Warragamba Dam must be just about full to overflowing after the deluge this past weekend, which was the weekend of the Short Haul Race to Pittwater and the much looked forward to raft up at Refuge Bay.

The race started with a brisk southerly chasing 16 boats up the coast. For most it was looking to be a two-hour race until we got to Barrenjoey Head, where the heavens opened. With the breeze fading and then filling in, the race could have been won by anybody, if they could only find the finish line in the murk. And there definitely weren’t any protests as we could hardly see each other!

Not all the 16 boats made it to Refuge Bay – even that proved difficult to find for some with almost zero visibility due to even heavier rain. However five boats plus Offshore made it, then the sun came out in the late afternoon, just as the Bureau of Meteorology had predicted. 

Once everyone had dried out, a great night was had by all with food, wine and music until late. However with the race back to Sydney the next day starting at 10am everyone, had to be up bright and early for the start line in Broken Bay.

Once underway the heavens opened again with more rain and with a southerly up to 20 knots to contend with, it looked like being a miserable trip home, and a long one when the breeze started fading away halfway down the coast. Eventually the wind returned and the sun came out after the storm and some fine sailing was enjoyed by all. – Pat Goldstiver