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NEWS
2013 Riviera Experience to Moreton Island
Sleepy Kooringal hosts 23 Rivs and 60 keen boatersAs nine-month-old baby Kristy Bielenberg sat perched in her high chair in the cockpit of her parent’s 47 Flybridge, it was clear that this was going to be an experience to remember. Scott and Raelee took delivery of their 47 in July of last year and, while this was their second Riviera, it was the family's first R Marine Jones Experience
Joining 22 other Rivieras ranging in size from 40 feet to 56 feet, the Raelee family including four daughters -- Bianca (12), Emily (10), Jaimee (3), and Kristy (9 months) -- met dealer principal Randall Jones and his R Marine team at the southern end of Moreton Island before venturing up the channel to nearby Kooringal.
Moreton Island, 35 kilometres east of Brisbane, is renowned for many things including (usually) crystal clear water, white sandy beaches, and marine life such as green turtles, humpback whales and dugongs. But this annual R Marine Jones Experience wasn't without hurdles.
Usually held on the Australia Day long weekend, the even was postponed this year due to extreme weather. South East Queensland was battered by torrential rain, flash flooding, 60-knot winds and tornadoes as ex-tropical cyclone Oswald tore through the state on the Australia Day long weekend.
So the Kooringal Experience was held on February 15, 16 and 17. Although the wet weather was still hanging around, it didn’t dampen the spirits of the 53 adults and seven children on the 4th annual Kooringal Experience.
Families and their young crews met and made friends, the highlight for some was getting together on the beach for fresh prawns and oysters, while Sharm Brown from R Marine Jones caught 17 squid amid a lot if inky mess.
Host Randall said the 60 nautical mile round trip from the Gold Coast to Moreton Island was one of the most popular experiences on the R Marine Jones calendar of events.
“Once we reached the entrance to Kooringal, Riv1 led the fleet through the narrow channel dropping marker buoys so the group had the best track in. This entry can be challenging,” Randall said. “The weather was overcast at times but, all in all, the group enjoyed our favourite experience.
“We organised a social night for owners to get to know each other with king prawns, freshly shucked oysters, and Thai-style hot food at the Gutter Bar, which is one of our favourite watering holes. We had a great meal and enjoyed a few drinks.
“The next morning we organised a walk around the Spit of Moreton, and the timing was right on cue for a big down pour, but that didn’t deter our keen walkers.
"As the weather improved, we guided the group in their own tenders to the local shallows where there is always plenty of marine life to see under the water including, stingrays, shovel nose sharks and turtles," Randall says.
On the Sunday morning, R Marine Jones led the group out of the narrow inlet and back into the main channel where they each went their separate ways homeward bound with fond memories of another enjoyable R Marine Experience.
For more information about the next R Marine Jones experience, email info@rmarinejones.com.au.
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Written byBoatsales Staff
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