Lake Rotoiti - Nelson Lakes National Park March 1 & 2 2008
The ninth Seresin Estate Antique and Classic Boat Show at Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park is pulling in
the usual unusual entries.
There are classics of every kind from steam to sail - including a Nordic folk boat owned by past winner Peter Sewell and
102 year old Wellington steam clinker called India. The Seagull race promises some hilarity, with the Grovetown Hotel
Social Club entering a pram dinghy mounted with a porcelain toilet, towing an inflatable carrying a large stuffed horse.
Organiser Pete Rainey said over almost a decade the event had developed a format that suited both boat owners and boat
viewers. After registration on Saturday morning (March 1) there is time for boat viewing on the dry, then a sail past
and an afternoon of action on the water with events ranging from the Seagull outboard race through to the children¹s
rowing race.
Sunday follows the same format. Rainey says the judges of the Jens Hansen cup for the overall winning boat will be
considering many factors: ³The way the boat looks, the story behind the boat, the condition of the boat, the way it is
constructed and engineered - it¹s not necessarily the most valuable or expensive boat that wins the ultimate prize at
the show.²
Previous winners have included an original Hamilton jet, a locally restored idle-along, an almost original 50s speedboat
from a Blenheim farm shed, and last year¹s winner - the Picton clinker Stiffy that took 380 hours to restore.
There is an added draw this year of Christchurch singer Janice Gray, backed by Tom Rainey and his band. They will
perform at the Saturday night Boat Show prize giving and will stay on for an outdoor concert on Sunday at the newly
licensed Tophouse Hotel.
The boat show is an eco-friendly event and people are asked to respect the venue. DOC have released kiwi into the
National Park very close to where the show takes place, so it is essential the NO DOGS rule is upheld. All boats will be
checked for noxious aquatic weeds, and oil leaks. Boats will also be sprayed against Didymo on Sunday afternoon as
people leave.
ends