Whistler attended the 33rd Annual Fiji Regatta Week at Musket Cove. From September 16th to 21st, the sponsors provide a wide variety of fun events for the cruisers.
Monty and I caught a boat ride out to Namotu Island. It is a paradise-like island resort famous for its surfing. Good friends of ours from Canada were married there.
The boards ready for the SUP race
Racers ready!
Monty paddling in the long open water SUP race!
Glad to be at the finish line! I was very glad I had decided be a spectator!
Monty urged me to go in the Hobie Cat challenge with him. We were out after the preliminaries, but it was fun.
Monty and I already behind on the first leg!
Coming in for the finish, a long way behind the race that started after us!
It was exciting and educational to watch the races. The true sailors rose to the top.
Bart and Irene
Lionel and Lil
The running beach start!
Lil and Bart in the final
A tight race down the back stretch.
Lil and Bart, second overall!
Monty and I played in the golf tournament. It was our first round of golf in two years! We played with a New Zealand Bio-Security Inspector (who inspects boats arriving in NZ) and his wife from Kerikeri. Monty played well. I had a rough round, playing with old men’s rental clubs, but had the lowest score for the ladies, with a very limited field!
A sail race around Malolo Island was held. We participated as spectators/photographer. Whistler remained anchored.
The Start Line
The finish of the Round Malolo Island Race
A short ride by dinghy from the resorts and anchorage is a sand bar that appears for about 4 hours around low tide. It is an idyllic spot for snorkelling and hanging out on a sandy beach.
The sand bar by Musket Cove
One of the regatta events was a beach party, set up on the sand bar with some food, drink and games.
The hairy chest competition.
The clear winner!
Another beach game, knock the bottles over going one way, and stand them up on the way back!
When the wind cooperated, the sand bar was a great spot for kiting.
Looking at Musket Cove from above the sand bar at low tide.
Monty screaming along!
Lionel showing us a move!
Bart jumping over the sand bar!
On one sunny calm day, we took the dinghy out to Cloud Nine, a floating restaurant/bar at the edge of the outer reef, about 20 minutes from Musket Cove.
Cloud Nine
Fellow Canadian cruisers on Infinity, Andy and Julie from North Vancouver, joined us.
No post would be complete without a sunrise or sunset!
One of the beautiful yachts that hung around Musket Cove during the regatta week.
BBQs, buffets and live entertainment were organized at the island bar almost every evening. Dancing barefoot in the sand to old familiar songs was a blast.
Photo by Irene Bass from S/V Kiapa
No cruising boat in the South Pacific should miss the Musket Cove Regatta!
6 comments
Nice to see you have had so much fun!
Guess you will leave Whistler for a while and enjoing winter time in Canada?
Have a good time and take care!
Hi, Christian! We think about you all the time. So many wonderful reasons to thank you!
An awesome adventure and beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing!
Great shots Margy, glad you are having a blast and the boat is running smoothly.
Awesome pics I’m glad you two are having a blast! Please keep them coming! I turned down a trip this winter skippering the southern ocean to Stornaway ..way too cold
Thank you for sharing such an ‘out of this world’ adventure, Margy. So many activities done with
expertise–I’m impressed! At my stage of life, short SUP trips along the beach at the lake are awesome:)
We’re just starting into winter so your photos made me feel much warmer.
Keep safe—-and have more fun!
Doris