Swallow Boats Raid 2015

[Helen and Chris]

Swallow Boats Raid 2015

The inaugural Swallow Boats Raid is proposed for Mon 29 June to Fri 3 July 2015 at Falmouth, Cornwall.  Based at Mylor Yacht Harbour, it will consist of three days of sailing with a day either end for launching and recovery.

The aim of the Raid is to give like-minded people the opportunity to sail together in the spectacular location of Falmouth Harbour.  There will be a different destination each day for lunch or a cream tea!  Light-hearted competition will be arranged for those who wish to partake but there will be no pressure to join in if you just wish to cruise in company.

Following traditional Raid rules, if the wind dies while you are racing you can use any form of oars or paddles to propel the boat or, if you are cruising, just resort to the outboard!  There will be a couple of RIBs to accompany us and to act as support boats, and we will all keep an eye on each other.

Each night the boats will moor at Mylor Yacht Harbour and dinner will be provided at Castaways Restaurant, overlooking the marina.  There are a variety of accommodation options available in the local area including a campsite, B&Bs and holiday cottages, or you can sleep on board your boat in the marina.

If you are sailing single-handed, or new to Swallow Boats, there will be plenty of other friendly and willing people around to advise and assist, be it with launching, recovery or any other aspect of the Raid.  So, come and join us for an excellent week of sailing and socialisation and meet some of your fellow Swallow Boaters!

The proposed programme and costs for the Raid are available on the news page of the Swallow Boats website (www.swallowboats.com).
If you would like to register, please email events@swallowboats.com and request a booking form.

UPDATE

The Raid is proving to be very popular and we already have 27 boats that have booked a place.  If you want to join us don't delay as we may have to limit numbers.

The attached file lists the current entrants.

[Graham W]

Great!  When the English Raid was held at Mylor in September, it was one of the most fun events that I've been to.  I can't wait to do it again, especially if it's a Swallow Boats Raid, so please put my name down.  I'll be sleeping on shore.

[Andy Dingle]

Hello Helen and Chris.

The new love in my life and I would be delighted to attend! Accom will be on board in the Marina.
Many thanks for taking this on..
Do you want formal contact details? Or is this just for expressions of interest at this stage to see how many are interested?

Regards

Andy
Baycruiser23 No.25 'Equinox'

[Julian Swindell]

We'll be there, can't wait to go back. Probably three of us. We will try to find a cottage for the week, so just need a berth in the marina.

[Michael Rogers]

Expression of interest - yes. Some logistical uncertainties to sort out at this range

[Helen and Chris]

Hi Andy,

Expression of interest and preference of accommodation is all that is required at the moment. More details will be forthcoming in the New Year.

Best wishes,

Helen

BRe Skylark

[Graham W]

Water Craft 109 has just popped through my letter box.  Amongst the usual publicity for Swallow Boats (including a four-page article by Nick Newland on water ballast, with illustrations) is an article on September's Raid England at Mylor by Andrew Wolstenholme.  This includes a full page photo of Michael and Cavatina.

[Bill Rollo]

Dear Helen

Sounds good to me too.

Best wishes

Bill

[Rob Johnstone]

I think Vagabond will be there - it all depends on the owners agent and I've not spoken to her yet....Which reminds me, I need to get another tow car before Sail Caledonia!
Rob J

[Andy Dingle]

Nice to see you pop your head up Rob.. Thought you might have gotten lost in the bowels of Colossus. Or run off with Alvis wearing only your Singlet.. (Happy days).

Caledonia hey? Hoping to add to your collection of silverware? But will it be gentleman's participation and letting Freddy take the strain? I would imagine so.
I'm doing Morbihan, despite it being in France. Else I would have been tempted, a damn good excuse not to have to row in a Baycruiser 23!

Hope you can make it to Falmouth, it will be a hoot I am sure. Let's see the Grey and the Red showing the rest of the fleet a clean pair of transoms.. and if I am behind you, it's only so I can see how you do it..!

[jonno]

Hi Helen and Chris

Thanks for organising this.  Yes please.  I've sailed in Ella from Mylor on three occasions: a convenient base in a great sailing area.

Accommodation?  Not sure yet.  Tent or campervan.  Or, if without crew, perhaps I'll sleep on board.

John
BR Ella

[David Hudson]

Yes please.

I will be bringing Rustie my navigator and his friends......sleeping ruff.

[Michael Rogers]

Ummm... have to be careful how I word this. Is there a particular reason why it is to be a 'Swallow Boats' Raid? Does that exclude 'others'? If not, why call it "SB", and do the 'others' know they are welcome? How?

I ask because 1) Swallow Boaters are already really rather good at organising events for SBs, and there are plenty of those to choose from each year. Is another 'exclusive' one needed? 2) One of the fun things about the Raid at Mylor was the mix of boats involved, and it was a reminder that Matt is not the only one designing really good boats (I know his metaphorical shoulders are broad enough for him not to mind my saying that). 3) It has always been a problem to find people to organise The (English) Raid, and here are Helen and Chris volunteering!! I don't think many people would mind The Raid going to Mylor again - those who were there this year want to go again, and those who weren't would like to give it a go. It is fabulous sailing.

So, can I suggest an Open event again, and for it to be advertised as such? Helen and Chris might want to put a cap on numbers - completely understandable. And if it is less 'organised' (and therefore cheaper/) than the 2015 event, that's not necessarily a bad thing, especially to those who weren't happy about the cost last time (though I think it was flipping' good value).

Finally, let's face it, we all know that the majority of boats at an Open event will be Swallow Boats anyway, so let's be inclusive and make it even more fun!!

[John Harrison]

Many thanks for organising this raid. The crew of Morgi Glas ( BRE 23 ) would like to express interest in attending .Will be able to confirm in January. Accommodation - two crew in moored boat , two in camper van.
John Nicky Steve and Reena

[Julian Swindell]

Hi Michael
I think the English Raiders have every intention of holding another English Raid in 2015, which will be a fully open event. They did in fact ask me if I could organise it in Poole, but for a variety of reasons I can't do that in 2015. If they can find any other willing volunteers it will be going ahead somewhere (they were hoping for Plymouth as a venue, do you know anyone who sails there?) My understanding is that this Swallow Boats Raid is simply a new one proposed by Swallowboats as effectively a supported association event. It will also give someone else a chance to win races apart from the 30ft whale boat "Molly"!
We are going, I've already booked the flat behind the pub.