OYSTR 2007 - Regatta Report

NSC, August 25-26, 2007

The Ottawa Youth Sail Training Regatta (OYSTR) was hosted by NSC, August 25-26. Sailors from Barrie, Mississauga, BYC, ONEC and NSC joined in the fun this year. Though overall numbers were a little disappointing, we were thrilled to have 14 Open Bics register. The Open Bic is a new design targeted to replace the Optimist; NSC purchased nine for the sail-training program, and the numbers confirm their popularity with the kids!

Despite the miserable forecast, Saturday's conditions were perfect for sailing -- in fact, a little too perfect, later in the day. The RC got four races in before the winds built to 20 knots, with higher gusts, and racers headed for shore around 1 pm. The big kids racing in little kids' boats, at the Harbour Master series, provided lots of entertainment on shore, and even the opportunity for the kids to do some sailing in the afternoon. It's not very often you see two people in an Optimist, but there were quite a few such teams that competed in the longest-ever Harbour Master series. Unfortunately for the kids, the Harbour Master rules stipulated that at least one crew member had to be at least 18 years of age; otherwise us old folks wouldn't have stood a chance!

Saturday evening, Scott & Patti-Ann provided a delicious pasta dinner, and free loot bags, including T-shirts, were handed out, compliments of Open Bic distributor Larry Nichols (Schooner Yacht Sales).

Sunday brought more moderate and steady winds of 10-15 knots from the northwest. The first gun was at 10:00, lunch was served on the water, and by 2:00 pm sailors were back ashore, having completed another 5-6 races! Awards ceremony followed shortly thereafter, and there were a lot of tired but content kids who scooped up some great door prizes.

Sponsors for the regatta included: Games Workshop (Bayshore Mall), Kernels (Carlingwood Mall), Kunstadt Sports (Kanata), Miss Tiggy Winkles (Richmond Road), Pride Marine (Kingston), Schooner Yacht Sales (Open Bic Dealer), Scotia Bank (Carlingwood Mall), Subway Sandwiches & Salads (College Square), The Chandlery, Trail Head, and Wizard's Tower. We would also like to thank: the Race Committee, headed by John Blackwood, the NSC Sailing Instructors lead by Clara Janeka, Trisha Murray for collecting the door prizes, Barb James for chairing the protest committee, and Cathy Kayser for coordinating all the food for the event.

See the final results. And see you in 2008!

Hugh Morrin
OYSTR Regatta Chair