
Photo: David Baker
by Richard Crockett
Sadly I still have the impression that there was no serious drive to push the Optimist Class on a national basis as there appeared to be isolated pockets of excellence dotted around the country.
Despite the slow progress, a report in SA Yachting in February 1972 stated that “… the class has developed to such an extent in the Western cape that it has become necessary to form a Western Cape regional committee…”.
The Western Province Junior Champs were held at Zeekoe Vlei in mid-December, with strong south-easter winds blowing.
READ ABOUT IT HERE: Pages from 1972 02 – SA Yachting – OCR
In May 1972 it was reported that the Association held its annual regatta at Midmar over Easter and for the first time there was representation from more than one Province.
READ ABOUT IT HERE: Pages from 1972 05 – SA Yachting – OCR
In June 1973, after almost a year with no Optimist news appeared in SA Yachting, a report appeared about the Optimist Nationals, sailed over Easter, at Zeekoe Vlei, where Chris King won convincingly.
READ ABOUT IT HERE: Pages from 1973 06 – SA Yachting – OCR
The next news reported on the 1973 Optimist Internationals at which Chris King represented this country, finishing 24th in a fleet of 130 boats.
READ ABOUT IT HERE: Pages from 1973 09 – SA Yachting – OCR
The following month an Interhouse regatta was held for the Monterey Boys school, with Dabchicks and Optimists competing. It’s rather an amusing report.
READ ABOUT IT HERE: Pages from 1973 10 – SA Yachting – OCR
In November 1973 it was reported that plans were being issued at the rate of 10 per month, and that more Clubs were beginning to embrace the Class and the building projects.
READ ABOUT IT HERE: Pages from 1973 11 – SA Yachting – OCR
Finally in the December issue of ‘73 it was reported that due to the interest, thought needed to be given to sub-committees being formed in the provinces. Plus there was talk of sending a South African team to Worlds. Of interest in this report was discussion of which boat should the kids graduate to after Optimists, with the Laser being a possible option as this question was posed.
READ ABOUT IT HERE: Pages from 1973 12 – SA Yachting – OCR
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Who are the others in the pic and what year was this?








