Rayner Trophy 1995 Report
Yzerfontein / Silwerstroom Beach
The 1995 Rayner Trophy was all ready to roll and then on the 22 January 1995 the authorities advised us that the maximum number of people they would allow in the area was 30. It was impossible to comply so a new venue had to be found and the competition rewritten within a month.
It was decided to use the theme based on the book " The Skeleton Coast" which describes the rescue of the survivors of the "Dunedin Star" which went aground on the Namibian coast. This theme had previously been used in 1986 and John Mutti the Chief Judge for that competition was called in to assist to put this competition together in the short time available. Thirty Six teams entered but only seventeen arrived at the start of the competition. The first half of the competition was based on the rescue party getting to the survivors and the teams had to perform such tasks as fixing punctures, turning Land Rovers around in the sand, compass trails, getting over obstacles, splicing etc.
The second half was based on the survivors making their way out of the desert and covered such items as making bully beef hash to changing a nappy, solving codes, performing a rescue from the surf and distilling sea water. The competition proved to be enjoyable to the teams and judges and except for a timing problem on the Sunday morning ran without incident. The competition ended on time with the trophy being present to the winning team by Mr. Collin Inglis the international commissioner. Congratulations to the winners and the other teams that did well.
The first 12 places were as follows:-
1st. 1st Pinelands
2nd. 1st Somerset West
3rd. 1st Bergvliet A
4th. 1st Strand
5th. 2nd Bergvliet
6th. 2nd Kenridge
7th. 3rd Pinelands A
8th 2nd Fish Hoek A
9th. 2nd Somerset West A
10th. 1st Gordons Bay
11th 1st Plumstead
12th 1st Observatory
Buzz Macey
Chief Judge
Unfortunately, the Scout archive does not have any photos of this years competition, but as it is a re-run of the 1986 event, their photos are shown below to give an insight as to the various activities. Ed
