The Long Laser Lunch at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club – a reunion to remember
by Andrew York 11 Jul 03:19 PDT
The Long Laser Lunch - whole group © Sean Mulcahy
"What's 40 to 50 years amongst friends?" Trevor Martin.
Last month 93 Laser sailors from across the country gathered at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club for what became a truly unforgettable reunion. Sailors from every state, many of whom hadn't seen or spoken to one another in over 30 or 40 years, reunited over lunch like it was just another regatta weekend. Only this time, it was even better.
The RPAYC provided the perfect setting, and Facundo and the events team navigated the lively room seamlessly, allowing old friends to reconnect as though no time had passed. Memories flowed as freely as the conversation, and friendships were instantly rekindled.
"It was brilliant to catch up with everyone. I'd forgotten what an incredible group of people they are." Scott Ellis.
What began as a small reunion of 30 Laser mates, sparked by my father receiving one of the inaugural Squadron Medals in September 2024, quickly grew into something much bigger. With eight months of planning, I reached out to over 200 sailors, with more than 50 phone conversations reliving old stories and catching up on life since.
The turnout could've been even larger, if not for so many Laser sailors currently summering in the south of France or elsewhere in Europe!
"Thanks again for a fantastic event, definitely worth the effort of coming over for WA to catch up with everyone." Andrew Mason.
Everyone received a name badge, engraved with the Laser symbol and event name, to help navigate the inevitable changes in appearance over the decades. (Special thanks to Geoff Gale for tracking down a cost-effective and stylish solution.)
Rob Lowndes collated hundreds of photos, which played on loop across multiple screens. Each guest also took home a USB with the slideshow, a personalised polo shirt embroidered with Long Laser Lunch 2024, and a collection of life "snippets" submitted beforehand to help everyone catch up on each other's journeys since the old days.
"Great shots. A fair bit of bar karate going on. Wonderfully organised event. A great balance of talk time, enforced networking, great food and photos. Well done and thanks for the invite." James Mitchell.
The joy in the room was palpable! Many of us had sailed regattas against each other all over Australia and had travelled together to World Championships and other event overseas. While we were great friends for so many years back in our 20s and 30s we then got married, had kids and careers that have kept us apart... until this event. There were groups animatedly recounting times together or just reconnecting.
"Beasho, remember the time I challenged you to a race up the flagpoles at the Worlds in Kingston in 1980?"
"Yes Yorky, I do... because I knackered myself on the way down!"
Classic tales like the resailed Race 1 of the 1977 Devonport Nationals came up more than once. A race that started in 20 knots and built to 40, with marks drifting or sinking, and Tony Manning narrowly beating Geoff Gale, only for the race to be declared invalid for finishing outside the three-hour limit!
And of course, the famous moment when Cam Lewis sailed off with a dolly still tied to his Laser. A moment forever etched in Kingston Worlds folklore.
The group photos were another highlight. From the entire crew to early world championship sailors, national reps, women attendees, and state and club contingents. After the photo session, no one wanted to sit down for dessert as there was too much catching up still to do.
Eventually, I called the room to attention for a Q&A with Olympic coach Michael Blackburn. The crowd listened intently to every word he had to say. We found out about team selection decisions, his and Arthur Brett's coaching of the Australian Sailing Team, sailing Bass Strait, who was the best of Slingsby, Burton and Wearn, how long a campaign it would take to medal at the Olympics and many other topics.
"The Q&A with Michael Blackburn was fascinating, how the selection process actually comes together." Bruce Hilleard.
We were reminded that the strong foundations we built decades ago helped shape Australia's current Laser success. Our efforts back then made it possible for coaches like Michael to develop squads that have now delivered four Olympic gold medals.
Zac Littlewood, the current national champion and bronze medallist at the recent ILCA7 Worlds in China, was even offered return airfares by the Warren Jones Foundation to attend. Sadly, he had to depart for Europe on the same day, a missed opportunity for all of us.
"What a fabulous day you organised, it was great catching up with a lot of people that I knew and meeting many new friends. Can I assume that this is the first of many LONG Laser Lunches?" David Bray
The day was an overwhelming success. First guests arrived at 10:30am; the last of us were gently moved along when the club closed at 6:30pm.
As Warwick Phillips said before leaving: "Next time, it needs to be a whole weekend."
I think everyone in the room would agree... one afternoon just wasn't long enough.