Boaties, beach users should prepare for World Optimist Race

21 December 2011

Boaties and beach users urged to prepare for World Optimist Racing

While out on the water, Hawke’s Bay boaties and beach users are urged to take into account the Optimist World Racing Championships being held in the bay over the Xmas and New Year period.

Around 220 young sailors and their support teams from 48 countries will converge on Napier in late December for the event, which is one of the larger junior sailing events in the world.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Compliance and Harbours Manager, Bryce Lawrence, says the main racing area will be out towards Bayview, so should be well away from the majority of boaties.

“This is an exciting event for Napier to host. We are hoping for every boatie’s co-operation and understanding to help make this event incident free and put Napier on the world map,” says Bryce Lawrence.

He says boaties and swimmers need to be aware of the temporary exclusion zone on Hardinge Road that will be in place on January 4 and 5 for match racing. An area along Hardinge Road has been provided for the exclusive use of the Optimist match racing on these days, which is going to be a great spectator opportunity. The area will be well marked by race officials, so there should be no reason for a boatie to accidentally enter the exclusion zone.

Boaties transiting the Inner Harbour entrance to South Pania, or vice versa, will need to travel slightly closer to Bayview than normal to provide a buffer for the yachts milling outside the race area.

Bryce Lawrence says that, for safety reasons, the area is closed to all unauthorised vessels, net or line fishing, swimming or any other activity likely to interfere with the racing event, except as directed by race officials.

The racing fleet will be departing from the Inner Harbour about an hour and a half before each race, so boaties are requested, if possible, to avoid the Inner Harbour channel at these times between 28 December to 3 January, and 7-9 January. The updated start times will be broadcast on Coastguard’s VHF channel 82 at 0805, 1005, 1205, and 1405 hrs each day during the event.

ENDS

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