Dart 15 Forums

How about the Sprint 15 Class organising a 'Raid' Event? Leaving aside the minutia and logistics of when, where and how , I wonder if such an idea would fire the imagination and excitement of any members.
I'll be interested to see the responses this suggestion may provoke. I've watched a few similar events on TV-looks like awesome fun even to an old git like me

George,

You mean an event going from place to place each day? Like the archipelago raid?

yeah would be quite interesting, we could do a round Kent and Essex event visting each of the Sprint 15 clubs in the area with the finale a long haul from Thorpe Bay to Seasalter or something like that.

Martin S.

Nice idea!!

George ,
what is a raid event and what is the awesome fun for old gits Does it involve sailing and beer

Yes, Martin - you've got the idea. I liken it to orienteering on water, going from checkpoint to checkpoint and being timed between. Perhaps even a bit like rallying. Martin's suggestion of a venue around the Thames estuary which has open water, islands and creeks is a good one. And there is our local infrastucture in that area to help make it happen.
To see the sort of thing type 'archipelago raid' into google for pics., video, etc.
You can drink as much beer as you like, Derek. I don't think there is any legal sanctions for being drunk in charge of a Sprint 15 on the water but you may wish to save your thirst for when you have reached land at the end of the day

Sounds great. I reckon I could persuade some of our non racers at Netley to have a go at that!

The Solent and Southampton Water might also be a good venue

A Raid event? Well George, there is still the Reiver in you!

For the rest of us, we'll have to lock up our cellars and daughters!

I didn't want to suggest the Solent, as I didn't want to start an argument! But there are quite a few venues we could take in, Weston, Calshot, Shanklin, Netley, Gurnard etc, we could even fit in a lap of the island (rescue cover permitting of course). ooo I'm all excited! There are a fair few waterside pubs round here as well too.

My thoughts entirely

Won't that require navigation? Quite a few of us struggle to find a windward mark even when following 20 other boats! May need to brush up on geography, GCSE coastal erosion won't be much use now, although I could tell you the land-forms as we go around.

A Raid sounds great, especially as there are no fun events at the Nationals next year.

If the Gurnard boys are reading this thread, they could dash across The Solent, raid our championship, and clear the silverware.

What a great idea! It would certainly tempt me to come down from the north of england!

Regards, Adrian (1874)