Participants from as far apart as Queensland, Roxbury Downs and Southern Tassie enjoyed the warm flat water sailing conditions and amazingly welcoming Tongan locals in the Mariner Boating Kalia Cup in July this year.

Escaping the cold of July a large Cruising Yacht Club Adelaide contingent ensured plenty of friendly rivalry in the races and the unique handicapping system kept the scores close till the last race.

The addition of a second division for the catamarans was a bonus which also supplied some extra party platforms to enjoy getting together for BBQs in the bays on the lay days.

Graeme Swan’s fund raising fines program raising money for the local schools broke last years record and will be divided between two of the schools visited and supported on the island. Maddie and Sam, Swanny’s young crew members, have begun a pen pal exchange with the children from the school on Hunga and the children from their classes here in Sydney. Maddie and Sam enjoyed the hospitality of the villagers on Sunday for church and Monday at the school itself. As usual the crews were overwhelmed by the generosity of these people who fished on Saturday night and prepared a feast of local cuisine to sample. They also presented the children with a range of local handcrafts to bring back to Australia and share with class mates.

Whales surfaced and swam nearby on almost every day of the rally and the thirteen who elected to join a "swim with the whales" option were rewarded with the most up close and personal experience of a life time. The goose bumps lasted long into the evening after their encounter and are probably still popping up each time they think about it or talk about the closeness of these gentle animals and length of time they hung out together.

Oh yes - the winners! Well of course it was everyone who participated but the Kalia Cup prize for monos went to Derek Morrison on Sapphire Seas 11, and on the catamarans Geoff Pollard and crew on Pontus.