The fun factor will be on high and the competition keen when keelboat yacht racing makes a welcome return to the Broadwater this Thursday evening.

As many as 15 yachts are expected to be out for the inaugural Summer Twilight Series, an event organised by a group of sailing enthusiasts from Southport Yacht Club.

The series has evolved virtually overnight - all because of an impromptu outing by crews on seven yachts on the Broadwater last Thursday evening.

'Three yacht owners decided we should have a twilight fun race on the Broadwater last Thursday just for the heck of it,' said Rob Mundle, who is one of the organisers. 'Before we knew it, four other yachts had joined in, and now we are on a roll.

'The enthusiasm was such that we had no option but to keep going. Our first official entry for this week is from a yacht owner who lives in Byron Bay. He is so keen he intends to drive up for every race during the summer.

'We're planing it as a fun race for yacht owners, their family and friends, and the way things are shaping up I won't be surprised if we have 20 yachts taking part within a matter of weeks. There will be a party and prize presentation back at the yacht club after each race.'

Mundle and the four other sailing enthusiasts behind the series - Leigh Dorrington, John Hall, Matt Percy and Norman Ambrose - had no option but to establish the KBG (Keel Boat Group) at the yacht club so they could make things happen.

'We are obviously onto something,' said Mundle. 'We have great support from the yacht club, and the interest from yacht owners, along with the offers of sponsorship, is quite remarkable.

The organisers have planned two very simple courses to suit the primary wind directions experienced during summer - northeast and southeast. The handicap start procedure will see the smaller yachts getting away first at 4pm. To simplify the racing, spinnakers will not be permitted. The races should take little more than an hour to complete.

The silting that is occurring in the Broadwater means that the series is tide dependent. The organisers have planned racing for Thursday evenings when tides are near high just to ensure the largest yachts do not run aground. There will be five races before Christmas and five after, going through to the end of March.

Apart from Bob Oatley's Wild Oats Wines, which is supplying its award winning wine for weekly prizes, local sponsorship support is coming from Ausail Pathfinder Marine, Ensign Ship Brokers, The Bosun's Locker and Hope Island Boat Brokers.

Anyone interested in taking part in the Summer Twilight Series should contact Rob Mundle via email - rob.mundle(at)bigpond.com, or call 0417 323 573

by Rob Mundle

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