Copi Celebrity Visit

A buzz was in the air when news got around that Betsy will soon be on the lake for a joy ride along with owner Gil Coulter when suddenly…the roar of Betsy’s engine filled the air and everyone knew that Betsy would soon appear from the boat haven.

The members and their guests of the club lined the banks to get a good view of her arrival and Betsy did not disappoint.

Betsy appeared driven by owner Gil Coulter with his son Wayne in the observers position and grandson Callum sitting in the back of the boat.

This was an especially exciting moment for the Coulter’s as they believe that this may be the last time Gil might have the opportunity to drive Betsy, Gil is suffering from Alzheimer’s and only brings Betsy out when Wayne comes to visit and unfortunately Wayne may not be back for quite some time.

After the initial arrival  3 generations of Coulter’s sat on the boat for photo’s with the Copi paparazzi furiously happy snapping to get that perfect shot.  When the happy snapping was over Gil decided he wanted to relax on the grass next to his wife (Dulcie) to simply watch his son and grandson in the boat.

Betsy was then taken out by Wayne for a quick joy ride, the crowed was in awe by the sound coming from the engine, the way she turned and at the speed she was able to get to with seemingly no effort.

Wayne then took his son Callum for a ski behind Betsy, along with his girlfriend Beck sitting in the boat.

Wayne put on quite the show whilst driving Betsy, the boat may be old but it can still outrun most newer boats.  Wayne did not disappoint when taking her out for a run, bringing her up to massive speeds and also scaring the buggery out of everyone who was watching on the beach.

Wayne drove Betsy at great speed around the two boys that make up the course closest to the beach.  He would turn so sharply Betsy looked like she could have turned on a 20 cent coin, Betsy’s engine roared as it few across the water and she sat up out of the water seeming to almost fly.

When making one of the trips across the front of the banks Wayne made a sharp turn around the buoy but suddenly he seemed to lose all control, the boat somehow tuned in a complete circle, the wakes seemed to cross each and sink Betsy and her occupants and then she popped up out of the water, then nose dived back into the water but then surprised everyone again by regaining control and taking off again.

The crowd cheered and you could clearly hear Beck cheer from the boat, (she later told me that she was terrified and cheered as if to say all was ok). Wayne didn’t seem at all shaken up, saying it was pretty intense and all happened so quickly but with luck all was ok.

Peter Spratt was also taken for a ski behind Betsy, Pete put on quite the show and the smile on his face when he finished his ski proved that he really enjoyed it.

Wayne, Dulcie, Gil and Callum told me lots of stories about Gil his passion for Copi Hollow, his boat and his family.  I have been provided with a lot of invaluable notes, minutes, newspaper clippings and photo’s that I will use in the newsletter over the coming months (from what I have seen so far it will be a real trip down memory lane for some).

I’d like to thank the Coulter family for providing me with all this info.