Why does the B14 fleet always have a Buggar the Bone event at their Nationals and Worlds? And what does Buggar the Bone even mean?
It all started in the summer of 2004-5, at Port Dalrymple Yacht Club in the north of Tassie.
During the Nationals, Taswegian legends, Fish and Stewie (aka Richard Fisher and Stuart McDonnell) decided to have a barbie up The Arm, a reach of the Tamar River.
So that they knew how many sausages and rissoles to buy, and because we were at a regatta and that’s what you do, they decided to have a sign on for people interested.
But what to use? They decided to use the deck of their boat, Buggar the Bone. And that tradition has continued.
The original Buggar the Bone event was a cracker. They used the club rescue boats to ferry people up and back the inlet. From a safety perspective, there were designated non-drinkers to drive the boats. There was the BBQ, the huge bonfire on the foreshore, music, silliness. We started at hightide and kicked on until the tide was really low.
The Buggar the Bone tradition was cemented at the Sydney Worlds in 2006. Fish and Stew bought a whole lot of cleanskin wine bottles, and created labels for the whole fleet. This unexpected addition of alcohol, on top of Friends of the Fridge (another tradition started in the Woollahra Function Room at the Worlds), had the fleet ready for unconventional competition. An indoor obstacle course was created, with the competitors having to race a bicycle around the room whilst being impeded by the Manly Ferry (aka a couch being pushed about by Leaky), jump over and under barricades of chairs, spin around with your head on the handle of a broom, and various other mildly dangerous, or indeed outright stupid activities.
Although the Buggar the Bone is a fixture, it is never identical. It has involved BBQs, beach cricket, Opti racing, Opti relays including a swim and eating a cold meat pie, SUP races, egg catching…
And Fish claims some post-BTB activities have included Hot Wax in the Drive Through Car Wash, The Fibreglass Horse Incident, the Battered Sav Episode (which apparently was concurrent with or just after the Naked Dip at McCrae) and The Lunchbox Incident, but he declines to give details.
The boat name was not Fish and Stew’s idea. They bought “Bugger the Bone” from Bangers (Guy Bancroft – who has a thing about bones), who bought “Buggar” from Shane Guanaria. The boat, otherwise known as AUS357, is now Yellowbone, being skippered by Anthony House.
In Australia and NZ, the term “bugger” is considered a gentle curse that can be used in reasonably polite conversation. Check out this 1999 ute ad that was broadcast at all hours on Aussie TV. The Macquarie Dictionary lists one of the meanings for “bugger” as “a nuisance, a difficulty, something unpleasant or nasty. But why is Buggar spelled with an “a” and not an “e”? The theory is that either the spelling was changed so the boat name was palatable for publishing results in the newspaper, or that it suits the sound of the word better.
Times have changed, but 20 years on the Buggar the Bone custom is alive and kicking. The 2025 Worlds in Sydney will host a BBQ and silliness after racing on Wednesday 8th January at Woollahra Sailing Club. It’s hoped some former B14ers, Buggar the Bone survivors / veterans can join the festivities.
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Time to pull the curtain back on one of the oldest and more unique B14 traditions.
For more than 20 years, the women of the B14 fleet have particularly looked forward to the final day of racing at National and World Championships. Not because they are tired of racing, far from it! But the after the final day’s racing, all the females flee the final pack up in the boat park for a bonding session over a few bubblies. Sometimes quite a few…
It’s an opportunity for the women to speak their mind, compare bruises, reminisce about the highs and lows and the days just passed. And laugh. A lot. Sometimes there are a few tears but it usually ends with laughter.
A rare shot inside the shower, with champagne, at Midway Point, Tassie.
There’s something very soothing about blowing off some steam while enjoying the humidity of the (usually cramped) change room.
The tradition has now travelled from its humble beginnings in the Sydney Flying Squadron’s women’s showers at the turn of the century, to changerooms across Australia as well as in France, Italy and the UK.
Practicing bending the elbow before one of the early Champagnes in the Shower at McCrae in 2003.
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At the beginnning of 2024, the shores of Safety Beach, Victoria, witnessed an event that brought together the exhilarating world of B14, Javelin, and Musto sailing—the Skiff Fest Nationals. Hosted by the picturesque Safety Beach Sailing Club, this championship marked the first time all three skiff classes joined forces at an Australian national level, creating a buzz of excitement among sailors and spectators alike.
Skiff Fest Nationals played host to sailors from across Australia, featuring thirteen B14s, alongside participants from the Javelin and Musto classes. This unique convergence of skiff classes added an extra layer of anticipation and competition to the event. Safety Beach, nestled on the shores of Port Phillip Bay, offered the perfect canvas for this sailing spectacle with its clear blue waters and ever-changing weather conditions.
Among the thirteen B14s, the competition was fierce, with two boats representing Tasmania, five from Victoria, and six from New South Wales. The victors of the B14’s in the Australian Nationals were:
First Place: Craig Garmston and Paul Fleming on Aus 375
Second Place: Brent Frankcombe and Leigh Dunstan on Aus 378
Third Place: Scott Cunningham and Brody Riley on Aus 373
Multitool Awards:
Skiff Fest Nationals recognised not only speed and strategy but also the fun antics upon the water. The Multitool Awards, sponsored by Phaedrus Estate, Ronstan, and Jetty Road Brewery, highlighted remarkable moments throughout the event:
Day 1: Anthony House and Michela Torchio on Yellowbone received the award for rounding and hitting the mark.
Day 2: David Grace and Corey Riley on Osbourne earned the award for their "no hands" approach.
Day 3: Ryan Gerrish and Callum O’Boyle showcased brute force, winning the award for ripping pulleys out of their boat on Aus 378.
Results:
Beyond the Races: Seals, Scenery, and Celebrations
Skiff Fest Nationals was not just about the races; it was a holistic celebration of sailing culture. From friendly seals accompanying the starting boat, to welcome dinners at Jetty Road Brewery and evenings unwinding from the day just passed with fellow sailors; the event embraced the joys of being on the water.
Stay Connected: Social Media and Photography
For those who couldn't be at Safety Beach in person, the action was kept alive on social media. Skiff Fest's Facebook page became a hub for updates, highlights, and community engagement. Additionally, A J McKinnon Photography captured the moments, offering participants and fans the chance to relive the excitement through their lens. https://ajmckinnonphotography.shootproof.com/gallery/23583560/
Proud Sponsors: A Community Effort
Skiff Fest Nationals 2024 was made possible by the support of several sponsors, including the Victorian State Government, Refresh Property Solutions, Ronstan, Phaedrus Estate, Jetty Road Brewery, Irwin Sails, and Safety Beach Sailing Club. Their contributions played a vital role in making this event a resounding success.
As the sails lower and the skiffs rest, Skiff Fest Nationals 2024 leaves behind a legacy of camaraderie, competition, and the sheer joy of sailing. The shores of Safety Beach will be fondly remembered for the Nationals 2023-2024, until the next rendezvous in Sydney Harbour at Woollahra Sailing Club, with the Nationals 2024-25 from Jan 2-4 and the Worlds Jan 6-10 2025. See you there!!!!
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