Not only was it blowing fit to bust, but the club had the first test of the wave attenuators that were recently installed and the results were plain to see. When we arrived on the Quarterdeck, the waves were breaking over the fuel jetty, but by the time a camera was procured, it had moderated a little, though the results were clear to see with very few problems on the south side of the fuel jetty.
However, our interest was more in the H28 luncheon on the Quarterdeck and the inclusion of various Division One sailors who came along to join us. We were not the only ones on the Quarterdeck and a nearby table had a former H28 owner celebrating his 70th birthday with his extended family and a cake with a very large number of candles on it. Congratulations to PC John Midolo.
Our attention was drawn to the fact that Fremantle to Geraldton entrant, Matt Rose was testing his boat King Canute and his crew that afternoon and would be venturing out into the 25 + knots on the river. While the club was busy keeping us entertained with good food the speculation was that he would be running a storm jib at one stage or another and it was no surprise that he took off with at least two deep reefs in the main and what may have been the number two strapped to the front.
A run out to Sampson occurred with the boat pogo-ing in the heavy chop at the bottom of the wind’s run up the river while being slammed by a wind-driven rain shower that came through. Looked fantastic. Because they hadn’t had enough, they went out again with the breeze a little softer, but still above 20+ knots and tried the same run again.
Finally just to make sure, they put up the bright red storm jib and sashayed out onto the river once more and then, with the boat firmly under control, they took off up the breeze and were last seen heading up toward Melville Water West. A job well done.
As I was making my way home, I spotted the resident swans on the grass over near the Centreboard clubhouse and a quick photo let me count the number of cygnets. Still at least seven of them.
