History of Horowhenua Sailing Club, 1910 -1940

About Lake Horowhenua

Wind

The prevailing wind direction is from the west. The lake is approx 4 km from the coast, and given the right temperature conditions the sea breeze can reach the lake. The wind is a little more shifty than coastal areas, and provides good training on picking wind shifts.

Depth

The lake is approx 1.8 meters deep. The lake is suitable for most sailing craft (Optimist through to Noelex 22). Power boats are not allowed on the lake. (The sailing club have permission to run rescue craft).

Lake Horowhenua

Is the largest "Dune Lake" in the Southern Hemisphere, and is very special to the area, and local Maori. Its history goes back many century's. The lake itself is approx 3 km long by 1 km wide. Sailing activities have taken place since the early 1900's with the Sailing Club officially forming in 1955.

Algae

The Lake is from time to time affected by algae. It normally grows when the lake weed starts to die. The algae is not normally a problem until late December. In some years the Lake has had to close for a couple of weeks in the summer. By mid January the lake is normally reopened for recreational purposes. The lake water is routinely monitored and tested by the regional council.

Weed

Weed growth is normal on the lake. Normally the weed will grow in mid to late November. The big factor for weed growth is the water temperature over the winter months. If we have a mild winter, the weed will grow earlier in the season (September / October).

Horowhenua Sailing Club

History 1910 - 1940

Jetty and boatshed, Lake Horowhenua, c.1913. Two unidentified men are standing on the balcony of the Levin Boating Club building. A large clump of flax, growing in the lake is in the centre foreground. Photo: A6058 Lucas Series.

This was the second club rooms built by the Levin Boating Club. The Levin Boating clubs activities included, Rowing, Sailing, Power Boats, and Fishing.

Rowing Regattas, and Power boat racing were a feature of the club over this period.

1920's.Boat house on the eastern shore of Lake Horowhenua. Sailboat with two masts to the right of the boat shed. Inscription on reverse reads: "Boat house at Lake". Photographer unknown.

1933 James Hughes in his speed boat "Comet" on Lake Horowhenua. Photographer unknown.

A small yacht with two sails near the flax covered shore of Lake Horowhenua. In the foreground is a cabbage tree and a stand of native bush dominates the background. Caption reads: "Horowhenua Lake, Levin, N.Z.". Photographer unknown. 1928.

Membership of the Levin Boating Club lapsed during the great depression. It was not until after the second World war, that the Horowhenua Boating Club was formed.