Page 7 - KZN Business Sense Vol.2 No.5
P. 7
SEA AND LAND ACTION
Mazars is a proud sponsor
of the Royal Natal is a popular worldwide sailing handicap system was in place, and
Regatta, which was held tradition aimed at encouraging although handicap ratings were
novices and those who have never often a severe bone of contention,
over the weekend of the 23 − 25 had an opportunity to experience sailing was thriving and simply
September at the Royal Natal sailing to take to the water and great fun and made summer
Yacht Club. enjoy a short yacht race within weekends extra special. The
the confines of the harbour. Over majority of the offshore racing
“The regatta, which traditionally the past two years, and following fleet were 32 foot and over,” said
opens the annual racing season the practice of overseas clubs, the Honorary Commodore Willy
for the year, comprises two days Royal Natal Yacht Club has used Vandeverre.
of sea and land action with an this as an opportunity to raise
emphasis on bringing family funds for charity. Hence “Fun” However, Vandeverre added,
and fun together,” said Hans has become “Fun’d”. Last year “There was an irritating pebble
Dettman – Rear Commodore of over the course of the Wednesday in our sea boots, simply called
the Club. evening sailing series R 35 000 was a Cape One Design, a 29 foot
monohull, which had the amazing
Since 1858 yacht regattas have raised for the Cancer Association ability to surf long stretches
been a feature of yachting on of South Africa. This year the downwind. This was a truly
Durban Bay. In that year the club aims to double the amount remarkable feat of superior,
Durban Regatta Club came into raised and encourages each yacht although outdated design, and a
existence and one of the first to introduce new people to sailing most irritating competitor for us
organised regattas was held on and for each person to make a heavier, but newer vessels, which
28th May. small donation to the fund raising often surfed past us to take line
initiative. There is a prize at the honours.
end of the season for the yacht
By 1871 the Natal Yacht Club raising the most money for charity At that time John Gatenby Left to right: Hans Dettman (Rear Commodore), Maureen Dettman (judge),
boasted 42 members. These and introducing the most newbie’s Puttergill had a 48 foot racing Graham Linscott (judge), Wendy Williams (Mazars), Rick Kingsma (judge)
included some of Durban’s to sailing. Following the success yacht, and was truly ‘gatvol’ of the and Bob Humphreys (judge)
leading citizens, namely Evans, of the last sailing season Standard upstart Cape Ones. He organised
Craddock, Leuchars, Caney, Bank - Wealth and Investment a weekend Regatta, excluding the GB Packaging, Riebeek Cellars, This event is hotly contested and
Robinson, Escombe, Beningfield, have generously agreed to sponsor Cape Ones, but inclusive of all the Sappi, Engen and iDube Safety. the judges, who were Maureen
Taylor, Goodricke, Acutt and the Royal Natal Wednesday 36s and over. This was a roaring Commodore Graham Rose Dettman, columnist Graham
Cato. As such the Natal Yacht Evening Sailing Season and will success and he subsequently was unable to attend the Regatta Linscott, entertainment and
Club is closely associated with match the amount raised for formed a trust called the Royal as he was overseas representing food writer Wanda Henning,
the history of Durban and also of charity by the yachtsmen. Natal Regatta Trust and donated a the Club and indeed the whole restaurateur Bob Humphreys and
KwaZulu-Natal. On 17th February very substantial amount from his of Africa at the prestigious Rick Kingsma of Tina’s Hotel, were
1891, the club announced that company, Swimline. The purpose International Council of Yacht hard pressed to select the winners.
Her Majesty Queen Victoria had Regattas such as the Royal Natal of the trust was to fund an annual Clubs Commodores’ Forum
graciously approved the title of Regatta, which has a long history, long weekend Regatta to be called hosted this year in Copenhagen Mazars would like to congratulate
Royal, and the Royal Natal Yacht are generally held on weekends. the Swimline Regatta. by the Royal Danish Yacht Club. the crews of Southern Storm,
Club was proclaimed. During the mid-1980s Durban However, he thanked Mazars for Bellatrix, Liquid Blue and Ladybird
offshore keelboat sailing was a “The only proviso he included their generous sponsorship of on their victories – both on land
weekly event in the sailing season. in his Deed of Gift was that the the goodie bags and license disk and at sea – and looks forward to
The Royal Natal Yacht Club is Yachtsmen of the Royal Natal Regatta was open to monohulls holders that all the participants next year!
now the oldest yacht and sports Yacht Club, and the Point, Bluff over 30 foot in length. Many received. The Club has invited
club in Africa and the oldest and Island yacht clubs were all attempts were made to have the all sponsors to participate in a The Royal Natal Yacht Club
yacht club in the southern enthusiastic participants. The deed amended, but John stuck corporate sailing day aboard the welcomes new members and
hemisphere and the eighth oldest contest was largely undertaken by to his guns, and it is only fitting Club›s fleet of Pacer 27 sport boats anyone, with even a passing
‘Royal’ Yacht Club in the World. medium displacement monohull that we pay tribute to John as a token of appreciation for the interest in sailing, yachts or other
In 2008, the club celebrated boats. At that stage, the first of Gatenby Puttergill for the event’s support provided to the Club in maritime matters, will find the
its 150 year anniversary as an the new Lavranos 36 boats were continued existence,” concluded making this year›s event both Club a unique refuge from the
active and vibrant yacht club and arriving in our Durban waters Vandevere. memorable and enjoyable. pressures of modern day life.
looks forward to its continued and were hot contenders for line The Club provides a number
operation. honours. Apart from Mazars, the event The Royal Natal Regatta is of exciting opportunities for
now enjoys sponsorship from now a truly family event with members and non-members
During the summer months “To be fair, a performance an emphasis on fun. The event to experience firsthand the
Wednesday Evening Fun sailing opened with the Amazing Race wonderful sport of sailing
– a cryptic clue late afternoon and unique yachting lifestyle
motor sail around the harbour on including the hosting of the ever
Friday night – which was not only popular corporate sailing days.
exciting but a serious brain teaser. All enquiries welcome. n
The entertainment continued with
a Karaoke evening that was much rnyc.org.za / www.mazars.co.za
enjoyed by all.
Mazars is an international, integrated and
Saturday was dedicated to a independent organisation, specialising
traditional off shore racing event, in audit, accounting, tax and advisory
which took place under great services across a range of markets
wind conditions and concluded and sectors. In South Africa, Mazars
with a “Nauti-cal” theme evening employs over 1000 staff in 12 offices
party. nationally. With the skills of 17 000 staff
operating in 77 countries, Mazars is large
Sunday‘s Bay Race took place enough to service international listed
under very blustery conditions. clients, yet small enough to assist small
At the same time, the competing companies grow and prosper in their own
yachts’ land crews were hard environments. Mazars is present on five
at work preparing gourmet continents and represented in 25 African
‘potjiekos’ and decorating their countries.
themed tables for the Club
competition.
Nimrod in action at the Royal Natal Regatta.
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