Wessex

Please join us for Lunch on Sunday 3rd December in the wonderful location of Parkstone Yacht Club. We look forward to a lovely occasion with all our members - whether we've met you several times before, or if this is your first time - all are very welcome, we're a friendly bunch!

Pip is based in Poole, belongs to Poole Yacht Club, and is an honorary member of the CA. After delivering an incredible performance as the underdog in the 20/21 Vendée Globe, Pip is now working with a professional team and preparing a new boat for the 2024 Edition of the race. You can read much more about Pip, her racing and her inspiring talks, at piphare.com.

After dinner, Pip will talk about her preparations for Vendee Globe 2024; the training, fundraising and support required in the lead up to this prestigious event.

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a national charity that takes young people aged 8-24 on sailing and outdoor adventures to inspire them to believe in a brighter future living through and beyond cancer. Every day around 12 young people under 25 are diagnosed with cancer. For many young people simply picking up where they left off before their diagnosis just isn’t possible. That is why when treatment ends the Trust’s work begins.

Some say they represent the true Corinthian spirit of sailing others think they are crazy, but the Jester Challenge truly provides challenges to all who participate. Named after Blondie Haslar’s boat which he sailed in the first Observer Single Handed Transatlantic Rally (OSTAR), Jester Challenges now exist on the original transatlantic route plus events to the Azores and Baltimore, Ireland. They are low budget and minimally regulated events for single handed sailors in small boats, typically less than 30’.

At our annual Near and Far evening Wessex members share a part of their 2023 cruising season. We have four presentations and a chance to mingle in the break.

Peter and Hilary bought a boat in Scotland then decided not to bring her home.  They will talk about the wonderful cruising area of the West Coast of Scotland.

Starting out from Dartmouth in March 2019 in his 34ft boat Good Dog, Mark has completed a 5 year challenge to visit every Harbour Master in the British Isles including the whole of Ireland. He has sailed 9,000 nautical miles, visited 310 harbours and interviewed 256 Harbour Masters in places ranging from Cornish fishing villages, remote Irish Atlantic islands, urban container ports and everything in between. All is in support of The Seafarers’ Charity.

The RNLI College in Poole opens its doors to provide a fascinating insight to the training of its lifeboat crews and lifeguards. CA Wessex Section has arranged a tour for CA members only, 90 minutes behind the scenes, on Tuesday, 4th April at 1400. Please visit the RNLI College website for more information about the College.

Learn how some understanding of modern weather forecasting methods can help you get the most out of your sailing and stay safe. Andrew’s talk will cover sources of weather information useful for offshore sailors to help you achieve this. He will include examples of ‘official’ forecasts as well as the wide range of commercial sources now available. The talk will conclude with a weather routing exercise for a Channel crossing from Poole.

CA members Bob & Elaine Hazell left the UK in 2008 on their yacht ‘Pipistrelle’ to realise a life’s ambition. Here they recall 9 months’ fantastic experience of the best sailing they have ever had in crossing the South Pacific from the Panama Canal to New Zealand, and visiting many stunning islands on route. Included is not only information about their yacht, but also the importance of route planning, weather forecasting, and how to prepare for an ocean passage.

We are sure to enjoy stunning photos and tales of remote locations.