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THE BLUEWATER BUSHMEN RIDE AGAIN

In 1981, journalist and author Bruce Stannard wrote a book called “Bluewater Bushmen” (see http://www.bluewaterbushmen.com/ ) to describe the crews and boats who sailed the open skiffs on Sydney Harbour, and later in Brisbane and New Zealand, prior to World War II.   He wrote:

 "In the mythology of Australian sport there are few legends more colourful or enduring that those that surround the great sail-carrying open boats.  Throughout the 19th century, long before cricket and the turf became obsessions in the infant colony, vast crowds, often hundreds of thousands strong, jammed every vantage point about Sydney Harbour, and packed aboard fleets of steamers, to gamble and to gape at the incredible antics of the men who dared to race the big boats.

"In those days races were often won not so much by brainpower as by the number and accuracy of punches thrown at, and by, rival crews.  Faint-hearted men simply didn't sail open boats.  In many ways the open boatmen might be described as blue-water bushmen, for the rough and ready Sydney Harbour sailors did embody many of the characteristics which were so readily ascribed to their country cousins - their courage and daring, reckless have-a-go spirit and intense personal loyalty and mateship, their willingness to have a fight at the drop of a hat and love of a sporting contest, their hard drinking, rough language and appetite for gambling all seem to confirm their relationship."

The book sadly notes that by 1981 the boats and sailors were no more.

 However the book help create a wonderful revival and so now replicas of the boats, and those following in the spirit of the original Bushmen, ride again on wooden replica open skiffs with the same enormous sails, daring do, rough language and spirit.

 The Australian Historic Skiff Sailing Association is dedicated to promoting this revival.  So come on board.