Louisiades Cruising Rally 2009

8:36 PM Tue 10 Mar 2009 GMT

'Louisiades Rally' .

Everywhere in the world there is a rally being planned somewhere. The dramatically increasing popularity of the genre is tribute both to the increasing number of cruising sailors, and the thrill of sharing expeditions with like minded people.

You might think that the far off Louisiades, the islands at the tail of New Guinea, are an unlikely venue to attract a rally, but last year an amazing 28 boats joined the inaugural event, and it's on again in 2009.

The rally departs Cairns on Australia's north eastern coastline in September, taking around 4-5 days to make the crossing to these remote islands at the tail of New Guinea, but to join the whole event and participate in the expeditions in the Louisiades takes over five weeks.

Guy Chester, of EcoSustainAbility, the Rally organisers, said: 'After a successful 2008 Rally with 28 entrants, we are running the Louisiades Rally again in 2009.'

The Louisiades are a chain of tropical reefs and islands to the east of mainland Papua New Guinea and are just 520 nautical miles across the Coral Sea north-east of Cairns. They are inhabited by very welcoming Melanesian people who have little cash economy and look forward to festivities and trading with the yachts.

Mr Chester said: 'The islands and people are fantastic, so welcoming its often embarrassing. The Rally is a great experience for us, the yachties. Those with no previous offshore cruising experience to those with tens of thousands of miles of bluewater experience enjoyed the Rally last year. The locals also enjoy the Rally and the islands we visit are already planning their welcome for yachts this year!'

The welcome received everywhere - Louisiades Rally - Guy Chester Click Here to view large photo

The support from the rally includes safety and navigation briefings, Cairns marina berth (Yorkeys Knob Boating Club), weather, radio skeds, Australian/PNG customs arrangements and many events in the Louisiades. Between the official events there is ample time for individual cruising/exploring the many great anchorages in amongst the protected waters of the Calvodos and Deboyne groups which make up the Louisiades. Events include farewell drinks, arrival BBQ, skull cave visit, traditional dancing, village visits, cultural festival, traditional sailing canoe regatta, 'Showcase Misima' festival, river trip, school visit, clinic visit, sports day, traditional canoe making, traditional carving and the rally end party.

One of the highlights of the Rally is the traditional sailing canoe (lakatoi) regatta, held at Panapompom Island, which after a hectic day last year will be held over two days and see 30-50 of the traditional sailing canoes racing. 'Lakatois are the local transport, they are the truck, car and school bus for these island communities, but they are no slouch, they will race past at 12-15 knots', said Guy.

Guy also pointed out the community benefit side to the Rally: 'We also aim to support the local community and last year rally yachts took many items to donate to local schools and the local clinic. Trading for items is also very popular and by rally's end most yachts had exhausted their trading supplies (but had their fill of fruits and lobster and returned with great carvings and handicrafts)'.

Winner of the Panapompom Regatta boys canoe race - Louisiades Rally - Guy Chester Click Here to view large photo

The Rally is supported by the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority and the Yorkeys Knob Boating Club. Early bird entries close 1 May. Yachts muster at Yorkeys by September 6 and depart 12 September, yachts return to Australia mid October to mid November. Power and sail boats are welcome!

Further information about the Rally is available from Guy -Louisiadesrally@EcoSustainAbility.com, www.louisiadesrally.com