Hi all previous contestants in the Heaven Can Wait Charity Sailing regatta, yes, we have only two months before the running of the 13th, Heaven Can Wait Charity Sailing Regatta in 2019, organised and hosted by the Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto. Have you got your crews organised yes?

The regatta will kick off with the annual Charity Dinner to be held on Friday February 22nd at the Royal Motor Yacht Club. It will feature well-known yachting personalities including local Tom Braidwood – competitor in a number of Volvo Round the World Ocean Races, and Erica Kirby – International Protest Judge and Protest Committee member present for the Wild Oats / Commanche Protest hearing following the 2017 Sydney Hobart Race. Once again, our guests will be interviewed by Helene O’Neil – well-known ABC Newcastle sporting commentator.

Pre-race entertainment will once again be provided by well-known Hunter region aerobatic pilot – Paul Bennet of Paul Bennet Air Shows. Those who participated in last year’s regatta will recall Pauls stunning aerobatic work over the waters in front of the Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto and I am sure he will be equally as stunning for the 2019 regatta.

The Heaven Can Wait Regatta is no ordinary regatta. It is not only an event that involves some pretty challenging – even endurance level racing, but it is also a major fund raising event for the Hunter Branch of Cancer Council NSW and specifically their Home Help Program. The Home Help Program provides domestic support to both recovering and terminal cancer patients who – because of their condition, are unable to fulfil their domestic responsibilities. A small amount of the funds raised also goes to Lake Macquarie Marine Rescue who provide on water support during the running of the regatta. So, by entering this regatta, you will not only have a great sailing experience, but you will also be doing the right thing and helping a charity that helps so many other people in need.

Attached for your information is the Notice Of Race – it is also on the Heaven Can Wait website. If you haven’t already done so, put the dates in your diary now and plan to be on the waters of beautiful Lake Macquarie for this challenging and important charity fundraising regatta. The regatta will run over the weekend of February 23 / 24 and be preceded by the Charity Dinner on Friday February 22nd.

The Entry System is now open and you can register by going to www.rmyctoronto.com.au/hcw-race-entry.

Once again, The HCW Regatta will be a part of Lakefest – a celebration of aquatic activity on Lake Macquarie from Saturday February 16 through Sunday March 3 and details of the Lakefest events will be posted on the Lakefest website – www.lakefest.com.au. There will be lots of activity on the Lake, so why not come up early and participate in some of the other events planned for Lakefest Week.

All you need to do is free up your time for this great event – whether it be a quick dash around the lake with the One Lap Dash, the Challenge of the 12 Hour race or the 24 Hour Endurance Race. Just be there.

We look forward to seeing you in February 2019.

by Melvyn Steiner