RCLaser Sailing

Just click on the above link for the most amazing ride of your life!

Photo of one of the starts at the recent WBMIGRRegatta. Photo by Terry Flynn

December 2004 ~ Terry Flynn ~ Chairman Radio Controlled Laser Owners Association

The RCLaser class continues to go from strength to strength in South Africa. This year has seen the Gauteng fleet flourish and they organised the first ever Northvaal RCLaser Championships at Benoni Yacht Clubthat were well attended and won by local KZN sailor Des Fairbank with myself in second place. More recently the OFS fleet got off the ground with the purchase of two boats and I'm sure that during 2005 we will see the fleet firmly established in that area.

For the first time this year four sailors from South Africa travelled to the UK to participate in the UK National Championships that were held at the Burghfield Yacht Club near Reading. The SA contingent did very well in that Des Fairbank won the regatta and the Open Trophy after a very tough battle with their new national champion John Tuslingham. I also sailed in the regatta and after some very poor race starts managed a 13th position in the big fleet of 43 boats. The most recent local regatta was the Electronic Specialities National Championships that were sailed in early November, with a big fleet of 34 boats and entries from Gauteng, OFS, Eastern Cape and KZN the regatta proved to be very competitive with once again Des Fairbank coming out on top and taking the gold medal. Young PYC member Richard Weddell took second place after a tough battle at the top of the fleet.

During the summer months most of the racing in the class takes place on Thursday afternoons down at the Pond at the Blue Lagoon. There is racing every Thursday from mid October to mid March, racing starts at 17h30 and goes on until the light fades. This is always a very pleasant way of spending a summer's afternoon in Durban and who knows, if you come down to the Pond one evening, the RCLaser bug may just bite you! For more information visit the class website www.rclaser.co.za

Thursday Night Summer Series

The Thursday Night Summer Series of races kicks off on Thursday 16 October 17h30. This is a brilliant way to spend a few hours after work enjoying the fantastic Durban weather. So why not come down to the Pond after work on any Thursday afternoon and checkout the RCLaser scene!

RCLaser National Championships

The 5th RCLaser National Championships take place on the 6th and 7th November at the Pond at the Blue Lagoon in Durban