“The Perfect Weekend”

2007 Regata de Gatos

June 16-17

Port Burwell Provincial Park, ON                                                                                                             by John Bauldry

     This is what the doctor had ordered.  After two previous years with sub-par winds, Regata de Gatos was blessed with warm sunny skies and wind ranging from 8 to double trap. Susan and I arrived at Port Burwell Provincial Park around noon on Friday only to meet up with the tent guys from St. Thomas.  Fleet 276 had dodged a rain bullet for the past couple of years.  Not to press our luck this year, we decided to have a tent over the beer corral.  The tent was erected, picnic tables placed and the area was then surrounded by snow fencing.  The regatta site was taking shape with the help of the very accommodating park staff.

     One by one the fleet members started to arrive.  The Bounds with all the registration stuff, the Krutty’s with a 4WD, wave runner, marks and anchors and the Kittinger’s riding in style with a BIG Hummer.  Tim Holton had brought his inflatable and motor.  We have become experts in logistics…packing in everything we needed from Detroit to run a regatta at Port Burwell.  As people arrived, boats were moved to the beach with the 4WD’s.  The Hummer was especially fun to drive on the sand.  As the sun slowly started to set, a campfire party started in the corral with s’mores for the kids and cool beverages for the adults.  The party continued on until the wee hours but I don’t think the gang made it to 2:04 AM.

     After the skipper’s meeting on Saturday morning, crews made their boats race ready and splashed them in the warm waters of Lake Erie.  The sun was shinning brightly and the wind was starting to fill in from prevailing…not real hard but strong enough to do 4 races in some really nice conditions.  Immediately following the last race, the fleet really went to work in getting the margarita party started along with the BBQ grills.  Rocio along with other fleet gals, made some very delicious pico de gallo to go with the chips.  As the chips and margaritas were consumed, the BBQ’s were cooking the fajitas and refried beans.  The dinner was very delicious and everyone went away with a big smile on their faces.  After dinner we had the annual gutter boat races.  The kids (young and old) had a lot of fun with some great prizes given to the winners. 

     At about 3:30 in the morning on Sunday, I was awakened by the sound of thunder.  This immediately confirmed that having the tent was the right call.  Susie and I quickly got up and went outside to secure anything that could get wet or blown away in the corral.  Of course the raccoons were having a feast on the granola bars that were left out.  After being startled (both us and the raccoons), the late night (early morning?) dinner guests scurried away as we went about securing everything.  You could see flashes of lightning to the west with thunder rumbling across the water.  Luckily the storm stayed over the lake and moved eastward…sparing us any rain.  Then it was back to bed.  The next thing I knew Matt knocked on the door came in and started the generator. 

     There is nothing like a good cup of coffee when you’re camping.  The fleet provided a continental breakfast both mornings of coffee, tea, muffins, croissants, granola bars and orange juice.  The racing was going to start earlier on Sunday with the wind already filling in.  The boats were rigged and crews shoved off toward the race course.  3 more races were completed in freshening breezes with the last race being the most double wire, hull flying fun.  Then it was back to the beach to break down the boats and make them ready for the trip home.  The Hummer and the F-150 made quick work of getting all the boats off the beach and into the parking lot.  The fleet then supplied pizza with all the fixings so that no one would go home on an empty stomach.

     The raffle (with great prizes from our sponsors Hobie Cat and Midwest Sailing) was done just before the awards presentation.  The trophies were laminated wood lime cutting boards with a flying H, class and place burned into the wood.  Matt and yours truly held on to win their classes.  Bob O was kidding us by saying that you shouldn’t win your own party!       One by one people said their good byes and headed on down the road toward home.  You could see the smiles on their faces as they pulled away.  Another successful regatta weekend and a very successful Regata de Gatos.  This event wouldn’t happen without the help of our fleet members and numerous volunteers.  You know who you are and I want to shout out a BIG thank you to you all.  Lastly, a very big THANK YOU to Irene McNeil for running the races and to the staff at Port Burwell Provincial Park.  You always welcome and accommodate us.  We look forward to coming back next year for the 5^th Annual Race of the Cats.  See you on the beach.