Channel Classic Opens New Connections

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1342″ img_size=”1200,600″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Channel Classic, organised by the Australian Wooden Boat Festival with the cooperation of local tall ships Windeward Bound and Rhona H, opened new connections between two major maritime events, the Royal Hobart Regatta and the Kettering Wooden Boat Rally, traditionally held on the same weekend. In the past, visitors to Hobart with an interest in wooden and classic boats have been torn between that two: a social weekend in Kettering (if you know someone with a boat and have an invitation) or the Royal Hobart Regatta (if you don’t mind power boats, swimming and other distractions). In 2016, you could successfully do both.

Passengers could choose to sail down the River Derwent and the D’Entrecasteaux Channel from Hobart to Kettering for a lively day of friendly racing, or sail up the Channel from Kettering to Hobart to join a sail-past at the Royal Hobart Regatta. Scottish visitor Susan Rainbow decided to do both. ‘Where I come from in Caithness, in the far north of Scotland, it’s very wind-swept and we don’t have many trees, so it’s lovely to see your beautiful forested channel. Both ways? Well, I suppose I’m a bit of a wooden boat tragic’.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1343″ img_size=”600×900″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1345″ img_size=”600×900″ alignment=”right”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Passengers and crew enjoyed glorious conditions over the whole weekend.  The D’Entrecasteaux Channel was looking spectacular for the event.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]‘Trim’ is the official Ship’s Cat aboard the brigantine Windeward Bound.  Trim has seen it all, and surveys the world with calm resignation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Though passenger numbers were low, both operators agreed that it was a worthwhile exercise and opened a new way to enjoy both events. The weather was exceptional and all participants reported they enjoyed their day out. Rob Oates, Photography Manager for AWBF, expressed special thanks to both ships for carrying AWBF photographers to capture images that will be used in future promotion of the event.

Meanwhile, AWBF volunteers staffed an exhibition stall at the Royal Hobart Regatta to promote the 2017 festival and answer questions from all comers, including an unusual contingent of visitors from a galaxy far, far away.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1344″ img_size=”1200×1200″ alignment=”right”][/vc_column][/vc_row]