Yachties set sail after super Richards Bay stop-over

Yacht fleet leaves Richards Bay with great memories

Dave Savides

November 25, 2017

‘Potjie king’ Des Hibbert ensured there was more than enough great food to feed the hungry fleet Photo: Dave Savides

HAVING left behind plenty of goodwill – along with most welcome tourism currency – the fleet of 15 yachts taking part in the World ARC cruise have left Richards Bay en route to Cape Town for the next leg of their circumnavigation.

They take with them memories of a wonderful stop-over at the Zululand Yacht Club (ZYC), from where they headed out over the past week to take in local tourist attractions.

An energetic performance by the young Zulu dance troupe was thoroughly enjoyed by the yachties
Photo: Dave Savides

At the prize giving on Friday evening, the foreign yachties gave a huge thumbs-up for the ZYC, as well as local Customs and Immigration officials, Transnet National Port Terminals and the NSRI for an efficient and helpful welcome.

Celebrating the Richards Bay leg of the World ARC event are Kirsten Schroeder – past ZYC Commodore, Victor Taburiaux – World ARC Event Manager, Wayne Bird – ZYC Commodore, Jackie Smit – ZYC Vice Commodore and Greg Smith – CEO SA Sailing
Photo: Dave Savides

Victor Taburiaux , who has served as World ARC Event Manager for the past three cruises, referred to the ZYC as ‘the best yacht club in the world’.

‘Qadasi and Maqhinga’ owned the stage
Photo: Dave Savides

‘Despite the leg to Richards Bay being an extremely tough one owing to weather, every year we look forward to our arrival at Richards Bay and again it lived up to our expectations.’

The yachties were royally entertained with energetic Zulu dancing, a five star performance by David ‘Qadasi’ Jenkins and Maqhinga ‘Mac’ Radebe, a superb venison potjie and the traditional ‘bokdrolspoeg’ competition.