DOTSIE & RIPPLE OCEAN ROW

The idea of RFBYC Saint Ayles Skiffs (SAS), Dotsie and Ripple being challenged by an ocean row was seeded by Couta sailor Mark (Fred) Butler during the January SAS meeting.

t came to fruition on a beautiful autumn morning on Saturday, 7 May 2022. A glorious sunrise greeted the intrepid rowers as they gathered at the main wharf to travel to Woodman Point on the mothership Jim Wilshire’s Independence, carrying Ripple, and Peter Wauchope’s Fastback. Dotsie was ably towed by the Club RHIB.

The trip went well with Dotsie skipping along through a slight sea with the grace of a dolphin at speeds never thought possible (main picture opposite) while Ripple looked like she was about to undergo a “berth” by the mother ship as she cruised over the pristine waters of the Swan River and Cockburn Sound (inset opposite right).

ILots of good cheer and excitement flowed from all, with discussions on the wind direction and currents, debate on the best wind app, cries for coffee and how Ripple would be delivered to the waiting sea. Around 8:00am with no coffee but refreshed with Gerry’s delicious herbal tea, Ripple prepared to enter the sea while all looked on a little anxiously. A perfect entry ensued.

The RHIB towed the skiffs while transferring the eager crews to the beach off Jervoise Bay Yacht Club and so the ocean row began (inset opposite centre). It was 08:30.

above: Dotsie & Ripple leaving Port Coogee seawall; below: over-80’s men hard at work

David Meager DOTSIE RIPPLE& ocean row 7 MAY 2022

The skiffs set off for Port Coogee Marina, the first of five legs into a moderate 12-15 knot nor’easter arriving just after 9:15 am in search of Dome coffees. The Dotsie crew chose a direct rhumb line braving the chop out to sea while the Ripple crew took a beautiful gentle sweep into the wind towards the protection on the marina seawall.

On arrival at the marina a spirited discussion took place on the route to Fremantle Sailing Club (FSC). A Le mans style start saw Dotsie with the mens over 80’s crew (try and name them) set off from the marina beach with Ripple powered by a mixed crew in hot pursuit.

While the RHIB escorted the skiffs others sought coffees before scrambling off on Fastback and the mothership to watch them ploughing through waves as the nor’easter eased. On the way they passed C Y O’Connor memorial off South Beach paying due homage to a great engineer.

The FSC seawall beckoned but left the rowers short of breath as they clawed their way along the 1km wall towards the Junior Club beach.

The skiffs successfully navigated their way past the young budding sailors in their Optimists before beaching on the shore with grassy surrounds around 10:00am. Dotsie was first again and all enjoyed the cool refreshments.

The 3rd leg would see the skiffs heading out into the ocean, rounding South Mole and mixing it with the ships, tugs, pilot boats and pleasure craft as they entered the harbour on route to the road and rail bridges.

The Ripple crew not to be outdone took off smartly but with some intrepidation leading the way handling the tricky sea state well while listening to John Longley’s navigation tips, how best to catch squid, herring and lose the America’s Cup in these very same waters.

The Dotsie crew made valiant attempts to overtake but the tricky conditions and swell around South Mole proved too much. Ripple powered on past the Maritime Museum and up the harbour with what appeared to be the two ghost riders on board.

The leg ended just past the bridges on a clean sandy North Freo beach with a curious but interested crowd of onlookers. Rowers while sweating and exhausted were happy to

opposite – top: FSC 1km seawall; middle: Ripple off to south mole; left: the bridges, end of the third leg; right: sandy North Freo beach. above – main: dash to Bicton Park Reserve; inset: Gavin’s taunting, seal-like pose; left: Bicton Beach; centre: Frederic Flipo watches on; right images: lunch!!

be back in the warm embrace of the lower reaches of the Swan River Estuary. The leg proved to be very challenging physically and extremely interesting.

The fourth leg saw a procession led by Ripple making the dash to Bicton Park Reserve. It was over in a flash while Gavin relaxed on the bow of the RHIB taunting the rowers with a somewhat seal like pose and Catherine discretely dried off clothing following an unceremonious dunking in the Swan River.

At about 12:30 in superb balmy conditions the skiffs set off together on the final leg from Bicton Beach towards the Club finishing line taking due care not to get mixed up with the Power Boat Opening Procession. Ripple with a glamorous female crew and Dotsie a cool mixed rowers completed the leg in an atmosphere with the river a buzz of excitement and relaxation with pick-nickers, swimmers and paddlers enjoying the warmth and freshness of the midday sun.

It was a dead heat at the Club line although some debate as to who rounded the mark correctly flowed. The happy skiffs were then tenderly put to bed in the shed around 1:15pm. Rowers and support crews headed off to the bar for a well earned drink and delicious lunch to enjoy comradeship and merriment of the day’s adventures.

All agreed it had been a terrific event covering the 25km journey. Special thank yous were made to all the support crew including Hugo and Harley who manned the RHIB and for their choice of accompanying music to row to!!!! Much discussion ensued as to what the next adventure should hold.

The organiser Fred (Mark) Butler’s takeaways were • skiffs showed their genetics by performing exceptionally well in the ocean, • the weather was sensational as were the pristine waters and the joyous lunch after, • the cox seat was in high demand as whilst all rowed one or two legs some did three legs!!! • the time for each leg passed quickly although maybe not too quickly enough for some!!!

MEMORIAL TIME TRIAL

Competing for the

F R E S WATER BAY YAC H T C H KYLIE CUP Incorporating CPYA State Championship Heat 7 R YA L U B INC. L Sunday, 28 August 2022 O Time Triallers and guests are invited to participate in this time honoured and prestigious event Time Trial commences at 0900, Course 221. Followed by results back at the Club and a “Pig on the Spit” lunch.

$25 per person. All tickets available for purchase online via the revSPORT link.

Enter online at https://www.revolutionise.com.au/rfbyc/events/140582/ by Wednesday 24 August

Victorian Youth State Championships; the Cameron twins heading downwind on Day 2 – much windier than it looks!

Victorian Youth State Championships; Ona and Pol Rafart – downwind Day 2