The Leader Nelson edition

Rally to celebrate paddle power

- HELEN MURDOCH

Anything powered by paddle is welcome to the Loyal Grossi Point Yacht Club annual Mid Winter Paddle Rally.

The course follows the incoming tide from Grossi Point towards Bronte before rounding Spoonbill Island and making a stop at Hoddy’s Rd where paddlers could inspect the local submarine before paddling back to Mapua with the outgoing tide.

A paddle rally had a common destinatio­n with no race element.

Amongst the throng would be two St Ayles skiffs. The 7m rowing and sailing boats were based on the traditiona­l Shetland Islands fishing boats developed from the Viking longships and are part of an internatio­nal recreation­al rowing craze that is growing quickly.

Moana Stand Up Paddleboar­d owner, Toby Wild, has said his company would lend five paddleboar­ds free of charge to the first who contact him.

Tasman District Council harbourmas­ter Dan Cairney could have his new boat Sentinel on display for the local community to inspect.

The August 7 rally would be postponed for poor weather. Club membership was not a required.

Meet at Grossi Point at 12 noon and plan to start paddling at 12.15pm. After match refreshmen­ts would be hosted at Mapua Boat Club. Inquiries: 5402543

 ?? PHOTO: SUPPLIED ?? Alex Hislop’s St Aysles skiff ‘Freya’ is expected to be joined by her sister-skiff for the Loyal Grossi Point Yacht Club’s paddle rally.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED Alex Hislop’s St Aysles skiff ‘Freya’ is expected to be joined by her sister-skiff for the Loyal Grossi Point Yacht Club’s paddle rally.

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