Media Release. Mossel Bay Tourism. 5 August 2010

Hobie Tiger Nationals Begin in Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay – which has been described as one of the best sailing grounds in the world – will host the Hobie Tiger National Championships this weekend.

“The Hobie Tiger is a very fast, high performance, two person catamaran, and the racing’s going to be hard and very competitive – and lovely to watch,” said South African Sailing’s National Training Manager, Mossel Bay-based Rob Holden.

He said that the event would begin with a fun race at 13h00 today, Friday  the 6th of August, and that racing will start in earnest at 11h00 on the Saturday.

“After that, we’ll be racing on Sunday and Monday from about 10h00, and prize giving will take place at about 15h00 on Monday,” he said.

Mossel Bay Tourisms chairman, Neels Zietsman, who is himself a keen member of the Mossel Bay Yacht and Boat Club, said that competitors would be coming from around the country: “Mostly from Joburg and Cape Town, but we do have entrants from other centres, too,” he said.

“Events like the Hobie Tiger Nationals are important for Mossel Bay, because they provide a platform for showing off its many attractions – so you can be sure that – off the water – we’ll be doing everything we can to make our visitors welcome.

“On the water, though, we’re going to be shouting for our local sailors, for sure.”

Mr. Holden said that between 15 and 30 boats are expected to take part in the event, and he urged locals and people from surrounding towns in the Garden Route and Klein Karoo to come and enjoy the spectacle.

“Everyone is welcome to come to the Yacht club to see what is going on,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mossel Bay’s sailing development programme – which is partially sponsored by Mossel Bay Tourism – held its annual prize-giving ceremony late last week.

“Badges and trophies were awarded to children for achieving new levels in their sailing,” said Mr. Holden, who explained that the school follows tiered system in which children begin as ‘Jellyfish’ (those who are still training on land), and progresses to ‘Guppies’ (initial training on the water), ‘Penguins’ (basic sailing “in a triangle”), ‘Dolphins’ (those who’ve begun learning to race), and ‘Regatta Sailors’ (those who’ve taken part in five regattas or more).

“After that, they can become Junior or Senior Assistant Coaches, and  begin to help with the training of the kids who are rising up through the ranks,” he said.

Children who received trophies were: Betandwa Mthi – Most improved Jellyfish (boy); Megan Fourie – Most improved Jellyfish (girl); Andre Bredenkamp – Most improved sailor (boy); Anke van Rooyen – Most improved sailor (girl); Andre Bredenkamp – Best junior regatta result.

More information: Rob or Elfie Holden 083 3206362

INFORMATION FOR EDITORS:

The following people received medals at Mossel Bay Yacht Club’s Development Prize Giving:

GUPPIES: Georgina Barker; Thomas Barry; Amaris Snell; Christoph Snell; Conway Howell; Altus Lourens; Cara Brits; Annushka Terblance; Bathndwa Mthi; Justin Labaschagne; Kayleigh Jacobs; Leah Pretorius; Jean Lourens; Hansie Barnard; Sarveshen Pillay

PENGUINS: Daniel Lochner; Joshua Lochner; Megan Fourie; Carel Petzer; Jeandre Petzer; Luca Uzzardi; Liam Swanepoel; Tristan Jones; Zanele Mabena

DOLPHINS: Cameryn Whittle; Douglas van Tonder; Louie Marais; Nichole vd Bergh

REGATTAS: Anke van Rooyen; Amber Henegan; Andrew Murdoch; Andre Bredenkamp; Robyn Mills

JUNIOR ASSISTANT COACHES: Erjee Dames; Tammy Holden; Moya Moorcraft

SENIOR ASSISTANT COACHES: Daleen Bubb Naude; Dane Henegan; Earl Swart; George Dannhauser; James Marais; Joppie Bubb-Naude; Nelia Dannhauser; Sean Farnham

ENDS 615 WORDS

Tags: hobie, mossel bay, rob holden, sailing, tigers