Otter Camp Out & Pursuit Race 24 Jun 2010

Again the weather was kind to us for the Otter Camp Out and Pursuit Race 2010.

The afternoon started with a pursuit race, the slowest boats starting first. These were the first Oppi river group who put in a heroic performance to battle against the tide. A couple of these managed to obtain adult crews, although little Abby Jayasakera said once Nick Hutton-Penman got in her boat she could not get rid of him!

In the early stages of the race it looked like Tom Jayasakera in his Oppi had an unassailable lead but as things developed it became clear that the faster boats would catch him.

With a couple of minutes to go the Lasers overtook him and finally there was a photo finish with Lucy Goldklang in the Laser 4.7 just holding off Jake Braybrook in the Laser radial by half a boat length. James Hutton-Penman and Molly Brown in a 420 put on a late charge to finish third.

With the race completed, a hundred campers pitched camp at Creeksea. Bob Bennet was kept busy cooking bangers and burgers – thanks Bob. The Oppi dads set up a small TV to watch the England match then fuelled with beer proceeded to charge around the field pretending to be Wayne Rooney – I am sure there were a few aching joints in the morning!

Eventually everyone retired to their tents although there was a lot of giggling coming from the senior Otter corner who do not seem to remember that tents are not very soundproof… Trish Young,who claimed not to have slept at all (I sure we heard her snoring!), proceeded to fry up 240 bacon rashers whilst Sarah Lillienthal ably assisted in the egg frying department – delicious.

Thank you to Eugene and Janet for allowing us to invade their garden, the camp out is a real Otter treat.