SECRET BEACH RUN March 16th review.

Seven boats joined in the fun run to Secret Beach last weekend. This was the event that was supposed to be an off shore run to Kahana Bay and back. The forecast was for 20+ so for safety reasons we elected to cancel the KB run and head for Secret Beach .

The weather man was right: it was blowing hard. We all shot off the beach from the club around 11am in brisk beam reaching to Coconut Island. Dan Jenkins on his Getaway decided to take the offshore route outside the sandbar and said the trip was fantastic. Every one else stayed inside the sandbar and did a screaming broad reach all the way down. Capt. Howie clocked 22 on his GPS on Wiltz's Prindle 18.2.

Crossing the deep water channel at the far end of the sandbar was full speed ahead through the swells while dodging lots of giant turtles that float around down there. Then it was a down wind sprint cross the shoals to the point of Secret Beach. Once you round the point into the calm of the bay you can scoot your cat up on the beach. Every one brought some lunch or snacks and we stayed on the beach for an hour or so doing what we do best; talking story over some good food and beverage with our buddies.

Departing SB was a a beat straight upwind in the narrow channel so we all had to make about six tack before we could round the mark and head up towards the sandbar. We all saw a pair of giant turtles mating right there in the channel. I guess that is really doing "the wild thing". The channel crossing was a sleigh ride in the swells and high winds and everyone was racing to see who could be first back to the club. What a fantastic full speed run all the way. Margaret was trapped out with her rear foot in the stirrup on the back corner of our M20 so you can imagine the power we were pushing down wind crossing the channel. And no one tipped over, not even Wiltz. :-)

So if you missed this RTB event, shame on you. But we hope to see you for the next organized outing. Watch your emails and I will keep you posted. Ah hui ho.
Chris Laletin