Easter on Kawau

Easter on Kawau Island, like many other places, marks the end of Summer and the onset of Winter. It tends to be the last long break of the year and most Kawau property owners come up for the holiday break.
One of the tradtitional island Easter events is the Mahurangi Cruising Club Easter Regatta which is based in North Cove.
While not as big as the Anniversary weekend regatta, there are a good number of classic yachts and launches that come to the island each year for the event, swelling our population for that period.
Traditionally starting on the Friday evening with a barbeque ashore, the main events take place on the Saturday. The morning sees dinghy and radio controlled yacht racing with a casual barbeque lunch, then, in the afternoon the main regatta for the larger boats takes place.
This usually comprises a race starting in North Cove and following a course out around a number of the islands in Kawau Bay, returning to finish off North Cove.
The start is a "Mark Foy" (Start times are staggered according to the size and race history of the entrants) and if the handicapper has done a good job, most entrants finish around the same time. The winner is the first boat over the finish line.
Following the race, there is another barbeque and prize giving ashore with lots of tall tales being told about the day.
Most of the visiting boats enjoy the island surrounds for the rest of the easter break, returning home on the Monday.
One of the great things about this regatta is that entry is open to all and everyone always seems to have a great time.
So, if you have nothing better to do at Easter, come over and participate in the event, either in your own boat, or as crew on another boat.