The Hong Kong contingent for the Varuna- LBC Interport arrived at the Royal Varuna Club, Pattaya to find it as advertised – beautiful location & facilities, great weather, cheap beer…….and the legendary boat boys! This being Pattaya, before you start wondering about the boat boys: Picture arriving at the beach in DB to see your Dart fully rigged and pulled to the shore line…..getting it? Now imagine coasting into the beach after a tough afternoon’s racing, strolling up to the bar and fixing a beer in your hand whilst your boat magically disappears back under it’s cover. That’s what I mean ‘Boat Boys’.
So it was that Iain, Ronnaug (en famille), Henrik, Lena (also en famille) Keith, Barbara , James, Karen (+ Ellie) and the ever ‘up for it’ Deborah decked out in our distinctive LBC red UV shirts made the most of the opportunity of sampling a bit of exotic sailing ‘Thai style’.
The Royal Varuna Club boasts a decent sized fleet of dinghys and multihulls – with Hobies & Nacras making up the vast majority of the multis.
We were blessed with sufficient breeze on Saturday for a good series of cans racing, followed by superb breeze for Sunday’s Island’s style race. Another engaging feature of the Club is the ability to put the start line within a few hundred yards of the shore….and even have the start sequence run from the beach (something James & Keith found to their cost as they focused on a rubber dinghy (Awah-style) sitting at the Start Line).
I would say that our fortunes were…..shall we say mixed. The LBC Commodore/Club Sectretary team record over 3 races:
Race 1: “Look – everyone’s heading for the line. No flags on the Dinghy…..what Start Gun?…uh-oh, it’s on the shore….”.Result: Well, we took a few Hobies…..
Race 2: “Hey James, this is a lot longer than a Dart 15…er, and a lot wider….…” Result: Squeezed out at the Start Line.
Race 3: “Hey Keith, there’s a gap…I can make it….I think I can make….Can I make it Keith?!……” Result: Squeezed again on the Start Line. Snapped Jib Sheet. Time for a beer?
I’m told that NACRA stands for North American Catamaran Racing Association, but I think the label as applied to this crew stood for Not A Chance Racing Anything…..
In truth, we persevered in the 3rd race and, having tacked off early on the first beat were looking quite good twin trapezing our way around. That is until the job sheet snapped. Still, we did manage an on-the water repair and continued to overhaul boats to the end. Meanwhile the boats crewed by Henrik/Lena and Iain/Deborah acquitted themselves reasonably well considering the difference in handling compared to an Dart 18.
Saturday evening we enjoyed sundowners on the beach and dined at the Club which with the breeze and good company was just the right note to round off the day.
The wind arrived on Sunday and gave us a memorable Islands race. Bags of trapeezing, kite flying (for those that had one) and a massive wipe out for Henrik and Lena when Henrik’s trapeze snapped, dumping him in the water and sending Lena crashing into the mast. Thankfully neither hurt, but Lena nursing a neck ache and some bruises that evening.
I have memories of Iain and Deborah steaming past us on the down-wind leg, kite flying and really letting it rip. Keith and I on the kite-less 5.5 were in touch with the fleet and, until then we were overhauling boats, but as soon as the kites were popped it was sadly bye bye.
For the final beat up to the finish line it was really blowing and we learned that Nacras hold up really well in these kinds of conditions. A very enjoyable and exciting race, even if we were somewhat underpowered for certain sections.
In summary, the NACRA is a great boat – feels really stable to trapeze and twin trapeze off, but powered up it’s quite something…oh, but it doesn’t squeeze into gaps on the start line quite like a Dart!…
Our visit to Pattaya was completed with an evening excursion to Pattaya’s Lobster Pot restaurant where we dined well on seafood platters and Irish coffees.
In summary, I highly recommend a visit to the Varuna Club where you will find a warm welcome, good sailing and plenty to make a good family holiday.
