day, and I’m looking Report’ gap in Ian’s absence! forward to seeing what the ‘OCC Players’ have So first and foremost, I’d like to welcome all been preparing for us at the Commodore’s our overseas guests to the Club. It’s awesome Christmas Party on 14th December. to see so many new faces from all over the Remember this is a free night for current club world enjoying our hospitality. I hope you all members (sorry, members only – but there’s enjoy your time here in Opua, and if you are still time to join up if you haven’t already!) sticking around for a while, please do consider I hope you have a wonderful December and joining the club at just $55 for a single or $75 enjoy the Christmas hols, and I look forward for a family. to seeing you all at the club, or on the water! Harold Sails design and build the highest quality hand- It’s also great to see the weather has finally made sails, right here in Opua, as well as carrying out moved into ‘summer mode’, which for me sail repairs and alterations. personally means lots more cruising! I started Owner Ross Harold has over 40 years experience in off the season with the OCC cruise out to sailmaking, and still hand-makes all his sails in the Roberton Island, which was a great day out and a good opportunity to catch up with other traditional way, right here at his Opua-based loft. club members. With over 50,000nm of offshore sailing experience, including cruising, racing and deliveries, Ross fully Racing also seems to be in full swing despite understands the demands of ocean-going sails. So when the usual light wind issues we often have here you need a sail that you know is going to stand up to the at Opua, and we look forward to an exciting rigors of ocean passage making, see Harold Sails at the conclusion to the Spring series before Opua Commercial Estate. Important dates:
2-6th Dec- Sailing have a GO week!
7th Dec - BOI Classic
12th Dec - Bella Cappella Singing Xmas Carols
14th Dec Commodores Christmas Party
19th Dec Quiz Night Page 4 | Tell Tales
OCC NEWS & REPORTS
RACING NEWS Congratulations to team Voodoo! North A fleet of 18 boats was out last Wednesday for Island 2013 Champ NZ Elliott 5.9 Class some pleasant sailing up the Waikare in a Association moderate north-easterly, although the courses in that direction are involving some congested sailing as the fleets thread their way through the moorings from the start. Kantime scored another win in the A division and has a strong hold on the points position. Cut Lunch is hanging on at the head of B Division and in the C Division Saltshaker scored another win in a strong series. The women's summer series has a consistent fleet and with four races sailed the points position is tight. See you Wednesday!
Opua Cruising Club Racing Picture By Manuela Gmuer Hornell Tell Tales | Page 5
OCC NEWS & REPORTS
STATE BAY OF ISLANDS CLASSIC
Bay boaties urged to watch for swimmers Recreational boaties in the Bay of Islands are being asked to take extra care on the water during the State Bay of Islands Classic on Saturday 7 December. Up to 850 swimmers are expected to take part in the annual Russell to Paihia swim which the Far North District Council is sponsoring for the fifth time. Event director Scott Rice is asking harbour Sailing...Have a Go! is a programme offered to users to look out for swimmers who will leave schools throughout the country. It is designed Russell Wharf at 10:30am and take about two to give students in Years 4 through 8 the hours to complete the 3.3 km crossing. opportunity to experience the thrills and spills "It is very important that others on the water of sailing in a safe & well managed cooperate with race officials and if possible environment and most importantly, have fun! change their schedules to stay clear of the race Yachting New Zealand would like to area for the duration of the event," Mr Rice encourage participants’ continued involvement says. in the sport. OCC to assist with YNZ have-a- Six inflatable rescue boats and 18 Surf Life go sailing week Sounds like we need about 2 Saving New Zealand lifeguards on ski boards volunteers a day, for the week Monday 2nd to will escort the swimmers during the crossing. Friday 6th December, to assist the YNZ Crews aboard two outer perimeter safety boats instructors with teaching sailing. will warn boats approaching swimmers to head Opua Cruising Club Racing Picture By Manuela Gmuer Hornell Page 6 | Tell Tales
OCC NEWS & REPORTS between Russell beach and a white Fullers and helpers a gruesome group of children GreatSights jet boat that will tail the last arrived to Trick and Treat. There was a penalty swimmers and open the channel for normal for not dressing up which helped to raise funds use. towards Firework Night. "The field should be fairly concentrated in the The morning of the 5th November looked as early stages, but obviously as the swimmers though the event would be cancelled due to move across it will become wider spread." heavy rain. Fortunately the weather improved Boaties are also asked to take care around somewhat and the evening saw a full house at Paihia where three shorter swims will be held the club enjoying a sausage sizzle, games for just off the beach at 12:35pm (1000m), the kids and topped with a spectacular 1:15pm (300m), and 1:50pm (200m State firework display. The evening was run by OceanKids). volunteers to raise money for our Dock Fund. "If it is possible to plan around the event and Thanks so much goes to all the wonderful avoid that area altogether while the races are helpers and Churchhills Butchers for donating on, that would be even better," he says. sausages. Beach will be used for the 3.3km swim if unsafe ocean conditions force the cancellation of the Russell-Paihia crossing. A 2000-metre triangular course off Paihia
SOCIAL NEWS
Hallowe’en Night on the 31st Oct. was a fun night with some really scary sights. The entrance to the club was transformed into a spooky grotto thanks to Chris, and Denise helped decorate the club. Thanks to Leighia New Zealands Native Christmas Tree "The Pohutakawa" Tell Tales | Page 7
OCC NEWS & REPORTS
A Huge THANK YOU to Opua School for welcoming Seafarers to our shores you always put on a fantastic Kapha Haka everyone enjoyed it immensley!
On Thursday, 12th December we have Pictures below of Cees & Malcom working on the set our own Bay of Islands singers Bella a Cappella design for the Pantomime Aladdin, Performance dates are singing Christmas Songs. Thursday Dec 12th 11am matinee for the Opua School On Saturday, 14th December is the Children’s Christmas Party see notices for Children. Saturday Dec 14th Evening Performance for the further information. Opua Cruising Club Members. In the evening is the Commodore’s Christmas Party for our members and there is a performance of the pantomime Aladdin.
There will be no Bingo Nights until February. Quiz Nights are on 19th Dec & 16th Jan.
NZ Christmas Tree oppersite page Metrosideros excelsa is a coastal evergreen tree in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae that produces a brilliant display of red flowers made up of a mass of stamens. The pōhutukawa is one of twelve New Zealands Native Christmas Tree Metrosideros species endemic to New Zealand "The Pohutakawa" Page 8 | Tell Tales
MY WEEK ON THE TALL SHIP
My week on the Tall Ship from 1 - 4pm and was scheduled for departure Bark Europa at 5pm. Sunday 1pm I went aboard to enquire if there was still room available, yes there was By Cees Romeyn. but it was considerably more than what I had Friday night after the rum race, I arrived into heard in the club on Friday (maybe the wine the club and it was choca block with tall ship had something to do with that). Far too sailors. I got talking to the second officer of expensive I thought, I asked them to give me the tall ship Bark Europa a man by the name ring in the afternoon with the exact cost. At of Ruud. After a few wines I heard that there 2.00pm John Goldsbury and I crossed the start were still a few places available on board for line for the OCC 2 handed race, the phone the trip to Auckland, sounded good to me. went it was Ruud saying I could have the berth The next day the boat had disappeared from for 820 Euros. I told him I thought it was still the wharf but not to worry I knew it would be a bit expensive, and John and I continued back on Sunday as the boat had an open day sailing, the race finished around 4pm and we headed to the club where everyone there told Tell Tales | Page 9
BARK EUROPA me this is a once in a lifetime experience and I should go for it – so I did! John went to tell Ruud that I was on my way, I ran back to my boat to get my jacket, then quickly home for some clothes and toothbrush etc got to the ship at 5 minutes to 5. I was on the bark Europa. I was allocated a top bunk - not so easy, in a room with 3 young men. Onboard there were about 40 paying passengers and 17 crew, half of which are volunteers. So here we go – Wendy on the wharf yelling out “have you got your pills”, I did, though I wasn’t sure if she was joking or not. Percy Island, here we stopped, got back into We motored to Tapeka, 2 caterpillar 380 hp the zodiacs and had a few trips through the diesels (2 propellers) plus a bow thruster - a hole in the rock joined by a pod of dolphins, it Daf 180 HP engine that drives the anchor was fantastic! Second night was at winch as well. Whangamumu. The next day we began our Once around Tapaka sails were hoisted all 24 journey to Great Barrier Island stopping at the of them, we moved very slowly in a dying Poor Nights on the way – where we all went in wind until off long beach we started going the zodiacs and spent about 4 hours cruising backwards, an hour or two of this and then around the islands, yet again with dolphins at motors back on and to Roberton Island where our side. This is an absolutely magic place. we anchored for the night. From the Poor Nights to Great Barrier we did Meals; breakfast between 7 and 9am, lunch at some real sailing 6 to 7 knots, all 24 sails up 1pm which was served on the deck in the (saw a whale and a shark). That evening I was sunshine, soup, pies, lasagne and bread – ham on the helm from 10.30pm to 11.00pm the and cheese and salami rolls –always something moon came up and it was magic, we arrived at different. Dinner was served at 7pm which the the Barrier at around 4am. first night was Nasi Goreng –my favourite! During sailing the boat is divided into 3 Next morning we all went ashore in the 2 groups of people to do a watch, two people zodiacs plus the big dinghy, then a walk to the would be on lookout and two on the helm top to take photos. At lunch time we were on (one to watch the other) you only had to do our way again, we motored through Albert this for half an hour at a time. Channel and on towards Bird Rock here all 24 In the morning we were taken to Fitzroy, sails were hoisted and we sailed till we reached
Pukeko Art on oppersite page by www.annaleyland.vc.net.nz Page 10 | Tell Tales
WHATS HAPPENING AT OCC
BURGEE EXCHANGE I went for a walk, some went to the very top John & Nates Shilshole Yacht Club Burgee Exchange of the Island. That night after dinner we went Shilshole Bay Yacht ashore to a place that was set up for a beach with OCC Vice Commodore Helen Club,Ballard,Seattle.Burgee exchange at the fire, here we toasted marshmallows and dough Opua Cruising Club – something I have never had before, by midnight we were back on the boat. John & Nathan Peterson pictured on opposite Day 4 we headed to Kawau Island, most of the page with vice commodore Helen Horrocks crew went ashore, not me I was on watch again they arrived on the yacht S/V MORNING – been there before anyway. Day 5 to STAR Thanks so much guys we hope you Auckland where we were to join a convoy with enjoyed the Monteiths! Nate helps run a the 7 other tall ships, we got there a bit early so programme for disadvantaged youth in Boston had to do 2 tacks – when Bark Europa sailed under the flag of the Courageous Trust, Good from Sydney to Opua she didn’t even do one tack! At around 5pm we tied up to Queens on ya mate! Wharf – my 5 days on a tall ship came to and end and was worth every cent. A quote by Allan Villiers “only fools and passengers drink at sea” by the way there was a bar on board! By Cees Romeyn. www.barkeuropa.com Tell Tales | Page 11
DESIGN A T-SHIRT FOR OUR CLUB
Design a Tee for OCC (and WIN a t-shirt with your design!) We’ve decided it’s high time OCC had some funky new t- shirts that can be worn with pride around the world, and that will spark interest in our great little club. So, we’re asking YOU to get your creative juices flowing and come up with an awesome new print design for our OCC clothing. The winning design will be printed on OCC’s new shirts, and you’ll get a FREE t-shirt with your design printed on it!
OCC Yeah you'll know Me! Here are the requirements:
John & Nates Shilshole Yacht Club Burgee Exchange Designs must be ONE colour only (and suitable for with OCC Vice Commodore Helen printing either dark-on-light or light-on-dark) Designs must be submitted by 15th December 2013 Submit your design using the t-shirt template on the OCC website - you can design a front print, a back print, or both Submit your designs by email to [email protected], by post to PO Box 1, Opua, or on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/opuacruisingclub You can submit as many designs as you like Page 12 | Tell Tales
SUNDAY CRUISE & BBQ FUN
Everyone is welcome at the OCC cruises so whether you’re a local or an overseas boatie, make sure you check the calendar on the OCC website for the date of our next cruise. Cruise Coordinator Graeme Munro. Tell Tales | Page 13
YOUTH SAILING
JUNIOR SAILING
Well summer is truly here now. Ian will be taking the optimist lovers over the summer but Bill is unable to take the more experienced youth sailors from now until late January due to previous commitments. We would welcome anyone who would like to come down on a Saturday morning and help out with the Youth Sailors over this time. Please contact either myself on 094041181 or Ian Templeman - OCC Commodore. Have as awesome Christmas and New Year from all the kids and helpers at Youth Sailing. Bill will, however, be at the Sir Peter Blake Cheers Sailing Regatta in Torr Bay for the weekend of Wendy 7 and 8 December for our youth sailors who are participating in this event. Lewis Kidman Obituary and Horima Neville will be travelling from our Warren Paterson died 7.11.2013 club. Warren was a hard working member of the We have several new children coming along to Opua Cruising Club in the 90's Youth Sailing which is really great. Few of serving on the committee as House Officer. He them are new to sailing and we also have some was a strong believer in our club who can sail well, and take out the Splashes. Great to see... and it was thanks to his efforts that we have a dock. RIP Page 14 | Tell Tales
OCC BAR & GALLEY
The club is currently open Wednesday to opening 'til 6pm on Fridays and Sundays. Sunday nights inclusive. Come along and Present your membership card to get enjoy the great value prices, generous discounts on Beers, Wines and Spirits. portions and warm hospitality. - House wine - grab a glass of cheap and cheerful House Wine for just $4 a glass. Non-members can visit up to three times (just get a member to sign you in) to 'sample the goods' before you join up. All our meals are fantastic value, and there are a great range of snacks and full-sized meals to choose from. - Full Members can purchase 'drinks cards' on presentation of your membership card. In case of queries, you can call the bar These give you 10 drinks for the price of 9 - directly on 09 402 6923. available on Draught Beers ($40) and Wine or Spirits ($45). - Full Members' Happy Hour is from bar
OCC Galley Menu Entrees Main meals Snack meals
Kids Meals
Desserts Tell Tales | Page 15 RECIPE CORNER KIWI PAVLOVA
Everybody's grandmother probably had her own secret pavlova recipe, but here's our favourite version. It's a simplified version where everything goes into the mixer at once, but still works really well.
Using standard, level cups and spoons for everything, measure the caster sugar, cornflour and salt into a clean, dry bowl. (Any traces of fat in the bowl or on the beater will stop eggs beating up.) Stir together.
Add the vinegar and vanilla, then measure and add the egg whites, taking care to get absolutely no yolk in the mixture. serve, top with whipped cream. Decorate traditionally with strawberries,
Beat with an electric mixer at high speed for about kiwifruit or passionfruit or use other fruit. 15 minutes, until a thick, non-gritty meringue forms. Drizzle chocolate topping over strawberries if desired.
When you lift out the mixer blades, the peaks should stand up stiffly, or just bend over at their tips.
Cover a baking sheet with baking paper, then pile the mixture onto this into a round shape about 25cm across.
Bake in a preheated oven at 100 degrees Celcius for 60 minutes, then turn off oven and leave for 30 minutes longer. Take out of oven after this time.
Leave unwrapped, in a cool place, up to 2 days. To Quiz Night Quiz Night