Key Takeaways:
- The Mount Maunganui Yacht Club hosts an annual Christmas party with a range of activities, including a yachting version of The Amazing Race, dinghy relays, and games on a sandbar.
- The sandbar, located between navigation marks 9 and 13 near the Stella Passage, has a rich history dating back to the 1800s and was once a busy anchorage for ships.
- The Christmas party is open to all, including families, newcomers, and sailors from other clubs, and registration is available on the Mount Maunganui Yacht Club website.
- The club’s spirit is built on camaraderie and a love of sailing, with a focus on social events and activities that bring members together.
- The club’s summer series has recently launched, with a range of events and activities planned for the coming months.
Introduction to the Mount Maunganui Yacht Club Christmas Party
The Mount Maunganui Yacht Club’s annual Christmas party is a highly anticipated event that brings together sailors and their families for a day of fun and festivities. This year’s event, scheduled for Saturday, December 13, promises to be just as exciting, with a range of activities planned, including a yachting version of The Amazing Race, dinghy relays, and games on a sandbar. The party will take place in Tauranga Harbour, which offers a beautiful and historic setting for the festivities.
The History of the Sandbar
The sandbar, located between navigation marks 9 and 13 near the Stella Passage, has a rich history dating back to the 1800s. Known historically as Man O’ War Anchorage, Maketū Mound, and Battleship Row, it was once a busy anchorage for ships. According to Tauranga maritime historian Trevor Bentley, the area was alive with activity during the Tauranga War of 1864, with four or five Royal Navy battleships anchored there at once. Today, the sandbar serves a more light-hearted purpose, providing a temporary low-tide playground for the Mount Maunganui Yacht Club’s most creative traditions.
The Christmas Party Activities
This year’s Christmas party will kick off at 10am at the old Mount Maunganui Yacht Club in Pilot Bay, where sailors will receive the first clue of a boating mystery hunt that sends them around Tauranga Harbour. The hunt will be similar to The Amazing Race, with sailors picking up clues at different harbour destinations, such as Salinity and mokoroa. The sandbar will also feature prominently in the party, with games, food, and general fun planned for the low-tide mark. Brew Co Mount Maunganui is sponsoring a keg for the pop-up "bar on the bar", which promises to be a highlight of the event.
Racing and Games
Before the fleet heads off on their harbour challenge, crews will compete in dinghy races or relays at Pilot Bay. The day will also feature the club’s legendary Coke Bottle Boat Race, which is usually held during the Christmas Raft-Up around 4pm. The rules of the race are simple: no glue and no tape, with the fastest bottle ship winning. The event is open to all, including families, newcomers, and sailors from other clubs, and registration is available on the Mount Maunganui Yacht Club website.
The Club’s Spirit and Community
The Mount Maunganui Yacht Club’s spirit is built on camaraderie and a love of sailing, with a focus on social events and activities that bring members together. According to Commodore Kyle Bryant, the club’s social side is what makes it special, with overnight trips, sailing adventures, and fun events like the Christmas party. The club’s base at the Mount Ocean Sports Club in Pilot Bay offers prime views of a harbour steeped in history, and Bryant is passionate about getting people out on the water and opening up the possibilities of sailing to them.
Conclusion and Registration
The Mount Maunganui Yacht Club’s Christmas party is a unique and exciting event that promises to be a highlight of the sailing calendar. With its rich history, beautiful setting, and range of activities, it’s an event not to be missed. Registration is now open on the Mount Maunganui Yacht Club website, and all are welcome to join in the fun. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or just looking for a fun day out, the Mount Maunganui Yacht Club’s Christmas party is the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season.