Regatta ship blogs: Ahoy there and wake up swimming

Sydney Auckland Regatta 2013

Crew ‘Youthies blog’ from Young Endeavour (Australia)

Saturday 19 October: Ahoy there! 

It was dawn when we sailed through the channel on our way into the port of Opua. With the rising sun to the east and a full moon sitting just above the mountainous horizon to the west, it was the perfect beginning to a day promising to be full of fresh experiences. 

Although we were not able to sail by the power of wind the whole way to the finish line, a sense of accomplishment and pride swept through the crew. We had just succeeded in crossing the Tasman Sea, something that many of our peers will never have the opportunity to do. Along with this came the realisation that a part of our voyage had come to an end. Normally at this point we would be disembarking and saying our goodbyes to the crew, other ‘Youthies’ and the Endeavour herself. However this is the just beginning of our six days of exploration of the New Zealand’ North East Coast.

Local welcome

There were many locals ready to welcome us ashore with friendly smiles and wonder in their eyes. However our new adventures had to wait. Once we were moored alongside the port we were boarded by customs officers. With Border Patrol TV filming crew in tow, customs went about their quarantine and immigration checks. The Kiwis were tough with there quarantine standards, removing all our chicken, all our fresh produce including honey and the lunch, and dinners, that had been prepared for the day that morning by our chef Luke. Upon clearance from customs the ‘Youthies’ were allowed to disembark for shore leave.

We embraced dry land like it was an old friend; however many of us had become estranged to its unmoving nature. Some were even overcome with joy at the concept of space and began to run around embracing their new found freedom, while others found it to be foreign and huddled around a small table at a local cafí© to enjoy a real coffee. Along with land came the opportunity to contact loved ones which saw most conversing and others simply leaving voicemails to unattended phones.

Soon enough we were back aboard and a short commute later dropped anchor at Russell. We eagerly prepared to go ashore for a traditional Maori welcoming ceremony we had been invited to take part in. In the small but proud town we were welcomed by a representative of the people who lead us through the streets toward ever louder chanting. The three captains of Europa, Spirit of New Zealand and Young Endeavour were given peace offerings by large, tattooed, club wielding men, whilst they performed their ceremonial war dances. After walking through a column of Maori warriors we were presented with an official welcome, with ceremonial speech, singing (from both the local Moari and boat crews) and of course Haka. After the formal proceeding we enjoyed an array of food that had been made for us and took the opportunity to mingle with the locals and other boat crews.

The evening saw us return to our vessel, to enjoy our first teak deck BBQ a fond memory for all Young Endeavour crew. In the dwindling light the staff assembled the projector and we all settled in to watch äóìPirates of the Caribbeanäó. Even though most fell asleep during the movie, it was fitting to be watching a pirate movie while aboard a Tall Ship.

Crew log from Young Endeavour (Australia)

Saturday 19 October: Wake up swimming

As we were at anchor for the nigh