Cruising News

Ralph Roberts, our WIC representative, wishes to draw to your attention that there are still a few places remaining – please go to https://www.wayfarer.dk/sailing for further details of this unique opportunity to sail an area of coastline the like of which would never be experienced in the UK. There are also more details on a flier (pdf), linked here.

A truly fabulous family week, with sailing. For further details see the event flier linked here.

Brancaster, N. Norfolk, February 2019

February 2019 will surely go down in the record books as providing some of the warmest winter days ever. The traditional Norfolk winter sail really didn’t live up to its name this year as 27 crew and 13 boats enjoyed fabulous spring-like weather sailing from Brancaster Staithe in North Norfolk.

Saturday began misty with a very light breeze that filled in as the morning progressed, whilst Sunday saw the fleet largely motoring in brilliant warm sunshine. Tides just off springs allowed the boats to explore the creeks through to Burnham Overy harbour, with a snack stop on the end of Scolt Head Island.

The usual great welcome and the facilities at Deepdale Farm’s bunkhouse made the gathering possible with this years record numbers.

-Matt Sharman

Greta Plowman, in ‘Sea Urchin’ (W1981)

“My wonderful grandmother Greta Plowman will turn 100 this May!

Back in the 1970’s she and my grandfather Piers built and then sailed their wooden Wayfarer ‘Sea Urchin’ (W1981) along the canals of England, the coast of Britain and as their confidence grew, the Friesian and Baltic coasts.

I grew up hearing stories about being quarantined in Gdynia harbour during the Solidarity strike; of Sea Urchin being stoved-in by a large cruiser in a tiny Dutch harbour; hitching a ride back to England on a Polish freighter; and of nearly sinking in Jack Sound, off Skomer, when wind against tide created ferocious overfalls! They were contemporaries and friends of the Dyes but mostly favoured a gentler style of cruising!  ...read more

Please note that there are only four places remaining at this year’s Cruising Conference (as of Tuesday 5th). We’ll start a waiting list once the last few places are taken, but obviously it’s best to book now rather than take a chance…

Please note that the date of the Watermouth Bay/Lundy rally has been changed – it will now take place on the weekend of 6/7/8 September. Apologies for any inconvenience.

Please note that the page with details of this year’s International Rally has recently been tweaked – to reflect the current level of demand vs. the number of places available. (There is very limited space on this rally!)

Come and join us at our 61st Annual General Meeting held during the RYA Dinghy Show, Room Palm Court 5, Alexandra Palace, London, on Saturday 2 March.

Doors open: 15.30 hrs Meeting begins: 16.00 hrs.

Full agenda and other details have now been published. ...read more

Details and application forms for the 2019 UKWA Cruising Conference are now available here.

It’s a popular event – get your application in early!