Autumn Outing on the Solent – 17th to 19th September
Latest news on this event - Call Gavin (02380 555669 or 07946 397573) for info re access to Netley SC
The OCSG September meet will take place on The Solent, close to Southampton, and will be an opportunity to experience Coastal Sailing in the tidal waters of one of the most popular sailing areas in the UK.
The venue will be Netley Sailing Club, which is a thriving, family club, based in the attractive grounds of the Royal Victoria Country Park on Southampton Water. As far as I know, it is unique amongst Solent sailing clubs in that it has an attractive camping field, close to the water, for the use of club members and visitors. Access from the motorway is straightforward (10 minutes from Junction 8 of the M27). See www.netleysc.co.uk for further details.
Due to its location and facilities Netley Sailing Club is a very popular location for open events and, every year, has to turn away more requests than can be accommodated at the club. However, to allay some concerns by the events subcommittee that an OCSG meet at Netley could assume the proportions of another largish scale open meet (rather than the smaller scale OCSG events we know) we have received a less formal invitation based around joining Netley Sailing Club (Saturday 18th September) on a ‘Sailaway’ (i.e. a day’s cruise from Netley Sailing Club to a location somewhere in the Solent). The Beaulieu River (about 9 NMs from Netley) has been mooted as a likely destination but this is subject to change. Other possible destinations include Cowes, Isle of Wight (about the same distance) and the River Hamble (about 5 NMs depending on how far up the river). There are also interesting closer destinations, if the weather so dictates.
Initially, this event was advertised on the OCSG website as a Level 2 (intermediate ability) event. However, the revised format involving up to a full day’s sail in moderately exposed coastal waters, has meant the event has now been reclassified as Level 3 (advanced).
Netley SC does organise a rescue boat for all Sailaways, where all sail as one group, so it will be necessary to be able to maintain a reasonable sailing speed in order to avoid getting left too far behind. However, I participated in two Netley SC Sailaways last year (one to Eling at the top of Southampton Water and the over to Cowes and up the Medina River to the Folly Inn) and was able to easily keep pace with mixed fleets including; Wayfarers, an RS Vareo, a GP 14 and an Enterprise - so any OCSG sailor capable of mid to front of fleet OCSG race performance will not get left behind. However, rest assured the club rescue boat will maintain contact with all participants until safely returned to Netley.
Although this invitation is based around the day’s cruise, OCSG members are very welcome, as usual at OCSG weekend meets, to arrive on the afternoon or evening of Friday 17th and depart on Sunday 19th. Weather permitting, I’m sure there will be opportunities for a race or two on the Sunday. We may organise this ourselves or possibly be able to tag onto one of the club racing starts. Given that neap tides are forecast, launching and recovery will be possible at all states of the tide, although it might be just slightly muddy right on low tide at 15.10, on the Sunday. It will be necessary to become temporary member of Netley Sailing club at £10 per day but this includes camping, launching and use of all club facilities such as showers and the bar.
I realise this event is a little different to most OCSG events but hope those OCSG members who would like to try something possibly different, of level 3 standard and in a new sort of location will want to come. Like any OCSG event, it’s success is partially weather dependent (and we did have a few washouts last year!) but apart from looking forward to sailing with OCSG members in my home waters, I’m also hoping to stimulate some more interest in canoe sailing on the South Coast. If you would like to know more please give me a call or find me at an OCSG meet before September. Further details will appear in the Gossip, nearer the time.
Some may want to combine the OCSG meet with a visit to the Southampton Boat Show (10th to 19th Sept.).
Gavin Millar
