Welcome to the Regatta
The Davistown Putt Putt Regatta & Wooden Boat Festival is not only a great event but also an opportunity for the people to celebrate the Central Coast, Australia and the culture that is a part of our history, heritage and local character.
What a week is was..
After 4 years of cancellations and postponements the Regatta Organising Committee are delighted to have run 3 complete and extremely successful events. Starting with the Heritage Ferry and Workboat Challenge on Saturday 14th to the Putt Putt Regatta on Sunday 15th and rounding out with the Regatta Charity Dinner on Friday 20th. All events went off without a hitch and once the final numbers are in it appears that this incredibly generous community will have raised just slightly in excess of $20,000 for the Kids with Cancer Foundation – a great result for a worthy cause.
After some serious jockeying for position the Heritage Challenge was taken out by the Kariong sponsored this year by Sunair Solar. Many thanks to George Conway from Central Coast Ferries and Steve and Steel Guiliana from Sunair Solar.
An estimated 17,000 people enjoyed a magnificent day at the Davistown waterfront for the running of the Putt Putt Regatta. Everyone enjoyed the myriad of market stalls, car displays, kids amusements and Premium Food services. Many stallholders sold out on the day. The focus on the timber boats was great to see and we had winners across most categories.
- Most Original Putt Putt – Plover1 skippered by Nigel and Lorraine Parker
- Best Boat (5 years and Under) – TripleB
- Best Gentlemen’s Launch – Lady Frisco skippered by Andy Moran
- Best Diesel – Grand Tourer skippered by Scott Randell
- People’s Choice Award – Swansong owned by Peter Ray
- Best Dressed Crew – Plover1
- Best Half Cabin Putt Putt – Clover skippered by Roger Walker
- Best Open Putt Putt (Glass Over) – Just a Pup owned by Darren Isaacs
- Best Wooden Boat (non Putt Putt) – Rat Bag owned by Richard May
- Putt Putt Challenge (Petrol) – Taffy skippered by Garry Owens
- Putt Putt Challenge (Diesel) – Galloping Maggot skippered by Colin Campbell
The Regatta Charity Dinner on Friday 20th then saw about 80 people trip the light fantastic to the music of Budi Bone and be entertained by Magician Marcus Luc. After enjoying a sumptuous 2 course meal a very generous group then put their hands in their pockets and raised over $6,000 for the Kids with Cancer Foundation.
I want to again take this opportunity to extend our thanks to our major sponsors without whom none of the events would be able to proceed. Special thanks go to Central Coast Council, Web Site Guy, Edge Real Estate, Bendigo Bank, the Davo RSL, Andersons Boatshed, Central Coast Motor Group, Central Coast Ferries, Star 104.5, GoodGear and of course Mitre 10 Kincumber.
It was out of the respect and knowledge of the enthusiasts – otherwise known as the “Black Hands” who formed the heart of the annual event, that the charter of the Davistown Putt Putt Regatta & Wooden Boat Festival is drawn.
“To promote an annual event to showcase Putt Putt engineering and timber boat skills in a family friendly, free to the public Festival, promoting and drawing on the camaraderie among Putt Putt enthusiasts and timber boat owners generally.”
In addition, the aims of the Wooden Boat Association – “To promote an active interest in all matters relating to the history, development, building, restoration and preservation of Wooden Boats” has been adopted.
While the heart of our charter is to display and promote the wooden boat community, we also look to provide a family focussed day where the local community and visitors can have an enjoyable day in a safe and family friendly environment.
Along with the water focussed activities there will be on-shore entertainment and activities to appeal to all ages.
The Regatta has the reputation of being one of the largest event of its kind on the eastern seaboard.
The Regatta could not proceed without the generous support of our sponsors. Local government and Corporate support has been an essential ingredient to our success. The Committee sincerely thanks the following organisations.
