2014 Vanuatu Masters Regatta "Masters in Paradise"
A long weekend in June, what ever shall I do?
I decided to go to Vanuatu. I sold it to my wife as a 'Family Holiday' before telling her that on the same weekend was the 'Masters in Paradise' regatta, the inaugural Vanuatu Masters regatta being held on the very lake (Erakor Lagoon), that our hotel backed onto... How convenient, not surprisingly she rolled her eyes at me.
An entry form was filled in, Masters Single here I come. I teamed up with Andrew Goldstein from Toowong Rowing Club, and decided to enter the double sculls as well may as well make the trip worth it right.
On arrival, we proceeded to the welcoming dinner, where we were handed our race schedules. Thanks to the National Bank of Vanuatu the Port Villa Rowing club (PVRC) recently purchased 4 Singles, 4 doubles and 4 quads/fours, these would be the boats we were to use, but due to only being four of each, the days racing would be, a singles race, a doubles race, a fours race.. then repeat.
I looked down the list and found my categories, Race 5 and race 7 I can do that I tried to convince myself, it will be a quick turn around... at least the other racers were in the same boat (pun intended). Andrew tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I entered us in the fours as well? with an answer of no, he then pointed out that we are listed in Race 3 along with Paul Coates from Sydney Rowing Club, and Tibal one of the Locals from PVRC.. screw it why not make it really worth the trip, so now it is Race 3, 5, & 7.
The following morning (Sunday) we head back to the course and meet our 'fours' crew for the first time (as we collect the boat to race). After a rocky start, we find some sort of rhythm, and get the boat moving quite nicely (even if our steering wasn't), although we weren't the only ones with a wonky fin (that is our excuse anyway). On the non-buoyed course, with no real navigational points either, a few lane changes occurred. The officials (all of which who were Fisa race officials who had volunteered to help) gave up on the course corrections, and only intervened if a collision was imminent.
From lane 1 we finished in lane 4, but it is ok because lane 4 finished in lane 1. We were up against a Local crew from PVRC, and two crews from New Zealand. We were lucky enough to cross the line first.
Next up and a quick boat swap, Andrew and I were off to the start for the Men’s ABC Double, after a tough race the last 150 meters was down to Andrew and I and a local PVRC crew (who were racing by invitation for experience as these were the young men competing in the world cup). Although Andrew and I finished second due to the invitational status of the winning crew we were awarded the gold.
As we arrived back at shore for another quick boat change, we were told the Men's A 1x had been moved to the last race of the day, thankfully, because by now my lungs were really burning, and my legs were a little wobbly.
I decided to go back to the hotel and indulge on some breakfast as the last race wouldn't be until late afternoon. After trying to limit myself from eating the entire buffet counter I spent a bit of time with my daughter swimming in the pool, and playing on the beach, before heading back to the regatta for the 1x.
In the singles we had Andrew from TRC, Myself, Paul Coates from Sydney, Robin Baird from Mercer Rowing Club in NZ, and Luigi from PVRC. Out of the start it was a close race, and you could have thrown a blanket over all of the field, by 250 in Luigi had a lead by about 1/2 a boat length over Andrew, followed by Robin and myself who were neck and neck 1/2 a length again, and then back to Paul. By the 1000m Andrew and Luigi were fighting it out for first and second, and Robin and I with less than a bow ball between us. It stayed that way until the last 50 meters were Robin was unfortunately able to get about a ½ a boat length in front from a mistake I made. I ended up finishing fourth, Again Luigi from PVRC was invitational so I was awarded the bronze.
On the Monday I opted not to partake in the 6km time trial which was open to all competitors.
Monday evening we had the ‘Awards dinner’ where we were all presented with our Tam-Tam’s (AKA Medals). The Tam-Tam is a traditional Vanuatu tribal carving, usually only given out by the chief of the village. The PVRC had sought permission from the local tribal chief to be able to give the Tam-Tam as a medal for the inaugural race. Each was hand carved by members of the local tribe and as such made it even more meaningful for those of us that were lucky enough to be awarded one. After the official ceremony we were then provided a fire dancing show by some of the locals and of course dinner.
During our time at Vanuatu we were invited to attend any of the training sessions with the locals, and even go on a picnic breakfast row to the mouth of the lagoon on the Tuesday morning if we wanted.
Overall I was happy with my efforts, and was glad I had made the trip. In total there was approximately 80 competitors mainly from Australia and New Zealand, but there was a few from America, and some from Europe, and amongst it all I have made some new friends, and plan to follow up on the invitations to go rowing if I am ever travelling and near one of the clubs.
Two Gold, and a Bronze from 3 races, I'm happy with that.
And although I wanted to come home on the Tuesday, unfortunately there are no flights to Australia on Tuesday's so I was FORCED to stay an extra night... and took the extra time to see Port Villa, and to show my daughter how lucky we are to have everything that we do. But we did also look at some of the wildlife including the oversized starfish.
The event was held as a fund raiser for the Port Villa Rowing club, and the Vanuatu Rowing Association, which currently has several athletes competing in the world cup series (and doing well for a club, and country that has only been rowing for a total of 5 years).
Many thanks to the Organising committee, and all sponsors and supporters of both the Vanuatu Rowing Association, and the Masters in Paradise regatta. Of course I must also thank all members of CRC for having such a great club that has allowed me to be able to continue to row, to the point where I have the confidence to race.
So start training because it is a great experience, a beautiful course and just a great excuse to take the family on a holiday for the June long weekend.