Special - Phuket Yacht Club Open Day - canoeing, dragon boat

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The Phuket Yacht Club at the picturesque Ao Yon Bay near Cape Panwa on the south west side of Phuket,
held their Open Day last Sunday the 30th of September, and despite the heavy rain quite a few residents, members, and visitors, both foreign and Thai, turned up to watch and join in
an informal and fun program of small dinghy sailing, canoe racing and especially international dragon boat racing, being held for the first time ever in Phuket.
We arrived as they were holding some short kayak or canoe races for several active kids, including Maxine, Lilo and Emma here who didn't mind get wet and splashed in the rain and sea:

During the rain break, Bill Smith, secretary of the club, explained some of the club's activities and so-called adoption of sailing dinghies scheme, to attract more sponsors and provide a stable financial support for this small but long established club.



Then Mike Downard, from sponsors Sail in Asia showed the first two groups of willing oarsmen and women, some tips on how to row or stick their oars in, at the same time and rhythm for the dragon boats.
Once they learnt the basics it was time to push their boats out and hit the water;

We went on board to experience the thrill and speed of these first timers:

together with the young drummers, keeping the beat in rhythm with the crew:

They lined up for a couple of short races and did remarkably well to keep them in a straight line without crashing into each other.

After the races, one of the crews practiced a capsizing to know how to act in an emergency:

After they pulled in to shore we spoke to oarsman, and environmentalist Marco Reinhard, who recently cycled and canoed all round Phuket, and to Mike about this first outing for the crews:
"Well I think today went well....... sorry to get you wet."

Mike is willing to train and help crews form for proper races at PIMEX boat show on Sunday December 9th:

For more details on how to join or form dragon boat teams see www.phuketdragonboat.com or telephone Mike on 087 2810458.



While everyone was recharging their energy with a hearty BBQ and refreshments, we asked Katy Gooch, Sailing Secretary, more about the club's regular sailing activities in the next few months:

For more information on Phuket Yacht Club please see website www.phuketyachtclub.info or contact Katy on 085 215 9185
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Special Report for Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) 8.30am + maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket & Phuket Cable TV Channel 1 at 7, 10.30 or 11pm, Tuesday 2 October 2007 & www.Thaisnews.com

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Phuket
• Yacht
• Club
• canoes
• dragon
• boat
• sailing
• Thailand