Traditional fishing boats are returning to Queenscliff this weekend to embark on an epic race across the sea.
Queenscliff Lonsdale Yacht Club member Geoff Cook said he was excited to see the return of the Couta boats to the area and meet new people with similar interests in water-based activities.
“We’ll have probably 20 or maybe even more Couta boats sailing out the front in Port Phillip, which will be a rare event,” Mr Cook said.
“It’s bringing together people interested in sailing; the Sorrento Sailing Club, the Couta Boat Association, the Queenscliff View Cruising Yacht Club, the Queenscliff Point Lonsdale Yacht Club, and the Maritime Museum.
“You’ve got a whole lot of water-based-interested people working together to make this a pretty good event.”
“So, the locals hopefully will be standing on the marina, waving at us,” he said.
Mr Cook said the event would begin on Saturday with a 12-kilometre passage race from Sorrento to Queenscliff and said Couta boats were a classic fishing boat active close to 50 years ago.
“There were probably a lot of Couta boats and when the industry changed, the Couta boats became obsolete and they used fishing boats with engines,” he said.
“We’ve got a lot over here in Queenscliff because this is where they were born, and there’s a lot over in Sorrento.
“They’ll come over here, have a cup of tea, and then have a couple of races. Then we’ll all get together for dinner in the evening and all talk about boats and stuff.
“On the Sunday there will be a few more races, and then they’ll race back to Sorrento,” Mr Cook said.
Mr Cook said he had been with the yacht club for six years and sailing for 70 years. He also said he loved being out on the water and leaving all his worries on the shore.
“When you got to sail and you’re racing, you got to make sure the sails are set properly and the winds flowing properly,” he said.
“You can’t think about all the cranky people you left behind at work. It’s therapy for me and still is.
“I’m looking forward to being out on the water (this weekend) with a lot more boats racing.”
