The annual LHI Yachties BBQ Cruise is a rare example of the alternative outlasting the original. It owes its existence to the limited number of visitor moorings in the Lagoon. Two decades ago, when the annual Gosford-Lord Howe Yacht Race was at its peak of popularity, the Race Committee had to turn away many entrants every year simply because they could not be accommodated. In response, some of those excluded entrants decided to cruise over from the mainland a week or two after the race as an informal group.
The only fixture of the cruise was an agreement that the crews would meet up for a BBQ at Ned’s Beach on a Tuesday after the Melbourne Cup. As a gesture towards all the goodwill and friendship the sailors had enjoyed on the Island over the years, they decided to make the BBQ a fund-raising event for the Public School. The school Parents & Citizens Association came aboard to provide the ‘all-you-can-eat’ food… and a tradition was born!
Twenty-two years later, the Gosford to Lord Howe yacht race has long been discontinued (it ended in 2011) while the BBQ Cruise continues to prosper. It is a testing 840 nautical mile round trip under sail from Sydney, but its popularity is undiminished. This year will see a record fleet of at least 10 participating yachts and more than 40 crew are expected for the annual gathering. Last year’s BBQ raised $4,000 for the school and more than $65,000 has been donated over the years since the cruise began in 2002.
Nigel Stoke, skipper of Fidelis and one of the event’s founders, explained the original motivation. “We wanted to create something for owners who are still keen to sail their yachts offshore, rather than just look at the varnish.
Lord Howe is a wonderful destination, and the BBQ is a terrific way of giving something back to the people of the Island who’ve been so hospitable to us yachties over so many years. It’s hard not to have a good time on Lord Howe.” The late Sir James Hardy, who sailed Vittoria on the cruise in 2005, applauded the event as “an enjoyable offshore outing in a good cause”.
This year’s BBQ is on Tuesday, 19 November, and is open to all Islanders and visitors. Everyone just needs to bring their $60 cash donation, some cutlery, a preferred liquid refreshment and some glasses to drink it in.
The traditional venue is always the stunning Ned’s Beach. However, in 2023, a strong North East wind forced a last-minute change to the shelter of Lagoon Beach. The assumption this year is for a return to Ned’s but the P&C will make the decision and notify if a venue change is required.
Part of the fun of the BBQ is the variety of fund-raising games played during the evening. Local parents and their children are encouraged to join in. Don’t forget to bring plenty of gold coins for the famous “Toss the Bob” competition. We look forward to seeing you from 4:30 onwards on the evening of November 19!