Yacht Club Opens New Pavilion

A few years ago, the Gisborne Yacht Club had but a handful of members, almost no facilities, and only a few boats. But it had a beautiful bay for sailing in, a long historical association with the sea—and the vision and determination of a few enthusiasts.

Today, the club has handsome quarters at kaiti Beach, a slipway giving access to the harbour, and a membership of 122, which owns a couple of dozen sailing craft and a fleet of power boats. With the opening of the club rooms recently, it might be said that at last yachting and motor-boating have come into their own in Gisborne.

Much of the credit for this belongs to one man, the club president, Mr Ted Otway. He has been the driving force which has led to these achievements, most of which have been accomplished over the past three years.

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Opening day was unfortunate choice by weather experts. A view of the clubhouse taken after the official ceremony

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Mr Otway speaking

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The Mayor, Mr Barker, opening handsome club room.

A spanking southerly whipped white-tops across the bay and made sailing a job for experts only. In the morning race only two boats finished the course. One capsized and drifted ashore at Waikanae. The picture at right, taken from breakwater, gives some impression of the gale's fury.

But in the shelter of the harbour channel, most of the day's scheduled events were held, until rain washed them out in the afternoon. Motor—boats raced up and down, there was a skin-diving exhibition, and the programme generally gave a large attendance of the public an insight into what could easily become a major summer attraction for Gisborne.

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Yachts in race pass harbour entrance on first time round the course

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Mr B. Grundy's jet speedboat Aurora giving demonstration

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Although building fund for club headquarters was started in 1944, it had grown to only £413 by 1953. In that year there were only 27 members in the club and prospects were far from encouraging. Members had to keep boats near the harbour slipway, and had to walk half a mile of channel wall to reach them.

With a slipway on the Kaiti Beach side of the harbour channel, and a new clubhouse to serve as headquarters, it is expected now that yachting will go ahead rapidly in Gisborne, in keeping with the progress made elsewhere in New Zealand with this popular sport.

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J. Bloomfield's entry (nearest camera) was an easy winner in power-boat race

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Young yachtsmen bring in craft

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Setting a spanking pace

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T. Bonica's Taratoa won race in rough conditions