To Jindy and Back – A Tale of #MakoMojo

Much like Bag End, there is a sleepy little town on the ocean called Jervis Bay. It is a place which occasionally has some bustle, but generally is full of ordinary people going about doing ordinary things. Nothing terribly exciting happens at Jervis Bay, nothing that is, until recently.

Locals have been talking about it in hushed tones. Paddlers from far and wide are remarking on it. It is intangible, un-coachable and fabulous. It is the phenomenon called #Makomojo and it is wonderful.

 While our outstanding and unexpected performance at Lunar Festival definitely sparked the flame, the Jindabyne Flowing Festival fanned the fire and #Makomojo has leapt into life.

Here’s what happened..

The Journey

After a perilous journey through the fated potholes of Braidwood, sampling the local gin and marvelling at the beautiful mountains so different from home, Mako emerged to the wondrous sight of a large lake. The water was cool, the air crisp and a distant sound of war drums was snatched away by the wind. Around this lake were slumbering dragons, colourful beasts with one eye open ready for war.

The Battle

Saturday evening was the stage for some insanely cool racing. With a 2km race foreign to the majority of the club, the nerves were palpable, and a few fingernails chewed.

Mako Snappy smashed around the racecourse like a crew possessed, incorporating a collision or two, some cornering up on the rails of the boat, and a finish of squealing brakes. A true Kiwi & J special.

Mako Bitey were steered by Slippery Silky, a name is still spoken with hushed tones of reverence after the infamous Pig Island Regatta. In contrast to Mako Snappy, Bitey took an alternative approach of fluid and efficient padding which was beautiful considering the numbers of rookies in the crew.  The excitement peaked at the last corner where Silk turned the boat on a dime, scraped paint off the boat and brought home the crew to a standing ovation from the crowds lining the shores.

Mako Maidens were treated to Chicki on the stick with a brand-new coxmate. “Oh joy” they were heard to say (somewhat ingenuously) “Chicki on a microphone”. And so the Mako ladies went hunting. Leaving 4^th, finishing 1^st, and overtaking 3 boats on one lap is a feat few have seen in a 2km. And it was wonderful to behold.  

And so the #Makomojo sparked to life and the embers burned all night while the crew celebrated way too much and awoke with large hangovers and bigger smiles.

The Firsts

Ryan and Sal donned the L-Plates (beanie) to nail their first races as L2 sweeps.

Strokes Shane and Ryan were catapulted up to Seat 1 in Mako Angry and nailed their first go (and no sign of Shane’s butt crack to be seen

Chicki couldn’t keep the smile off her face, having her first race IN the ladies boat in 1.5 years. And a cracker race it was.

Jack, Marty and Lou raced their first regatta with Mako and from all accounts (and the smiles still on their faces) loved it.

Our 2 mixed crews Snappy and Bitey were 2x100ths second apart in times.  Mako always love racing each other, but it’s rare to get them so equal.

Father-n-son combo raced together. Al and Jack you guys ROCK and what a special thing to race together.

We were honoured to have Mexican Drug Lord ‘El Chapo” race with us.

The Results

Oh yeah and we did some cool stuff too:  

2km Women: Gold

2km Mixed: Gold and Silver

200m Women: Gold

200m Men: Gold

200m Mixed: Silver

The Rap

The Thanks

A huge thanks to Jo and Barney and Jindabyne Snow Dragons for an amazing event, as always.

Thanks to Club Jervis Bay whose sponsorship makes interstate travel and competition a reality for our regional club.

Thanks to Mako, who change lives, bring joy and have found their mojo.  #Makomojo lives.