Full Steam Ahead: Buderim Rotary’s Highly Qualified Maritime Adventure
There are many ways for a Rotary club to bond. Some clubs enjoy a quiet dinner. Others attend conferences or community events. But the intrepid members of Rotary Club of Buderim decided there was only one logical option: hand a group of semi-retired volunteers the keys to a boat and send them cruising down the Maroochy River unsupervised.
What could possibly go wrong?
As it turns out: quite a lot. Which, naturally, made it one of the best club outings in recent memory.
The adventure began with great confidence and questionable nautical expertise. Members arrived dressed in full maritime splendour — striped shirts, captain’s hats, pirate attire and enough navy-and-white clothing to invade a small island nation. Sarah, resplendent in rather dubious navy attire, ceremoniously piped everyone aboard as they quipped “Permission to board.”
The vessel itself was magnificent. Or at least it looked magnificent while still tied securely to land.
With absolutely no shortage of enthusiasm, Buderim Rotary raised anchor and took to the high seas.
Spirits were high as the crew settled into a luxurious afternoon of delicious pizza & BBQ delights to the soothing tones of the theme from Gilligan’s Island. Nothing says “experienced seafarers” quite like attempting to flip sausages while drifting sideways in a tidal current.
Then came Mishap Number One.
While confidently cruising along the Maroochy River, the crew managed to locate — with astonishing precision — a crab pot. Not beside the propeller. Not near the propeller. Directly wrapped around the propeller.
Suddenly the boat slowed to an elegant stop while everyone adopted the universal boating expression of leaning over the back and saying,
“Ahhh… that’s probably not ideal.”
Several amateur engineers emerged immediately, offering deeply helpful technical advice such as:
- “Maybe reverse it?”
- “Give it a wiggle.”
- “Turn it off and back on again.”
After much discussion, laughter, and absolutely no successful mechanical intervention, some of the lads took to the murky waters of Maroochy River, braving the possibility of marauding bull sharks, the propeller was eventually freed, and the voyage continued triumphantly onward.
For approximately twenty minutes.
Because Mishap Number Two soon arrived with even greater flair.
In what witnesses are calling “a bold reinterpretation of navigational procedure,” the Buderim Rotary crew successfully ran the boat aground.
Not gently.
Not strategically.
Firmly.
At first there was optimism. “We’ll drift off.” They did not drift off.
“Maybe everyone move to one side. Now the other side. Now the bow – no the front stupid.”
Our brave, already soggy lads, once again took to the water this time to push. Sadly to no avail, she was stuck solid. Eventually, the owner of the boat was summoned to the rescue, undoubtedly wondering at what exact moment they decided allowing Rotarians to self-captain was a sound business model.
Fortunately, the stranded sailors were rescued with dignity mostly intact, though several members were later heard insisting the grounding was “all part of the experience.”
And honestly, they may be right.
Because long after the pizzas were eaten, the captain hats packed away, and the crab pot permanently added to club folklore, what remained was exactly what Rotary does best: friendship, laughter, community spirit, and a shared memory no one will forget anytime soon.
The Maroochy River may never fully recover.
But Buderim Rotary certainly had a wonderful time trying.