easter rally

Easter Rally 2014

Port Solent is a destination marina near Portsmouth, Hampshire, and is well-known as the base for The yacht charter company Sunsail, however, there is another event held there which is increasing in popularity every year, the Easter Rally.

The Port Solent Easter Rally will take place this year from April 18 to April 20. Hosted by the Little Ship Club, it promises to be a fun-filled weekend. This club started out with 27 members, and its membership has grown to over 4000. When the club was originally founded, its objective was ‘the furtherance of knowledge of seamanship and navigation of small boats, as well as interchanging of ideas, combined with a social gathering. ‘It has certainly lived up to that objective. The annual Easter Rally brings together yachting and sailing enthusiasts old and new, with the highlight being the Fast Cruise. This is a training exercise, where crew members run through safety and maintenance procedures while sailing a timed passage.

The weekend kicks off with a gathering of boats at Bembridge Harbour, located on the Isle of Wight, on the opposite side of the Solent Strait, facing Port Solent. There will be an evening barbecue under the marquee. The following day brings the main event: The Fast Cruise. Participants will be given a course to follow to Lymington, on the other shore of the Solent. The Fast Course winds up with a pontoon party; then, on the morning of Easter Sunday, the boats will head to the Marchwood Yacht Club, situated at the head of Southampton Water. While en route, participants will be given a quiz to fill out. Upon arrival at Marchwood, the boats will tie up and proceed to a sumptuous dinner at the yacht club. In the spirit of the weekend, prizes will be awarded.

The weather can occasionally pose a challenge, but that is part and parcel of sailing and adds to the sense of adventure and camaraderie. The Port Solent Easter Rally is always a great kick-off to the sailing season, a chance to throw off the mantle of winter and look forward to a season of fun activities on the water. The event has turned many a landlubber into a sailor.

easter rally

Photo Credit: robef via Compfight cc

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