Russell Boating Club; a drinking place from another time located in Russell, New Zealand, Matauwhi Bay, the Bay of Islands
What Appeals? The deck hangs over the bay, the bar offers a decent choice of booze and a satisfying selection of New Zealand beer. But, at the Russell Boating Club, it’s the characters.
When locals tell a good story, the main characters often do the telling. Sometimes in a really local place, you step inside their community.
In France refugees from the 1960’s are known as soixante neuf’s – sixty-niners. One foot stuck in 1969, the rest of their self dealing with 2014. These entertaining peeps are defined by what they are not; they are not fat, not well groomed, not impressed by wealth and not subject to silly drug laws. They are the same entertaining folks we hung with in college … 69’ers in the Bay of Islands had found each other at the RBC at 5 pm on January 23, 2014.
On the deck outside the Russell Boating Club a slender man with gray hair, trimmed brush cut style, aged skin and an ear-ring sits on the bench of a picnic table. He leads the dialogue with eight of his sailor/drinkers – all wearing colorless jackets and faded Bermudas. Two beers rest in front of the speaker; one finished, the other half drained. This is their community.
How Far Down the Block? Four blocks from the base of the pier in Russell, New Zealand. The pier is Russell’s hub. Follow Matauwhi Road out of town, when the road turns left, continue straight on.
Why you might be nearby? A) You are staying at the Duke of Marlborough Hotel and you want to go local. B) While sailing New Zealand’s Bay of Islands a cyclone strikes; you need the protection of a Hurricane Hole. Matauwhi Bay is your refuge.
Russell Boat Club
Lesser Known Facts: The sole display of social stratification within the RBC community is revealed at the dinghy dock. Twenty dinghies are tied up at the Russell Boating Club; ten dinghies are powered by a small outboard motor, the other ten rowed in. Those rowing have to time their return trip based on the in/out flow of the 11 foot tide.
Standing at the bar, Ida Bircher, bartender, responded to her customer, “If you want help, don’t ask my husband.” Community advice.
Ida, an Irish rover, sailed into Matauwhi Bay and the Russell Boating Club two years ago from Fort Lauderdale by way of Australia. Ida controls how quickly beer is served. When asked to repeat her name, she said, “Ida. Like in Ida good time.”
Local Recommendation Meals are served at the RBC on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The price is a fraction of nearby alternatives.
A dinghy carrying eight was being rowed towards the RBC dinghy dock; the boat rode low in the water. As the overloaded dinghy approached a hunched senior sailor, doing the South Pacific on a 24-foot vessel, scurried to help. After a successful disembarkation, he passed by and whispered, “I’d rather assist on the dinghy dock than have to jump in.” Community wisdom.
Something for Nothing: A) Feel young again at the Russell Boating Club without the cost of drugs. On this Wednesday eve in January 2014, the youngest person in the RBC was 51 years. B) Parking is free; either at the dinghy dock or in the lot for autos.
