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RACE TO ZERORACE TO ZERORACE TO ZEROTHE INAUGURAL NEPTUNE REGATTA WAS A ROARING SUCESS, AND SUZY RAYMENT AND GUY NOWELL JOINED THE FLEET AS

THEY HEADED TO THE EQUATOR TO MEET KING NEPTUNE.PHOTOGRAPHY BY GUY NOWELL

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PREVIOUS PAGE:Mantra heading for the equator, and leaving Power Partners in her wake

OPPOSITE, FROM TOP: Aquavit 5 chases hard in the windward-leeward races; Kukukerchu with Men at Work snapping at her heels

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: ‘MP’ and crew, ready to roll south; on board the Committee Boat, El Oro; Kukukerchu, concentrating; skippers’ briefing

Crossing the Equator is a rite of passage for any sailor, and crossing it whilst racing is an even bigger thrill. Now, with the advent of the Neptune Regatta, everyone has a chance to enter Neptune’s Realm on the fi nish line at 00 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds. That’s the Equator, if you are unfamiliar with navigation. And in Asia, one of the most readily accessible spots on the equator is just a few miles south of Singapore.

The inaugural race was held over Chinese New Year, February 2011, and was voted a huge success by all who took part. The brainchild of Tudor John, Alex ‘Ferret’ Voss and several Singaporean boating friends, the Neptune Regatta was designed from the start to be a sailor’s regatta. “We all love doing races like the Raja Muda Regatta, which combines windward-leeward with passage races,” says John, “but we wanted an event that was different, a home-grown event which would show off some of the spectacular sailing waters that are within easy access of Singapore. We were also looking to add something to the local sailing calendar that would attract the boating community from around

Asia and, maybe, even bring in some overseas competitors.” Unlike many of the other sailing regattas in the region, this

event was not organised through a yacht club. Instead, it was brought to life by a benevolent dictatorship of individuals, which means that the race was not restricted by club rules, or designed by a committee. According to John, this meant that they could operate outside the box, and look at creating something new and exciting for the boating community as a whole.

“Singapore has had some high profi le events coming through its waters over the last few years – for example, the Volvo Ocean Race, the Extreme 40s and the Clipper race,” says John. “But for local sailors these are all spectator events – ships that pass in the night - so we wanted to make sure that what we created had a real ‘WOW! factor’ for participants in the very fi rst Neptune Regatta.”

Crossing the equator while racing is usually the domain of professional sailors, such as those participating in round-the-world yacht races. But everyone wants to cross the equator at some time

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Crossing the Equator is a rite of passage for any sailor, and crossing it whilst racing is an even bigger thrill. Now, with the advent of the Neptune Regatta, everyone has a chance to enter Neptune’s Realm. CCCCrossing the Equator is a rite of passage for any sailor, and CCrossing the Equator is a rite of passage for any sailor, and

crossing it whilst racing is an even bigger thrill. Now, with the Ccrossing it whilst racing is an even bigger thrill. Now, with the advent of the Neptune Regatta, everyone has a chance to enter Cadvent of the Neptune Regatta, everyone has a chance to enter Neptune’s Realm on the fi nish line at 00 degrees 00 minutes 00 CNeptune’s Realm on the fi nish line at 00 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds. That’s the Equator, if you are unfamiliar with navigation. Cseconds. That’s the Equator, if you are unfamiliar with navigation. And in Asia, one of the most readily accessible spots on the CAnd in Asia, one of the most readily accessible spots on the equator is just a few miles south of Singapore.Cequator is just a few miles south of Singapore.

The inaugural race was held over Chinese New Year, February CThe inaugural race was held over Chinese New Year, February 2011, and was voted a huge success by all who took part. C2011, and was voted a huge success by all who took part. The brainchild of Tudor John, Alex ‘Ferret’ Voss and several CThe brainchild of Tudor John, Alex ‘Ferret’ Voss and several Singaporean boating friends, the Neptune Regatta was designed CSingaporean boating friends, the Neptune Regatta was designed from the start to be a sailor’s regatta. “We all love doing races Cfrom the start to be a sailor’s regatta. “We all love doing races like the Raja Muda Regatta, which combines windward-leeward Clike the Raja Muda Regatta, which combines windward-leeward with passage races,” says John, “but we wanted an event that was Cwith passage races,” says John, “but we wanted an event that was different, a home-grown event which would show off some of the Cdifferent, a home-grown event which would show off some of the spectacular sailing waters that are within easy access of Singapore. Cspectacular sailing waters that are within easy access of Singapore. We were also looking to add something to the local sailing CWe were also looking to add something to the local sailing calendar that would attract the boating community from around Ccalendar that would attract the boating community from around

Asia and, maybe, even bring in some overseas competitors.” CAsia and, maybe, even bring in some overseas competitors.” Unlike many of the other sailing regattas in the region, this CUnlike many of the other sailing regattas in the region, this

event was not organised through a yacht club. Instead, it was Cevent was not organised through a yacht club. Instead, it was brought to life by a benevolent dictatorship of individuals, which Cbrought to life by a benevolent dictatorship of individuals, which means that the race was not restricted by club rules, or designed Cmeans that the race was not restricted by club rules, or designed by a committee. According to John, this meant that they could Cby a committee. According to John, this meant that they could operate outside the box, and look at creating something new and Coperate outside the box, and look at creating something new and exciting for the boating community as a whole.Cexciting for the boating community as a whole.

“Singapore has had some high profi le events coming through C“Singapore has had some high profi le events coming through its waters over the last few years – for example, the Volvo Ocean Cits waters over the last few years – for example, the Volvo Ocean Race, the Extreme 40s and the Clipper race,” says John. “But for CRace, the Extreme 40s and the Clipper race,” says John. “But for local sailors these are all spectator events – ships that pass in Clocal sailors these are all spectator events – ships that pass in the night - so we wanted to make sure that what we created Cthe night - so we wanted to make sure that what we created had a real ‘WOW! factor’ for participants in the very fi rst Neptune Chad a real ‘WOW! factor’ for participants in the very fi rst Neptune Regatta.” CRegatta.”

Crossing the equator while racing is usually the domain of CCrossing the equator while racing is usually the domain of professional sailors, such as those participating in round-the-world Cprofessional sailors, such as those participating in round-the-world yacht races. But everyone wants to cross the equator at some time Cyacht races. But everyone wants to cross the equator at some time CCCCC

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in their boating career, so after “several years of bar talk” the Neptune Regatta was finally born and 14 boats, ten sailing yachts and four motorboats, signed up for the inaugural event.

Power boats? In a sailing regatta? When the organisers were looking at the logistics of running the event they realised that power was going to be just as important as sail. There were gates and finish lines to be manned, and there were materials and supplies that needed to be moved. And anyway, why not put on an all-inclusive event and let the sailors meet the motor boat people? So it was decided to open up the event to everyone.

Six months into the planning, and the regatta finally evolved into a five-day event starting and finishing at Nongsa Point Marina in Indonesia, just 8nm across the Singapore Strait from the Tanah Merah Ferry Pier. “In fact, it is a totally Indonesian event, which means that we were able to garner very substantial support from the Indonesian Government, Indonesian Tourism, and even the Indonesian Navy. They were all there when we asked – the support was forthcoming, and solid,” tells John.

The format of the regatta played to the strengths of each of the divisions - IRC Racing, PY Cruising, and the motoryachts. The first day of racing saw the PY sailors and the powerboats set off

on a 34nm passage race to Pulau Karas Besar – Big Stiffy Island. For the sailors it was a spinnaker reach all the way. Simon Piff’s Rainbow Dream was first across the finish line after six hours, but it was Chris Schuler’s Mico Verde that won by a mere 40 secs on corrected time. The IRC fleet, on the other hand, were thrown straight into serious racing with two windward-leeward races in up to 20kts of breeze just off Turi Beach. David Ross’s Kukukerchu handled the conditions well and walked away with two bullets to take a jump on the division.

Day two of the regatta had the PY division start their second leg of the racing, which took them to a finish at the fleet anchorage at Pulau Buaya, just 8nm short of the equator. At the same time, the IRC fleet sprinted 79nm directly from Nongsa Point Marina to an equator finish line before meeting and mooring up with the rest of the fleet back at ‘Neptune Island’ (Pulau Buaya).

The route south, through the Selat Pengelap, is littered with islands and islets. But it’s not a narrow route, and was extensively ‘surveyed’ (three times) by Safety Officer Alex Voss before the event. Competitors and participants could afford to be absolutely confident that ‘Neptune’s Knuckles’ and ‘Barge Island’ were exactly where the charts said they were meant to be. Nonetheless, there

CLOCKWISE, FROM ABOVE:Tudor John and Alex ‘Ferret’ Voss; Shellbacks come ashore at Pulau Buaya; the Encampment; a welcome from the villagers; Nick, Wilson, Bob - two Royal Marines and a coconut; Johannes ‘Sausage’ Zehethofer; the Uncabunca Bar, Pulau Buaya branch; Race Officer Jerry Rollin and Assistant; the Navy’s here! KRI Kala Hitam crew

Three reconnais-sance surveys meant that participants could afford to be absolutely confident that ‘Neptune’s Knuckles’ and ‘Barge Island’ were exactly where the charts said they were meant to be.

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were some interesting navigational calls along the track as skippers and navigators experienced challenging tidal patterns, currents and overfalls, which made for a number of interesting helming moments.

Winners of the passage racing were Men at Work (IRC division) and Rainbow Dream (PY), and with all the boats safe at anchor, it was time to party on Neptune Island (Pulau Buaya).

The sailors were not the first arrivals at Pulau Buaya. Five days earlier, and with the assistance of the Indonesian Navy, several tons of equipment and supplies had been moved from Batam to Buaya. Setting up a regatta ‘event’ in a remote location is not an easy job, but torrential rain for a full four days made life a living hell for the Neptune Island advance team. ‘Beachmaster’ Pierre-Yves Hadamar and an unlikely squad of assistants that included three ex-Royal Marine Commandos, a coconut, and local villagers from nearby Pulau Blanding, transformed a quagmire into something that looked very much like Wellington’s camp before Waterloo. “I had this concept of a water-borne safari,” says

Tudor, “and I envisaged a sort of ‘Out of Africa’ experience for everyone. I had the tents specially made for the event.” And so for 48hrs Camp Neptune - the tent city – and the very well-stocked Uncabunca Jetty Bar, complete with barmaids, supplied by Uncabunca, became home for the racing fleet.

“It was very important to us that we engage with the local community, so we did several recces before the event, and we engaged the help of the local villagers from Pulau Blanding in clearing the scrub, building a jetty and (later) providing the ferry service from the anchorage to Pulau Buaya”. John continues, “Without the full commitment of the villagers, the Indonesian Government and the Navy in the form of the KRI Kala Hitam (Black Scorpion) this event would never have got off the ground.”

Day three of the regatta dawned bright and breezy in proper nautical fashion, and the fleet set off early to race to the equator to be greeted by King Neptune. On the good ship El Oro, Committee Boat for the day, His Marine Majesty (alias Capt Marty Rijkuris)

OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:Hooligan crew; Sirius crosses the line; a baptism from King Neptune; Pollywogs no more; Baby Shellbacks

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Aquavit 5 heading for Pulau Buaya; Something Special; Mico Verde; Nehalennia

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did indeed come on board to demand, “Who dares trespass in my waters?”and to accept the novices (the ‘Slimy Pollywogs’) as fully-fledged ocean seafarers (‘Trusty Shellbacks’). Captain Simon Blundell donned cap and even a clean shirt to preside over the ceremony. And everyone, from PY Cruisers to the high-speed powerboats, crossed into the Southern Hemisphere and then back again to Pulau Buaya, taking ‘time out’ between the two legs of the race to conduct their own shellback ceremonies.

Back at Camp Neptune, the villagers put on a grand song and dance show to welcome all the visitors. The party that evening celebrated the racing, and also the elevation of the new members of King Neptune’s Court. Dress code: ‘Shellback’ t-shirts. The catering team churned out endless bbq hamburgers and sausages which went down a treat, and the bar continued to rock till the wee small hours. But the Nepture Regatta is - really - all about the racing, and some strength needed to be saved for the long haul passage race back to Nongsa Point Marina…

Maybe His Majesty was well pleased with his new subjects… maybe there’s always 15kts of breeze in the Selat Pengelap – whatever, there were ‘champagne sailing’ conditions next day for the beat home, but it was well after nightfall when many of the boats pulled into the marina. It was a long trip, but Windsikher took Line Honours in just under 11 hrs, and only six minutes longer than her trip south.

Of course the PY fleet and the powerboats had once again

stopped overnight at the halfway point, with Rainbow Dream taking PY division honours - the other cruising yachts were of the view that “gentlemen do not go to windward” and turned on their engines in order to make headway.

Coming down to the very last day of racing for the IRC fleet, and there was still everything to play for as David Ross’s Kukukerchu and Men at Work (Stewart McLaren) were neck and neck in the pointscore. The last day of the regatta was again windward/leeward for the racing fleet in an 18kt breeze - whoever said that there is no wind near the equator? – and the Men (and Women) at Work took the last race and the title by just a second – less than a whisker from King Neptune’s beard.

One of the powerboats owners said later, “You sailors get to do things in groups all the time – they’re called regattas. We tend to do things on our own – and we have really enjoyed being a part of a big event, part of the Neptune Regatta family.” 13-year-old Rebecca McLaren, the youngest crewmember on Men at Work, put up with almost 12 hours ‘on the rail’ in the race back to Nongsa, and then said that “even rock climbing, white water rafting, and caving in Malaysia (last week) wasn’t quite as exciting as winning the first-ever Neptune Regatta!”

If you missed out this year, put this event in the diary for February 5-11, 2012. “We need to bring back some of the romance of sailing,” says Tudor John. “And I still need to check whether the water changes direction when emptying from the galley sink.”

The ceremony of Crossing the Line is

an initiation rite that commemorates

a sailor’s first crossing of the

Equator. It is believed that

originally the tradition was

created for seasoned sailors to

test whether their new shipmates

were capable of handling long

rough times at sea. Sailors who

have already crossed the Equator

are nicknamed Trusty Shellbacks,

often referred to as Sons of

Neptune; those who have not are

called Slimy Pollywogs.

After crossing the line,

Pollywogs receive a summons

to appear before King Neptune –

and sometimes his court, which

includes his Assistant, Davy

Jones, and Her Highness Queen

Amphitrite. This occasion is often

preceded by a beauty contest (of

men dressing up as women, with

the ‘contestants’ in swimsuit

drag). Then the Pollywogs are

“interrogated” by King Neptune,

sometimes involving “truth

serum” (chili sauce and after

shave, or any other noxious-

tasting brew) and raw eggs. The

Pollywogs will undergo a number

of ridiculous or embarrassing

ordeals - wearing clothing

inside out and backwards; being

smeared or doused with anything

unpleasant to hand – rotting

garbage, over-ripe fruit, eggs etc;

kissing the Royal Baby’s belly,

coated with axle grease and

engine oil, for example.

Once the ceremony is

complete, a Pollywog receives

a certificate declaring his new

status. A Golden Shellback is

a person who has crossed the

Equator at the 180th meridian,

and the rarest of all is a Royal

Diamond Shellback - someone

who has crossed the Equator at

the Prime Meridian.

Crossing the Line

ABOVE:Shellbacks, every one of ‘em, and a certificate to prove it

OPPOSITE, FROM TOP: Men at Work; Windsikher; Rainbow Dream; Something Special

King Neptune with the junior Shellbacks

Neptune Regatta Shellback Certificate