24 entrants, 8 boats, 1 winner.
The premise of WaveGP sounded simple enough, with the opportunity for a huge reward. Take the world’s most exciting sailboat racing format, scale it down just a little bit, and open it up to everybody? Count us in!
With a bold 24 entrants, a packed race schedule to give every sailor ample opportunity to get involved, a last-minute boost to the fleet (8 Hobie Waves, up from 6), and two days of perfect weather with a classic nor’easterly sea breeze, the stage was set for a groundbreaking weekend of sailing.
Upon registration, each athlete and team received a race schedule showing which boat they would sail in each of the round robin heats. Races were divided into rounds, with each round featuring three heats. That meant three firsts, three seconds, and so on.
Scoring was debated all week leading up to the event, but finally settled on a cumulative system: 10 points for first, 9 for second, down to 3 points for 8th, and 0 for a DNF.
Before diving into the action, the NSW Hobie Cat Association and Vincentia Sailing Club extend a huge thank you to the amazing sponsors and supporters who made the inaugural WaveGP Championships possible.
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Hobie Asia Pacific for providing six new sails and the PowerSkiff for on water judging.
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Steve Fields for personally donating two Hobie Wave mainsails.
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Peter Manley & Canberra Yacht Club for supplying two Waves at the last minute, taking the fleet from six boats to eight.
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Andrew & Matthew McKenzie for contributing their own personal Hobie Waves and supporting the event from its inception.
And of course, our generous local sponsors: Vincentia Shopping Village, Bewong River Retreat, Mountainside Meats, Campbell Petroleum Distributors, Sandbar Restaurant Huskisson, Jervis Bay Meat Co. and the Vincentia Sailing Club itself.
Day One
The first day of racing saw a solid summer nor’easter fill in early, with the opening round underway by midday in 12–14 knots. As the wind built through the day, along with a developing swell, racing became tougher and more exciting, testing both the conditions and the athletes’ ability.
Racing alongside seasoned sailors like Matthew McKenzie, Peter “Dobbo” Dobson, and Adrian Mills—who had been practicing all winter on Waves in the GP format—veteran Hobie legend Rod “Hot Rod” Waterhouse, crewing for his grandson Jackson, was also up for the challenge of taming the “beastly Hobie Wave.”
“It’s a humbling experience racing the Hobie Wave,” said Waterhouse. “It’s one of those classes where things can go so, so right, and so, so wrong.”
Twelve races were held throughout the first day, giving every sailor four opportunities to bank scores and climb the leaderboard. Matthew McKenzie delivered a clean sweep with four bullets (40 points). Liana Hodder & myself finished second overall with four podiums and two race wins. Jackson Bolewski & his Poppy, Hot Rod Waterhouse, finished just one point behind after winning their final race.
Other heat winners included Dobbo, Courtney Smith, Marc Hooper, and Adrian Mills, while podium finishes went to Bridget Bolewski, Emma Webb, Paul McKenzie, Jamie & Violet Martin, Michael Taylor, Joel & Rennie Hodder, Matt Cooke, and Stephen Andersson.
By day’s end, only tiny margins separated sailors all the way down the leaderboard, with everyone fighting hard for a place in the top 8.
Saturday Night – Sandbar Huskisson
After racing, the fleet gathered at the Sandbar Huskisson, hosted by John & Jason, for an evening of good food, great stories, and plenty of laughs. A Father’s Day raffle was held with prizes from Mountainside Meats, Jervis Bay Brewing Co., and VSC merch, including shirts and tote bags crafted from recycled Hobie 14 mainsails by Courtney Smith. Congratulations to all the winners!
Day Two – SUPER SUNDAY
The second day promised another nor’easter, with the finals scheduled for 1pm. That left the morning to complete additional round robin races.
Round 6 began in lighter air, with three races held under 10 knots, taking longer than expected. Heat winners included Kerry Waterhouse, Paul Pascall, and reserve sailor Scott Hartman (VSC’s catering officer, proving equally handy on the water).
By Round 6, the breeze and swell began to build across Jervis Bay, unleashing the true character of the Hobie Wave. Matthew McKenzie, Bridget Bolewski, and Kerry Waterhouse each grabbed another bullet, while podiums went to Fionnbarr Sweeney, Jackson & Hot Rod, Marc Hooper, Emma Webb, Adrian Mills, and Hazel Raftery.
The seventh and final round before lunch saw first-ever bullets for Hazel Raftery and Emma Webb, alongside another for Matthew.
During lunch, with platters from Jervis Bay Meat Co. and Mountainside Meats, the top 8 finalists were announced:
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Matthew McKenzie – 69 pts
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Jackson & Hot Rod Waterhouse – 62 pts
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Liana Hodder & author – 59 pts
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Bridget Bolewski – 57 pts
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Peter “Dobbo” Dobson – 57 pts
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Adrian Mills – 55 pts
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Emma Webb – 54 pts
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Courtney Smith – 54 pts
Unfortunately, Liana was unable to compete in the finals, forfeiting her position. Several others—Taylor, Kerry, Marc, and Stephen—also stepped aside, opening the door for young gun Fionnbarr Sweeney (13th overall with 39 pts) to jump into the big dance.
Finals Series
By the time finals began, the breeze was fully ON. Sailors started on the Wave numbered by their seeding (Matthew on Wave #1, etc.) and rotated boats after each race. With the best of the best on the line, every heat was tight and thrilling.
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Race 1: Jackson & Hot Rod took the win ahead of Bridget, with Dobbo third and Adrian fourth.
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Race 2: Dobbo struck back with a bullet, Jackson & Rod kept consistent in second, while Matthew recovered to third after a tough DFL in race one.
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Race 3: Jackson & Rod scored another bullet, Matthew climbed to second, and Courtney—winning the start again—took third. Emma and Fionnbarr sailed strongly mid-fleet.
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Race 4 (Final): Matthew finally nailed a bullet, closely chased by Courtney, who stole wind from Jackson & Rod on the reach to the line. Emma secured another fourth, with Dobbo in fifth, followed by Fionnbarr, Adrian, and Bridget.
Final Open Results
🥇 Jackson & Hot Rod Waterhouse – 37 pts
🥈 Matthew McKenzie – 30 pts (2nd on countback)
🥉 Peter “Dobbo” Dobson – 30 pts
4th – Courtney Smith – 29 pts
5th – Emma Webb – 26 pts
6th – Bridget Bolewski – 19 pts
7th – Fionnbarr Sweeney – 18 pts
8th – Adrian Mills – 17 pts
Divisional Results
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Top Family Team: Jackson & Hot Rod Waterhouse
- Runner-Up Family Team: Eddie & Lottie Hooper
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Masters Champion: Rod Waterhouse
- Runners-Up: Matthew McKenzie, Peter Dobson
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Top Rookie Sailor: Jackson Bolewski
- Runner-Up Rookie: Matthew McKenzie
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Women’s Champion: Courtney Smith
- Runners-Up: Emma Webb, Bridget Bolewski
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Youth (U21): Emma Webb
- Runner Up Youth: Hazel Raftery
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Junior (U18): Jackson Bolewski
- Runner-Up Junior: Fionnbarr Sweeney
Finally, a huge thank you to the volunteers who made the regatta possible:
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Michael Taylor & Courtney Smith – race schedules & trophies
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Scotty & Rennie – canteen & boat repairs
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Angela, Rebecca & Joss – Father’s Day raffle
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MB – Chief Judge
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Andrew & Dave – “The Carrot” safety boat
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Watty, Chris & Jake – Race Committee
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John Quinn – official photographer
And of course, to every sailor who competed and made history at the first-ever Hobie Wave State Championships in Australia.