Chris Bentley
Just to let you all know that the dates are 6th to 10th June 2011.
I have asked for more info, hopefully, to follow.
Chris
Chris Bentley
Hi all,
I will talk to Dabchicks about the dates and discover whether they are moveable.
Chris
Andrew Baker
Hi all,
I will talk to Dabchicks about the dates and discover whether they are moveable.
Chris
Hi Chris.
That is also the week after half term so if anyone has planned to be away for half term then that means two weeks off work. In my case the children have inset days added in the suggested week to make a two week half term. I would not be popular if I went sailing then! I know you cannot please everyone but a week or so later would be better.
Andrew
Spring Sonata
David Boatman
Chris, School summer hols would be best for us, if that period of time becomes an option.
Regards
Dave
murray caldwell
Hi
Are the national dates still being discussed or are they definitely 6th to 10th June 2011?
Regards
Murray
Rachel Ramsay
Hi
Yes, the dates are 5th to 10th June 2011 at Dabchicks Sailing Club. Racing Information, Social Programme and useful information will be available on Dabchicks website early next month.
Rachel (Dabchicks Sonata Rep)
Chris Bentley
Hi all,
just to point you in the right direction;
The Sonata Facebook Pages have all the info available and a link to the Dabckicks website. See our home page.
Chris Bentley
Hi All,
Sharon and I paid a visit to Dabchicks yesterday and had a chat with Commodore John. They have been working hard on the Nationals – now just over a month away – and have Sponsors for every day and a band for every night. Well done! All the info is on their website, link on ours and on the Facebook page.
But the entry list is looking a bit sparse at just four boats on it as I write. We, BFG, are as guilty as the rest of you and I am about to put that right by sending our entry and I would urge all of you who have decided to come (you should know by now) to get on and do it. And if you really are still thinking about it, make the commitment! Dabchicks are a very friendly and hospitable Club and they have made a huge effort to make this event successful.The water is probably the best on the East Coast for a Championship, West Mersea has a unique charm and it’s not expensive. And it is Dabchicks Centenary. Please make every effort to support them.
I realise that the dates have always been an issue for Northern boats. Unfortunately they were dictated by the tides, which limit access to the moorings, and so couldn’t be easily moved. But if you are North of Watford and not doing the Scottish Series, (Windermere and Whitby are you there)? please think again. You could even charter a boat – The Apprentice is available – see Jack Gozett’s post.
East Coast boats have even fewer excuses because you can arrive by water in less than a day’s sail. If it’s crew that is the problem, why not team up with another boat? There are well over 100 Sonata crew on the Medway alone. With a bit of creative organising you could treble the entries overnight.
Please give it some serious thought. I look forward to racing against a lot more of you than the current prospects!
Chris
Gareth Martel
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Chris Bentley
Hurray for Dabchicks!
Dabchicks ran a brilliant Nationals. Me, personally, I have done a few, including the last two at Dabchicks and last year’s at Helensburgh, Clyde.
It was was top class. I felt very welcome and everything we needed to race a competitive series worked. I am sure all your visitors felt the same. Thank you.
I have written to Dabchicks directly but I want to re-iterate my thanks to Rachel, for a huge amount of work before and during, John (Commodore) for being there. He was always there. Every time I went somewhere, there he was. I didn’t (quite) get a stalking complex, but it was close! And Peter, our Race Officer. He did a totally professional job, no fuss, no delays. Plus a couple of challenging lines. Behind those three were a first class team. They too have my sincere thanks.
It’s always the little things that make the big difference, and the ones you remember. I had a mug of tea on Tuesday morning, served by Hattie, one of the seriously hard working volunteer kitchen staff. The mug was labeled “3rd”. I jokingly said I would prefer one with 1st on it. I have no idea how much effort Hattie and her fellow caterers put into finding one with that on, but I think it was a lot. Sure enough, next morning I got one which actually said “Most Improved” but had carefully been re-labled “1st” in felt tip. Magic! I won’t forget that. And the rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody, edited, hilariously, by Graham Frost and the Aubie Too team was classic. I will amend the NSA Constitution at the next AGM to make this, or something similar, a compulsory anthem at every Nationals from now on. So’s reprise of it on the race course next morning was another unforgettable moment. Thanks again.
Next is Medway 2012. They have set us a very high bar, but we will do our very best. I hope we can count on all the Mersea boats, just get that Apprentice off the drive! As I briefly mentioned in my speech we have a lot of “freebies” including moorings, lift in/out and cheap accommodation. What this means is that we can put more back into giving you a great time on and off the water. It is a holiday as well as a Nationals, after all.
And sorry for not posting this sooner. A lot of my time since has been taken up with getting BFG to Cowes for the RTI and now down to Brixham for the Southerns. Its hard to write posts upwind in a force 5 plus! A log of that adventure will follow. Watch this space!
Chris 
Paul Hopper
Hi all
Just to reiterate BFG’s thanks to Dabchicks for a great 2011 Nationals from Watersong and the Medway boats, and in particular to the two Rachels and Commodore John. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did.
In exactly a years time we will have have had our first days racing at the 2012 Nationals!!
So put the date in your diary now or one of those iphone thingies! We have free craneage in and out organised for you – courtesy of sponsorship by CraftInsure as well as free moorings for the week courtesy of Medway Yacht Club. You can put the money saved to the diesel or beer fund depending on your priorities!
Hope to see you on the Medway next year.
Paul
Watersong 8420
Mark Taylor
These dates will probably be an issue for Saraband and probably other Scottish boats as we have the Scottish Series May 27-May 30th 2011, then proposed dates suggest back to work Tuesday to Friday then have a week off for the Nationals down south………..looks like a “big ask” from both work boss and the real boss, Tricia. No way I can take the full two weeks off as I will have used too much family holiday time.
Even getting a further weeks separation betwen the events would help at work………is there any flexibility available? We can discuss over some wine at Helensburgh!!
regards
Mark
Saraband 8314N