The third Tilba Lake Regatta was finally held on Sunday 19 April. Forty-two keen paddlers and supporters turned up on a chilly morning, dreading the thought of ending up in the chilly waters of Tilba Lake or, even worse, being handicapped. There were races for kayaks, stand up paddle boards (SUPs), inflatable watercraft or objects in women’s, men’s, under-16 and over-74 classes.

The early races over the 500-metre course were hard with the strong south-westerly wind making it tough for those on kayaks or SUPs. As the wind died down later in the morning, out came the inflatables – Sybil, Maggie’s inflatable bin chicken, driven by young Esther was up against some stiff competition from Duke, Son of Rex, on T-Rex, and his mum Jess on Gummi Bear. Needless to say, they were all beaten by younger paddlers on blow-up surfoplanes.

The premier event, the Tilba Cup for Row Boats, was hotly contested with dogs being added to crew both entries this year. As it turned out Mike’s stylish craft complete with his wife and parasol, was not quite quick enough for my
Womboat 1, despite my three-minute handicap (P.S. I did pay $50 to reduce the handicap to two minutes, but don’t tell Mike). I understand the Stewards are considering an appeal, however, as my beloved passenger dog Fudge jumped ship before the finish line and swam the last thirty metres to shore.

The highlight race of the day, the All-Craft Le Mans start (hold on to the barbed wire fence), was won by Tommy Weire, who beat ex-Olympian Grant Leury (on an illegal surf ski), by a country mile. Tommy’s father Chris, however, won the Phil Shorten Wettest Competitor Award trying to paddle the kayak when either sideways or upside down!

All participants received a Certificate of Achievement for at least turning up, which is more than can be said for Phil Shorten, who claimed he had a
valid excuse.

Thanks again go to the Three Sallys (Pryor, Record and Hawkins) who sizzled sausages for the free sausage sandwiches  with or without onions selling tomato sauce at $5 a squirt.

The day raised $1,000 from entry fees, handicap bribes and the sale of tomato sauce. All proceeds go to the Central Tilba Fire Brigade.

Rob Hawkins

Photos: (above right) Duke and T-Rex, (above) Mike, Sarah and their dogs.