Regatta gaining popularity
Kenton Seagull motor owners hoping to break world record
As a child, Dale Cunningham used to go fishing on the Kariega River in a small boat.
“We had to know the tides well though: we had to make sure we were going upriver with the tide — same thing coming home downriver.”
The reason was a much loved, noisy, rather smoky twostroke outboard motor that had enough power to get a boatful of children to a good river fishing spot — but not enough to resist the tide.
British Seagull outboard motors — a single cylinder water-cooled two-stroke engine dubbed “the best outboard in the world” were manufactured in Britain from 1936-1996.
Every year, the Kenton Seagull Regatta celebrates the Seagull era with dozens of craft launched on the Kariega River.
Last year, no fewer than 147 boats were launched on the Kariega River for a 10.8km chug up and down the river starting and ending at Cob Bay.
This year is the fifth edition and 181 boats powered by Seagull outboard motors are so far booked for the event which takes place on the Kariega River on Saturday December 30.
“By the time we’re on the river, we think it will be close to 200,” Cunningham, who is the event’s founder, told Talk of the Town.
It could be a record for the number of Seagull outboard motors on a single body of water at the same time.
Team Kenton Seagull Regatta is in the process of registering for an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records.
“They do have Seagull regattas in other countries, including Britain, New Zealand and Bermuda, but I’m not aware of any others as big as this,” Cunningham said.
Charity fundraising is an important aspect of the regatta, Cunningham said, and the event includes an auction of highvalue donated prizes.
“Last year we raised R240,000, which was distributed to local schools,” Cunningham said.
Bushken Preprimary installed a water supply backup system; Bushwillow Primary installed a backup power system; Kenton Primary School installed backup water systems; while Lighthouse School built a storeroom and bought educational toys.
“This year we aim to raise in excess of R600,000,” Cunningham said. “The funds will be used for schools, charities and local projects.”
The event wouldn’t be possible without sponsorships, Cunningham said, and there were more than 40 sponsors for the event. The main sponsors included BUCO, Sunshine Spar, Mayers Motors, Sutherland Transport, Fitch & Leedes, SA Breweries, Shamwari Game Reserve, Twizza and Cape Frontier Properties.
An exciting addition to the event this year is that a Bandit 380 boat has been donated by Mark Jamieson of Jamieson Boats and raffle tickets are currently being sold. The winner will be announced on the day.
“The engine is a 15hp Suzuki four-stroke engine, donated by Gerrit C;oete of Supreme Leisure.”
Both donors are local Sunshine Coast businesses.
The opening ceremony includes skydivers, bagpipes, racing pigeons and music. Tickets are available through Quicket.
“The event has grown over the years because many of those who participate have some or other connection to these iconic Seagull outboard engines,” Cunningham said. “For most of us, it’s a memory from our youth!”
He thanked the participants and sponsors for the success of the event over the years.