Cancelled due to Covid Restrictions
Unfortunately we have had to take the decision to cancel the Easter Event for 2021 as it falls before the roadmap date of 12th April for easing Covid restrictions. Overnight stays will not yet be permitted and marinas are not accepting visitors for Easter. We hope to add another event into the calendar this year, and have provisionally booked with Lymington for Easter 2022!
Looking forward to seeing you on the water later in the season, with the South Coast May Day Bank Holiday event still hopefully going ahead.
Please note the following important points regarding this year's events:
In the January committee meeting, we agreed that events will open earlier than usual for registration this year, generally they will open approximately two months before the event date. The main reason for this is that several marinas have changed their booking policy for rallies, and now require individual skippers to make their own reservations in advance. The advance period required ranges from two days to a month +. This season looks like it might be exceptionally busy, with boat owners holidaying in the UK, and using their boats more than usual.
Where indicated, it is recommended to register for the event, and book your marina berth as early as possible. Please state that you are joining the S&CA rally when booking. Unfortunately, it is possible that skippers could be registered for our event, but unable to secure a berth!
Due to the above, and also the possibility of having to re-arrange the catering and social activities, registrations will not involve making payments in advance this year. If a paid activity is confirmed, either a separate event registration will be sent, or the organiser will collect payments at the event.
Easter Advance Bookings Required:
1) Lymington Harbour Commissioners (01590 672014), Dan Bran Pontoon, Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd April
- 1. At least one week prior to the arrival date, the rally/group organiser must contact the Harbour Office to finalise boat numbers and sizes.
- 2. At least 2 days in advance of the arrival date, rally/group participants must telephone the Harbour Office to provide their full details, confirm their booking and make payment.
2) Southampton Ocean Village MDL have not requested advance booking.
Anticipated Covid Mitigations
It looks unlikely that the quiz and dinner will be able to take place at Lymington Town Sailing Club, or that we will be able to visit the London Hotel in Southampton. Evening drinks and other social activities may be restricted to individual crews in isolation.
Alternative arrangements of individual catering on board, or takeaways will be communicated closer to the event date.
EVENT DETAILS:
The Easter Rally will be the first event of the season since Easter falls early in April, and Covid restrictions may be problematic for an early March 'Kick Off' event. The Easter Rally is a 3-4 day event starting in Lymington, where we have berths reserved for two nights and a day of shore based activities on Easter Saturday. On Easter Sunday we will make our way to Ocean Village Marina in Southampton, heading back to home ports on Easter Monday.
Easter Rally, HW Portsmouth 15:46 on Friday 2nd, 19:14 Monday 5th.
THE PLAN
Good Friday 2nd April
Crews will make their way to the Lymington Dan Bran Pontoon for Friday Evening.
Drinks on the pontoon and aboard in the evening, with option to eat on board or make own arrangements for restaurant bookings.
Skippers - Note that Lymington Harbour authority have changed their rally booking procedure. All individual vessels must now pay in advance for their berthing reservation. Failure to pay for your berth will mean that your berthing reservation will be cancelled. Further details will be provided on registration.
Easter Saturday 3rd April
On Saturday morning we will walk along the coastal path, and Solent Way Ancient Highway to Keyhaven and Hurst Castle. It's a long trek, so those wanting a shorter walk can turn back at the mid-point.
On Saturday evening 'Plan A' is to have a quiz followed by a pre-booked buffet style dinner at the Lower Deck Bar, Lymington Town Sailing Club at a cost of £17 per person.
Menu - Beef Chilli with Jacket Potatoes and Vegetable Curry with Rice followed by Chocolate Fudge Cake and Cheesecake
Any members and their friends who would like to join us just for the walk, and / or Saturday evening at the Sailing Club are very welcome.
Lymington Dan Bran Pontoon also reserved for Saturday Evening
Easter Sunday 4th April
Crews make their way to Southampton Ocean Village. There will be an optional excursion to The London Hotel to support the local pink economy!
We will have drinks on the pontoons or onboard in the evening, and a Chinese Takeaway style meal will be pre-ordered for each crew. The cost for the meal is £17 per person.
Easter Monday5th April
Head for home ports.
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COVID NOTE
The Committee intends that club events will go ahead wherever possible in 2021, and the planned events are not intended to be cancelled unless they are clearly prohibited by government restrictions.
All events will be run as 'Cruise in Company'. All participants must comply with and be individually responsible for relevant guidance or regulations such as socially distancing, maximum group sizes and household mixing during any interaction of crew groups.
It will be the responsibility of individual skippers to comply with relevant guidance or regulations in respect of crewing arrangements and the safety of their crews. This includes, but is not limited to - hygiene precautions, social distancing, group sizes and mixing of households on board.
Due to the uncertainty over Covid risks and restrictions at the time of the event, activities and catered dining arrangements (Plan A) are subject to change or cancellation. Crews will need to be prepared for a Plan B of switching to an open air BBQ in individual crew groups or catering on board for example.
All attendees must be registered for the event for track and trace purposes.
ANYONE EXPERIENCING COVID SYMPTOMS MUST NOT ATTEND
GETTING HELP TO JOIN US
Crew seeking berths are initially advised to visit the club Facebook ‘Crew Match’ page. If you are unsuccessful or not in the Facebook group, you are welcome to contact the event host.
Land based participants are as always welcome to join, and may wish to take advantage of one of the local hotels or B&B's in the area.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?
1. Register your attendance via the S&CA website by Friday 26th March
2. Visit the Facebook CrewMatch page for all crewing opportunities
3. Upon approach, skippers will be required to contact the harbor / marina by VHF for specific berthing instructions. (please state you are part of the S&CA/Sailing&Cruising Association Rally)
4. You can bring along friends, but remember to ‘add guest’ at the point of your registration
Note
You host will be Andrew Palmer
Any questions, please email southcoast@gaysailing.org.uk
Best regards,
Sailing & Cruising Association
