International Cruising Rally, to be held in Friesland, the Netherlands, 31 August – 6 September 2024
31st International Wayfarer Rally, Friesland, The Netherlands, August 31 – September 6, 2024
Sailing:
We start in Akkrum on Saturday 31 August, 2024. Early arrivals can have a first sail to the nearby lake on Saturday. The following days, subject to wind direction, we aim to explore the east side of Friesland, including the Alde Feanen national park. Every day the mother ships will sail directly to the evening’s destination, while the Wayfarers will meander on a roundabout route through the wonderfully scenic Dutch waterway system. Along the way there will be opportunity to explore the many traditional Dutch towns at the water edge. Both mother ships are traditional (but modernized) sailing ‘klippers’ so we’ll be sure to also plan a day to sail with one of them. Handling these ships under sail requires the help of about a dozen pairs of hands. On Thursday we return to Akkrum in good time for a Farewell Dinner ashore.
Accommodation:
This time we have “De Hoop” and “Stella Frisia” of Friesland Charter as ‘mother ships’ (see www.frieslandcharter.nl ). In total, these ships have accommodation for 40-45 participants in 23 1, 2, 3 and 4 person cabins, toilet and showers are in the bow of the ships. Each has a cozy salon aft.
The ship’s skipper will feed us but we will help by setting and clearing the tables, washing the dishes and keeping our own cabins clean.
The ‘mother’ ships, will be available starting on Saturday morning 10:00 through lunchtime on Friday.
On arrival we can board the mother ships at the Friesland Charter quay in Akkrum. Cars and trailers can be left here on the premises after the boats are in the water.
Booking:
Registration is open from Sunday 24 September 2023, 16 hrs, Amsterdam time. Please register through the NedWa website, www.wayfarer.nl. Prices for the rally per person:
- early bird € 600, payment shall be in before November 1st, 2023;
- later than November 1st, 2023 the price is € 650 / person.
Notes
Priority. The first 10 days after registration is opened, priority will be given to registrants of the cancelled Rally in 2020. This is a gesture since in 2020 we could not fully refund the registrants because, when cancelling due to Covid-19, cancellation fees were applicable to the mother vessels already contracted.
Nationalities. We further aim to have the greatest possible number of nationalities. Otherwise, places will be allocated on a ‘first come first served’ basis.
Early application. It is likely that the numbers would be exceeded, so early application is recommended or you might be on the waiting list.
Commitment. If a situation similar to Covid-19 were to occur, NedWa would again endeavour to return to participants any and all funds that can be recovered from contracts committed.
The Thomas Edison celebratory Sail: 10th to 12th February 2023 Brancaster Staithe
Bring your Wayfarer along to North Norfolk (PE31 8BW will get you there) so you can get it rigged up on Friday (or suffer the consequence of a very early start on Saturday morning).
Accommodation is provided at the Bunkhouse at Burnham Deepdale. This luxury sleeping facility has been booked and paid for in advance and has been found to be an ideal facility in past years. This year the electricity that Thomas found to be so useful and which heats the facility will be considerably more expensive unfortunately.
You do need to be suitably experienced and equipped as we may be sailing out to sea, but if in doubt give me a ring to discuss.
You will of course need to know what to bring – it will be cold! so many fleeces, hats, gloves and ‘base layer’ clothing to be worn. The motto will be, ‘You can always take it off, but if you haven’t got it with you, then you can’t put it on’! It is also fairly certain that spray will be a factor, so waterproof trousers and jackets will be worn as a minimum. Drysuits are preferred, wetsuits are not. For feet we recommend dinghy boots or wellies big enough to accommodate a thick sock or two. Safety is of course of importance as this sail is towards the extreme end of Wayfarer events – sustenance is of course supreme important – eat lots and keep warm.
High water is at 09.38hrs on Saturday and launch time will be around 07.30hrs so be prepared! Time and more importantly tide wait for no man!!
A Friday evening meal can be had at the Bunkhouse or a local pub. Saturday evening will see us enjoying a Chinese takeaway meal at The Bunkhouse. Post-dinner refreshment will be in support of local pubs (walking distance). Lunches will be your responsibility and can be taken after sailing but remember to take some food to keep you going on the water. You need to supply your own breakfasts and any particular delicacies you can provide will be readily shared amongst the group.
Duvets/sheets and pillowcases are provided by the establishment. There are two showers in the Bunkhouse so washing is a possibility but by no means compulsory.
And here’s the rub – nothing these days is free and this short, but delightful break from the routine and drudgery of winter life is no exception. A £70.00 deposit per head will secure your place. I have already forked out for the accommodation so – ‘pay up early’ please. Send your money to me before the end of December. The final cost will depend on how many lunatics decide to attend to share the cost of the event but is shouldn’t exceed £70.00 per person plus £5.00/day launching per boat.
Places are limited as The Bunkhouse sleeping arrangements have altered slightly to reduce Covid mixing.
Matt Sharman W7688/3408