Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Association.
North Island, New Zealand.
New Years day 2006 inaugural BBQ and Boat Glow Parade
The event started around 4pm in the Okere Arm with around 11 Classic boats involved.
We headed up to the Kaituna Landing led by Rambler and proceeded around the Okere Arm and on to Okawa Bay. From there we headed into Te Weta Bay and out across to Hot Water Beach for a picnic and to wait for dusk. The whole way round we were greeted by chants of Happy New Year and general waving and cheering by residents of the various areas.
The picnic was a great time to make sure all the illuminations were ready to go.
As the sun started to go down most of the boats turned on their various light arrangements and we set off towards Teal Bay and then on to Te Weta Bay, Okawa Bay and ending up back in the Okere Arm. This time the response from all the residents in the various bays was unbelievable, people were coming out onto their decks and jetties, flashing torches and houselights and even the odd firework.
The feedback over the following few days from locals and holidaymakers alike was very positive with them saying that it was such a fantastic spectacle from the shore that it will have to become an annual event.
Special mention has to be made of Bill & Cherry Fowler who turned up in a clinker dinghy with an outboard on it which had to be refuelled on the parade 4 times whilst battling fairly rough water and then set up their lights suspended from a couple of dead flax flower stalks taped to the dinghy and run off a 6v lantern battery.
Also to Michael Taylor and family on Arapawa that had so many lights on it that they had a generator on the back running them all.
Well done to all who participated and watch out for next year.
Nigel Brock (secretary)
