From the 2026 Bay to Bay, I would like to feature true sportswomenship, with a feature story on Adrienne McVerry from Bundy Flyer, Compass Coreel skipper.
Simon is the oldest of five sons and the boys all learnt to sail on our first laser in Sydney harbour 45 years ago. We still have that laser sailing at Lake Cootharaba. We moved to Brisbane and we had an old southern cross 23 and the five boys all learnt to sail on that. As a result two of the lads circumnavigated crewing on other yachts. A small farm was bought, the Southern cross was sold for a tractor, and I ended up with a Hartley 16 for a while until we spotted Yancy's Compass Careel 18 at Boreen point for sale. So 5 years of sailing the careel on the lake often on my own or with local friends, Simon and I entered in the Bay to By 2024 . Very much novices in racing Had a lot of trouble just figuring out the start and tried to copy what the other experienced Careels were doing.!! We came about second to last I think but loved the excitement and sailing in that beautiful wilderness and being part of such an exciting race. 2025 we entered again and set off in the wild weather reefed down well and small jib. However unfortunately a broken rudder sent us bouncing under motor back to Tin Can Bay. 2026 we entered again just for the fun, but luck was with us and we held our own in big following winds on the saturday. Sunday we fluked a good getaway at the start, quite by chance I think, and managed to keep Bundy Flyer doing her best. I was sure not cleating the main sheet in, as the gusts were pretty full on from the south and I wasnt taking any risks. Simon poled the jib out from side to side and I hung onto the rudder with all my strength at times! Any way we made it into Hervey Bay without any mishaps and we were very excited and surprised to collect a few awards. We just loved the excitement of seeing all the yachts flying along, spinnakers galore, splashing colour everywhere, and all the different types of yachts. And we love being part of the Careel group who are all very supportive to each other. Thank you Jules for your amazing photography. You must have had a rough ride in that wild weather trying to take photos whilst bouncy about. Thank you. See you next year I hope!!
The Gas Cylinder – Hervey Bay
d’Albora Tin Can Bay Marina
Kingfisher Bay Resort
Jules Magic – Yacht Racing
