Cool 1000km yacht trip

MEMBERS of the Warneet Yacht Club enjoyed the rare opportunity of taking part in the Lake Eyre Regatta recently.
On hearing the lake had flooded, five members of the club decided to set off on a 1000 kilometre journey to Maree, south of Lake Eyre.
Brian Shaw, who took part in the regatta, said normally there was no water in the lake.
The men took the opportunity to see a camel race at Maree before they joined a line of cars and boats from sailing clubs from around Australia and headed up to the Birdsville Track.
Members of the club say they are part of only about 20 yachts in the world to have sailed up the Birdsville Track, rather than driving. Ian Burger said Warneet Yacht Club’s pacer wasn’t the fastest boat in the regatta.
“But it’s enough just to be here, sailing on a lake that hasn’t had water for 20 years,” Mr Burger said. Heather Shaw said it was difficult to stay between the road markers.
“We got swept off into the river and trees several times. It was quite an adventure,” she said.
After four hours, all 20 boats arrived safely at the campsite, and the commodore from the Lake Eyre Yacht Club exchanged burgees with Mr Burger.
Members said they had a fantastic time and encouraged anyone who was interested in sailing to visit the club.